From the article (emphasis mine):<p>> “We have historically been contracted with Express Scripts as a retail pharmacy, which is what we’re licensed as in the state of New Hampshire”–where the physical pharmacy is located–”and they want us to contract as a mail-order pharmacy,” he explains. Though the retail-vs.-mail order question isn’t a legal one, traditionally pharmacies that dispense 30-day prescriptions with typical copays are considered retail, and those with 90-day prescriptions and discounted copays are mail-order. <i>Although PillPack does mail its medications to patients (that’s a major selling point), everything else about the business model hews closer to the definition of a retail pharmacy</i>.<p>I would think mailing the meds to the customer is <i>the</i> defining characteristic of a mail order pharmacy.
Pillpack user here, and (unfortunately) an express scripts user.<p>I take 18 pills a day to manage some kidney issues I have, and Express Scripts doesn't have a good track record with getting your meds to you on time. If I don't have some of my medications, I could die. Not to mention, it's going to be a big pain in the ass to count out all those pills, AND take up a ridiculous amount of space with all the pill bottles, and pill trays.<p>Incredibly pissed off about all this...<p>Edit: forgot to mention my amazing feelings towards Pillpack. TJ (the CEO) has contacted me directly multiple times to make sure everything has been great, and every interaction I've had with them is <i></i>phenomenal<i></i>. If your insurance supports it, I highly recommend it.
Just chiming in here to help bring attention to the Express Scripts near-monopoly. Their market position and it's implications are surprisingly under-reported.<p>Surprised the HN crowd doesn't get more riled up about this, given the implications for science, opiate abuse, and other opportunities missed for improving the health system.
It seems that Express Scripts is simply reluctant to continue their business relationship with PillPack since they got too big and now pose a serious threat to their own business model (which probably relies on mail orders as well). It's of course understandable that they don't want to let a startup take away a profitable market segment from them, but it seems that they do this by making use of their market-controlling position, which is probably illegal (IMHO).<p>Reading the article it's really hard to say what is really going on though as the journalist makes very little effort to uncover the real motivations behind the actions of the two companies.
If you like what PillPack is doing and you take meds, consider switching to them. :) I've had nothing but great service and, as someone on about eight pills a day, it's made part of my life much easier.