New Pharmacy Policies--Lots of Problems

[Eva 14]

I've been going to 'W' pharmacy since 2009. I've had numerous problems with them being unable to get or to order my prescriptions. Most recently, they left me without my sleeping pills. (The manufacturer had a shortage, but I only found out this info by calling a DIFFERENT pharmacy.) When my sleeping pill was finally back in stock, I only found out by calling a DIFFERENT pharmacy. When I called Walgreen's, they just told me that they STILL couldn't get the med. They can't even get correct info!

Now, my local chain of 'W' pharmacy has a new PIC whose 'rules' are a nightmare for all involved. The new Pharm in Charge says that she will NOT reserve any meds for anybody---it's 'first come first served'. It doesn't matter that I've been a customer for 5 years and get my meds monthly.

Also, I recently tried to drop off my scripts a week early to make things easier for the pharmacists. And to try to reserve my meds. The new PIC informed me that the store would NO LONGER be accepting scripts for 'early drop-off'. (She said they could 'lose' the script---kind of a lame excuse, IMO). Then again, the store is SO BUSY that I wouldn't be surprised if more problems arose.

'W' pharmacy and its insane policies are driving me nuts. (By now, the regular pharmacists on duty know I'm a legit pain patient. But all pharmacists answer to the rules of the NEW PIC--even though those 'rules' are causing even MORE work for the pharmacists.) I do feel sorry for how hard the regular pharmacists are forced to work.

I had ONE indy pharmacy near me; it closed about a year ago. There's no other indy pharmacy near me.

I've gotten better service at a grocery store chain pharmacy. It's a bit further of a drive for me, but maybe it's worth it?

Walgreens' lack of customer service is a nightmare! They shorted me on my sleeping pills and never made up the difference. They keep me on hold for half an hour before answering the phone. They're paranoid about 'early refills', even though I never fill anything early. I just tried to renew my script for Phenergen (with refills) and had a problem. (Phenergen is not even a Scheduled med). Now they won't even RESERVE my meds? And I'm now 'not allowed' to drop off my scripts early?

This is crazy, right? Is it time for me to start going to the grocery store pharmacy? There's a limit to how much stress a chronic pain patient can deal with. I don't know how Walgreens' keeps any customers at all with their lack of service and lack of caring about their customer's health needs. If I inform them that I'm taking my business elsewhere, will they even care? Probably not---guess it's time to switch pharmacies.

Best Wishes,
Eva

[Pharmacist.steve]

Pharmacy is a SERVICE BUSINESS... I question why people put up with this crap out of Wags.. They tell their employees to tell customers to "be well".. how do you do that if you are thrown into withdrawal because they put all sort of obstacles in your way to get your meds on a timely basis. If a company doesn't want all my business.. they don't deserve ANY OF MY BUSINESS. IMO.. anyone still trying to give them money.. after all the problems that you stated.. is just encouraging them to continue to doing it ... They are violating a number of laws.. suggest you read this Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[Eva 14]

Steve, thanks for the link. To find out the Walgreen's is actually violating the law with their discriminatory policies is the straw that broke the camel's back. Chronic pain patients need their meds on a certain date, each month. We should not be subjected to increased pain levels and/or withdrawal because the pharmacy can't get out meds on time.

It's as if Wags thinks that CP patients don't really 'need' our meds on our fill date. As if waiting 11 days for an order is acceptable. I'm going to make the break. Wags is right down the street from me, but their policies are a nightmare. Hopefully Lucky pharmacy (grocery store chain) won't have all of these crazy arbitrary 'rules'. We used to have 5 indy pharmacies in this town---now, every single one is gone. The service at indy pharmacies is 100 times better. It's sad that the indies keep closing. That leaves CP patients like myself with very few options.

I wish the government would go after Walgreen's for violating pain patients' rights. I have looked at the petitions and plan on signing them. I wish someone in the government was looking out for pain patients' rights. It's so sad that Walgreen's gets away with treating customers so badly. They are going to lose a lot of money when I take my business elsewhere.

Thanks,
Eva