Best Online Pharmacies

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While you've likely used a brick-and-mortar pharmacy to get your prescriptions, online pharmacies can be a convenient and efficient way to get the medications you need. Online pharmacies allow you to fill prescription medications using a pharmacy you visit online or on an app instead of in-person.

Regardless of the type of pharmacy you use, local or online, medications that are not over-the-counter require a prescription by a licensed medical professional, (i.e., a physician, a nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant). A pharmacist cannot order these types of medications for you.

Now that electronic medical records are commonplace, most prescriptions are transmitted to pharmacies digitally. While you may still be given a hand-written prescription on occasion, e-prescribing, as it’s called, is preferred because it helps to decrease transcription and dosage errors. To get a prescription, you may be required to have an office or telehealth visit. Your provider will then send your prescription electronically to your preferred pharmacy. 

If you need a medication right away (i.e. an antibiotic), a local pharmacy is your best bet. However, an online pharmacy could offer you more cost savings and convenience. Your medications could be mailed to you directly and set to arrive on a fixed schedule. Plus, you may also be able to buy in bulk (i.e. getting a three-month supply of a medication at once). Some online pharmacies also offer over-the-counter non-prescription drugs at a discount.

In case you're looking to transition purchasing prescriptions from a storefront location, we've chosen the best online pharmacies to meet your needs.

Best Online Pharmacies

Best Overall : Blink Health


Blink Health

Blink Health

Key Specs

  • Availability: All 50 states and Washington D.C.
  • Accepts Insurance: Yes
  • Shipping fee: Free

Why We Chose It: Blink Health offers a no-fee service that provides access to over 15,000 medications for a fraction of their retail price.

Pros
  • No membership or hidden fees

  • Partners with major stores and independent pharmacies

  • Offers free shipping

Cons
  • No expedited shipping options

Blink Health is an online pharmacy based in New York, with out-of-state licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It may or may not accept your insurance depending on your health plan.

Standard shipping is free, although the site does not list an expected time from order to delivery. Savings may be as high as 80% off retail prices on approximately 15,000 different medications. What makes the program unique is that it is also a prescription drug discount program and can provide you discounts on drugs in their network of more than 35,000 local, brick and mortar pharmacies.

If you do not have a prescription, you can take advantage of online consultations with Blink Health physicians to get selected prescriptions, such as medications for birth control, cold sores, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and high cholesterol.

A pharmacist is available during business hours (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST) to address any questions you have. The pharmacy is recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and participates in the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program.

Best Runner-Up : Honeybee Health


Honeybee Health

Honeybee Health

Key Specs

  • Availability: In about 44 states and territories
  • Accepts Insurance: No
  • Shipping fee: Free

Why We Chose It: Aside from a convenient prescription discount program, Honeybee Health also offers pharmacist consultations.

Pros
  • Membership program offers discounted medications

  • Offers expedited and priority shipping 

  • Pharmacist consultations available

Cons
  • Doesn’t accept insurance

With out-of-state licensure in 43 states and territories, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, Honeybee Health was founded in 2017 and works with pharmacists that have over 30 years of experience. Like a regular pharmacy, Honeybee Health only sells medications regulated by the FDA and purchases prescription drugs from licensed distributors in the United States. 

Honeybee Health does not ship medications, like insulin, that are temperature-sensitive or that require refrigeration. Insurance is not accepted, and standard shipping is free, with an expected delivery date within seven to 10 days of the order. Two-day expedited delivery is available for around $10.

A pharmacist is available during business hours (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST) to address any questions you have. The pharmacy is recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and participates in the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program.

Best for Families : CanDrugstore


CanDrugstore

CanDrugstore

Key Specs

  • Availability: Can ship to anywhere in the US and Puerto Rico
  • Accepts Insurance: Doesn’t accept insurance outside Canada
  • Shipping fee: Starts at about $10

Why We Chose It: Canada-based CanDrugstore helps you save up to roughly 70% on prescription and non-prescription medication and can dispense from international pharmacies.

