10 Pharmacies That Offer Free (or Heavily Discounted) Medication

Medication can be expensive, but there are ways to save money by getting them for free or heavily discounted. Some pharmacies and other options have programs that help you lower costs and avoid wasting money. Be mindful of conditions for who can and cannot get free or discounted medications at each location, although many have options for everyone.

Here are 10 pharmacies and other options for free or heavily discounted medication.

If you have a Good Neighbor Pharmacy near you, each member of your family can receive a free 30-day supply of one of their branded vitamins. It includes prenatal vitamins, children’s vitamins, adult multivitamins, and mature formula multivitamins once a month through their community-based Free Vitamin Program.

Good Neighbor Pharmacy also has discount prescription programs to help with the cost of your medication. Ask the pharmacy at your local store if their location participates and for information on how to sign up.

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This pharmacy chain has a Diabetes AdvantEdge Program that offers free diabetes medications, a free glucose monitor, and a free lancet device and lancets in addition to discounts on glucose test strips and insulin pentips.

Price Chopper also has discount prescription programs to save money on necessary medication. The next time you visit your local Price Chopper, ask the pharmacist about these programs, and they will help you get started with the enrollment process.

Some CVS pharmacies have programs to provide free or discounted medications, including the Caremark program. The discounts and free medications are only available for specific conditions, so you'll want to check if you qualify.

CVS has other options for saving money on medication, so check with a nearby location to see how they can help. You can also visit their website to see if they advertise discounts or programs.

If you live near an Albertsons, you may be able to get free or discounted medications. They offer a prescription savings program that heavily discounts some generic prescriptions.

Their program is available to everyone, so you only have to give them your prescription and tell them you’re interested in their savings program. You can also sign up for Albertsons' pharmacy rewards program to earn points for discounts on groceries and pharmacy items.

You can get affordable medications at Walmart with the $4 prescription program. This program is available to those with or without insurance and covers conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, and diabetes.

Walmart also has a health savings program for other medications, and you can get the details from the pharmacist or on their website.

Rite Aid Pharmacies don’t offer free medication, but they have a program that can lead to heavy discounts. You can earn points that convert to BonusCash, allowing you to save on purchases later.

The program details are available online, or you can ask about it at your local pharmacy.

Many people don’t know this, but St. Vincent de Paul has six pharmacies across the United States. These locations are funded by donations and grants to provide free medications for those without insurance.

You can reach out to your local St. Vincent de Paul to ask about locations near you.

Some pharmaceutical companies offer Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) to provide free or discounted medication to those with low income or no insurance. Some companies with assistance programs are Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Visit the company’s website for more information and to see if you qualify for assistance. You may be required to provide documentation, such as proof of income, residency, and lack of insurance coverage.

While GoodRx isn’t a pharmacy, it’s a service that helps lower the cost of prescriptions at your local pharmacies. It doesn’t make the medication free but can save you money at places like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Target.

Signing up is free on the GoodRx website or app. Plus, you can search for your medication to see what discounts are available and where you can use it.

Some Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) can provide free or discounted medications to those in low-income households. They may use a sliding fee scale, so the amount you pay depends on your income.

You can look for a FQHC near you on the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website. Once you find the location you want, call to set up an appointment with a healthcare provider at the FQHC.

Medications can be expensive, especially without insurance that covers prescriptions. From discount programs to free medication, you can maximize your retirement savings while taking care of your health by visiting a location that offers these services.

These pharmacies aren’t your only option, so if you don’t have one near you, you can ask the pharmacist at your current pharmacy if they have any discounts available. You can also ask local clinics and your state and local governments about options for free or discounted medications.