If you've ever walked into a pharmacy, picked up your medication, and thought, “Why did that cost more than last time?”—you’re not alone. Prescription pricing can feel like a guessing game, especially when you’re not sure what your insurance covers or why one pharmacy charges more than another. For many patients, it's frustrating, confusing, and sometimes downright stressful.
At Parkway Pharmacy, we believe pricing shouldn't be a mystery. That’s why we’ve built a better way to handle prescriptions—with transparent costs, smarter savings, and a more patient-friendly approach. Let’s talk about what drives prescription prices, why things can vary so much, and how you can take control of your medication costs—without sacrificing care.
Why Prescription Prices Seem All Over the Place
There are a few key reasons why two people might pay completely different prices for the same medication. It boils down to a mix of insurance negotiations, pharmacy contracts, and markups that aren’t always obvious to patients.
Insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) negotiate prices with drug manufacturers and then pass along different rates depending on your plan. On top of that, some pharmacies add markups or fees that can bump up your cost—even when the actual drug is inexpensive.
That's why a medication that costs $10 at one place might be $50 somewhere else. And if you're paying out of pocket or have a high-deductible plan? Things can get even trickier.
How Parkway Keeps It Simple (and Affordable)
At Parkway Pharmacy, we do things differently. Our Cost-Plus Generic Medications program offers transparent, fair pricing that’s easy to understand. We base our prices on what the medication actually costs—plus a small, flat fee to cover handling and service. No hidden markups. No games.
This model is especially helpful for patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or just tired of unpredictable copays. With us, what you see is what you pay.
If you're ever unsure what something costs, you can use our Price Checker tool to get instant, real-time quotes for the medications you need.
Brand vs. Generic: What's the Real Difference?
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Is the generic version really the same?”
In almost all cases—yes. Generics contain the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage as their brand-name counterparts. They’re FDA-approved and undergo strict quality control. The difference? Generics cost way less because they don’t carry the branding, marketing, or exclusive patents.
We always recommend checking whether a generic option is available. Our pharmacists are happy to walk you through the options and help you switch to a more affordable choice, if it’s right for you.
If you want to talk this over, we encourage you to contact us directly or stop by for a consult.
Tips to Save Without Cutting Corners
If you're looking to save money on prescriptions without skipping doses or cutting pills in half (please don’t do that unless your doctor says it’s okay), there are a few smart steps you can take:
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Ask about generics. Many name-brand medications have a generic equivalent at a fraction of the cost.
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Use Parkway’s Cost-Plus program. Transparent pricing = no surprises.
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Use our Refill Request and Transfer RX tools. Switching to Parkway is quick, and we’ll even contact your old pharmacy for you.
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Talk to us. Seriously—if cost is an issue, we’ll help you find a solution. Whether it’s alternate medications, dosage adjustments, or payment options, you’re not in this alone.
Health Shouldn’t Be a Luxury
Let’s be real—no one should have to choose between their medications and their groceries. Unfortunately, we’ve heard stories like that all too often. That’s why Parkway is committed to helping patients access the care they need without financial stress.
Beyond prescriptions, we also support our community through services like vaccinations, point-of-care testing, and even functional medicine consultations for those exploring more holistic care options.
A Pharmacy That Puts Patients First
We know you have options when it comes to where you fill your prescriptions. What makes us different isn’t just our pricing—it’s our people. At Parkway, you’re not just a name on a bottle. You’re part of our community.
Whether you need help comparing costs, figuring out your insurance, or accessing care through our Virtual Doctor platform, we’re here to make the whole experience easier.
We even stock professional-grade supplements and support products like diabetic shoes to help you feel your best—head to toe.
Ready to make the switch to transparent, stress-free pricing?
Check your prescription price now or transfer your prescription to Parkway in just a few clicks.
Affordable care isn’t a gimmick. It’s how pharmacy should be.