[NPInfo] Costco

Fri Mar 7 17:16:25 PST 2008

Every Costco door greeter needs to be "trained" by the consumers that
ABSOLUTELY ANYONE CAN USE THE PHARMACY - IT IS THE LAW  - since Mgmt does
not seem to want to promote this to the public.

3 years ago, when I first opened our hospital based "Free Clinic" I made
flyers in Spanish and English with Costco's hours and location and in bold
large font I wrote "YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A COSTCO MEMBER TO USE THE
PHARMACY, IT IS THE LAW". 

Within 6 weeks, I was investigated by the DEA for "prescribing too much
Vicodin" - Costco complained to the DEA. I think the Pharmacy was mad about
all the work I was sending them. Further, Costco would not accept any fax or
call ins from me personally because of this investigation. I was cleared -
what were they thinking anyway - yes, I hand out Vicodin like candy, but in
small quantities - 12- 30 tablets, but I work in an Urgent Care and ER - my
patients have pain.

Since, then Costco has been fine with me although my real love is Target. My
new flyer, in Spanish and English, has all the local Target, Wal-Mart's and
Costco hours/addresses on it and that goes to every single patient.

Target has been extremely good about matching Costco prices for my patients
and their hours are better - open until 2100 and I run a nighttime clinic.
Costco pharm closes at 1900. 

Often, I will pull up the Costco price for a drug from their web site and
print it up and staple the rx on to the price sheet as proof and then just
send the pt to Target. Target then can see the price that Costco offers it
for and does not even need to call them or look.

Very rarely, Target is unable to match a Costco price, as Costco does buy in
such huge quantity that they get better prices, and Target will tell my pt
this.

I also  keep certain frequently rx'd drug that are not on the $4 list (such
a Phen with Codeine or zoloft) printed prices sheets from Costco just
stocked in my exam rooms to make it quicker for me when I am seeing a pt,
and then just grab a sheet and staple on my rx and send them to Target.
Also, both local Targets know me well now - I have gone in personally and
met most of the staff. They are very good about calling me and making
suggestions and know my prescribing habits well now. I can call them at 2050
and tell them I have an urgent request for a pt and she is on her way right
now and they are always very accommodating and gracious - I feel like they
are a little tiny neighborhood pharmacy, the way they treat both my patients
and myself and I like that.  

Don't get me started on Walmart - they are another less attrative option -
that is it.

Christine Smith, NP

-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of jbro
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 2:08 PM
To: NP Info
Subject: Re: [NPInfo] Costco

Calif NP <np at c-zone.net> wrote:    In Northern CA Costco has consistently
been giving the best prices on name
brand & generic drugs, with dramatically lower prices than ANY of the other
name pharmacies, including Target, Wal-Mart, etc. which remain very
competitive. Also, the pharmacists/staff at Costco(s) seem to be sensitive
to trying to save clients money & are willing to do client education, look
into alternative sources to help pay for drugs, etc. etc. Tell clients to
advise the door member card checkers that they do not have to be Costco
members to use the pharmacy and to advise the door checkers of this.

  not only the door checkers...who around here don't have a problem
    I recently sent my hubby in to pick up his own script...I had called it
in...it was a refill..and I am the member...the pharm clerk said ONLY the
member could pick it up!!  not true...

  I marched down there ..asked to speak to head pharmacist..she
said..no...anyone could pick it up etc etc..

  pays to know ahead of time what the "rules" are...

  agree that Costco is wayyyy cheaper that any other place....price for his
med at Walmart was $79...just picked up a refill and it was $34(depends upon
the generic they are using that fill...last fill it was $47 or so...)

  rosemarie e brown

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Louise Moon Rosales" 
To: "NP Info" 
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 4:01 AM
Subject: Re: [NPInfo] Costco

> I know Costco has come up before, and thanks for all the info. I was
> recently quoted by Costco $8.74 for a months supply of sertraline
(Zoloft),
> versus $100 at another chain pharmacy for a patient who had lost his med.
>
> Louise Rosales
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: 
> To: 
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 11:14 PM
> Subject: [NPInfo] re: Medicare and changes
>
>
> > Stephanie,
> >
> > I take Arimidex also and I have a $500 brand name deductible through
Blue
> > Cross. I get mine at Costco for $286 in Jan and Feb. to use up my
> > deductible. I
> > never heard of anyone paying $500/mo. That pharmacy should be run out of
> > business. Have your mom go to Costco or Walmart when she's in the donut
> > hole.
> >
> > Gail
> >
> >
> >
> > **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money &
> > Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)
> > _______________________________________________
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