We live in a world where robots are delivering food, self-driving cars are almost ready to chauffeur us around, and you can get prescription medication delivered straight to your door without having to lift a finger (well, a few fingers for your phone, but you won’t have to lift a foot).

And while we don’t have all the information about robot deliveries or self-driving cars, we are very well-versed in the fantastic and convenient online pharmacy world, so we’re here to answer all your burning questions.

In this article, we’re taking a deep dive into online pharmacies, how to use them, how they compare to old school in-person pharmacies, and which ones you should check out before filling your next prescription.

Everything You Need to Know About Online Pharmacies

How do online pharmacies work?

Standing in line at the pharmacy or waiting in the never-seems-to-be-moving parade of cars at the drive-thru of a Walgreens is so yesterday. Online pharmacies today are convenient, reliable, and so much more accessible. In order to get the medication you need from an online pharmacy, first you need to open an account with the pharmacy and submit your prescription (and possibly insurance information, depending on the online pharmacy you choose). After creating an account, you must submit a valid prescription; your healthcare provider can call it in or you can send it to the pharmacy by fax or mail [1]. From there, you can have your meds sent to your home, usually delivered overnight, and with automatic refills if you so desire.

Can I trust online pharmacies?

The short answer is yes, as long as you pick a reliable one. Online pharmacies have been around since the ’90s, but their popularity really only recently took off. If you're just beginning to search for an online pharmacy that works for you, be wary of dubious sites. Legitimate websites require a valid prescription to verify with your doctor, and if they don’t ask for a prescription, yeah, don't trust them. 

Find out whether the site's pharmacy, physician, and pharmacists are licensed in the state where you live. (It is illegal for doctors to prescribe medications for patients in a state where they are not licensed to practice.) Not all prescriptions bought over the internet will be covered by your insurance, so check beforehand. And don’t buy prescriptions over the internet unless the company lists its phone number and address to contact if there are any problems [2]. (If you're worried about whether you're using a reputable provider, here are the signs to look out for that you might be buying from a fake pharmacy.)

The online pharmacies we've spotlighted later in this article are all verified, trustworthy, and safe picks.

Why are online pharmacies cheaper?

Online pharmacies are internet-based vendors that provide prescription medications. They reduce transactional costs and the costs of obtaining pharmaceuticals through a more efficient centralized order processing system. The reduced costs are passed onto consumers by way of lower prices [3]. 

Plus online-first and/or online-only businesses — pharmacies or otherwise — are saving a bundle by being, you know, online. By not having to pay for retail space or an in-person staff, online pharmacies can utilize this money in other ways (like getting you cheaper meds).

Will I still get a consultation from a pharmacist if I use an online pharmacy?

Yes, any top-tier online pharmacy will have pharmacists ready to help you out. Some also offer medical services beyond the pharmaceutical space; sites like Sesame provide telemedicine services for a huge variety of medical needs. Other sites without a telemedicine branch like Amazon Pharmacy have pharmacists on-call 24/7 in the event you have a question.

Can I get generic medicine at online pharmacies?

The short answer is yes and the longer answer is yes, and it’s almost always way cheaper to get generic medicines than the name-brand stuff. Your pharmacist can often change a brand-name to a generic drug to save you money. They could do this automatically, or they might call your doctor for you and get an updated script. If your doctor prescribes you a name-brand drug that you’re struggling to afford, ask your (online) pharmacist for a generic version [4].

Can my doctor send my prescriptions to an online pharmacy?

The only way you can get a prescription from an online pharmacy is by having your doctor-written prescription. Do not trust online pharmacies that do not require prescriptions — like the online pharmacies that send you endless spam email. In order to transfer from an in-person pharmacy to an online pharmacy, you’ll need to do an Rx transfer. Provide your current pharmacy’s contact information to your online pharmacy, and they'll contact your old pharmacy and take care of the rest. If you need your medication quickly, you can speed up the process by calling your doctor directly and having them contact the new pharmacy.