Pros
  • Can dispense from international fulfillment centers

  • Pharmacy technicians available for questions

Cons
  • Shipments can take 21 days

  • Shipping fee

CanDrugstore is based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada and dispenses prescription, non-prescription, and pet medications from their Canadian dispensary, as well as from international fulfillment centers that are approved by the regulatory bodies in their respective countries (India, Turkey, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

Shipping is around $10 per package (not per drug), with free shipping available for orders over approximately $99. The pharmacy allows you to combine deliveries with your spouse or family members to further decrease shipping costs.

Shipments are expected within 21 days. No more than a three-month supply is deliverable at one time, and all sales are final and refunds are not allowed. However, exchanges may be permissible if a product arrived damaged or with a defect.

Savings are estimated to be 40 to 70% off retail costs. Pharmacy technicians and customer care specialists are available during business hours (weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST and weekends from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST) to address any questions you have. You are also free to reach out by live chat.

The pharmacy offers a Refer-A-Friend program, as well. You will receive around $15 for each referral, and your friend will receive about 10% off a first order or $15 off a first order over approximately $99. CanDrugstore has a 5-star rating on Pharmacy Checker.

Best for Bundling : Pill Pack


Pill Pack

Pill Pack

Key Specs

  • Availability: All 50 states and Washington D.C.
  • Accepts Insurance: Yes
  • Shipping fee: Free

Why We Chose It: Amazon Pharmacy’s Pill Pack conveniently bundles your medications in individual packets for the morning, noon, and evening.

Pros
  • Expedited delivery available

  • Automatic refills

  • Pharmacy support

Cons
  • First order can take two weeks

Pill Pack, run by Amazon Pharmacy, is based in Manchester, New Hampshire and is licensed nationwide, although it does not deliver to Hawaii.

The pharmacy not only fills prescription medications, but can include over-the-counter medications and vitamin supplements as well. The company bundles your medications into convenient packets to take at specific times of the day, so there will no longer be a need for a pillbox or sorting your own medications. As needed prescription drugs will be supplied in separate containers.

Automatic refills will be delivered on a 30-day cycle, rather than a 90-day cycle. This allows the pharmacy team to make timely adjustments to your medications if there are any changes to your treatment regimen. The company accepts insurance, and shipping is free, with the first one guaranteed to arrive within two weeks.

A pharmacist is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address any questions you have. The pharmacy is recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and participates in the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program.

Best for Free Shipping : Mail My Prescriptions


Mail My Prescriptions

Mail My Prescriptions

Key Specs

  • Availability: 49 states and Washington D.C.
  • Accepts Insurance: No
  • Shipping fee: Free

Why We Chose It: Mail My Prescriptions offers a price match guarantee for generic medications and fast, free shipping.

Pros
  • Free shipping

  • Pharmacist support

  • Up to 90% in savings

Cons
  • No expedited shipping

  • Doesn’t accept insurance

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Mail My Prescriptions is and has out-of-state licensure in 49 states (minus Alabama) and the District of Columbia.

Insurance is not accepted, but the pharmacy offers free standard shipping with delivery expected within one to five days. Expedited shipping is not available at this time. Prescriptions cannot be returned once they are shipped, but you are advised to contact the pharmacy within 72 hours if you note any discrepancies with your order.

A pharmacist is available during business hours (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) to address any questions you have. Depending on the medication, savings might be as high as 90% off retail prices. The company offers periodic promotional codes to decrease the cost of your medications.

Mail My Prescriptions offers a price match guarantee for generic medications based on their pre-coupon price. The pharmacy is recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and participates in the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program.

Best for Temperature-Sensitive Shipping : Health Warehouse


Health Warehouse

Health Warehouse

Key Specs

  • Availability: All 50 states
  • Accepts Insurance: No
  • Shipping fee: Free for orders over about $15

Why We Chose It: Health Warehouse fills and delivers prescription medications, including temperature-sensitive ones, and a range of over-the-counter prod

Pros
  • Several shipping options, including expedited, available

  • Also delivers OTC product

  • Delivers temperature-sensitive medications

Cons
  • Minimum order for free shipping

  • Doesn’t accept insurance

An online pharmacy based in Florence, Kentucky, Health Warehouse has out-of-state licensure in all 50 states.

