Both Walgreens and Kroger Pharmacy offer comprehensive pharmacy services. Walgreens stands out for its numerous locations and extended hours, while Kroger Pharmacy is noted for its faster prescription filling times and better customer service. The best choice depends on individual priorities, such as convenience, speed, or customer service experience.
| Attribute | Walgreens | Kroger Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Filling Speed | Filling time depends on pharmacy volume, usually 15-20 minutes if waiting in store. Busy pharmacies may require 2-3 hour wait. Planning facilities to speed up delivery using robotics. | Utilizes technology to increase filling speed, up to 76% faster than manual operations. Prescriptions can often be ready within an hour or less. |
| Prescription Cost (with and without insurance) | Helps find affordable medication options and assists with savings cards or other discounts. Offers Rx Savings Finder to lower prescription costs. | Known for moderate pricing. Accepts most insurance plans and prescription discount cards. Offers Rx Savings Club with membership fees. RxSaver can be used to search for discounts. |
| Availability of Generic Drugs | Pharmacists can help find affordable medication options, including generics. | Pharmacy benefit design promotes the use of clinically appropriate drugs, including generics. |
| Insurance Acceptance | Accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, Medicaid (varies by state), and commercial plans. Check with local Walgreens to verify. | Accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare Part D. Check with the local pharmacy for specific coverage details. |
| Vaccination Services Offered (flu, shingles, etc.) | Offers various vaccinations, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, shingles, pneumonia, MMR, HPV, and Tdap. Schedule appointments online or walk in. | Offers a full range of vaccine services, including Flu, COVID-19, Shingles, Pneumonia, Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis A and B, HPV, Chickenpox, Meningitis. |
| Over-the-Counter Medication Selection | Offers a wide range of over-the-counter medications, health, and wellness products. | Offers a selection of over-the-counter medications and health products. |
| Convenience of Location and Hours | Numerous locations with many offering extended and weekend hours. | Typically located within Kroger grocery stores. Most locations are open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays, and have limited hours on Sundays. |
| Drive-thru Pharmacy Availability | Many locations offer drive-thru services for prescription pick-up and select over-the-counter items. | Some pharmacies offer drive-thru services. |
| Online Prescription Refills and Management | Provides online prescription refills and management through its website and mobile app. | Provides online prescription refills and management through its website and mobile app. Refill prescriptions online, schedule deliveries, and add payments for faster in-store pickup. |
| Pharmacist Consultation Availability | Pharmacists are available to answer questions, provide advice, and offer medication therapy management. Contact your local Walgreens pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free. | Pharmacists are available for consultations and to answer medication-related questions. |
| Customer Service Quality | Customer service quality may vary. Some customers have reported negative experiences due to short staffing and overworked employees. | Has earned a reputation for customer service. Forbes recognized Kroger for providing exceptional customer service through its pharmacies. |
| Availability of Health and Wellness Products | Offers a wide variety of health and wellness products, including vitamins, supplements, personal care items, and household essentials. | In addition to medications, Kroger offers health and wellness products. |