Did you know that you don’t need to be a Costco member in order to access their pharmacy…with low dispensing fees?
A pharmacist friend advised me of this tip and I recently confirmed this while I was at the discount warehouse. I’m paraphrasing her, but apparently pharmacists aren’t able, by law, to discriminate *who* they dispense drugs to based on whether or not a patient is a member.
The Costco Pharmacist reminded me that the only thing that non-members aren’t able to purchase are the supplements, over-the-counter meds, beauty products, and the other items in front of the pharmacy counter.
Costco’s dispensing fee is under $4 which is great news for anyone who doesn’t have medical benefits through work!
Don’t know the validity of that claim, but they do ask for, and swipe, your membership card before giving you your meds.
Interesting fact…
Yes, they do ask you for your membership, but if you’re not a member they still are required to fill your prescription.
Maybe asking for membership is just an assumption, that most of their patients have one, a sort of deterrent, or maybe just to keep a record of your meds.
How do you get into Costco to get to their pharmacy? I can’t get in without showing my membership card and this goes for both the entrance and exit. They don’t allow you to go through the exit to even buy their food like pizza without showing a membership card.
Nah. Just go through the exit; many people access their cafeteria (since you can pay cash) without showing the card (or at least, i’ve walked past like dozen of times without anyone actually asking me to show the card. again, at the exit, not entrance). Plus, the membership sign-up is by the exit so it would make no sense for prospective members to not be able to enter.
If you’re ever at Costco in the US, the same applies to alcohol sales. Anyone can go in and buy booze!
meh, I went with Sobeys originally (air miles and $0 to pay), but then we switched to superstore since it is a closer walk (also $0 for us to pay, and with the transfer of my children’s prescriptions, $20 gift card each refill)
I have been getting my meds there ever since getting laid off and losing my benefits. They informed me that if you don’t have a membership card you simply tell them at the front or back door that you are going to get prescriptions, they don’t even care or question it as you definitely do not need a membership to get scrips there. Not only is the dispensing fee way lower than ANY where else, the cost of the scrips themselves are cheaper than other pharmacies (I called around).
I have to say though, you get what you pay for. I have not been even remotely happy with the service at the costco pharmacy in Brampton. I have had many bad experiences there and always have to wait a ridiculous amount of time to drop off AND pick up scrips. Not to mention the time the pharmacist tried to convince me it was okay to take a scrip that had a conflict with another one. I hate it there but only go because it is cheaper than elsewhere- just don’t expect the same service as a regular pharmacy (or the same level of competence).
Has anyone tried to get in by saying they need to access the pharmacy?
If that doesn’t work how about going in through the exit as if you’re getting a membership, then go back in the store past the checkout as if you’ve just been to the bathroom? But in that case I don’t know what would happen when it comes time to pay.
I guess it would be easy enough just to inquire.
I was told the same thing about the optometrist there. You don’t need a membership to see the optometrist, buy glasses or contact lenses.
I use the Costco pharmacy without a card. At the entry, I just state that I am going to the pharmacy and then walk right in. When I pay for my meds, they ask for membership and I say I don’t have one. At that point they scqn a code and I pay. I have never had a problem. When you exit, show your purchase (prescription) like everyone else.
I’ve heard that you can shop there with a gift card even if you’re not a member. You may ask your friends who are members to buy you a card. Sometimes, you can find their gift cards online.
but they will try to embarrass you with a loud page and constantly repeating there membership sales pitch from several employees.
I have a costco membership and the low dispensing fees were the tipping point that made me sign up for it. My partner and I were thinking of getting one, but didn’t know if it would be worth it cost-wise for a family of 2 (We’re careful shoppers who watch the deals). Well, it is – as long as you get all your medications there. Between us, we fill about 20 prescriptions (including refills) per year. At $4.11 a pop (Ottawa price), that’s $82.20. At SDM (dispensing fee of $10.99 last time I used it 2+ years ago) that would cost $219.80, saving us $137.60 annually and more than paying for the membership cost, not even considering the savings on other items (with careful shopping)!