Insurance is not accepted, and all ground shipping is free if you sign up for their monthly newsletter. Shipping is also free for all prescription orders and all over-the-counter orders over $15. Expedited delivery is also available for an added fee. Any medications that are temperature-sensitive will only be mailed Monday through Thursday to ensure timely delivery.

The pharmacy offers a 90-day return policy for any over-the-counter medications as long as they are in their original packaging. However, they do not accept returns on prescription drugs.

A pharmacist is available during business hours (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) to address any questions you have. The pharmacy is recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and participates in the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program.

Best for Referrals : Doctor Solve


Doctor Solve

Doctor Solve

Key Specs

  • Availability: Ships to U.S. and Puerto Rico
  • Accepts insurance: Doesn’t accept insurance from outside Canada
  • Shipping fee: $10

Why We Chose It: Canada-based DoctorSolve dispenses prescription, non-prescription, and pet medications and offers significant savings with a referral program.

Pros
  • Also offers non-prescription and pet medications

  • $25 credit for a referral

Cons
  • Shipping fee

  • Shipments can take 21 days

Established in 1999, DoctorSolve is based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada and has earned the trust of over 200,000 patients. The pharmacy has a bonus referral program too, earning you around $25 in credit for each referral and saving your friend about $25 on their first order.

The pharmacy dispenses prescription, non-prescription, and pet medications. Most people save between 40 to 50% on prescription drugs and the savings can go as high as 70%.

Medications can arrive from their Canadian dispensary, but can also come from international fulfillment centers that are approved by the regulatory bodies in their respective countries (India, Mauritius, New Zealand, Turkey, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

Shipping is around $10 per package, (not per drug) although additional charges may be applicable for overweight packages. Deliveries are expected within 21 days. Up to a three-month supply is deliverable at one time, and all sales are final and refunds are not allowed. However, exchanges may be permissible if a product arrived damaged or with a defect.

Doctor Solve has a 5-star rating on Pharmacy Checker. A pharmacist is available during business hours (weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST and weekends from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST) to address any questions you have.

Best for New Yorkers : Capsule


Capsule

Capsule

Key Specs

  • Availability: Delivers in New York City, Austin, Boston, Chicago, and the Twin Cities, Minnesota
  • Accepts Insurance: Yes
  • Shipping fee: Free

Why We Chose It: New York residents can enjoy free, same-day delivery of their prescription medications and easy tracking of refills with an app.

Pros
  • Free same-day delivery

  • Automatic refills

  • Pharmacist support

Cons
  • Only available in select cities

Founded in 2015, Capsule considers itself to be a "pharmacy of the future." It sets itself apart from chain pharmacies and emphasizes its friendly, accessible pharmacists from the convenience of your phone.

The company prides itself on making the process of obtaining your prescription as seamless as possible. You won't need to wait in any lines, the app automatically tracks refills, and you can text, call, email, or chat with your pharmacist at any time. Plus, Capsule handles all the coordination between your doctor and your insurance company, so you won't need to deal with them directly.

If you need to transfer your prescriptions from your old pharmacy, Capsule will handle the process within one day. Any doctor can prescribe to Capsule, and you don’t need to set up an account before they send in your medication order. You can schedule your delivery to best suit your needs.

Capsule does same-day delivery and it's free. Your co-pay won't change while using the service. Currently, Capsule only delivers within New York City, Austin, Boston, Chicago, and the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Best Newcomer : Amazon Pharmacy


Amazon

Amazon

Key Specs

  • Availability: 45 states
  • Accepts Insurance: Yes
  • Shipping fee: Free

Why We Chose It: Amazon Pharmacy accepts insurance plans from most carriers and makes pharmacists available to help patients understand their medications and potential side effects.

