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America's Best Drugstores

Readers rate service, speed, and advice (but too few know how to ask for it).

Filed Under: Money Specials

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As new prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and dietary supplements migrate through the drugstores and into medicine cabinets across the U.S., consumers should be asking pharmacists more about dosage and interactions. Yet many aren't talking to pharmacists at all, according to a survey of more than 40,000 readers by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

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Best Drugstore Chains

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See how some well-known drugstore chains ranked among a survey of over 40,000 Consumer Reports readers.

Readers sought pharmacists' advice about prescription drugs at just 38 percent of walk-in visits during the course of a year, and they asked about over-the-counter remedies at just 29 percent. That's far less than in our 2002 survey, when the figures were 50 percent and 37 percent, respectively.

The potential for problems is huge. In any given week, four out of five adults take medicine or supplements, and nearly one-third of all adults take five or more daily. Allen J. Vaida, executive vice president of the nonprofit Institute for Safe Medication Practices, estimates that 18 million people go to an emergency room every year because they've taken medication incorrectly.

The evolving relationship between consumers and pharmacists is one of several findings that indicate a shift in how people are finding the best drugstore for their needs, how they are buying medicine, where they're shopping, and what they're paying. The highlights:

· Cost is a bigger burden. In 2007, Americans spent $287 billion on prescription drugs, about five times as much as in 1993 but only about half the amount forecast for 2017. Sixty-five percent of prescription-drug buys we asked about in 2002 were mostly or entirely covered by insurance, vs. 33 percent this time. Five percent of purchases weren't covered at all.

· Paying cash? Compare prices. Our national study of prices for four common drugs found average total differences of as much as $340, or 26 percent, between the cheapest source, Costco Wholesale, and the priciest, Rite Aid. Even prices within a chain often differed: A Shopko in Omaha, Neb., charged $160 for alendronate (the generic version of Fosamax, for osteoporosis); a Shopko in Billings, Mont., charged $257. Prices also varied greatly from one independent pharmacy to another. Wal-Mart, Publix, and Costco were most likely to have consistent prices.

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Best Mass Retailer Pharmacies

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Looking for more options? Some of these mass retailers delivered better ratings than the drug store chains in Consumer Reports' survey.

· Most readers still use walk-in chain drugstores for prescriptions, but other options are worth considering in the search for the best drugstore. Many supermarket drugstores and several mass merchants received higher Ratings than the biggest chains.

· Online buying has gone mainstream. Only chain drugstores ring up higher sales of prescription drugs.

· Independent drugstores, which number about 23,000 nationwide, were a reader favorite. As a group, they were in a statistical tie with the Medicine Shoppe (a chain of about 700 independently owned stores), several supermarket pharmacies (Publix, Hy-Vee, Hannaford, and Wegmans), and two discount-store pharmacies (Kmart and Shopko).

· Pharmacies scored higher than most services we measure, and far fewer readers found problems than in years past. Still, in 29 percent of visits over the course of a year, readers said the drugs they sought were out of stock; in 14 percent there were long waits for help at the pharmacy, and in 14 percent prescriptions weren't ready when promised.

Copyright © 2002-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For full access to Ratings and recommendations of appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.

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1307 comments

LadyFawne 05:19:27 PM Jun 30 2008

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Iamheredave1I work for CVS.Im not sure what company you work for, and Im not disputing your point here, but honestly, do you think responding to people who are frustrated with your company in this fashion is productive? Of course customers dont know whats going on behind the counter! It's isnt their problem! It's also not their problem that youre backed up. It's yours. It's mine. It's the problem every person who works in a pharmacy. Its OUR problem and the first thing you should be doing is **MAKING THAT CUSTOMER HAPPY!* Most will understand if you say " Mrs Smith, Im really sorry that your prescription wasnt ready on time. We've become unexpectedly backed up, but I promise yours is being filled as we speak. If you would be so kind as just give me a few minutes I'll have it right out for you."Or better yet, call them at home and let them know it will take longer than expected so they arent wasting gas.See how easy that is?