The gift card idea is definitely true. I used to get my mother in law to buy me a $25 card, and I would just show that to get in. Anything I bought above that amount, I could pay with cash. Membership fee avoided!
I’m not a member and I’ve been using their pharmacy for a few years. I go in the regular entrance and tell them I’m going to the pharmacy. When I check out they ask for your membership card, but I just tell them I’m not a member. I’ve never had a problem getting in or checking out.
This isn’t new. My DH and a friends of ours have gone to Costco pharmacy for diabetes meds and supplies for years (inexpensive there). No, you do not need a membership to go to the pharmacy (I don’t have one)- just tell the greeter where you are going. They cannot legally stop you from accessing a pharmacy.
The Pharmacy staff use a non-member number to enter on the register. A reminder though to be sure to keep your receipts for tax purposes because Costco may have trouble accessing your records to reprint a bill for you for non- prescription stuff.
Yep, we’re members but my daughter isn’t. When I order prescriptions for her and can’t pick them up myself, she goes in. She just tells them on the way in that she’s going to the pharmacy & they let her by no problem. And she pays by debit (no membership card) at the pharmacy.
Yes, you can absolutely buy your prescriptions from the Costco Pharmacy. I worked there for four years. They will ask for a membership card, but if you say you do not have one, then they will scan a generic card number because the register won’t work without some kind of card number.
Like many people here have said, just mention you’re going into the Pharmacy at the door and they’ll let you in. You won’t be able to buy anything without a card anyway, so that’s their insurance.
I work in the pharmacy at Costco and no you do not need a membership to go to the pharmacy. It is alot cheaper to the fill your meds there. I’m not sure about other stores but our store in Langford BC doesn’t mind you calling for a price check.
I can verify that you can get your prescription filled without being a member as well. Again, just tell the “gatekeeper” at the entrance that you are going to the pharmacy. I am a member, but one time when I went to the counter to pick up my meds, I forgot to bring my card and I didn’t get any “resistance” per se.
Same goes for their liquor store if you’re lucky enough to live in a province that has them.
Hi, does Costo in quebec have pharmacies? Thanks, S.
I once went to get my prescription and they did ask for my membership… And when they swipe it.. my membership was expired and they required me to renew it…. so I guess they required an active membership
I didn’t know that about the pharmacy – thanks Stephania.
I don’t have a membership but I have been able to go – you sign it at the entrance and they give you a guest pass.
Yes, Costco stores in Quebec have pharmacies.
Thanks for all the great information about Cosco. I am not a member but would consider buying my meds there or looking for glasses there also. I will also tell my family & friends.
can someone confirm that you can shop with a costco giftcard and not be a member? thanks
macgirl – Yes, I can confirm that. I was given a GC and you just go to the customer service and get a temporary (one visit, I think) paper membership slip to use when you go through the regular cash. Just explain the situation to them at CS, get your slip, then go shopping.
Yes you can go to the pharmacy no problem. It is the law that all pharmacies have to serve you whether you have a membership or not. I work there…you just tell the person at the door that you are going to the pharmacy.If you have a gift card you can come in and shop too.
It’s true about Costco’s low dispensing fee but recently the wait time for medication has increased to 1.5 hour here in Vancouver… It is a ridiculously long wait compared to the 15 min at Superstore.
Those of you mentioning shopping at costco with gift cards to avoid buying a membership: READ THE FINE PRINT! You will be charged an additional percentage on top of everything you buy because you do not have a membership. They actually charge you higher prices at the register to use that gift card. WATCH OUT!
i just found out about this last night! I thought I had a valid Costo card, and was getting my prescription filled. When it was time to pay, the cashier asked for my membership card and swiped and said it was expired (which, i had no idea that it was..i need to check that out). So I thought I couldnt’ get my medication and asked for my prescription back to get it filled somewhere else. Then the man took off (not sure why). The other lady working there said NEVER give them your card when filling out a prescription and you could still get it filled.
