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Some pharmacy chains across the U.S. are waiving delivery fees for prescription drugs to discourage older customers and those with underlying health conditions from visiting stores during the coronavirus outbreak.
Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the White House urges older adults to stay home, stay away from other people and avoid discretionary trips. Explore asking a friend or family member to pick up prescriptions for you. If you must pick up a prescription on your own, consider using drive-through pharmacy services where available.
As well, talk to your pharmacist and health care insurer to see if your insurance plan offers a more affordable mail-order option. Some insurers are also allowing early refills and extending the term of a prescription, perhaps from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply. Having more medication on hand means refills are needed less frequently.
These retailers have announced free delivery of eligible prescription medications. Talk to your pharmacist to ensure eligibility. For example, controlled substances and refrigerated medications might not be eligible for delivery. If you are aware of other retailers offering free delivery, please alert us in the comments section below.
- Albertsons/Safeway: Albertsons chains with pharmacies, including Safeway, will waive delivery fees for same-day and next-day prescription deliveries, as well as for mail deliveries, until May 1, 2020. Most rush deliveries (one- and two-hour) are excluded.
- CVS Pharmacy: Free one-to-two-day delivery of prescription medicine is encouraged for high-risk customers until May 1, 2020.
- Kinney Drugs: For customers who are not feeling well, free delivery of prescriptions and products such as over-the-counter medications, household supplies and pantry items is available.
- Rite Aid: Home delivery is available upon request and the company will waive delivery fees. Customers should contact their local Rite Aid pharmacist for details. Controlled substances or refrigerated medications are not eligible.
- Walgreens: The chain is waiving delivery fees for all eligible prescriptions. Customers should speak with a pharmacist to confirm prescription eligibility. Essential household items such as cleaning and medical supplies are available for purchase at the pharmacy drive-through.
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