Alexa, does Amazon Pharmacy offer the lowest drug prices?

Written by Lucia Mueller | Posted November 18, 2020 | Updated November 20, 2020

In a country full of medical debt and sticker shock at the pharmacy counter, could Jeff Bezos, of all people, be here to save us? Amazon Pharmacy has just launched, offering American patients in 45 states yet another way to shave their prescription medication bills. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our pessimism skepticism. Patients who face high drug costs in this country are tired. So very tired of having this politician or that social media influencer give a passionate speech about people needing affordable prescription drugs. Utterly exhausted at seeing the hundredth discount coupon or drug delivery startup. So when I read that a trillion-dollar company is offering its uninsured Prime Members up to 80 percent savings off generic medications and up to 40 percent off brand-name drugs, I think “The nerve!” The nerve of Amazon to not use its weight to actually fix our broken pharmaceutical pricing marketplace, instead of just adding to the dumpster fire. (Brand name drugs sold at international online pharmacies are still over 90% cheaper than Amazon’s “discount.”)

Related: Amazon’s Pharmacy Should Support Importation to Offer Lower Drug Prices

Check out Dr. Patel's honest review on Amazon Pharmacy prices:

Let’s see how Amazon Pharmacy could potentially help you and your family save money on your pharmacy bill.

Does Amazon Pharmacy deliver savings?

Below, we’ve given some examples of Amazon Pharmacy prices compared to prices listed at PharmacyChecker-accredited international online pharmacies. We also included Amazon Prime Membership drug prices and those available at your local pharmacy if you use the U.S. prescription discount card available on PharmacyChecker.com. Even I couldn’t have predicted just how often international online pharmacies emerge as the clear choice in the cases of brand-name drug savings.

Amazon Pharmacy vs. PharmacyChecker Prices

Drug (generic name)
Strength
Quantity
Amazon Pharmacy Price
Amazon Pharmacy Prices (with Prime)
PharmacyChecker U.S. Discount Card Price
PharmacyChecker International Pharmacy Price
Amazon or PharmacyChecker?
Eliquis (apixaban)
5mg
30 day supply
$549.00
$480.00
Wow. Less than 50% the cost of Amazon Pharmacy even with Prime membership.
93% cheaper than Amazon Pharmacy (again, even with Prime membership)
PharmacyChecker. By a mile.
The bonus? The generic is available to order internationally for even less.
Viagra (sildenafil)
100mg
20 day supply
$1,866.60
$1,140.60
1,480.00
Ok, Amazon Pharmacy takes a win on local pricing.
86% off of Amazon Pharmacy’s “discount.”
PharmacyChecker to drastically cut costs.
Amazon Pharmacy if you’d like to only order domestically.
Sildenafil
20mg
30 day supply
$242.10
$7.50
Neck and neck.
$21.60
Amazon Pharmacy’s Prime membership will get you the cheapest generic Viagra.
Januvia (sitagliptin)
100mg
30 day supply
$609.90
483.00
$473.90
PharmacyChecker’s discount coupon for the win!
94% cheaper than Amazon Pharmacy’s discount.
PharmacyChecker-accredited international pharmacies are tough to beat.
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
10mg
30 day supply
$578.10
$479.40
$463.80
PharmacyChecker local Xarelto discounts are cheaper than ordering through Amazon Prime.
91% cheaper.
PharmacyChecker.
With a 91% savings off even the steepest Amazon discount, ordering online from an international pharmacy is the wisest choice.
Glucophage (metformin)
1000mg
30 day supply, 2 tablets per day
$188.40
$124.20
$129.00
PharmacyChecker
Metformin
1000mg
30 day supply, 2 tablets per day
$123.60
$3.00
$9.00
$16.80
Amazon Pharmacy is your best bet for the cheapest price!
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)
150mg
30 day supply
$1,855.20
$1,499.10
$531.60
The PharmacyChecker international option is 98% cheaper than Amazon Prime.
Symbicort (budesonide)
160 MCG - 4.5 MCG
1 Inhaler of 10.2 g
$451.66
$316.61
N/A
PharmacyChecker is 94% cheaper than Amazon.
Advair Diskus (fluticasone - salmeterol)
100mcg - 50 mcg
1 inhaler
$432.60
$323.40
$319.30
PharmacyChecker is 93% cheaper than Amazon.

Sources: Prices comparisons from November 2020. PharmacyChecker U.S. Discount Card Price is an example of savings based on coupon availability at pharmacies near Richmond, Texas. Lowest Accredited International Pharmacy Price based on prices listed on PharmacyChecker.com.

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Does Amazon Pharmacy deliver customer support?

