Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Woman's World
Remote Pharmacy: Facts, Figures and Real Patient Interviews About the Online GLP-1 Prescriber
By Lizzy Rosenberg,
5 days ago
Woman’s World has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
Obtaining medical prescriptions — particularly for weight loss — can be a grueling process. After booking a doctor's appointment, patients often have to liaise between a specialty local pharmacy, doctors and sometimes insurance companies. But online telemedicine providers like Remote Pharmacy have emerged to expedite the process and take care of each step. With literally dozens of online options available now, we talked to real patients to find out what the actual experience of getting an online prescription for a GLP-1 weight loss drug from Remote Pharmacy is really like.
"Remote Pharmacy is extremely easy to use — it’s very user friendly," patient Sinora Glenn tells Woman's World . "Once my GLP -1 is shipped they notify me via text message along the entire tracking process." "As a busy mom of two, convenience is huge for me," adds Amanda Niles Conti, another Remote Pharmacy patient. "And there are so many options now online, but Remote Pharmacy stood out for how easy it was to use." After filling out a questionnaire, patients are matched with a licensed provider for a consultation. Then any GLP-1 prescriptions are filled and sent to the patient's home within weeks.
Due to shortages, GLP1s are often expensive and hard to get. Iuliia Burmistrova/Getty Images
Remote Pharmacy is a med-tech company that specializes in prescribing weight loss drugs, and it's expanding to men's health and beyond. Remote Pharmacy's founder, Dr. Ralph L, Finger, MD , was inspired to create the company after seeing how difficult it could be for patients to obtain these kinds of prescriptions. He wanted it to be easier and more affordable: "Remote Pharmacy began with the intent to provide life enhancing and proactive healthcare solutions without the barriers often encountered in current medical systems," Dr. Finger explained to Woman's World . "Remote Pharmacy was born out of a need to make healthcare simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone."
Remote Pharmacy offers the following drugs for weight loss:
Ozempic
Wegovy
Mounjaro
A homebrand compounded semaglutide
The Process Is Quick
After taking an extensive onboarding questionnaire, Remote Pharmacy patients are matched with a licensed provider. From there, the patient can be approved for a prescription in under 24 hours. Then, within 48 hours after that, their medicine is sent to their doorstep. Patients can opt to receive the first three months' dosages at the same time, or to get it month-by-month. You are then prompted to check-in after this period, and to order the next doses: "Once you get all your information filled out, they walk you through the steps to get going," Amanda Niles Conti tells us. "It was super simple and quick!"
Help Is Always Available
At any time, patients can opt to speak with doctors and customer care for assistance through instant messaging on the client portal. Patient Janet Lopez says customer support has been understanding, and extremely helpful when needed. "I called customer service because I checked out without adding the promo code, they were really nice and understanding," she says. "Ultimately, they were able to refund me."
"Meeting with a medical doctor for the first time was simply the best," Sinora Glenn added, in regards to her personal experience. "The doctor messaged me and introduced himself. He provided me with detailed information about my semaglutide injections. He advised me if I have any questions at all I can message him at anytime."
Drug Prices Are Fixed, Shortages Don't Change the Cost
Weight loss drugs are often unaffordable — even with insurance — thanks to increased demand and high deductibles. But Dr. Finger says the company prescribes and delivers these drugs at a fixed, competitive rate. And because the company is fully virtual, it's able to charge less than one would pay out of pocket. For the first month, the company charges patients $149 per dose, and moving forward, $299 per month.
"We maintain low prices by cutting out the middleman and conducting extensive research to find the best quality and value treatments," Dr. Finger explains. "By eliminating the need for insurance pre-approvals, physical doctor offices, and unnecessary equipment, we offer GLP-1 weight loss medications at a fraction of the cost. Our 100 percent online process—from the intake form to the free consultation with our licensed U.S. physicians and fast, free shipping—ensures that you receive affordable and effective treatment plans."
The Market Is Growing — And So Is Remote Pharmacy's Network of Specialists and Treatments
An increased demand for weight loss drugs also comes with an evolving market. Dr. Finger explains that the company is committed to providing its patients with the latest solutions available: "Our team of US-based doctors stays on top of new developments in weight loss medications, rigorously vetting each option to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality and purity," he says. "Through our telehealth platform, we provide virtual consultations and continuous monitoring, ensuring personalized and professional care."
