Which best defines a mail order pharmacy?

• A. In-house pharmacy that ships prescriptions to members in the mail
• B. A retail storefront where customers pick up prescriptions
• C. A third-party online marketplace for drugs
• D. A hospital-based formulary service

Answer: (A)

A mail order pharmacy is a pharmacy operation integrated with a plan or employer that fills prescriptions and ships them to patients’ homes, usually in 90-day supplies for maintenance medications. The emphasis is on dispensing and mailing medications rather than requiring an in-person pickup at a storefront, which is why this model supports convenience, adherence, and often lower costs through centralized fulfillment and shipping.

This differs from a retail storefront, where prescriptions are picked up in person; from a third-party online marketplace, which is a platform rather than a dedicated mail-fulfillment pharmacy; and from a hospital-based formulary service, which manages medications within a hospital setting rather than mailing drugs to patients.