Pharmacy Showdown: Where Are the Deals?
"GMA" and ShopSmart does price comparison on over-the-counter meds.
April 5, 2010 — -- So you're congested. Or you have a headache, or heartburn. You head to the nearest pharmacy to pick up some over-the-counter medications, but do you ever stop to think, "Am I getting the best deal here?"
Luckily, ShopSmart magazine did and sent secret shoppers into some of the country's biggest pharmacies to compare prices.
What they found could save you big. That's nothing to sneeze at.
ShopSmart: Save at Target and Walmart, Store Brands Cheaper
On average, brand-name drugs were 20 percent cheaper at Walmart or Target compared to neighborhood drugstores like Walgreens, according to the ShopSmart report.
"The savings can really add up if you use a lot of brand-name drugs," the report said.
The Food and Drug Administration regulates store-brand over the counter drugs the same way as brand-name drugs, and the active ingredients are the exact same.
"We found that buying store brands can save you 13 to 70 percent," the report said.
Some Report Comparisons:
Tylenol Extra Strength, 100 Caplets
Walgreens: $8.85
Walmart: $8.01
Advil PM, 80 Caplets
CVS: $11.44
Target: $10.58
Claritin, 30 Reditabs
Rite Aid: $24.05
Walmart: $19.41
More Pharmacy Drug Comparisons
Zyrtec, 30 Tablets
Walgreens: $22.39
Target: $18.65
Vicks Nyquil Cold & Flu, 10 Oz.
CVS: $6.62
Walmart: $5.03
Prilosec, 28 Count
CVS: $21.45
Walmart: $18.86
Web Extras
Prevacid 24 HR, 28 Count
CVS: $22.53
Target: $19.45
Motrin IB, 100 Count
Walgreens: $9.66
Walmart: $7.98
Afrin Nasal Spray, 1 oz. bottle
CVS: $9.14
Walmart: $7.42