How Long Does Walmart Pharmacy Hold Prescriptions? (2022)
Walmart Pharmacy is a convenient option for filling and managing prescriptions. But if you don‘t pick up your medication right away, you may be wondering – how long will they hold it before putting it back on the shelf?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Walmart Pharmacy‘s prescription holding policy, including:
- How long do they typically hold new and refilled prescriptions?
- What happens after the holding period ends?
- Can you get reminders and access prescriptions online?
- Who can pick up or refill a prescription for someone else?
Let‘s dive in!
How Long Does Walmart Pharmacy Hold New Prescriptions?
For new prescriptions, Walmart Pharmacy will generally hold the medication for 7-14 days from the date it was filled.
This holding timeframe allows patients sufficient time to pick up their new medication without the pharmacy having to store it indefinitely.
According to Walmart‘s prescription policy, the specific hold duration may vary depending on:
- The type of medication prescribed
- Inventory levels of the drug
- Individual store operations
So while 7-14 days is typical, some locations may hold new prescriptions for shorter or longer periods.
The pharmacy team can look up the exact expiration date for your specific prescription if needed.
How Long Does Walmart Pharmacy Hold Prescription Refills?
For refills of existing prescriptions, the holding time is often shorter – generally 3-7 days.
Because the prescription is not new, patients have likely already started their course of treatment with the medication. The shorter hold window prevents wasted inventory in case the patient does not need the refill right away.
As with new prescriptions, the refill holding duration is subject to variation depending on the medication type, inventory, and pharmacy operations. Confirm with your local store for specifics.
What Happens After the Holding Period Ends?
Once the standard new or refilled prescription holding period has ended, Walmart Pharmacy will return the medication to stock.
This allows the inventory to be dispensed to other patients with current prescriptions for the same medication.
Even though your physical prescription is put back on the shelf, your prescription information stays in Walmart Pharmacy‘s system.
You can still go to any Walmart Pharmacy location and request your prescription to be filled again at any point until the prescription expiration date.
Walmart pharmacists can re-verify and fill your prescription again as long as your doctor has not indicated any refill limitations and it remains valid.
Can I Get Prescription Refill Reminders from Walmart Pharmacy?
Yes! Walmart Pharmacy offers a free prescription reminder service to help you remember to refill your medications on time.
To set up refill reminders:
- Sign into your online Walmart Pharmacy account
- Click "Medication Reminders"
- Select the prescription you want reminders for
- Choose a start date and reminder frequency
- Click "Save Reminder"
You‘ll then receive notifications by your chosen method (email, text, etc) when it‘s time to refill that prescription.
Reminders can be edited or cancelled at any time through your Walmart Pharmacy account as well.
How Can I Access My Prescriptions Online?
Managing your prescriptions online with Walmart Pharmacy is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Go to Walmart.com and click "Sign In"
- Create an account using your email, name, and birthdate
- Click "Pharmacy" after signing in
Your prescription dashboard will display:
- Recent orders
- Upcoming refill reminder dates
- Pickup status
- Prescription expiration dates
To get more details on a specific prescription, click the prescription number. This will show the prescribing doctor, date prescribed, and last fill date.
The online portal makes it easy to track your prescription status, refill on time, and never wonder how long Walmart Pharmacy will hold your medication again!
Can You Refill a Prescription for Someone Else at Walmart?
Yes, in certain cases. According to Walmart Pharmacy‘s policy, you can fill or refill someone else‘s prescription if:
- You are the parent or caregiver for that person
- You have their name, address, and birth date
This allows parents to easily manage medications for children or caregivers to handle prescriptions for elderly or disabled patients.
To refill a prescription on someone else‘s behalf, you can:
- Visit any Walmart Pharmacy in person
- Call the pharmacy to request the refill
- Use the Walmart Pharmacy website or app
Just be sure to provide the patient‘s information when requesting the refill or pickup. Proper identification may be required as well.
Conclusion
To summarize Walmart Pharmacy‘s prescription holding policy:
- New prescriptions are typically held for 7-14 days
- Refills are generally held for a shorter 3-7 day period
- Prescriptions can be refilled until expired even after held time ends
- Use their online system and reminders to easily manage prescriptions
- Parents and caregivers can refill for others with proper patient info
Knowing how long Walmart Pharmacy will hold your medication before returning it to stock can ensure you pick up your prescription on time. Be sure to ask your local pharmacy if you need clarification on a specific prescription‘s exact expiration date.