Can I get over-the-counter medicines from an online pharmacy?

Many online pharmacies do it all — they fill prescription medicines, as well as over-the-counter medications and vitamins and supplements. Online pharmacies like Blink Health offer over-the-counter medication that can be sent to you directly along with your prescriptions.

Is my personal health information more at risk with online pharmacies?

Data breaches can happen to both in-person and online pharmacies. But as long as you're using a top-tier online pharmacy, rest assured they're extremely focused on patient privacy and data security. Sites like Sesame Care and Capsule store your personal data in an encrypted HIPAA-compliant environment. 

What happens if my prescription order from an online pharmacy never arrives?

If your order doesn't arrive as expected, call or contact the pharmacy and they should take care of everything [6]. Places like Amazon Pharmacy have live tracking so you can keep up with your prescriptions pending arrival in real time.

What are the downsides of online pharmacies?

Online pharmacies share many benefits enjoyed by other eCommerce businesses (e.g. convenience, 24/7 accessibility, price transparency, greater consumer privacy when making transactions, and potentially greater availability of products) and can also improve access to medications for disabled and/or housebound patients who may lack mobility and have difficulty accessing a brick-and-mortar pharmacy [7]. 

There are disadvantages to doing anything online, however. Without a physical examination, physicians and pharmacists are left to do a little more guesswork when it comes to diagnoses and filling prescriptions. Otherwise, the pros outweigh the cons, especially if you need medication bulk or cannot get it yourself.

The 5 Best Online Pharmacies for Getting Prescriptions Delivered

Sesame Care - best online pharmacy that also offers afforadable doctor visits

Switching from the brick-and-mortar to an online pharmacy can feel a little uneasy. But when you go to a place like Sesame, complete with doctors and specialists that are equipped to treat over 120 conditions over the phone, it doesn’t seem so scary anymore. Sesame has telemedicine physicians for your mental health, dentistry, women’s health, ED consultations, sexual health, dermatology, pediatrics, and more. Sesame knows that healthcare isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It’s as unique as you. And with the different physicians available through Sesame, you’ll be able to get the help and medications you need.

Capsule - best online pharmacy for same-day delivery

Get your prescriptions hand delivered. To your door. Within the same day of ordering it. At Capsule you don’t have to play the waiting game. Capsule will fill your prescriptions in their pharmacy and text you to schedule your free delivery. Get your meds on your own time. That way you won’t have to worry about getting them when you need them.

Honeybee - best online pharmacy for generics

When you’re shopping, you want to save money — and you know how pricey prescriptions and medical bills can get. Honeybee allows you to compare prices and manufacturers so you’re getting the best price on your meds. And just because they’re generic brands doesn’t mean they’re low quality. Honeybee provides full transparency on who makes your generic medication, and you’re able to compare FDA-approved drug manufacturers and prices to find the best fit for you. 

Blink Health - best online pharmacy with an in-person option

If you love the idea of online pharmacies but aren’t ready to cross over to the internet just yet, Blink Health may be right up your alley. Blink Health allows you to order online but pick up your prescriptions from places like Walmart, Albertson’s, Safeway, and 35,000 other pharmacies across the United States. And when you’re ready to get your meds delivered to your door, Blink Health will be there in the blink of an eye (with the added bonus of free shipping). 

Amazon Pharmacy - best pharmacy for Amazon Prime members

Amazon Pharmacy launched in 2020 with the idea that you deserve to save money, save time, and stay healthy. And if you’re already a Prime member, those savings rack up. When you pay with Prime, you can save up to 80% on all medications (and that’s without insurance). Additionally, Prime members can benefit from free two-day shipping and have access to pharmacists 24/7.

Getting deliveries from your local chain

You can get your prescriptions delivered to you and still use your local pharmacy to get your medication. CVS offers free 1-2 day delivery when you use the Shipt app. Walgreens utilizes Alliance Rx for free home delivery. And Rite Aid is waiving all service fees for eligible prescriptions.