Expires 04/01/2021

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Our mission at Alto is to fulfill medicine’s true purpose — to improve quality of life — for everyone who needs it.

Services that reduce travel and encourage social distancing are now more essential than ever, not only for vulnerable populations but all of us as members of our communities. Alto’s free same-day doorstep delivery ensures you have safe and reliable access to medications in this time of uncertainty. 

Hear first-hand from members of the Alto technology teams.

Alto / Blog

Every year, we look forward to October, when we get a whole month to honor the extraordinary work of the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at Alto and around the world.

Celebrating National Pharmacist Month at Alto

Every year, we look forward to October, when we get a whole month to honor the extraordinary work of the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at Alto and around the world. National Pharmacist Month is a time to celebrate the many ways that pharmacy professionals positively impact their communities. At Alto, we get an intimate look at how pharmacists improve the health and well-being of others every single day through their expertise and exceptional care.

This year’s theme is “Essential Providers, Accessible Care,” recognizing the vital roles that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are playing on the front lines of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the common cold to chronic disease, pharmacists are always there to answer important health questions and make sure medications are not only accessible but used safely and effectively.

National Pharmacist Month is a great time to show your appreciation for the pharmacy professionals who help with your medications. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the depth of their expertise. For example, did you know that becoming a pharmacist requires a doctorate degree? Pharmacists are not only experts on medication management, they also serve as patient educators, perform laboratory studies and health screenings, and act as skillful problem solvers. Whether we’re facing an acute issue or a chronic condition, many of us turn to our pharmacists to suggest supplements, over-the-counter medicines, or lifestyle adjustments that can help us feel better. 

In addition to our month-long celebration of pharmacy professionals, the third Tuesday of October has its own special designation: National Pharmacy Technician Day. On this day, we recognize the unique and invaluable contributions of pharmacy technicians. A critical part of any healthcare team, pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists to make sure patients get the medications they need. Technicians not only assist in the preparation and distribution of medications, but they also work directly with community members to collect patient information and help process billing claims.

Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are essential in providing us with access to safe and effective treatment when health issues arise. This year, more than ever, we are grateful for their steadfast dedication to your care. 

In honor of the 116 incredible men and women who perform these vital roles at Alto, here are five facts you may not know about the pharmacy profession:

October 12th is Women Pharmacists Day! About 55% of pharmacists are women, making pharmacy a predominantly female field. 

Pharmacists are the most frequently visited healthcare providers in America. They can be found working in a variety of settings—from hospitals to the neighborhood pharmacy—and we turn to them most often for health advice. 

The world’s oldest prescriptions were etched into tablets around 2100 B.C

Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the founding fathers of pharmacy. He helped to establish the first public hospital and hospital pharmacy in the United States. 

Agatha Christie, the crime novelist, worked as an apothecary’s assistant, or what we would now call a pharmacy technician. Her interest in medicine was apparent in much of her writing, inspiring her many plot lines about poisoning and disease. 

We at Alto could not be more proud of our incredible pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Through your skills as educators and guides, you uplift the health and well-being of the communities you serve. 

Want to express your gratitude to the pharmacists at Alto? You can reach out by phone, text, or through the app to say thanks and brighten their day. 

In July 2020, Catherine Scott joined Alto as Head of IT, responsible for building and leading a high performing IT team. We sat down with Scott to learn more about her plan to build Alto’s IT strategy and support teams focused on End-User Support, Infrastructure & Networks and Business Applications. 

Airbnb’s Former Head of Business Technology Joins Alto

In July 2020, Catherine Scott joined Alto as Head of IT, responsible for building and leading a high performing IT team. Previously, Cat spent five years at AirBnB where she acted as the  Global Head of Business Technology during their worldwide growth and was pivotal in delivering exceptional technology experiences to employees. With this expertise, and over 20 years experience spanning startups to Fortune 500 Companies, we are excited to officially call her an Altoid! 

We sat down with Scott to learn more about her plan to build Alto’s IT strategy and support teams focused on End-User Support, Infrastructure & Networks and Business Applications. 

Welcome to Alto! What excites you most about recently joining the team? 

Thank you! I’ll start by sharing that I am excited by companies that have a strong mission. This was an important consideration for joining Airbnb.  When contemplating what was next, I knew that this was a primary driver for my next move.  Alto’s mission - to improve the quality of life for everyone - very much resonated with me. 

Aside from that, my conversations with Altoids during the hiring process reflected a sense of passion and humility that I found to be rare in a successful company. There is a culture of really intelligent, driven individuals here that are unpretentious about their accomplishments. 

Likewise, any time I evaluate an opportunity for growth, I assess the impact that I can have based on my experience. Given my background in consulting, startups, and Fortune 500 companies, I found Alto’s goals to be in line with my ability to improve efficiency and help IT mature into being viewed as a critical enabler to our business.

You were the Global Head of Business Technology (Products) at Airbnb for 5 years. How did this experience shape your outlook on strategic growth and what was the most important lesson that you learned? 

When I joined Airbnb the IT organization was in its infancy. We were present in 192 countries and yet there were only six people assigned to the global team.  It was imperative to create a global strategy quickly that would both enable the hyper-growth of the company and consider how to scale in a cost effective way.

