Pharmacy experience (vent)

I used to go to a wonderful pharmacy who knew what the medication was and what it was for, they gave you the option to waive the consult, and were very efficient at getting the medicine and finding the person in their files. Well, that was Kaiser. Now that I have moved, I have one good pharmacy for my UC medicine, but even that one has minor flaws, but not bad. The other pharmacy.... well..... they seem incompetent. I went to pick up medicine for my hubby and they had a hard time finding him in the system, they had a hard time finding the medicine he was suppose to get. I went to the store at 5:30, I expected the medicine to be ready, they didn't even tell me that it wasn't ready. I stood in line at 5:45 after I purchased my other items I wanted at the store. The gal that was helping customers pick up their prescriptions was extremely slow. It seemed like everyone up at the counter was there for like over 10 minutes. I got up there and I was showed the medicine I could get my hubby over the counter for cheap, and I was waiting to receive his other medicine so I could go get the other medication... well the pharmacist told me that he was going to show me where I could get his over the counter medication. He then had to ask where it was, and then he couldn't find the stuff. I found it. I ended up having to get back in line and already this was 6:00, I waited til 6:15 and finally was helped and I got his medication. Then, this pharmacist that was helping me was giving me a consult when I was just wanting the medicine. This pharmacist didn't even understand what my hubby's doctor was stating on the directions. He then rang me up and as he was bringing the medication back over to where I was he dropped part of it on the ground this box opened up and an item fell on the ground. He picked it up and just put it back in the box.... I was thinking, wouldn't you want to replace it with a new applicator? My hubby has a minor hemmorid, so this medication has an applicator so he can use it to help the hemmroid. I'm so frustrated at this pharmacy! I'm thinking of switching pharmacies but since we might me moving to another part of Arizona, it's not a good idea to switch pharmacies til we are completely settled here. BTW.... I went to the store to get Apple Juice and medication, I left the house at 5:25, and expected to be home by 6:00 since it was simple medication. I miss kaiser!

Oh gosh Sweetie, that sounds like a nightmare! Are you moving because of your husband's job? Hopefully you will find a better pharmacy. Funny thing; I was with Kaiser for so long, I'm having to learn a whole new system. I have actually lucked out because my new doctor has a lab right there in his office, so that's easy to find, but I have to go elsewhere for GI, prescriptions, mammograms, etc. But it has been a nice experience so far! It's odd though; I'm so used to the mechanical functioning of Kaiser -- go here, over there -- all in the same place, lol. You are right, they had the best pharmacy hands down. I'm using a Safeway pharmacy now and they have been pretty good.

Oh yes I know frustration with pharmacies. I switched due to that and a year later that store closed so I went back to the first one and then experienced the same crap that made me switch so I switched again to a 3rd pharmacy which is still a pain. In the last 3 years I've used 4 pharmacies and they all suck.

Here's my vent: the pharmacy tech that every single time she rings up my order she makes a comment on the cost. I have a high deductible so I get a discount but pay the cost. Duh about the cost, I pay it every single month and she makes the same comment every single month. Stupid is as stupid does. I say "yes I know, I pay it every single month." And the kicker that made me leave the second time. She asked me (people behind and beside me) what my condition was to take the pills "Chrons, hon or IBS?" I just looked at her and left.

Here's what I did, went to yelp.com and left a negative review for that pharmacy (not stating her name) and how unprofessional the tech was.

If the pharmacy is within a store, be sure the manager knows how bad the people were.
My grocery pharmacy was trying to close early all the time. They pulled the security gates half closed, and closed the drive-through early "so they could close that register." Told me I had to come inside, even though they were supposed to be open. So I complained, nicely (online). I got an apology from the store manager, he appreciated my letting him know what was going on, and they don't do it anymore.

Store pharmacists are worried about mail order and becoming unnecessary, so they distinguish themselves with these consults. That said, we all probably know of when a store pharmacist caught an error. Now with electronic prescribing, though, errors are less likely and mail order makes good sense.

The advantage of mail order is that you can often get 90 days of maintenance drug for the price of 30 days of drug from the pharmacy. And shipping is free, all you have to do it call in to the computerized response number to get refills, and they usually come with a few days. Pretty convenient! At least that was how the last two companies my employer used worked, one was Caremark.
I still use the pharmacy for the odd, one-time Rx.