Prons
  • Accepts most insurance plans

  • Easy-to-use platform

  • Discount at physical pharmacies for Prime members

Cons
  • Not available in all states

  • Vitamins and OTC items not available

The online giant famous for easy shopping has found a way to make customer’s lives easier yet again, with the opening of their online pharmacy. Their platform is just as easy to use as their e-commerce site but does require a quick sign-up before first-time use. 

In four simple steps, your meds will be delivered right to your door. 1) Set up your profile and request the prescriptions you'd like to fill; 2) Have your doctor send your medication to Amazon’s online pharmacy; 3) Compare your medication cost with and without insurance at checkout; 4) Have your meds delivered with discreet packaging. You can also use the product search bar to browse medications before signing up.   

The online pharmacy will offer commonly prescribed medications in the United States, including creams, pills, and medications that need to stay refrigerated, like antibiotic liquids. Shoppers have to set up a profile on Amazon’s website and have their doctors send prescriptions there. It won’t ship medications that have a high risk of being abused, like some opioids. You can also use the product search bar to browse medications before signing up.   

Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans. When you sign up, they can look up your insurance information, or you can enter the information yourself. Then when you request a prescription, they’ll check to see if your plan covers Amazon Pharmacy. You can also choose to use Amazon Pharmacy without insurance—whether you have coverage or not, you can view the copay price with insurance and the lowest price without insurance. Prime members can also get discounts at 50,000 physical pharmacies around the country at Costco, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and other stores.

Amazon Pharmacy is for customers 18 years and older and works best for those who fill prescriptions regularly. If you take multiple daily medications, they also offer PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy, a service that sorts your medication into packets by date and time. Prescriptions can be delivered in 45 states, excluding Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Minnesota. Users can request a new prescription when signing up for the service or providing Amazon’s information to your prescriber.

Final Verdict

Online pharmacy services allow individuals to skip the lines and have their prescription and non-prescription medications delivered straight to their home. Even better? Many of these online pharmacies also offer significant savings on medication. Some patients may still prefer having face-to-face interaction with pharmacists for any questions about their medications, but a majority of these online pharmacies, such as PillPack, Honeybee Health and Capsule, also provide pharmacist support through email, phone or chat. If you’re looking to cut down on costs and for the convenience of home deliveries, online pharmacy services are worth a look.

Compare Online Pharmacies

Online Pharmacy Availability Accepts insurance Shipping fee
Blink Health
Best Overall
All 50 states and D.C. Yes Free
Honeybee Health Best Runner-Up 44 states and territories No Free
CanDrugstore
Best for Families
Ships to the U.S. and Puerto Rico Doesn’t accept insurance outside Canada $10
Pill Pack
Best for Bundling
All 50 states and D.C. Yes Free
Mail My Prescriptions
Best for Free Shipping
49 states and D.C. No Free
Health Warehouse Best for Temperature-Sensitive Shipping All 50 states No Free for orders over $15
Doctor Solve
Best for Referrals
Ships to the US and Puerto Rico Doesn’t accept insurance outside Canada $10
Capsule
Best for New Yorkers
Delivers in New York City, Austin, Boston, Chicago, and the Twin Cities, Minnesota Yes Free
Amazon Pharmacy Best Newcomer 45 states Yes Free

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Makes a Good Online Pharmacy?

    The best online pharmacies are accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and are licensed in every state in which they trade. They require a prescription for any controlled substance and have a licensed pharmacist to answer questions rather than support staff.

  • What Types of Online Pharmacies Are There?

    Online pharmacies can be broadly categorized as:

    • Mail-order pharmacies operated by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) on behalf of health insurers or providers
    • Independent online pharmacies that operate solely on the internet, either domestically or internationally
    • "Click-and-mortar" pharmacies that are an online extension of an actual storefront pharmacy or retail chain
    • Rogue pharmacies that are not licensed to sell in the United States and put you at risk of counterfeit or tainted drugs
  • How Many Online Pharmacies Are There?