I think the key takeaway is that IT is everywhere. It's a foundational layer supporting how everything functions. Thinking about IT early in a company’s lifecycle is essential, but above that you have to ensure everything is thought of from a scalable perspective. If we only build for right now there will inevitably be a technical rework later so making sure the IT services are both built for increased volume and still cost effective is important.

Can you share a little bit about your goals at Alto for the remainder of the year? 

Right now I’m very focused on what I would call core/foundational IT (network infrastructure, IT support function, etc.) -- essentially the programs that are the enablers for everyone. I’m also working closely with Alto’s Director of Security to ensure that we continue to protect our patients' data with the utmost level of reliability. 

Next year I’d love to start addressing  how IT can enable more business return on investment. For example, managing and implementing 3rd party applications. Typically, and this was the same at Airbnb, if everyone is going off and buying different, potentially duplicative, applications, we start to leave money on the table and can have disjointed data and compromise security. This is where IT starts to become a case for ROI and business benefit. 

I’ll actually contend that Alto is a forward thinking in recognizing the importance of IT. Because of this, I know I’ll be able to create positive benefits because we’ll be in front of the curve. At the end of the day, if we can grow in a thoughtful manner, we’ll arrive at a place where we’ll have a really high performing IT organization that contributes to the bottom line. 

You know, my motto is to “embrace the adventure.” I love spending time outdoors, whether hiking, skiing, or sailing, so it really resonates in my professional life as well. I feel excited about developing an IT strategy that will ensure high quality services both in our sites and remotely, protect our internal data, maximize productivity of our workforce, and ultimately contribute to the company mission of improving the quality of life for everyone.

The good news is, having done this before, I don’t think there’s anything that’s a surprise yet. During the interview process, I knew that this role would require another ground-up build and that it would require a strategic and thoughtful leader. Having said that, the results are always less about me and more about what the team has been able to do and how we have contributed to Alto’s success.

On that note, how would your prior teams describe you? 

I think, or hope, my team would say that I’m incredibly supportive in removing anything that is keeping them from being able to achieve maximum impact or create maximum value for the company. I define myself as authentic, trustworthy and driven -- and value those qualities in others. I definitely have a high bar for excellence and want my team to be successful at performing but at the same time, I’m also there to help when needed and support their professional development. 

Stylistically I’ve always been a leader where I kind of exist to support others and provide thought leadership. You are nothing without your team. To quote Steve Jobs, "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do." This philosophy is one that has always resonated with me. 

How do you feel about technology changing our work culture given the current climate of COVID-19? 

Alto is the first job where I joined having never met a single team member in person. It’s definitely changed things up but I’m pretty comfortable with it at this point. Looking forward though, I think it’s important to consider how we can recreate the “magic” that happens in person when a number of our workforce is remote. 

COVID highlighted the significance of innovative IT related to remote work and collaboration that is essential for everyone. That area of creativity is where I think IT will fundamentally shift how we continue to work and communicate with one another in what may be an increasingly remote workforce. 

Are you working on any passion projects outside of Alto at the moment? 

Yes! I’m very passionate about animals and am currently looking to rescue another dog. Aside from that, I’m recently new to the Tahoe, CA, area so hope to become more embedded in community volunteering. 

My other personal passion project is actually an overhaul remodel on our Tahoe house which has required a fair amount of architecture and engineering for my husband and myself. It’s a fun project that keeps us constantly engaged with one another. 

What would you say to someone interested in joining the Alto team, specifically in a technology driven role? 

Just do it, it’s an amazing opportunity! I believe so strongly in what Alto is doing. If you ever have an opportunity to work for a company that is founder-led you should make it happen. There is a palpable passion that resonates throughout a company when the founders are present. It’s an experience worth doing because it creates a belief and excitement around the company that might not happen otherwise. 

For more information on Scott, or to connect with her directly, reach out via LinkedIn. If you have any questions about Alto, or are interested in joining our team, please visit alto.com/careers. 

Airbnb’s Former Head of Business Technology Joins Alto 

Rather than letting every cough or sniffle cause a panic, let’s sort through the most likely symptoms of the three respiratory illnesses to look out for this season: the cold, flu, and COVID-19.

Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? Your Seasonal Symptom Guide

For most of the year, we’ve had one virus on our minds. But as cold and flu season moves into full swing, an onslaught of new symptoms could sow confusion. Rather than letting every cough or sniffle cause a panic, let’s sort through the most likely symptoms of the three respiratory illnesses to look out for this season: the cold, flu, and COVID-19.

We can usually get an idea of what the flu season holds in store for us by studying recent flu activity in the Southern Hemisphere. This year, reported infection rates were 99% below normal, which epidemiologists credit to the fact that people were wearing masks, social distancing, and washing their hands frequently. The same precautions that prevent the spread of the coronavirus will also stop the flu (and the common cold too).

Still, experts are urging everyone to get their flu shot this year. More people getting sick could cause more than just confusion over symptoms. It could put a strain on testing supplies and medical care. Getting your flu shot will not only make you less likely to get sick with the flu, but it can also reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get sick.

There’s a reason we call it “the common cold.” According to the American Lung Association, most adults come down with two to four colds per year. With more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold floating around out there, it’s not all that surprising. Here are the main symptoms most cold sufferers can look forward to: 

The CDC reports that a cold usually begins gradually with a sore throat and a runny nose and then progresses to include coughing and sneezing. It is rare for cold symptoms to include fever, and diarrhea is not considered a symptom of a cold. 

