First Apartment, First Pharmacy Setup
· 4 min read
New place, new routine. Pick a participating pharmacy nearby, set up your own pharmacy account and refill reminders, and keep your med list handy.
Your first apartment comes with a lot of firsts. The first time you realize you own zero spatulas. The first time you learn which outlet is secretly controlled by a light switch. The first time you open the junk drawer and find it already has junk in it, somehow.
It's also a great moment to set up your own pharmacy routine, from scratch, the way you like it. This post is general information, not medical advice. It's about organizing and setup, not about any medication itself.
Step 1: Pick a participating pharmacy near the new place
Look at pharmacies close to your new address, or close to work or school. A few things worth checking:
- How easy it is to get to on a normal day
- The pharmacy counter's hours, including weekends
- Whether it closes for a break during the day
If you're a member of The Drug Club, confirm your pharmacy participates before your first fill there.
Step 2: Set up your own pharmacy account
Use your own phone number and email, so pickup messages and refill notices come to you, not to a parent's phone back home. If your contact info changed with the move, see updating your phone or email with your pharmacy. It's also worth asking your new pharmacy what they have on file for you, and updating your address with your prescriber's office too.
If you need your existing prescriptions filled at the new pharmacy, ask your new pharmacy what they need from you, and ask your prescriber to send future prescriptions there.
Step 3: Set up refill reminders
Nobody is going to remind you anymore. (Okay, someone might, but let's not count on it.) Put refill dates in your own calendar or reminder app. Our post on setting your own refill reminders walks through a few easy setups.
Here's a SAMPLE first-month setup:
| SAMPLE (example only) | Task | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in week (example) | Pick a pharmacy near the new place | Yes |
| Move-in week (example) | Set up my own pharmacy account | Yes |
| Move-in week (example) | Add refill dates to my calendar | Not yet |
| First month (example) | Update my address with my prescriber | Not yet |
| First month (example) | Save my med list on my phone | Not yet |
Everything in this SAMPLE table is made up. Adjust it to your own move.
Step 4: Keep your med list and member info handy
Keep a current list of your medications with each one's name and strength, your prescriber, and your pharmacy. Our guide to keeping a one-page medication list has a format you can copy. Keep your insurance card or membership info somewhere you can find it, like a photo on your phone or a spot in your wallet. If you ever forget it, see at the counter without your member card.
For more on running things on your own, see managing your own prescriptions for the first time.
Questions go to the pros
For anything about your medication itself, including how to take it or store it, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They're happy to help someone who's just getting set up.
Where The Drug Club fits
The Drug Club is a prescription membership, not insurance and not a discount card. You pay one monthly membership fee and get member pricing on eligible medications at participating pharmacies.
- $0 with membership on eligible medications. Not every medication is eligible, so search yours on the Medications page.
- 800+ medications on the formulary.
- 70,000+ pharmacies participate. Confirm your pharmacy participates before your first fill there.
- Single and Family membership prices are on the pricing page, and plan details are on the membership page.
FAQ
Should I set up my own pharmacy account?
It helps. Your own account means pickup messages and refill notices come to you.
Who do I ask about filling my prescriptions at a new pharmacy?
Your new pharmacy and your prescriber. They can tell you what they need and how it works for your prescriptions.
Is The Drug Club insurance?
No. The Drug Club is a prescription membership, not insurance and not a discount card.
The short version
Pick a participating pharmacy near the new place, set up your own pharmacy account and refill reminders, and keep your med list and member info handy. For anything about your medication, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. The spatula, sadly, you'll have to buy yourself.
Questions: support@thedrugclub.com or (424) 375-7114.
The Drug Club is a prescription membership, not insurance and not a discount card. Eligible medications and participating pharmacies apply. This article is general information, not medical, financial, or insurance advice.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medications and health. The Drug Club is a prescription membership. It is not insurance and not a discount card. Questions? Email support@thedrugclub.com or call (424) 375-7114.