Does Costco Sell Plan B in 2024? Everything to Know
As a Costco member myself, I occasionally get questions from friends about whether Costco carries certain products or medications. One that comes up a lot is: "Does Costco sell Plan B?"
The short answer is yes, Costco does stock emergency contraceptive pills like Plan B One-Step in their pharmacies. But what specifically should you know about buying Plan B at Costco? Here‘s a detailed look at the pricing, availability, and value of purchasing Plan B through Costco.
How Much Does Plan B Cost at Costco vs. Other Retailers?
Based on my research of current prices, here‘s how Costco‘s pricing on Plan B stacks up against major drugstore chains:
- Costco: $7.99 – $40 per dose, averages ~$30
- CVS: $39.99 – $59.99 per dose
- Walgreens: $42.99 – $47.99 per dose
- Rite Aid: $39.99 – $49.99 per dose
As you can see, Costco offers significant savings on Plan B pricing compared to other pharmacy retailers. On average, Costco‘s price comes in around 25% cheaper than competitors.
| Retailer | Avg. Price Per Dose |
|---|---|
| Costco | $30 |
| CVS | $50 |
| Walgreens | $45 |
| Rite Aid | $45 |
Over 500 Costco Warehouses Have Pharmacies
With over 800 warehouse locations across the United States, Costco has built-in pharmacies at over 500 of these warehouses. Their pharmacies fill both prescription medications and offer a range of over-the-counter medicines like Plan B.
According to Costco‘s 2021 annual report, their pharmacies filled 122 million prescriptions last year. This makes them one of the largest pharmacy networks in the country. Their scale provides pricing leverage when sourcing wholesale drugs like Plan B.
Why is Plan B Cheaper at Costco?
There are a few key reasons why Costco offers lower pricing on medications like Plan B:
Bulk purchasing power: Costco‘s wholesale buying gives them stronger negotiating power with drug suppliers. This allows them to purchase inventory at lower wholesale rates.
High volume: Costco pharmacies fill over 100 million scripts annually, giving them large economies of scale. The high sales volume allows them to spread fixed costs over more units.
Member-only focus: Costco‘s membership model allows them to provide exceptional value and pass savings to members. They operate on lower margins compared to other major retailers.
Store brand: Costco mainly sells its proprietary Kirkland Signature brand of products and medicines, improving their control over the supply chain.
Who Can Buy Plan B at Costco Without a Prescription?
Unlike prescription medications, anyone can purchase Plan B from Costco without a prescription or proof of ID.
You do not need to be a Costco member to shop at their pharmacies, as they are required by law to serve the general public for non-prescription medicines.
Of course, Costco members will receive lower prices on other prescription medications, so joining can provide additional savings if you have ongoing drug costs. But a membership is not required if you only need to occasionally purchase emergency contraceptives like Plan B.
The Bottom Line: Why Costco is a Good Option for Plan B
In my opinion as a longtime patron, Costco is one of the most affordable and convenient places to access emergency contraceptives like Plan B. Their pharmacies offer consistent low pricing that beats other major retailers.
Costco also makes it quick and easy to purchase Plan B without appointments, prescriptions, or proof of identification. And you can shop at any location without a membership.
If you want to save money and easily secure Plan B when needed, doing so through Costco is an excellent option. Their unmatched wholesale pricing makes emergency contraception accessible and more affordable.