There is no cure for the common cold, but most people recover within 7-10 days. The best way to feel better is to rest and drink plenty of fluids, although over-the-counter cold medications can help ease your symptoms. Since colds are contagious, try to be mindful and cover up when you cough or sneeze. 

The flu tends to hit us like a ton of bricks. Unlike the more gradual onset of a cold, flu symptoms are known to appear suddenly and with force. Along with a tell-tale fever often comes headaches, body aches, and a general feeling of exhaustion. 

The CDC reports that the following symptoms are common with the flu:

Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

You may have noticed that the common cold shares some of these symptoms. Deciphering the differences is not always cut and dry. Generally, it’s that “hit by a bus” feeling that differentiates the flu. If you’re suddenly sidelined by a fever, chills, aches, and pains, you’re probably not dealing with a cold. It’s important to note, however, that not everyone experiences fever with the flu. 

Your healthcare provider can determine if you have the flu with a simple swab test. As with a cold, you should drink plenty of fluids and try to rest. You should feel better after a few days. Antiviral drugs can be used to reduce symptoms and shorten the amount of time you are sick. Antiviral medications are available by prescription only and work best when started soon after you get sick. When you send your prescription directly to Alto, we can make sure you get your flu medication delivered safely to your home that very same day. 

Here’s where our symptom detective work gets really tricky. Not only are the symptoms of COVID-19 all over the map, many of them closely mimic those of the flu. The coronavirus has confounded experts by showing up in strange and disparate ways. The only true way to know if you have symptoms of coronavirus infection is to get tested, but there are a few red flags to watch out for.

What’s so confusing is that COVID-19 is a respiratory illness like the cold and flu, but it’s not only a respiratory illness. Experts consider it to be a multi-organ disease. Symptoms may appear from head to toe, range from mild to severe, and often come on gradually. While there isn’t a clear set of symptoms that always distinguishes COVID-19, these four seem to be the most common:

The CDC also lists the following symptoms of COVID-19:

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Interestingly, a sudden loss of smell or taste seems to be emerging as a defining symptom of coronavirus infection. While it doesn’t occur in every patient, some studies have indicated that nearly 65% of people with COVID-19 experience this symptom. Additionally, while you may be accustomed to having your temperature checked when you visit a restaurant or store, fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, but by no means always present. About 55% of all infections are accompanied by a fever. 

The rule of thumb is this: if you think your symptoms could be COVID-19, you should act as if you’ve been infected until you can be tested. Call your doctor right away and self-quarantine while you monitor your symptoms and wait for further instructions. It’s crucial that you take every precaution to ensure you don’t transmit the virus to anyone else.  According to the CDC, you should also be on alert for more dangerous symptoms, which include trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, bluish lips or face, confusion or incoherence, and an inability to wake or stay awake. Seek emergency medical care if any of these symptoms occur.

Coronavirus infections tend to last longer than the flu, but those with mild cases should recover on their own in about two weeks. Even if you have only mild symptoms, you need to call your doctor and self-quarantine immediately. With more severe cases, doctors may provide patients with intravenous fluids, medicines to reduce a fever, or oxygen to help with breathing.

If all you know is that you’re feeling terrible, give your doctor a call. Generally speaking, if you’re sniffly, sneezy, and slightly rundown, you’re probably battling the common cold. If you suddenly come down with a fever or chills, body aches, and heavy fatigue, the flu may be to blame. However, with COVID-19 so tricky to identify, it’s vital that you rule it out whenever troubling symptoms crop up. 

If you have questions about which medications can help you deal with your seasonal symptoms, our pharmacists are standing by. And if you do come down with the flu, we can hand-deliver your antiviral medication quickly and safely, while you stay home and get that all-important rest. 

Want Alto by your side this cold and flu season? Our team is available 9 am - 9 pm PT Monday - Friday and 10 am - 6 pm PT on weekends; call or text 1-800-874-5881 or download the mobile app for secure messaging.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

We combed through the latest advice from the experts to give you some actionable steps that may help protect your health.  

Managing Diabetes During COVID-19

Pre-existing condition. These two words have echoed across news broadcasts and government briefings about COVID-19, stirring up fears in those living with chronic disease. But as we’ve gathered data and learned more about the novel coronavirus, a clearer picture has emerged. We now better understand how people with underlying medical conditions like diabetes can take careful precautions to decrease their likelihood of getting sick. 

According to the ADA, it does not appear that people with diabetes are more likely to get COVID-19. They do, however, have a higher risk of developing serious symptoms and severe complications that require hospitalization if exposed. This increased risk makes prevention and early detection critical. 

If you are living with diabetes, it’s important to focus on what you can control right now. In addition to following the CDC’s prevention guidelines, which include wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding unnecessary social contact, you can manage your risk by planning ahead. With this in mind, we combed through the latest advice from the experts to give you some actionable steps that may help protect your health.  

