Here’s a money-saving secret that many people don’t know: you can access Costco’s pharmacy without paying for a membership. Thanks to state pharmacy laws, Costco’s prescription services are open to everyone, and their prices consistently beat the competition by substantial margins.

The Legal Loophole That Saves You Money

In most states, pharmacies are required by law to be accessible to all members of the public, regardless of store membership requirements. This means you can walk into any Costco and head straight to their pharmacy department without showing a membership card.

To use this hack, simply tell the door greeter that you’re visiting the pharmacy. You’ll be allowed to enter without a membership, and some locations even have separate entrances leading directly to the pharmacy for non-members.

How Much You’ll Actually Save

The savings at Costco Pharmacy are substantial. Consumer Reports’ secret shoppers called more than 150 pharmacies to compare prices for five commonly prescribed generic drugs. The results were striking:

• CVS charged $928 for the five-drug combination
• Rite Aid had similar high pricing around $900
• Costco charged just $105 for the same medications

That’s nearly a 90% difference in pricing for identical medications. Even individual prescriptions show impressive savings, with many customers reporting 30-50% lower costs compared to traditional pharmacy chains.

Online Ordering Without Membership

You can also order prescriptions from Costco online without a membership. Their mail-order pharmacy service delivers nationwide and accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, personal checks, and Electronic Funds Transfer. This option is particularly convenient if you don’t have a Costco location nearby.

What You Won’t Get (And Why It Might Not Matter)

While you can access Costco’s pharmacy as a non-member, you won’t be eligible for the Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP), which offers additional discounts of 2% to 40% off already low prices. However, even without these member discounts, Costco’s regular pharmacy prices often beat competitors’ best deals.

Non-members also can’t purchase over-the-counter medications from Costco, as these require membership. But you can still access pharmacy services like vaccinations, prescription transfers, and consultations.

Maximizing Your Costco Pharmacy Strategy

Before Your First Visit:

• Call ahead to confirm your specific medication is in stock
• Bring your current prescription bottle or have your doctor send the prescription directly
• Prepare to pay with cash, debit card, or Visa (other credit cards aren’t accepted)
• Ask about generic alternatives if available

For Ongoing Prescriptions:

• Set up auto-refill reminders to stay on schedule
• Compare Costco’s prices with your insurance copays, sometimes paying cash is cheaper
• Consider transferring all your family’s prescriptions for consistent savings

When Membership Might Make Sense

If you’re spending $60 or more annually on prescriptions and the CMPP discounts would save you that much, a basic Costco membership pays for itself. The membership also unlocks access to other Costco services and products.

Alternative Discount Options

Even without Costco membership, you can layer additional savings on top of their already low prices. SingleCare and GoodRx discount cards work at Costco and might provide further reductions on certain medications.

These free prescription discount cards can save up to 80% on medications at participating pharmacies, including Costco. While you can’t combine them with insurance, they often beat insurance copays for expensive prescriptions.

Pet Prescriptions Too

Costco Pharmacy also fills pet prescriptions at competitive prices, whether you’re a member or not. You can transfer existing pet prescriptions by bringing the current bottle to the pharmacy, or have your veterinarian send new prescriptions directly to Costco.

Many pet owners report significant savings on medications like Apoquel or other chronic condition treatments, sometimes paying 30-40% less than veterinary clinic prices.

Making the Most of This Hack

Plan your visit strategically:

• Costco pharmacies typically close earlier than the main store and aren’t open on Sundays
• Call ahead during busy periods to check wait times
• Bring a list of all current medications if you’re transferring multiple prescriptions

Compare before you commit:

• Use Costco’s online price checker when available
• Ask the pharmacist about generic alternatives
• Consider 90-day supplies for chronic medications if your doctor approves

This membership-free access to Costco Pharmacy represents one of the best-kept secrets in prescription savings. With prices often 50% lower than major chains and no membership requirement, it’s worth the trip even if Costco isn’t your usual shopping destination. Whether you’re uninsured, facing high copays, or simply want to stretch your healthcare budget further, Costco’s pharmacy offers a legitimate path to significant savings.