Remote Pharmacy Features and Benefits
Everything is remote for patients and doctors
Patients can take a questionnaire, meet with an MD, and get a GLP-1 prescription shipped
Short wait time — it takes only up to three days from start to finish
Prices of the GLP-1 are consistent
Like Many Online Providers, Remote Pharmacy Doesn’t Take Insurance
Even with insurance, it may be cheaper to get a GLP-1 through Remote Pharmacy, though it depends on your plan. milan2099/Getty Images
While almost every insurance company covers GLP-1s for diabetes, not every plan covers the treatment for weight loss. According to a guide from NFP, a number of plans do cover GLP-1s for weight loss, but it often depends on the person's BMI , and what the patient's employer-sponsored health plan accounts for. That said, if a patient's insurance does cover GLP-1s for weight loss, patients likely have some sort of co-pay, which can be high.
"After filling in my information, I immediately started the process of signing up," Niles Conti explains. " It was very easy to get connected to one of the medical experts — and they're on hand to answer any questions or concerns you have." Save 50% off your first GLP-1 order at Remote Pharmacy Starting at $149
The Prescription and Delivery Process Is Quick
By not taking insurance, the process of getting a prescription is much quicker. It can often take weeks or months to receive approval from insurance, but without that layer of paperwork patients can get their GLP-1 prescriptions quickly and easily. Janet Lopez explains that after speaking with a doctor, her GLP-1 prescription came instantaneously: "I couldn’t believe how quickly I went through the whole process and got my medication," she explains. "What I like about my experience with the medical experts is that I can always refer back to our visit if I need to and I can always ask questions if I have any."
Auto Ship Makes Sure Your Meds Come On Time
Niles Conti adds the auto ship feature is a major selling point. "Now I am on an auto ship so I don’t run out! I love being on an auto ship because I don’t have to think about it. And like I said, being a busy mom, having one less thing to think about is great! "
You Have To Cancel Orders a Month Ahead
Unlike some competitors such as GoodRX, all sales are final with Remote Pharmacy. That means the company doesn't allow for refunds and patients can't cancel existing orders. If your health status changes, or if you forget to update your address when you move, you may have to wait until the next month to make changes, or cancel. "For returns, any medication that has already been shipped cannot be refunded or returned, however if your medication has not yet been shipped but you have already had a consultation with our doctor, you are eligible for a refund minus a $30 doctor consultation fee," Dr. Finger explains. "This fee covers the cost of the medical consultation provided. If you cancel your order before the doctor consultation, you are eligible for a full refund."
Pros of Remote Pharmacy
The process is quick
Wait times for drugs are short
It's all virtual
Prices are fixed and may be cheaper than with insurance
Cons of Remote Pharmacy
It doesn't take insurance
It's completely virtual
Patients can't cancel shipped orders
There Are Ways to Lower Your Costs
Although the prices are consistent, there are ways to get discounts from Remote Pharmacy. Participating in studies is one way patients like Sinora Glenn can get their doses for almost 100 percent of the cost covered: "Because I’m a participant on a six-month study my cost is only $1 per month," Glenn tells us. "However, I know that the original cost is only $299 per month and I think that’s a great price for someone wanting to start a weight loss journey."
Remote Pharmacy Differentiates Itself With Convenience, Accessibility and Adaptability
Beyond simply providing GLP-1s, Remote Pharmacy emphasizes that it's looking to expand to other parts of health care, but is heavily focused on making the process of obtaining these easier than it would be to get them through insurance: "What sets Remote Pharmacy apart is our dedication to being a one-stop solution for our patients’ healthcare needs," Dr. Finger says. "We combine convenience, accessibility, and a wide array of treatments to ensure that you receive the highest quality of care tailored to your unique needs."
If You’re Having Trouble Getting or Paying For a Glp-1, Online Prescribers Like Remote Pharmacy Are a Great Option
For those who are having trouble obtaining a GLP-1 through insurance, Remote Pharmacy may be a viable option. Although the company does not take insurance, it maintains a quick process and affordable prices. The customer support is reliable and the site provides additional materials to keep patients in the loop. And while the virtual aspect of it may work for some, it may not for others.
FAQs
How long does Remote Pharmacy take to ship?
Remote Pharmacy takes about 24 hours to make an appointment and then another 48 hours to ship. It will ship to your home address, or to a P.O. Box that accepts UPS and USPS shipments. It does not yet service U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.
What does Remote Pharmacy cost?
Remote Pharmacy sends GLP-1s for a fixed cost. New patients can receive their medication for $149 for the first month, and $299 per month after that.
Does Remote Pharmacy take insurance?
Remote Pharmacy does not take insurance, HSA, HRA, or FSA.
What kinds of drugs can I get through Remote Pharmacy?
Qualifying patients can receive prescriptions for GLP-1s for weight loss through Remote Pharmacy. Additionally, the company plans to offer men's health prescriptions.
Does Remote Pharmacy use real doctors?
Patients match with real MDs for their first-time appointment. They are able to prescribe the GLP-1s as needed.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0