LadyFawne 05:09:20 PM Jun 30 2008

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Hrmosspoint,First off, please accept my apologies for problem with the CVS you went to. From reading what you said, it sounds like you may live in FL, as I know we bought many Eckerds that way. I also know that the former Eckerds generally stayed on and was assimilated by CVS. It's possible they were having software issues and learning the new system may have slowed them down.However this is NOT an excuse for the way you were treated. If it were going to take longer, they should have told you. And the manager should have been back there helping! I suggest calling the corporate office at 1-800-shop-cvs and sending a comment. Again, I apologive on behalf of the company.

Correct Mug Shot 03:07:49 PM Jun 30 2008

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I fill my RX at the local overpriced pharmacy because the deductable is the same and there isnt a line!

Hrmosspoint 10:09:29 PM Jun 29 2008

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My pharmacy sold out to CVS. The first I used them I was told My prescription would be ready in 1 hour. I got busy and 5 hours had lapsed when I got to go back to store to get meds. Not only was it not ready but they had lost my prescription. There were 9 techs all pushing pills. One of them told me I did not understand, that they had over 200 to fill. Needless to say I told her I did not want to hear their problems. I finally got my prescription back and went to an independant pharmacy where I was treated like royalty. Never have I ever been back in a CVS and never intend to spend my money with them.

Tprochko 10:06:13 PM Jun 26 2008

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I don't have a Kmart store where I live any longer so I guess that leaves me out. I haven't had any problems with Rite Aid. They have never once messed up my prescriptions where I live. The staff at Rite Aid is courteous to me. I'm sorry that you got stuck with rude workers. I don't care much for Walmart Pharmacies. I brought a prescrption in and was told it would be ready for pick-up in 40-45 min. When I went to check on my presciption, I was told another 15-20 Min. I didn't have another prescription filled there and never will either.

DWG2001Harley 03:09:51 PM Jun 26 2008

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I agree with Karendstbnny. I had too many problems at Rite-Aid I called the toll free number I found online and made a complaint. A general manager called me back this morning about the problems. I now go to Target. Never had any trouble at all and they were super nice too.

MRamsey680 08:34:55 AM Jun 23 2008

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My husband used Eckerds Pharmacy for years...it was purchased by CVS. All shiny and new with lots of glass and people. After waiting in line for 45 minutes to pick up prescriptions I said enough! There would be six people behind the counter pushing pills into bottles and no one at the front counter. No one would even look up and see the 10 people shifting from one foot to the other..they looked like robuts in that store. I don't know how they stay in business. We switched to Walmart...no shiny glass or spotless environment but really great service...and people who actually interact with customers...what a concept!

mramsey680@aol.com

Eisual6415 03:13:04 PM Jun 22 2008

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I cannot understand why people are gripping about $4.00 a gallon for gasolene, when they are paying the same for bottled water, when they can get the purest, cleanest water out of their spigot for FREE!

CTurley969 03:38:17 AM Jun 20 2008

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I have worked at Kmart Pharmacy for 27 years. You can get the same medications that are on the Walmart Pharmacy $4/$10 list for the same price as Walmart with a less crowded parking lot and a much shorter waiting time. Kmart also offers an automatic refill program where your prescription will be filled the day before its due and call you as a reminder when its ready. And, Kmart takes all prescription drug programs and all Medicare Part D plans. They also offer discount programs for no-insurance customers who have medications not on the $4/$10 list.

Never assume that just because its Walmart, its always cheaper.

Lymphaticcare 06:54:45 PM Jun 15 2008

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To Kiddladybugg2 - there is a program called The Medicine Program to help those who can't afford meds. You must meet income requirements, have no insurance coverage for outpatient prescription drugs and you can't qualify for a government or 3rd party program. They can be reached at 573-996-7300 - P.O. Box 520, Doniphan, MO 63935-0520. Payment is $5 per script if approved. Write or call for a Medication Information Form.

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