Shopping for Bulk Pharmaceuticals for the First Time

As someone with a very low personal medication budget, I’ve never spent more than $10 on medicine at one time. Suddenly, my position requires me to purchase the medical supplies for an entire youth camp’s nursing station and its first aid kits. $200 purchases were not unusual. Factors such as expiration date, quantity and storage-effectiveness came into play when before my only concern was cost.

The shopping experience is very different which shopping on this scale. On a very basic level, it becomes necessary to be aware of a much wider range of drugs, including a large number of pediatric medications. With this awareness comes an awareness of nuance: How will the kids react to taking this medicine? How does it need to be stored/administered? Does it come in delicious flavors that aren’t delicious enough to be a liability?

Cost was another strange consideration. When previously it had been only the final cost that mattered, now the cost per dose was the crucial consideration. In these situations, packaging became less important, and my attention focused on the unit prices conveniently provided on the price tags. Sales and clearance prices were particularly appreciated.

The cart becomes more and more full. One would think that purchasing through a catalog would be simpler and cheaper, but experience showed that the convenience and low cost of our nearby bulk pharmacy was equal if not sometimes better.

The needs of both adults and children were crucial to the process. Sure, a huge canister of cold and flu medication or liquid pain reliever was the cheapest option, but experience told me that many kids are only allowed to take certain types of pain relievers. Parents have specific wishes for the medication of their children, and by being mindful of these needs and offering a diverse selection of medications, these parents’ worries may be put to rest, knowing we will take good care of their kids.