Both Walgreens and Walmart Pharmacy provide comprehensive pharmacy services, but Walmart Pharmacy may be more appealing to those seeking low-cost generic medications. Walgreens has a more widespread presence, while Walmart Pharmacy offers the convenience of being located within Walmart stores. Customer service experiences are variable for both, so individual experiences may differ.
| Attribute | Walgreens | Walmart Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription filling speed | Filling times can vary. High-volume stores may take at least 3 hours. Some medications may be ready in a few hours, while others needing to be ordered could take 2-4 days. | Aims to provide a convenient prescription experience; fill times can vary; offers options to refill prescriptions quickly. |
| Prescription cost (with and without insurance) | With Insurance: Walgreens works with most major insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and commercial plans. Without Insurance: The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club offers discounts on over 8,000 medications for a yearly membership fee of $20 (individual) or $35 (family). Rx Savings Finder can also help you find prescription discount cards. | Offers low-cost generic medications, with some starting at $4 for a 30-day supply and $10 for a 90-day supply. Prices may vary by location and specific drugs. |
| Availability of generic drugs | Walgreens readily offers generic versions of most over-the-counter (OTC) medications, often at a lower cost than brand-name drugs. | Provides a wide array of generic medications, including a $4 generic program. |
| Insurance acceptance | Walgreens accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid (varies by state), and commercial/private health insurance. | Accepts a variety of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Aetna. Verify coverage with your specific plan and local pharmacy. |
| Vaccination services offered | Walgreens offers various vaccinations, including flu, RSV, pneumococcal (pneumonia), shingles, MMR, HPV, Tdap, and Hepatitis A. They administer vaccines for children ages three and older, with some state and age restrictions. | Offers various vaccinations, including those for flu, COVID-19, shingles, tetanus, MMR, hepatitis A and B, and whooping cough. |
| Over-the-counter medication selection | Walgreens carries popular OTC medications, including pain relievers (Advil, Tylenol), cold and flu remedies (Vicks, Mucinex), allergy medications (Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl), and digestive health products. They also offer generic options. | Generally offer a variety of over-the-counter medications. |
| Convenience of location and hours | With a widespread presence across North America, Walgreens stores are generally easy to find. As a retail clinic, Walgreens is primarily a walk-in clinic. | Typically located within Walmart stores, offering convenience while shopping. Pharmacy hours vary by location, but many are open seven days a week. General opening hours are around 9:00 am to 7:00 pm but may vary. |
| Drive-thru pharmacy availability | Many Walgreens locations have drive-thru pharmacies for prescription pick-up. | Many offer drive-thru services for prescription pick-up. |
| Online prescription refills | Refills can be managed online through your account or as a guest. | Provides online prescription refills through its website and mobile app. Refills can be requested by scanning a QR code, entering the prescription number, or selecting from a prescription list. |
| Customer service quality | Reviews on customer service are mixed, with some customers reporting long wait times and inconsistent service. Some customers have lauded the knowledge and helpfulness of the pharmacy staff. | Customer service experiences can vary. Some customers report positive experiences with knowledgeable and friendly staff. Others have reported issues such as long wait times or unhelpful service. |
| Availability of health screenings | Walgreens Healthcare Clinics (located within some Walgreens stores) offer health screenings, wellness exams, and chronic condition management. Free health tests (blood glucose, body composition, and blood pressure) have been offered at select locations in the past. | Offers health screenings such as glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI measurements. |
| Specialty pharmacy services | Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy focuses on complex or rare conditions, offering specialized treatment and medications. They provide services like medication side-effect management and financial assistance. | Operates specialty pharmacies that provide personalized care for patients with chronic, complex, or rare conditions. These pharmacies offer specialized medication handling, storage, and support for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. |