The world is full of very real stressors right now. It’s easy to let healthy habits slip when you’re anxious or under pressure, however, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of your health. The ADA advises that your risk of experiencing severe illness from COVID-19 is likely to be lower if your diabetes is well-managed. Dr. Janaki Vakharia, MD, clinical fellow in the Endocrinology Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains, "Studies have reported that patients with well-controlled diabetes who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 have a higher rate of survival. Better controlled diabetes is also associated with lower markers of inflammation, which may explain this better rate.” 

Do your best to stick to the care plan you’ve created with your doctor—keep taking your insulin and/or other medication, test and track your blood glucose, exercise at home, and maintain a healthy diet. Make sure you have enough medication on hand to last you several weeks and continue your doctor’s appointments virtually if telemedicine is an option. 

In his FAQs about Diabetes + COVID-19 for Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mohammed Al-Sofiani, MBBS, MSc, writes, “I strongly encourage all people with diabetes to make sure that they have enough supply of insulin and all the tools they typically use to manage their glucose...I also encourage people with diabetes to avoid going to the clinics or pharmacies unless it is for urgent matters.”

You should never have to risk your health to obtain your insulin and other medications. That’s why we offer free contactless delivery when you fill your prescription through Alto. Simply let us know where and when to drop it off, and we’ll make sure your medications and supplies arrive safely. 

We’re about to enter cold and flu season. More viruses going around means more chances of getting sick so experts are urging everyone to get a flu shot. This year, a sore throat or runny nose could produce more anxiety than usual, but try not to let yourself slide into fearful thinking. Stay home and report your symptoms to your doctor, especially if you experience a fever, dry cough, or shortness of breath. There is a wide range of symptoms associated with the onset of COVID-19, but the CDC offers this list as well as an interactive coronavirus self-checker. Mild symptoms can often be managed and monitored from home, but don’t make that decision without your doctor. 

If you develop any emergency warning signs for COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately. According to the CDC, these emergency signs include difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, though they stress that severe symptoms of any kind should be immediately reported to your medical provider. 

Preparing for the possibility of getting sick is especially important right now. The ADA recommends having enough supplies to last you several weeks in case you are symptomatic and unable to leave your home. If you do get sick and your doctor has recommended that you remain at home, take that as good news and try to focus your attention on resting while keeping an eye on your glucose levels and symptoms. 

Remember—any infection, including COVID-19, will likely cause your blood glucose levels to start rising. It’s important to pay close attention to your blood sugar, continue taking your medications, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If your blood sugar becomes hard to manage and your body doesn’t have enough insulin, you are at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The ADA advises that if your blood sugar has registered high (greater than 240mg/dL) more than twice in a row, you should use an over-the-counter kit to test your urine for ketones. If ketones are present, call your doctor right away. 

Continuing to take your insulin and other medications must be your top priority, so be sure that you don’t risk running out. According to ADA, the leading manufacturers of insulin and other supplies are not reporting any impact on their manufacturing and distribution capabilities due to COVID-19. There have been, however, widespread reports of mail delays that could affect the timely delivery of mail-order prescription drugs. 

When you fill your prescriptions through Alto, we’ll coordinate your refills automatically, then one of our couriers will hand-deliver them to your home. Your prescriptions will never change hands during the delivery process and you can designate a safe place for your courier to leave your medications for contact-free drop-offs. 

Finally, if like so many you are currently experiencing unemployment, loss of insurance, or economic hardship, there are options to get help. The ADA offers this list of resources and the team at Alto is always here to help you find options that can save you money. Reach out to us at any time via text, phone call (1-800-874-5881), or in-app messaging.

So many of us are feeling anxious and uncertain right now, and that can interfere with our ability to sleep well, manage stress, and practice self-care. Be sure to keep in touch with the people you love and talk to them about your fears. Joining an online community for people with diabetes can also help you get the emotional support you need. 

We're here to support you through COVID-19 with free home delivery. Our team is available 9 am - 9 pm PT Monday - Friday and 10 am - 6 pm PT on weekends; call or text 1-800-874-5881 or download the mobile app for secure messaging.

We don’t know exactly what COVID-19 will mean for this year’s cold and flu season, but it’s safe to say we should double down on our usual protective measures. Our pharmacists share their best tips for ensuring you stay healthy this fall.

Immunity-Boosting Tips for Fall

If you’re looking ahead to this year’s cold and flu season with uncertainty, you’re not alone. On the one hand, we’re wearing masks and social distancing. That should help, right? But on the other hand, we have another serious virus to contend with this season. According to Harvard Health Publishing, there are two main reasons we get sick more often in winter: we spend more time indoors with other people, and some viruses, like the flu, can stay airborne longer in colder weather. 

We don’t know exactly what COVID-19 will mean for this year’s cold and flu season, but it’s safe to say we should double down on our usual protective measures. That means washing our hands frequently, wearing a mask, social distancing, avoiding touching our face while we’re out and about, and getting a flu shot. It also means staying home when we experience cold symptoms to avoid spreading any type of virus. Preventing exposure is by far the best way to keep from getting sick. Despite our best efforts, however, illness-causing intruders can sometimes sneak past our defenses. It’s then that our immune systems must step up and fight.

Your immune system is an intricate network of organs, cells, and proteins that work together to defend the body from infection and disease. Due to its complexity, it’s better to focus on living a healthy lifestyle in general than to pin your hopes on a single supplement or superfood. That being said, recent research points to a few specific strategies that seem to hold promise in shoring up the body’s defenses. Let’s explore four healthy habits that might be worth adding to your immunity arsenal this fall.

