Mark Cuban launched Cost Plus Drugs Company in January 2022 with a simple premise: the American pharmacy system is broken because nobody can see the real cost of drugs. His solution was radical transparency. Every drug on the site shows the manufacturer's price, Cost Plus's 15% markup, and a flat shipping fee. No hidden PBM negotiations, no opaque pricing tiers. For the broader context of how this fits into the pharmacy landscape, check our cheapest pharmacy comparison.
The formula is public and consistent:
That's it. No variability by pharmacy location, no negotiated rates that change month to month, no PBM middlemen taking a cut. Let's break down what this means in practice:
| Drug | Manufacturer Cost | Cost Plus Price | CVS Cash Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atorvastatin 40mg (90) | $3.16 | $8.63 | $68.99 | 87% |
| Metformin 1000mg (90) | $2.88 | $8.31 | $38.49 | 78% |
| Sertraline 100mg (90) | $4.22 | $9.85 | $54.99 | 82% |
| Losartan 100mg (90) | $3.95 | $9.54 | $49.99 | 81% |
| Omeprazole 40mg (90) | $5.11 | $10.88 | $62.49 | 83% |
| Lisinopril 20mg (90) | $1.98 | $7.28 | $42.99 | 83% |
| Escitalopram 20mg (90) | $3.67 | $9.22 | $71.49 | 87% |
| Imatinib 400mg (30) | $47.21 | $59.29 | $9,856.00 | 99.4% |
That last row is not a typo. Imatinib (generic Gleevec, a cancer drug) costs $47 from the manufacturer. CVS charges nearly $10,000. Cost Plus charges $59. This is the kind of pricing insanity that Cost Plus was built to expose.
As of early 2026, Cost Plus offers roughly 2,000+ generic medications covering most major categories:
The biggest gap is insulin and other injectables. If you need Ozempic, Humira, or insulin, Cost Plus can't help you yet. For those drugs, see our guides on Ozempic savings and expensive prescription alternatives.
The natural comparison is with Walmart's $4 program. Here's how they stack up:
| Factor | Cost Plus Drugs | Walmart $4 List |
|---|---|---|
| Drug count | ~2,000+ | ~300 |
| Price on listed drugs | Varies (often $3-15) | Flat $4 or $10 |
| Drugs NOT on $4 list | Still cheap | Regular (expensive) pricing |
| Delivery | Mail-order (3-5 days) | In-store pickup |
| Transparency | Full cost breakdown shown | Just the $4 price |
| Controlled substances | No | Limited |
For drugs on Walmart's $4 list, Walmart often wins on price (hard to beat $4 flat). But for the 1,700+ drugs that Cost Plus carries that aren't on Walmart's list, Cost Plus wins by a mile. We did a more detailed comparison in our GoodRx vs. Cost Plus guide.
If you're a freelancer or self-employed without employer insurance, Cost Plus can be a lifeline. CeoCult's guide on freelancer health costs covers the broader insurance picture.
Cost Plus does not accept insurance directly. All purchases are cash-pay. However, you can submit receipts to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement — though success varies by plan. For most generics, the Cost Plus price is lower than your insurance copay anyway, making insurance irrelevant.
Cost Plus Drugs isn't just a cheaper pharmacy — it's a deliberate attack on the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) system. Traditional drug pricing involves manufacturers, wholesalers, PBMs, insurance companies, and pharmacies, each taking a cut and obscuring the actual cost. The result: Americans pay 2-10x more for the same drugs compared to other countries.
By showing the actual cost and adding a transparent markup, Cost Plus demonstrates how much of what you pay at a traditional pharmacy is middleman markup. The $59 vs. $9,856 imatinib example isn't an outlier — it's the norm.
Whether Cost Plus can sustain this model long-term depends on scale. As of 2026, they're growing rapidly and have built their own manufacturing and fulfillment operation. Mark Cuban has stated repeatedly that the company is profitable and doesn't need to raise prices.
Yes. Cost Plus Drugs Company operates a licensed pharmacy in Dallas, Texas. They are a fully licensed, NABP-accredited mail-order pharmacy. The company was founded by Mark Cuban and has filled millions of prescriptions since launching in 2022.
Standard delivery takes 3-5 business days from their Dallas, TX facility. Expedited shipping options are available for an additional fee. Plan to order your refills at least a week before you run out to avoid gaps in medication.
Yes. You can transfer prescriptions from any other pharmacy to Cost Plus. You can also have your doctor e-prescribe directly to Cost Plus Drugs. The transfer process typically takes 1-2 business days.
As of early 2026, Cost Plus does not carry insulin or most refrigerated/injectable medications. This is a known limitation. For insulin savings, check Walmart's ReliOn brand ($25/vial) or manufacturer discount programs.
We track Cost Plus additions and price changes weekly.