I just realized something about big box pharmacies

[spinbaby]

I picked up a colonoscopy prep kit yesterday at the big box pharmacy. The entire kit consisted of two laxative tablets; a plastic jug containing a bit of salt, baking soda, and potassium chloride; and "flavoring packets" resembling Kool Aid. Total value of what I got was, in my estimation, $5 tops. My co-payment was $30. The pharmacist said the regular price was over $50.

That's when it hit me these big-box pharmacies sprouting all over the place are being entirely supported by overpriced pharmaceuticals. The aspirin, milk, cosmetics, magazines, and cheap Chinese junk filling the rest of these giant buildings are just there to make them more attractive places to buy overpriced pharmaceuticals.

[Skidmore]

1. Which is why I stick with my village pharmacist

who gives good advice about how to save on medication when we need it.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. ask Target to price match Costco - often they will do it

they might ask 'which medicines?' and say 'ALL of 'em' if you are getting several

Saved a mint. Plus, the laws in most states allow you to get medicine at Costco even if you don't have a membership - same with liquor. But don't wash those meds down with liquor - :)

[elocs]

6. The trouble is that my city has no Costco, nor is there any one near me. n/t

[tomm2thumbs]

17. I found them online

http://www.costco.com/Pharmacy/Prescription.aspx

I'm guessing if they cannot force people to have memberships to get prescriptions in-store, it should carry over to their online purchases, but you would have to verify. Just putting it out there as a possible option to check.

[LuckyLib]

3. I hate the chains. But Costco drugs are VERY cheap. Who has a neighborhood pharmacy anymore?

They've all been put out of business.

[bananas]

4. And you don't have to be a member to use the pharmacy at Costco's, Sam's Club, or other "clubs"

Federal regulations.
See: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3075547&mesg_id=3075664

[bedazzled]

7. three are three great pharmacies on palm beach island!

one even has a functional lunch counter! think
woolworths!

they have an awesome collection of the best items,
you don't see a selection like that anymore.

only the best for the rich

[safeinOhio]

5. I save a bunch by using

online vet supply companies for all of my drug needs.:think:

[Delphinus]

8. You don't have to have a prescription?

Thankfully I'm not on any meds, but this might be a good idea if I ever need them.

[ThomWV]

9. Better get used to them - as the population continues to age more will show up

As if they weren't already on every street corner.

[spinbaby]

10. Isn't that the truth

It's like there's a giant Walgreens or CVS on every corner.

[ThomWV]

15. It used to be prime spots for gas stations, now its Pharmacies

[unblock]

11. that's actually not true

there's a reason the pharmacy is always in the back of the store.
it's so you have to walk past all aisles of other stuff to get to and then again from the pharmacy itself. that means more impulse purchases.

there's also a reason why pharmacists usually stall when filling your prescription. for one reason or another, they'll make you wait 20 minutes so you have enough time to get bored and wander the store. again, more impulse purchases.

sure, they make money on the prescriptions, but they have to share it. you know the pharmaceutical company is making a fortune on it, of course.

but their real source of profits is all the other stuff in the store.

[surrealAmerican]

12. ... and why must you doctor prescribe the "kit" ...

... instead of giving you a list of items it contains (none of which would require a prescription) and instructions?

[Paul_D]

13. magnesium citrate

I had some 'issues' after the holidays which prompted my doc to clean me out so to speak. He said just go buy a bottle of magnesium citrate. It was less than $2.00. It did not taste good. I was sufficiently cleaned out. On the follow up, he said that is what they now use for colonoscopies instead of what they used to use which I'm assuming your doc still uses.

[dmr]

14. It does taste awful

blahhhhhhhhhh ....

I tasted it once to see how bad it was. When dispensing, I always advised patients, or added to the prescription label: "Best when served cold".

But sometimes there is nothing you can do to make something taste more palatable.

[lpbk2713]

16. I haven't been to CVS for years.

I saw 12 packs of Coca-Cola for a good price in the newspaper and went up to the local CVS to get some. After I paid the inflated REGULAR price they gave me a coupon which would have given me a discount on Coke on my NEXT visit. They won't ever see me again. I won't be used like that.