Night owls, take note. Here’s one more reason to prioritize sleep—it’s a seriously powerful immune booster. According to the National Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep causes the body to make fewer cytokines, a specific protein that targets inflammation and infection. Plus, when you’re fatigued, your body releases stress hormones to keep you alert, which is known to have an immune-suppressing effect. Recent research has even revealed that sleep can enhance the efficiency of T-cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in fighting infection. In fact, a 2015 study found that people who slept seven hours or more every night were four times less likely to catch a cold than those who slept less than six. 

When it comes to immunity, we tend to think of bacteria as the bad guy. But we now know that nearly 70% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract and the beneficial bacteria and microorganisms in our gut play an important role in defending us from illness. In one study, workers who were given a daily dose of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri took 55% less sick days due to gastrointestinal or respiratory tract infections, suggesting it may be worth tending to our microbiota during cold and flu season. The simplest way to introduce more good bacteria into your body is by eating fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, and kombucha. Additionally, a diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates can help keep these friendly bacteria fed. 

As we journey toward winter and the days grow shorter and colder, we inevitably spend less time in the sun. Without direct sunlight on our skin, our body can’t produce vitamin D—one of the most important nutrients for our immune system. About 40% of U.S. adults are thought to be deficient in vitamin D and it’s not found in many foods, so it’s something you’ll want to consider supplementing throughout the colder months. Studies have found that taking this immune enhancer daily significantly reduces the risk of getting sick with the common cold or flu. The recommended daily dose is 600 IU for children and adults aged 1 to 70 years and 800 IU for people over 70.

Exercise is one of the best ways to increase circulation, which helps infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies travel where they’re needed. A good sweat can also reduce the levels of immune-suppressing stress hormones in the body and increase overall health and vitality. A study following 1,000 people during the fall and winter months found that those who exercised at least five days a week were nearly half as likely to develop an upper respiratory infection as those who were sedentary. Plus, when regular exercisers did get sick, their symptoms were greatly diminished. Just be aware that when it comes to exercise, more isn’t always better. Don’t go so hard that you over stress your body; aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise every day. 

While these immune-boosting strategies are helpful at any time of year, fall is an especially important time to put them into play. We want our bodies’ defenses to be as strong as possible to guard against viral invaders and help us rebound more quickly if we do catch a cold or flu.

Remember—the best way to stay healthy this season is to limit your chances of being exposed to a virus. If you start feeling sick, help keep others safe by staying home and reporting your symptoms to your doctor. Mild symptoms can usually be treated with simple rest and self-care, however, if your doctor prescribes an antiviral medication, there’s no need to drag yourself out of bed. We’ll hand-deliver it to your door for free. 

Alto can make the whole prescription process easier. Let us show you how. Our team is available 9 am - 9 pm PT Monday - Friday and 10 am - 6 pm PT on weekends; call or text 1-800-874-588 or download the mobile app for secure messaging.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

How to avoid postal delays and pharmacy lines with Alto

Concerned about Mail Delays tying up your Prescriptions? There’s a Better Way.

With the pandemic pushing many to avoid lines at the pharmacy, more Americans than ever are receiving their prescriptions through the mail. Last year, over 170 million prescriptions were filled by mail in the United States. According to a recent report, that number has increased by 20% since the onset of COVID-19. 

Recently, sweeping policy changes within the United States Postal Service have led to significant delays, with everything from Amazon packages to mail-order prescriptions becoming increasingly bogged down. Now, two U.S. Senators are voicing serious concerns, saying the delays are putting the health of millions of Americans at risk. 

Switch to a better pharmacy and enjoy free same-day delivery

In a recent investigation of five major pharmacies offering mail-order service, Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) found an increase in average delivery times ranging from 18-32%. That means millions of people with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and asthma are facing a dangerous dilemma. They can either risk unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 knowing they are especially vulnerable to the virus or possibly go without life-saving medications for days due to delays in the mail. 

Alarmed by the striking slow down, Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, President of the American College of Physicians, released a statement cautioning that “a delay in receiving a necessary prescription could be life-threatening. My patients who rely on their insulin, or their inhalers, or any other type of medication can’t wait weeks to see whether or not their prescription will be delivered.”

This situation is certainly troubling, however, at Alto, we promise to deliver a better experience. Here’s why our courier service is the best method for ensuring your prescriptions arrive safely and on time.

Same-day, contactless delivery: We skip the mail, preferring to hand-deliver your medications that very day. We also provide contactless drop-offs to ensure everyone stays safe.

Zero risk of in-transit delays: Your prescriptions will never change hands during the delivery process, increasing not only speed, but safety as well

Convenient scheduling: Select from multiple 3-hour delivery windows that work best with your schedule

Real-time tracking: Stay updated throughout the delivery process via text or follow along in real-time in the Alto app.

Always free - There are never any hidden fees—your delivery is completely free. 

We’re committed to helping you lead a healthier life by providing swift and safe access to the medicine you need. Making the switch to Alto is easy. We’ll handle the transfer.

Concerned about Mail Delays Tying up Your Prescriptions? There’s a Better Way.