    Studies suggest that between 30,000 and 50,000 online pharmacies operate in the United States, while scores of others operate abroad. The vast majority do not meet the standards of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy or meet federal or state pharmacy laws.

  • What Are the Pros of an Online Pharmacy?

    Research suggests that one in three people living in the United States have used an online pharmacy, drawn by such benefits as:

    • Convenience
    • Time saving
    • Lower price
    • Range of choice
    • Bulk buying
    • Confidentiality
  • What Are the Cons of an Online Pharmacy?

    As convenient as online pharmacies are, there are also drawbacks such as:

    • Safety: Because some online pharmacies are "blinded," you don't know where they are based and may end up buying unsafe drugs.
    • Health inspections: Wholly online pharmacies do not undergo the same health inspections as brick-and-mortar ones.
    • Drug interactions: Switching between pharmacies may lead to serious interactions if medication information is not shared.
    • Privacy: Privacy policies can vary, and some pharmacies may not protect your financial or medical records.
  • How Do I know If an Online Pharmacy Is Safe?

    According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you can identify a safe online pharmacy if they:

    • Require a prescription from a doctor or licensed health professional
    • Are licensed by your state board of pharmacy
    • Have a state-licensed pharmacist to answer your questions
    • Are in the United States with a real street address

Methodology

An internet search will bring up a long list of online pharmacies. When you select one for yourself, you will focus on finding the specific medications you need. We looked a bit deeper, and the following factors were assessed when ranking the online pharmacies included in this review.

Credibility: Legitimacy of online pharmaceutical pharmacies in the United States can be assured with verification by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The NABP offers the Digital Pharmacy Accreditation, previously known as Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). This assures that the pharmacy is meeting national pharmacy standards as well as state and federal laws. The Canadian counterpart to the NABP is the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. Both organizations, as well as some in other countries, participate in the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program, where all verified sites have a corresponding .pharmacy address to show they are safe. Simply change a .com or .net address to .pharmacy. If the site does not load or redirect, it is not part of the program. The Canadian International Pharmacy Association also licenses and certifies pharmacies for the distribution of medications in the United States and Canada. Credibility was given top priority in our ranking strategy.

Savings and Benefits: Every online pharmacy is going to tout savings over retail prices and some may offer added benefits, like price-match guarantees and referral bonuses. PharmacyChecker.com is a helpful resource that allows you to shop and compare prices across accredited pharmacies worldwide. Prices that seem considerably lower than those on this site may be suspicious and could suggest a rogue pharmacy is in play. PharmacyChecker.com goes so far as to have one of its own licensed pharmacists review orders on any prescriptions you purchase, through any of the pharmacies accredited by their site. Pharmacies with this double-check feature were given higher priority.

Pharmacist Access: You should have direct access to a pharmacist, not support staff, if you have questions about your medications. Sites that specified their pharmacist availability, preferably 24/7, were ranked higher.

Shipping: Shipping is an important consideration. If the delivery costs more than your actual savings on your medications, it may not be worth it. Shipping costs should be clearly spelled out. Also, it is important to verify that packages that require temperature-regulation, like insulin, will be shipped accordingly. Programs that do not clearly outline this information were ranked lower.

Mailing Address: You want to know where your medications are coming from. For example, do not assume a medication is coming from Canada simply because Canada is in the name of the pharmacy. It is important to verify that there is a mailing address that confirms their location. No online pharmacies were considered for review unless there was a corresponding mailing address on their site.

Prescriptions: A pharmacy that offers you prescription-only medication without a prescription is a red flag. This is against the law. Pharmacists cannot diagnose your medical conditions and do not have the legal authority to write prescriptions. Do not assume that filling out a medical questionnaire or answering questions in an online consultation gives them the right to do so. Sites that offered medications without prescriptions were disqualified from this review.

Additional reporting by Stephanie Valera.

Best Online Pharmacies

Verywell / Design by Amelia Manley

Article Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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