When you need a prescription filled, GoodRx, a free service that compares drug prices across U.S. pharmacies and offers discount coupons. Also known as a pharmacy price comparison tool, it helps millions of people pay less for medications—especially generics—without insurance or with high deductibles. It’s not insurance. It’s not a coupon site that requires signing up. You just type in your drug name, see the lowest cash price near you, and show the barcode at the pharmacy. No membership. No hidden fees.
GoodRx works because it taps into the same discount programs that pharmacies use for bulk buyers and insurers. The difference? GoodRx makes those deals available to anyone. It’s especially powerful for generic drugs, where prices can swing wildly—from $5 to $50 for the same pill—depending on the store. A 30-day supply of lisinopril might cost $4 at Walmart but $38 at a local chain. GoodRx shows you which one to pick. It also tracks drug pricing trends, how the cost of medications changes over time based on supply, competition, and patent expirations. That’s why you’ll see drops in price right after a patent expiration, when the first generic version enters the market and forces prices down. GoodRx doesn’t cause those drops—it just shows you when they happen.
It’s not perfect. Some pharmacies don’t accept GoodRx coupons, especially for controlled substances or specialty drugs. And while it saves money on common meds like metformin, statins, or amoxicillin, it won’t help much with brand-name drugs still under patent. But for the 70% of prescriptions filled as generics in the U.S., it’s one of the most straightforward tools you have. Pharmacists use it too—not to replace medication therapy management, a service where pharmacists review your full list of meds to avoid interactions and reduce costs, but to give you an immediate price check before you leave the counter.
What you’ll find below are real stories and data-backed posts about how drug pricing works, why generics look different but work the same, how Medicaid handles discounts, and what happens when a blockbuster drug like Eliquis goes generic. These aren’t ads. They’re explanations—straight from the pharmacy floor, the FDA, and the patients who’ve been there. Whether you’re paying out of pocket, struggling with a high deductible, or just tired of surprise bills, what follows will help you make smarter choices—without needing a degree in pharmacology.
Learn how coupon and discount card programs like GoodRx can cut generic drug costs by up to 85%. Discover who benefits most, where savings are real, and the hidden time costs of using these tools.