When the city of Denver instituted a shelter-in-place order, the non-profit A Precious Child (APC), based in Broomfield, CO, suddenly saw both a dramatic decrease in donations and an increase in people in need. With COVID-19, APC found that many children and families were still in dire need of donations of cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and more, but it was much harder for APC to collect and distribute these goods. The Alto team in Denver started a food and clothing drive to help support APC's efforts and is offering free delivery of donations to people in need.

Matt Alley, Sr. Manager of Operations at Alto Pharmacy in Denver, had previously been a volunteer at A Precious Child and received a message from APC as they were looking for organizations to help support their efforts. We caught up with Matt to hear more about Alto's commitment to the Denver community.

Q: Can you share how the Denver Alto team got involved in efforts to support A Precious Child?

When the shelter in place started in Denver, I had a few non-profits reach out to me as many of them were really impacted by this and looking for ways to ensure they could help people in need. I had volunteered with A Precious Child before and believe they are doing great work to support children in the area.  

I immediately wanted to find a way that I could support them, but also knew that many of my Alto coworkers had been talking about how they could help give back to the community during this time. We spoke with A Precious Child to hear what they needed help with and our team decided to hold a food and clothing drive to help collect donations for A Precious Child.

We all focused on reaching out to our own networks to ask for donations that we collected at the Alto office and then delivered to A Precious Child for them to distribute to families in need.

At our core we are a community pharmacy. This is just what we do. That’s why this is so important to me.

Q: How do you anticipate this partnership with A Precious Child may adapt as Denver ends its shelter in place?

The shelter in place order definitely had an immediate impact on A Precious Child’s donations since more people were staying home. They normally have individuals drop off donations in person, but that doesn’t work during shelter in place, so they were exploring ways to aggregate collections and have them delivered in bulk. A Precious Child created a wish list of things that they needed to get to families such as hygiene, cleaning and baby essentials. Our team worked to get these goods and then our Alto delivery couriers helped drop these off in a safe way to the donation center.

Looking forward, we have identified that the way we can best help out A Precious Child is to have Alto couriers provide safe, no contact delivery of donations to families in need. Since Alto has continued to serve the community and help get deliveries of medications to people, even during shelter in place, we already have great processes in place to keep both the delivery courier and the person receiving a delivery of medications or donations safe.  

We are going to be partnering with A Precious Child in an ongoing capacity to offer free delivery service of donations to families in need across eight counties in the Denver area each Friday. 

I am grateful that the Alto leadership has been so supportive of our team’s efforts to give back to the community. We are in such a crazy new reality with COVID-19, and it feels really good to be able to contribute and give back. I know it’s been motivating for everyone here on the Denver Alto team to be able to give back to the community both through our own work at Alto and through this partnership.

Now, more than ever, I think Alto’s services and free doorstep delivery of medications will help keep the community healthy and safe.

Alto’s Denver Team is Delivering Impact During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Two team members at Alto’s Las Vegas Pharmacy spearheaded an initiative to deliver school supplies and meals to children around Las Vegas who depend on school meals and were impacted by school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The COVID-19 crisis has had rippling effects across communities. Miles Fray, a Pharmacy Technician, and Bang Le, Pharmacist-In-Charge at Alto Pharmacy Las Vegas, worked together to ensure the team at Alto could do its part to support the community. We spoke with Miles and Bang about the initiative they launched with the health plan Teachers Health Trust (THT) and the non-profit Serving our Kids Foundation to help address childhood hunger for children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What prompted your team to launch a program to support hungry children in Las Vegas?

Bang: The idea to support children was Miles’ idea. We are all impacted by the quarantine and everything related to COVID-19.  I’ve been living in Las Vegas for the past seven years and wanted to be able to help people in the community. I asked my team what they want to do to give back, and Miles suggested we start a food drive to help out hungry kids.

Miles: I grew up here in Las Vegas, and this is my community. I was interested in starting a service program because when times are tough, any type of positivity you can put out there makes a big difference. I wanted to tap into Alto’s resources to help children in need since we have a lot of unique capabilities, like our expertise planning delivery routes. I know that a lot of kids around here depend on school for their meals and when schools were closed because of the shelter in place order, I figured there would be children in need.

How are you partnering with THT and Serving our Kids Foundation to support the community?

Bang: Once we decided we wanted to do a food drive, we reached out to the CEO of THT, an organization we are already work with (Alto is THT’s preferred pharmacy partner.) THT was already talking to the Serving Our Kids Foundation about a food drive and brought us in to help with delivery. THT identifies children who are impacted by school closures and need food donations; Serving our Kids Foundation collects donations of food and school supplies; and Alto’s delivery couriers provide safe, no contact delivery of meals and school supplies to children in need.

Miles: It’s been a pretty perfect partnership. Each of us has a piece to make the whole initiative work. 

Bang: It’s great that Alto can help bring our systems and processes to help make this program work during this time. Our team already has policies in place for no contact delivery of medications, and we can use our technology platform to easily plan delivery routes for the food donations.

Miles: This came together really quickly after the shelter in place order came through, but we’ve already been able to reach a lot of families. Our couriers have delivered meals to 385 children so far.  With each first delivery to a child, we include a backpack that also includes pens, pencils, a coloring book and other school supplies so the children can prepare for the next school year.  

