Insurance-Free Pharmacy Offering Coronavirus-Related Freebies

WEST VIEW, PA - What is believed to be Pennsylvania's first insurance-free pharmacy is offering those who have been laid off or who are suffering financial difficulties because of the coronavirus outbreak a free membership - and a chance for significant savings on often costly prescriptions.

"The coronavirus has hit everyone - individuals and businesses small and large, young and old," said Kyle McCormick, owner of Blueberry Pharmacy in West View Park Shopping Center. "So we're running this special throughout the crisis to help those impacted the most."

McCormick compares his new business to a pharmacy version of an Aldi grocery store.

"By primarily carrying generics, cutting out middleman insurance companies, opening only during peak hours, keeping extra packaging to a minimum, and operating out of a small blueprint, we are able to offer the same medications at much lower prices to everyone," he said.

Purchasing a membership affords customers the opportunity to realize the greatest savings. But McCormick, a Somerset native and University of Pittsburgh pharmacy school graduate, said that even those without a membership often can save money on the drugs they buy.

Blueberry has reduced the price of its various membership packages during the outbreak. But McCormick is offering a free six-month membership to those who are experiencing financial hardship during it. All new members get a free month's membership, he said.

The membership allows people to get their medications at $3 above cost for a supply of 30 days or less and $5 above cost for a supply of more than 30 days. "That makes most generic medications well under $10 and cheaper than a co-pay for those who have insurance," McCormick said.

Blueberry also has waived all delivery fees during the outbreak. The pharmacy delivers to zip codes 15229, 15202, 15212 and parts of 15237) and offers curbside service and sanitizing contact service.

"We offer the same generic medications as everyone else," McCormick said. "But since we don’t have all the overhead, loss-leaders, and brand name medications as everyone else, our
prices are much lower."