Walgreens

Full review
9/21/05

I have recently become concerned about Walgreens.com's password security practices. To read about my concerns, see my blog entry at http://jiwhite.blogspot.com/2005/09/walgreenscom-security-flaw.html.

Original Review

I have been using Walgreens.com to track and refill my prescriptions for several years. Because I have a Walgreens within one mile of where I live and I live in the desert of Arizona where shipping perishable is a risky business, it doesn't make sense for me to have anything shipped to my house. However, I do occasionally browse the website to find out what their current deals are.

Home Page

The Walgreens.com home page is a little busy, but still serves as an excellent gateway to the rest of the site. Across the top of the page, you'll find tabs that lead you to the major sections of the website, Pharmacy, Store Online, Health Library and Our Company. There is a convenient search box on the left. Most of the rest of the home page is devoted to current specials and featured items.

Pharmacy

In the Pharmacy, you can do more than just manage your prescriptions. You can also enter your health history and immunization records. If you regularly fill your prescriptions at Walgreens, either online or in the store, it is a good idea to enter your health history online so that your Pharmacist will have better chance of avoiding your allergies and other complications. The site also recommends which immunizations you should have within the next five years.

The prescription records are very thorough. For each prescription you have had filled, you can see whether it's set up as an Auto Refill, the prescription number, the drug name and strength, how many refills you have left, the expiration date of the prescription, the doctor's name and the last fill date. I have found this information very helpful. When I've switched doctors and had multiple prescriptions for the same drug, I could make sure that I was using up the prescription that would expire first so that I wouldn't have to bother the doctor for a refill as often. If you try to order a prescription that is expired or request a new prescription online, the Pharmacist will call the doctor to authorize the prescription. You can set up Auto Refills to have your prescriptions regularly filled. The prescription history is very useful at tax time for determining how much money I've spent on medications throughout the year without having to keep track of each individual receipt.

The only drawback to using the online prescription ordering is that I've found that I can get prescriptions filled faster by using the automated telephone system. But if a prescription is that urgent, I'll just drive to my local Walgreens.

Whenever I've had a question about a prescription, I've received an email reply within 24 hours. If you need faster service, you can call 800-289-2273.

Shopping

Walgreens does a good job of letting you know the special offers and sales that you can take advantages of. The left column of the Store Online web pages offers access to Your Shopping List, Rebate and More, and Sweepstakes & Promotions. If you're over 55 and don't have prescription insurance, you can sign up for the SENIORx Dividend Card and receive 10% back to spend on anything at Walgreen's. Walgreens.com is currently offering free standard shipping on online orders $50 or more, not including taxes.

Access to product information at Walgreens.com is very convenient. Across the top of the Store Online, you will find categories of products. If you know what you want, you can enter it in the Search Our Site box. When you click into a particular item you will get standard information, such as the description, price per unit, and price. On vitamins, the nutritional information from the package is also available.

Purchasing a product is simple. Update the Quantity to the amount you want and click Add to Cart. As you add items to your cart, they are displayed in Your Shopping Cart in the left column. You can view your shopping cart in detail or go directly to checkout. The credit cards accepted at Walgreens.com are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. You can choose to store your credit card and billing information in your account. At the Order Summary you review your order, including applicable taxes and shipping, then submit or cancel. All orders are shipped via UPS, which does not deliver to APO or PO Boxes.

Health Library

Walgreen.com's Health Library features Mayo Clinic Health Information. You can search Health topics or visit the Lifestyle Centers or First Aid. Use the Health Quiz to test what you know about common conditions. The current Health Quiz is on Asthma. Unfortunately, the Interactive Women's Health Schedule had a calculation error and didn't tell me when my exams are due. The Health Library provides good general information, but always consult your doctor before making any drastic changes in your diet or exercise.

Our Company

If you're interested in the history or future of Walgreens, the Our Company section will give you plenty of information. Investor Relations and the Press Room are geared toward existing and potential investors. You can find links to the current stock price of WAG and important financial filings. Our Past tells the history of Walgreens. Community Affairs highlights Walgreen's philanthropic activities. If you interested in a job at Walgreens, check out Career Opportunities.

Bottom Line

Walgreens.com is an excellent virtual representation of the Walgreen's Corporation and a useful Pharmacy and Shopping website. I highly recommend it for prescription services and I would not hesitate to purchase products if I weren't so close to a brick and mortar Walgreen's