Bang: We’re really happy to be helping support Serving Our Kids Foundation to carry out their work at this time. They are an amazing organization that delivers 3,500 meals a week and works hard to serve children in need. We’ve also been happy that we can provide extra hours to our courier team members during this time.

What is next for this initiative and your team?

Miles: We are committed to continuing to provide delivery support for meals through the end of this school year in May.

Bang: We are so happy that Alto empowered us to take initiative to start this program. Alto’s support of our goal to help the community helps us stay grounded in our mission as we expand. We’re still a fairly new pharmacy here in Las Vegas and as we grow and start to serve more customers, we don’t want to lose how we started as a local community pharmacy. This program is one way we can support others in the communities we serve.

Read about Alto’s recent launch as a full-service pharmacy in Las Vegas here. Learn more about Teachers Health Trust  and the Serving our Kids Foundation.

Alto Pharmacy’s Las Vegas Team is Committed to Community Service

Marsha Green is a courier with Alto's San Francisco pharmacy. She has been delivering medications to Alto patients for two years. Most recently, as the COVID-19 crisis hit the Bay Area, Marsha has also helped pick up and deliver donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to local hospitals.

I am a courier at Alto and deliver medications to people at their homes. I’ve been working at Alto as a delivery courier for two years, and I love it - Alto is an awesome company.

The patients are really appreciative, too, which makes my job easier since I mostly interact with patients who are receiving deliveries. Alto goes 110% because the patients know that they wouldn’t have the medicine they need without us, and they show appreciation all the time. It makes me smile when I see how grateful the patients are when they get their delivery.

Is it true you have a family member who also works with Alto?

Yes! Working at Alto is a family affair. My oldest son also works as a courier for Alto. He was working for Alto in Las Vegas and just recently transferred to work here in the Bay Area as a courier. I am a native from San Francisco, and I have three grown boys. It’s fun to be working with my son.

We have entered a new era amid the COVID-19 crisis. How has that impacted you personally and at work?

At first I felt really sad that we are going through this, but I think that everyone in this city is doing everything they can to slow it down.

I’m taking care to make sure I am protecting my health and the health of our customers by wearing gloves and a mask. Alto has been good about setting up procedures to protect me and our customers where I can do a no-contact delivery. Patients are doing their part to follow protocol, and I appreciate that the patients and Alto both do their part to keep me safe.

It’s also been nice to help out by picking up and delivering donations of masks and things for local hospitals.

How have you been supporting Alto’s PPE donation initiative?

When Alto announced their program to pick up PPE donations, I signed up to help. I’ve been picking up donations of masks, gloves and more supplies from individuals around the Bay Area and then delivering them to hospitals. I’ve done about fifty pick-ups of donations over the past couple of weeks.

Every time I drop off donations, the healthcare workers are just ecstatic. It makes me feel good inside that I am doing some good.

I have a funny story related to the donation deliveries. Each day when I pick up the donations I am told where to drop off based on which hospital has the highest need. One day last week I was asked to drop off the PPE donations at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco. My mom worked at St. Mary’s for 32 years and my son, Jason, was the last baby born there. When he was born, they put out a newsletter with a photo of my mom, me and Jason to announce the closure of their pediatrics center. It was so amazing to me that this was all coming full circle when I was asked to deliver donations to them. It brought back good memories and was such a funny coincidence.

I know a lot of folks are losing their jobs right now, and I am grateful to be able to keep doing my work with Alto and helping people out. A lot of patients are really appreciative and have been doing things like leaving out drinks and snacks and masks for me as their delivery person to say thanks. It feels good to have this impact right now.

Learn more about Alto or to sign up for Alto for your prescription delivery here. 
For anyone looking to donate PPE, learn more about Alto’s program here. To request a pickup of donations, fill out this form.

An Altoid Profile: How Marsha Delivers Impact Daily

Alto’s expansion brings free daily doorstep delivery of medications to Seattle metro area residents

Starting Wednesday, April 15, residents of the Seattle metro area can now choose Alto’s same-day doorstep delivery for their pharmacy needs. 

At Alto, we believe it’s our job to ensure you have your medications at the best price, on time and with the support you need. We bring pharmacy to you - no more waiting in line, making an extra trip, or finding out your prescription isn’t ready to be picked up after you’ve already arrived. Our free doorstep delivery means your medications come directly to you on the day and time you select, and most medications are available the same-day. Stay up to date on your courier’s progress with text alerts or in our mobile app. 

Starting a new medication or doing an injection for the first time? Message a pharmacist with your questions, even in the evenings and on weekends. And we’re a full service pharmacy - we stock all major brand, generic, over-the-counter and specialty medications, meaning your entire family’s pharmacy needs can be managed in the Alto app and coordinated into one delivery.

Monday - Friday: 6 – 9 pm PT
Saturday: 2 – 5 pm PT

Monday - Friday: 12:30 – 7 pm PT
Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm PT (closed on Sundays)
Please note that we are currently offering curbside pick-up only for walk-in business.

Seattle area residents interested in using Alto’s services for their medication needs can ask their doctor’s office to send all prescriptions to Alto Pharmacy (via ePrescribe, phone or fax). Have existing prescriptions at another pharmacy? Start a transfer online or give us a call at 1 (800) 874-5881, and we’ll handle the switch.