About the fees though…even when I thought i had membership, they still charged me $5 – the same amount I get anywhere else (with my hubby’s SunLife benefits card). Although the sign for the dipensing fee is $3something. :S
I think the fee at Costco varies from province-to-province.
There is a sign at my Costco which states $3.89 (or $3.98), but right underneath that, it states “for most prescriptions”. So again, I think it depends on the meds.
I was inquiring about an inhaler, but would they still charge me $4…if all they hafta do is take it off a shelf? I think certain meds should require NO dispensing fee!
In response to Catherine regarding being charged an additional percentage for gift card purchases, that is not the policy for any Costco in Canada. You probably read that on an AMerica website. I had a gift card for $150 and with three separate purchases on the same gift card, I was not charged anything additional.
I used a Costco Gift card (without a membership) to get $700 worth of rubber for my truck and they didn’t charge me one dime extra than the advertised price. I even get the lifetime free rotations/servicing without a membership.
My total came out to something like 704.00 but they were nice about not having a membership and let me pay the extra with debit.
i can confirm at the halifax nova scotia costco you do not need a membership to have your prescriptions filled. The pharmacist told this to me yesterday. You just tell the door guard that you are entering for the pharmacy….anyone can buy their prescriptions there. I also discovered that by having my vet write a prescription for the drug my cat needs for hyperthyroidism I can have it filled THERE instead of paying premium drug prices at the vet….we are talking a difference of 34 tabs for 24.00 at the vet compared to 180 tabs for 50.29 at costco…now how many of you have animals on drugs ….GET THEM AT COSTCO!!!! this is a well kept vet secret they NEVER offer this you have to ask.
I just did this today at the Barrie, Ontario store… worked just like everyone says & the dispensing fee was only $3.89.
Thanks guys, & I will be going back there for refills & future prescriptions that’s for sure!! 😀
Thanks
Totally not interested in Costco.I’m single and like smaller sizes…
As part of their professional practice, pharmacists receive a dispensing fee for filling prescriptions. The dispensing fee compensates the pharmacist for providing professional services such as patient counselling, monitoring drug therapy, providing drug information to physicians and dispensing drug products. It also covers stocking of medication, maintaining patient medication records, general operating costs such as employees’ salaries, rent, etc.
Got a script filled today with no membership. Wondering about Glasses, do you need a membership for glasses?
if you aren’t a member using their pharmacy, is there any restrictions on method of payment?
nevermind, went today and they didnt have any retrictions whatsoever. just note they only accept cash/debit/amex.
It was on CTV that informed us that you don’t need a membership to fill in prescriptions at Costco. I have now filled in my prescriptions several times at Costco without a membership. Fee just $4.49 here in Burnaby, BC. as compared to others which is $9 to $13 at other places. They have never asked to show membership card at the gate. If they ask for membership I have to inform that I am going to fill prescriptions. Its so sad to know this after many years of higher fee payments at other stores.
For those complaining about the long wait you should phone in your renewals!!!
Thanks for all the info!
I don’t have a Costco membership. I went in through the exit and told the guy that I was picking up a prescription.
The fee was $3.89 at the one in Markham, ON.
The pharmacy cashier scanned some other non-member thing when I told her I didn’t have a Costco card when she asked for my membership when I was paying.
PS on the topic of Rx, read up on the Pfizer Continuity of Care Card!
Good topic- for those that don’t know about this.
Anyways, just wanted to let everyone know that Superstore’s pharmacy does price matching for the dispencing fee. Just tell them ‘costco does it cheaper’ and they’ll match that. Also, from all the posts it seems like there’s an array of prices for the dispensing fees across Canada with Costco. What is the deal with that?? Someone please enlighten me. Here at BC’s Costco I believe is $4.99 (but i could be wrong).
Costco London, Ont charges $.389 dispensing fee and if your an old fart like me over 65 its $1.89. But the kicker is I took in my Rexall prescription and asked them to price the same drug at their cost. It was $20 less. Guess where I now shop for drugs.