You do not need to call your old pharmacy. You do not need a new prescription from your doctor. In most cases you do not need your prescription number either. A pharmacy transfer is something your new pharmacy does for you, and it usually takes less than a day.
What a prescription transfer actually is
A transfer is a pharmacist-to-pharmacist request. Your new pharmacy contacts your current one, verifies your identity and your prescription details, and has the remaining refills moved over. It is a routine, everyday process governed by New York State pharmacy rules.
The part most people get wrong: they assume they have to arrange it. You do not. The only thing your new pharmacy needs from you is permission and enough information to find your record.
What you need to have ready
- Your name and date of birth
- The name and rough location of your current pharmacy
- The medications you want moved — brand or generic names are fine
- Your insurance card, if you have one
You do not need exact doses, prescription numbers or spelling. The pharmacist confirms all of that directly with your previous pharmacy.
How long does a transfer take?
Usually the same day. The two slow points are the old pharmacy taking time to respond, and prescriptions with no refills left, where your doctor has to authorise a renewal first. A good pharmacy handles both of those calls for you rather than telling you to make them.
Will there be a gap in my medication?
There should not be. Transfers are timed against your current supply. If you are down to your last few days, say so — that changes how urgently it gets handled. If you have already run out, say that too, and it should be treated as urgent.
Can every prescription be transferred?
Most can. Controlled medications are the exception: they follow stricter federal rules, and some cannot be transferred between pharmacies at all. If you take one, mention it up front so the pharmacist can tell you what is possible in your specific case rather than discovering a problem later.
Does it cost anything?
No. Transferring is free. Your copay is set by your insurance plan, not by the pharmacy, so for most medications you will pay the same amount you pay now.
What about my automatic refills?
Those do not move automatically. Set them up again at your new pharmacy — and ask whether they contact your doctor for renewals before you run out, because that is the single most useful thing a pharmacy can do for someone on long-term medication.
Transferring to Mega Health Rx Pharmacy
We accept patients currently filling at CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade and Vivo Health, and we take most insurance plans. Tell us your ZIP code, where you fill now, and what you take. We make every phone call from there, confirm the details with you, and deliver free anywhere in New York City.
Transfer in 60 seconds
Tell us your ZIP code, where you fill now, and what you take. We handle every phone call from there. Free delivery anywhere in NYC.