Here’s a rundown of how Amazon Pharmacy works vs. the customer experience of using international online pharmacies accredited by PharmacyChecker:

Compare Amazon Pharmacy vs. PharmacyChecker International Pharmacies

Amazon Pharmacy

PharmacyChecker-accredited Pharmacy

Amazon Pharmacy marketing claims say Prime members paying without insurance can get up to 80 percent savings off generic medications and up to 40 percent off brand-name drugs. PharmacyChecker.com claims users can compare prices to get up to 90 percent savings off generic medications and 99 percent off brand-name drugs. (Yes, that’s how ridiculous U.S. prices are.)
Prime members receive a prescription savings card to use when purchasing medications at eligible local pharmacies. PharmacyChecker publishes a free discount card for use at most local pharmacies.
Amazon Prime members receive free two-day delivery. Medication ordered from outside the U.S. can normally take 2-3 weeks to arrive.
Amazon Pharmacy does not sell Schedule II controlled medications but does sell other controlled drugs. Pharmacies are not permitted to sell controlled medications, including Schedule II. Local discount coupons are available for controlled medications.
Customer support is through an online self-service option and the phone, with pharmacists available for questions 24/7. The PharmacyChecker Verification Program requires accredited pharmacies to provide patients access to a pharmacist for consultation. Accredited pharmacies must clearly publish a working telephone number and valid mailing address on their website. Some pharmacies also have a “Live Chat” option allowing patients to ask questions while on the pharmacy’s website.
Amazon Pharmacy claims it works with most insurance plans—but Prime Members need to go through the sign-up process before they can know for sure. PharmacyChecker-accredited international pharmacies do not accept U.S. health insurance. Regardless, the out-of-pocket international prices are usually much lower than U.S. pharmacy offers. PharmacyChecker’s U.S. Pharmacy Discount Card cannot be used in conjunction with insurance.
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Our Takeaway on Amazon Pharmacy

  • It’s easy to use.

  • The delivery is famously speedy.

  • You can save significantly on generics.

  • For brand name drugs, skip Amazon and stick to PharmacyChecker.

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Compare drug prices among reputable online pharmacies

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Sylvia S.on Nov 6, 2022

I apologize to be writing on the review page
I am a pensioner, from South Africa. I'm looking for the best price for Xarelto. The state hospital prescribed Warfarin. I am totally allergic to warfarin

Please can you advise which is affordable to a pensioner.

Regards

Date of experience: November 6, 2022

Gretchen J.on Oct 17, 2021

Simplest and easiest site ever I had so much anxiety first being diagnosed with cancer and then getting on this medication I was not able to afford the real medication I could only get the generic so I came online and I found Canadian pharmacy store. Com, which made that medicine very affordable for me to purchase in a couple of easy steps also The chat with Marilyn S. Answered all my questions from who is the manufacture of my medication's to my prescription size and shipping time just everything thank you so much

Date of experience: October 15, 2021

James H.on Mar 11, 2021

We just ordered for my 90 year-old Mom. In the U.S. generics are not always available. So using PharmacyChecker we felt that its member pharmacy vendors were vetted. This reassurance of reliability took much of the guess work out of our shopping task.

Date of experience: March 10, 2021

Sandra S.on Dec 10, 2020

Always nice every time I have called or placed an order that I needed to check on. Thank you for all you do. Rick you made it so easy In the beginning of the relationship between us for me to stay with you.

Date of experience: December 9, 2020

George C.on Dec 8, 2020

This website provides very helpful information on ordering medications from non-U.S. Sources. We save 50% to 60% on name brand meds that are not available in generic forms in the U.S. We have saved thousands over the years.

Date of experience: December 8, 2020

Rod L.on Dec 7, 2020

I feel safe ordering from a pharmaceutical company outside of the U S because the prescription I am using is exactly the same as those sold in the U S, however, the price is totally different. What I had paid in the U S for 90 pills listed at almost $500. For which I have been paying $72. From a Canadian company for 5 or 6 years now, the price includes shipping and is sometimes negotiable.

Date of experience: December 7, 2020

J M.on Sep 29, 2020

This happens to be a very good pharmacy that delivers name brand meds at a reasonable price. All of the meds that I have purchased through this pharmacy have been the exact product my doctor listed. All of the products were labeled with original manufacturer's identity and location with date of manufacture and expiration. I am certainly glad that I found this pharmacy. Great job.

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Jerry M.on Sep 29, 2020

I recommend it to many people. It sure saved us a lot and we learned a lot. The discount card saved us, too at Kroger.

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Michael B.on Sep 2, 2020

I have been able to source several meds, at 10% of the american pharma cost. I have no doubt that I bought them where american pharma buys them, and then rapes the public. Thank you p checker

Date of experience: September 2, 2020

IWANT N.on Aug 20, 2020

I am happy to see the entities that are endorsed by you. But I did have a horrendous experience with Canadian Pharmacy with my latest order. After switching the location from which my order was to be chipped, the order was and still is being held by US Customs. They did give me a replacement order which I finally did receive but that order was submitted MUCH later than it should have been. Bottom line, I waited OVER THREE MONTHS for my med to finally be delivered and that cost me more money to piece meal samples from my doc and out of pocket for short term needs. And, the order I did receive cost me MORE for FEWER tablets. I know Covid-19 played a part in this fiasco but the supplier simply DID NOT PREFORM!

Date of experience: August 19, 2020

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