3 Good Reasons to Buy Pharmaceuticals at Costco

If you've ever been to your local Costco, you probably can come up with a huge laundry list of reasons to go there. It's a party every day, there's always something new to find, you are likely to be able to buy bulk packs of both Reese's peanut butter cups and batteries -- you know, reasons.

Everybody has their own things they love about Costco. But for me, the pharmacy was what first drew me in, and I think it's still a solid entry point for people who have never been there before (runner up is still the bakery, I said what I said).

So, if you've been on the fence about giving your local Costco a whirl, let me give you a few reasons to buy your pharmaceuticals there.

1. Low everyday prices

Getting your medications at Costco can really save you a ton of money, especially if you have several drugs that you require for life, like I do. I checked the cash prices on a few that I keep in the cabinet, and boy, was that enlightening.

You can also get OTC favorites like generic Zyrtec for $11.49 per 365 tabs, generic Flonase nasal sprays for $18.99 per five sprays, or 1,000 caplets of extra-strength acetaminophen for $9.99. Most of these products keep for a year or longer, so check expiration dates, but have no fear of buying in bulk to help stretch your budget.

2. No more standing in pharmacy lines

There's no reason to gatekeep OTC pain meds, but prescription pharmaceuticals come with all those extra hoops to jump through. You have to put in the order, go to the store, stand in the longest line known to mankind as the understaffed pharmacy slowly chews through each person. Or that's what it's like at the pharmacy my insurance prefers.

That's not what it's like at Costco. In fact, Costco has set up a system to make your pharmacy pick-ups a breeze. Costco now offers pickup lockers for your shelf-stable meds.

You simply order through the app, wait for the text to come that your meds are filled, specify that you want them placed in a locker, and you can come and pick up your stuff whenever you happen to be ready -- any time the warehouse is open.

3. Pick up Fido's meds while you're there

Costco also sells pet medications with a prescription from your veterinarian. If you don't have time to run to different places to get everything you need, you can get your meds and your pet's at the same place, at the same time. Grab your statins and your dog's flea meds while you're at Costco using the locker system, and your life might actually be as good as it can get while out running errands.

Costco offers a huge range of pet medications, from basic antibiotics and painkillers, to flea, tick, and heartworm preventive, as well as specialty meds like insulin made especially for your cat, many at deep discounts. Take a look at these common pet meds and how they compare:

Costco can help with all your pharma needs

Costco is a great place to get all sorts of things you might need, from inflatable coolers to multipacks of underpants, but it especially shines when it comes to the pharmacy. So many people struggle with the cost of medications these days, it's nice to know that your friendly neighborhood Costco has your back with essential medications for you, your family, and your pets.