Alto is proud to be growing in Seattle, and we’re committed to bringing exceptional care to our families, neighbors, friends and fellow healthcare professionals. Our Seattle location allows us to provide a better pharmacy experience to the hundreds of thousands of residents who call this area home.

“I know that the Seattle community is going to love both the convenience of Alto’s delivery and high quality service that Alto’s team provides,” says Betty Cheung, Pharmacist in Charge of Alto’s Seattle location. “As a pharmacist and healthcare professional, I’m particularly glad more residents will now have access to our contact-free delivery model - it’s the safest choice for medication needs during our current shelter-in-place period for COVID-19.”

Once things get back to normal and we’re all moving out and about, come say hello! Stop by during our in-person pickup hours to meet Betty and the team. We're located at 13010 NE 20th Street, Suite 200 in Bellevue.

General customer support hours are Monday - Friday 9 am - 9 pm PT and Saturday - Sunday 10 am - 6 pm PT. Patients can reach out to Alto via phone/text at 1 (800) 874-5881, email or app.

Founded in 2015, Alto is a patient-centric digital pharmacy based committed to the health and wellbeing of you and your family. We provide free same-day delivery to your door seven days a week for prescriptions, but, more importantly, offer cost transparency, personalized in-app and phone support, and real-time coordination with doctors and insurance companies to get you the care that you need. Alto is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver and currently delivers across the greater Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, Seattle, Denver and Las Vegas.

Alto’s expansion brings free daily doorstep delivery of medications to Las Vegas metro area residents

Starting Wednesday, April 15, residents of the Las Vegas metro area can now choose Alto’s same-day doorstep delivery for their pharmacy needs. 

Monday - Friday: 6–9 pm PT
Saturday - Sunday: 12–3 pm PT

Monday - Friday: 12:30 – 6 pm PT
Saturday - Sunday: 9 – 5:30 pm PT 
Please note that we are currently offering curbside pick-up only for walk-in business.

Las Vegas area residents interested in using Alto’s services for their medication needs can ask their doctor’s office to send all prescriptions to Alto Pharmacy (via ePrescribe, phone or fax). Have existing prescriptions at another pharmacy? Start a transfer online or give us a call at 1 (800) 874-5881, and we’ll handle the switch.

Alto is proud to be growing in Las Vegas, and we’re committed to bringing exceptional care to our families, neighbors, friends and fellow healthcare professionals. Our Las Vegas location allows us to provide a better pharmacy experience to the hundreds of thousands of residents who call this area home.

“The Las Vegas community deserves something different when it comes to pharmacy, and Alto’s model can really make a difference,” says Bang Le, Pharmacist in Charge of Alto’s Las Vegas location. “As a pharmacist and healthcare professional, I’m particularly glad more residents will now have access to our contact-free delivery model - it’s the safest choice for medication needs during our current shelter-in-place period for COVID-19.”

Once things get back to normal and we’re all moving out and about, come say hello! Stop by during our in-person pickup hours to meet Bang and the team. We're located at 600 E Pilot Road, Suite A.

Customer support hours are Monday - Friday 9 am - 9 pm PT and Saturday - Sunday 10 am - 6 pm PT. Patients can reach out to Alto via phone/text at 1 (800) 874-5881, email or app.

Alto’s expansion brings free daily doorstep delivery of medications to Denver-Boulder metro area residents

Starting Wednesday, April 15, residents of the Denver-Boulder metro area can now choose Alto’s same-day doorstep delivery for their pharmacy needs. 

Monday - Friday: 6:30 – 9:30 pm MT in Denver, 7 - 10 pm MT for Boulder and outlying areas
Saturday: 2 – 5 pm MT in Denver, 2:30 - 5:30 pm MT for Boulder and outlying areas

Monday - Friday: 12 – 6 pm MT
Saturday: 9:30 am – 6 pm MT (closed on Sundays)
Please note that we are currently offering curbside pick-up only for walk-in business.

Denver and Boulder area residents interested in using Alto’s services for their medication needs can ask their doctor’s office to send all prescriptions to Alto Pharmacy (via ePrescribe, phone or fax). Have existing prescriptions at another pharmacy? Start a transfer online or give us a call at 1 (800) 874-5881, and we’ll handle the switch.

Alto is proud to call Denver our second home. Our HQ2, located in Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood, employs more than 225 area residents in pharmacy, operations, finance, engineering, and customer support. We’re committed to bringing exceptional care to our families, neighbors, friends and fellow healthcare professionals. 

“As a member of the Denver community, I’m excited to bring the Alto pharmacy experience to my neighbors and family,” says Andrew Storjohann, Pharmacist in Charge of Alto’s Denver location. “As a pharmacist and healthcare professional, I’m particularly glad more residents will now have access to our contact-free delivery model - it’s the safest choice for medication needs during our current shelter-in-place period for COVID-19.”

Once things get back to normal and we’re all moving out and about, come say hello! Stop by during our in-person pickup hours to meet Andrew and the team. We're located at 929 Broadway in downtown Denver.

General customer support hours are Monday - Friday 10 am - 10 pm MT and Saturday - Sunday 11 am - 7 pm MT. Patients can reach out to Alto via phone/text at 1 (800) 874-5881, email or app.

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Alto’s Denver Team is Delivering Impact During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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