A lot of grocery stores have a pharmacy inside making getting your medications quick and convenient.
Does Sam’s Club also offer this convenience? We looked into it and this is what we found…
Does Sam’s Club Have A Pharmacy?
Sam’s Club retail services include a pharmacy chain: most Sam’s Club locations include pharmacy, tire and battery services, photo services (although Photo is now wholly online), bakery, optical, café, and floral departments.
This article takes a look at Sam’s Club pharmacy services: what they are, what they offer, and how to access them.
How Do You Know If Your Sam’s Club Has A Pharmacy?
Not every Sam’s Club location has a pharmacy. The best way to plan a visit is to use the Find a Club tool first.
Here you can look up Sam’s Club locations according to the services and departments offered. You’ll see the list arranged in columns with Pharmacy first. Check the box, and your search results will feature Sam’s Clubs with pharmacy locations.
You’ll see the name of the Club, directions, and opening times.
What Services Are At Sam’s Club Pharmacy?
Sam’s Club Pharmacy offer a range of services and retail options. You can access these instore and online, and they include:
- Pain relief
- Allergy relief
- Skin care
- Sun care
- Cold relief
- Flu relief
- Digestive care
- Vitamins
- Select health items
- Select grocery items
- Medical supplies
- First aid and paper goods
- Pet care medications
You can order prescriptions instore or online and pick them up at a Sam’s Club pharmacy, and you can access your list of prescription orders and their status. If you’re a Sam’s Club member you can access up to 2 years of your pharmacy purchase history online.
That same SamsClub.com pharmacy account will also allow you to manage ongoing pharmacy needs for your whole family, and trained staff can help you find generic and less expensive prescription options.
Sam’s Club pharmacy hold regular vaccination clinics for COVID-19 vaccinations and flu shots.
Read: Does Sam’s Club Give Military Discount?
Is Sam’s Club Pharmacy Cheaper Than Walmart?
Walmart is the parent company of Sam’s Club, and as such, the companies work together to offer a wider range of shopping options, rather than directly competing with each other.
This is why, for example, Sam’s Club offer bulk purchasing, whereas Walmart item management is more regular. This means that Sam’s Club can be cheaper per unit of product, but the bulk purchase will be more expensive than the single item found at Walmart.
When it comes to pharmaceuticals, Sam’s Club is generally cheaper than Walmart – especially if you’re a Plus member. As a Plus member, you’ll also have access to the 600 prescription generics (which start at $4). But remember, you’ll need to have purchased a $100 a year Plus membership for this, and to get the associated free shipping.
Your Sam’s Plus membership has other perks: 2% cash back on certain transactions (for up to $500 a year), free deliveries, early store access hours, and access to pharmacy and optical services.
In contrast, Sam’s Club regular membership (called Club) is $45 per year, and allows access to the Club and services, but is not so high in rewards. You can compare tables here. Therefore, there’s no point purchasing a Club membership to shop Sam’s Club pharmacy – it doesn’t get you anything, and you don’t need it to shop there anyway.
Sam’s Club memberships, therefore, are not just about “what’s cheaper”, but also about “what’s easiest” and “what do I buy the most of”.
You don’t need a membership at all to shop at Walmart. However, they do offer a Walmart+ membership for $98 per year. It’ll get you 2 free deliveries a week (if you spend at least $35 per order), free shipping, and member low prices on fuel. Therefore, you won’t get pharmaceuticals for less, but you can have them delivered or shipped for free.
Read: Does Sam’s Club Have A Food Court?
What Insurance Does Sam’s Club Pharmacy Accept?
The insurance accepted at Sam’s Club pharmacies depends on the insurance you have. Each health insurance plan has a list of prescription drugs that it covers, called a formulary. Some drugs on your plan’s formulary may be covered automatically with a doctor’s prescription.
It can be confusing to know whether to use a Plus membership entitlement or a personal insurance or government healthcare program, seeing as these usually cannot be used in conjunction.
Sam’s Club pharmacists, however, can help you understand the cost of your prescription drugs through the Plus Member pharmacy benefit and allow you to decide which program is best for you.
Do You Have To Be A Sam’s Club Member To Get Prescriptions?
You do not have to be a member to buy prescription medications from Sam’s Club. For pharmaceuticals with a script, there is no fee for non-members. However, you won’t have access to the generic brand range or other savings.
Non-members can take prescription(s) in or transfer them to any Sam’s Club Pharmacy. It’s also possible to take prescriptions to Walmart pharmacies, but you won’t have access to the Walmart version of RXSavings (Rx for Less) unless you’re a Walmart+ member.
Read: Does Sam’s Club Have Curbside Pickup?
What is the Sam’s Club RxSavings Program?
All Sam’s Club Members can save money on prescriptions through the Rx Savings network (Rx means “prescription”), which allows all members access to generic medications starting at $4.
If you take a look at the Sam’s Club Prescription Savings search tool, you’ll see that the cost for Club members $4 and for Plus members, no cost. Note also, the statement that the program is not insurance and cannot be combined with insurance.
To receive this prescription discount at the Sam’s Club pharmacy, members must have an active membership, either Club or Plus (but only Plus members receive the extra membership benefits). Then simply present a Sam’s Club Membership card at the pharmacy drop-off window. These benefits are available to active Sam’s Club Members and others that live in the same household.
Read: Does Sam’s Club Do Eye Exams?
Does Walmart Offer Rx Savings?
Walmart has recently added Rx for Less, which is the Walmart version of Sam’s Club RXSavings. However, it’s only available to paid Walmart+ members.
The benefits are pretty much the same. The programme offers discounts on commonly prescribed medications across a variety of health needs, including hearth health medication, mental health medication, antibiotics, allergy and diabetes medications. Members are able to select medications at a zero cost.
Conclusion..
Sam’s Club Pharmacy outlets are popular for their convenience, long hours, and associated member benefits.
If you’re a regular pharmacy shopper, it may be worth your while purchasing a Sam’s Club Plus or a Walmart+ membership: this way you’ll have access to a range of deals (including prescription deals) and shipping services.
If you don’t visit pharmacies all that often, and you don’t have ongoing prescription needs, you probably don’t need a membership just for pharmacy services.