How to Get Prescription Drugs
While we all stock up on food, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies, it’s important to remember that many of us also take the medicines we need on a daily basis to ensure access to them during a pandemic. Nearly half of us have taken prescription drugs in the past 30 days, according to the CDC. This is a lot of people, a lot of prescriptions, a lot of trips to the pharmacy and a great potential for coronavirus infection.
Given how important it is to restrict our travel to the street, one alternative is prescription drug delivery: instead of getting a prescription every month and risking exposure, pharmacies are starting to offer additional home delivery options.
- CVS has extended its free prescription shipping until May 1, which also extends to other essential items such as medicines and over-the-counter vitamins.
- Walgreens Express Shipping offers delivery from your nearest location and free shipping on select drugs.
- Walmart offers free standard shipping for all recipes.
- Other options include the Express Scripts online pharmacy service as well as the Amazon Pill Pack , both of which offer free shipping.
- You can also call your local pharmacy to find out what delivery options they offer.
The CDC recommends keeping a supply of your medication on hand for at least a few weeks in case you develop symptoms of the coronavirus and need to self-isolate. Unfortunately, given the many restrictions that health insurers have on early restocking, limiting how much you can get in one go, and when you’re allowed to pick up your next supply, restocking is not as easy as going to the pharmacy and getting enough for the next. three months.
However, with the ongoing crisis, some health insurance companies are beginning to loosen their rules on early replenishment , which can help you get enough drugs to last longer. Be sure to call your health insurance provider or visit their website to see if this exception applies to you.