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Walgreens uses law as excuse to leave customers in misery if they do not fill prescriptions there
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Just wrote the Governor of my state the following letter:
Dear Governor Haslam,
Walgreens pharmacy has warped your well intentioned "I hate meth" law to attempt to add to their profit margin. The law states in section 2(d) "The pharmacist or pharmacy intern shall counsel with the person seeking to purchase the product as to the reasons for needing the product and may decline the sale if the pharmacist or pharmacy intern believes the sale is not for a legitimate medical purpose." Walgreens has just told me they cannot sell me Pseudoephedrine because I do not currently fill prescriptions at Walgreens, and that is Walgreens policy which they must enforce to be compliant with the new law. My not filling prescriptions at Walgreens does not prove that I am purchasing the drug for illicit purposes. I was at their location on South Willow Ave. in Cookeville and spoke with the pharmasist on duty [snip - no names please]. I explained that my wife was in bed in tears with pain up the side of her neck and in her ear from allergy congestion. She said that because I did not fill my prescriptions at Walgreens, she could not sell me the medicine I know I needed for my wife, she could only make recommendations. She recommended a Phenylephrine product or Mucinex. I already know, and all the pharmacists and doctors I have asked about it agree, that Phenylephrine is a useless product that has almost no effect on serious sinus congestion. There is even an independent study that seems to support this : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT00276016?sect=X53761#part. Everyone who bought this "replacement" for Pseudoephedrine was hoodwinked. Their hard earned money was spent on a product that no one even tried to prove worked until 2010, and the study finally at least lends some modicum of proof that this is true.
I know I threw away 2 club store sized bottles of this product after several attempts to use it for sinus congestion symptoms for my family of 5 yielded no results whatsoever. As for Musinex, this recommendation for severe sinus congestion is just silly and frighteningly uneducated. Musinex is an expectorant, not indicated for sinus congestion. As a matter of fact, the manufacturer has a website that recommends Mucinex D for sinus congestion. Guess what? THAT product contains psudoephederine, and is also behind the counter, unavailable to us who do not fill prescriptions with Walgreens. I do understand that Walgreens is a private business and presumably has a right to not sell a product, but that is not the case here. They have it and simply refuse to sell it to anyone who does not fill prescriptions there. Why not just go somewhere else? Walgreens is the only pharmacy open late Sunday night in Cookeville.
My wife is the love of my life and I would die for her. I had to come home failing her, failing to bring home the only medicine that will give her relief from her symptoms, because Walgreens has created this policy, and told me that their hands were tied because of this new law, and that if I did not like it, I should write my Senator. They really said those words to me. Meanwhile my wife lies in her bed in misery, unable to get relief from her symptoms until a pharmacy less concerned with making money than the welfare of their customers opens in the morning.
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Nohandle on 08/29/2011:
You didn't mention a location but I looked up the governor you mentioned so will have to assume you are in the state of TN. I don't like some of the laws now anymore than anyone else but many pharmacies and pharmacists are so afraid of losing their license they are following a law to the letter. I honestly can't blame some of them. I'm not defending Walgreens but if I was a pharmacist I wouldn't chance it myself.
Anonymous on 08/29/2011:
Are we allowed to use names in reviews now?
PepperElf on 08/29/2011:
apparently not JIS. Good call.
personally I just use generic claritin for my allergies rather than sudaphed. about the same size really but, sudaphed never really seemed to do much for me. I might as well have been taking tiny M&Ms
Nohandle on 08/29/2011:
I expect a lot will get by John until the website is up to speed. Personal names are not allowed and perhaps the OP will go back and edit the full name to initials only if he even feels it necessary for his complaint. I don't like an entire review deleted if a simple correction will take care of it.
GenuineNerd on 08/29/2011:
I have purchased pseudoephedrine products at Walgreens before without any problems...sure, I had to show my driver's license, which was scanned in the computer, but I had no problems buying it...usually I use store brand pseudoephedrine or psuedoephedrine/ibuprofen products. The "PE" (phenylephedrine) based sinus products don't work for me as well. Probably it was the management of that particular Walgreens, rather than chainwide policy, that refused to sell you the sinus pills you needed. I don't fill prescriptions at Walgreens anyway. The requirement of showing your driver's license to buy pseudoephedrine is stupid, to say the least, but it does keep the product out of the hands of those making and taking meth.
BEJ on 08/29/2011:
It appears the staff at that pharmacy were being over-cautious. I take Claritin D on occasion for sinus headaches behind my eyes as recommended by my physician. Both my husband and I have purchased it a different pharmacies: Target, Walgreen, CVS by showing our Drivers License without difficulty.
Did you ever get to purchase the medication for your wife? Hope she is feeling better now.
PepperElf on 08/29/2011:
BEJ - your comment calls to mind another fact. The OP was buying for someone else.
if I'm not mistaken some places (either by law or policy) prohibit this. Especially if they suspect you may be buying for someone who can't legally buy it themselves (I.e. if that person bought too much of it already etc).
Now I've purchases that kind of stuff for my Dad before, but when I bought it I didn't engage the employee in any questions or any conversation that would make them think it was for someone else. I simply picked out the stuff Mom said Dad needed, showed my ID card and signed the book.
Buddy01 on 08/29/2011:
Did you go to the pharmacy where you usually get your prescriptions?
Starlord on 08/29/2011:
I don't get it. Is Walgreen's the only pharmacy in your neck of the woods? I think not. We live in the small town of Chehalis, WA, and have several stand alone pharmacies, including Walgreen's, plus WalMart, Safeway and K-Mart. I don't understand bothering the Governor with this problem.
At Your Service on 08/29/2011:
I can't say I blame Walgreens. They are better to deny a customer than have a huge legal problem on their hands.
kim on 02/09/2012:
have your wife's doctor call in a prescription for sudafed or wal-phed. that bypasses the legal limit law, and she can get more than by buying them over the counter. I've never heard of a person having to have a prescription history with Walgreens in order to purchase sudafed products, but I know Tennessee has a HUGE meth problem, so maybe that's true. the reason for taking only drivers licenses and not state id's is that the crackheads obtain both forms of id and then they try to buy TWICE as much as the legal amount
Sweet on 05/03/2012:
This recently happened to me too. I was buying for my boyfriend that was at home. I got really angry because I felt profiled as Meth head. I ended up going to another Walgreens pharmacy that sold it to me without a problem. I feel that a new system needs to be in place b/c all its doing is making it hard for legitimate people that only purchase Claritin D or other products ever once in a while. IMO its definitely profiling!!!
RXTech on 06/06/2012:
I hate to sound cynical, but as many years as I've worked in the pharmacy and had to listen to people ask for the "96 Reds" or the "generic 12 hour" who we see every other week, who get denied by the register every other time they come in, and who come in packs and wait out in the car for one to come out before the next one comes in, or even worse hang out just outside the door and ask strangers to please buy it for them because they know they are over their limit... It's hard not to hate selling Sudafed. Especially when you have several people waiting on actual prescriptions and a line of 6 people at the counter who are buying sudafed. We're not stupid. We know which products are the ones they use for meth, and which ones are not. We know that Grandma doesn't know that it's a "12 hour 20 count box." (It's ALWAYS for Grandma.) So we know there are many people out there who legitimately use the medication for its actual purpose. But don't blame us for being suspicious. It comes with the territory of running out of the "meth brands" sometimes less than a day after they come in. And if I had to guess, 1 out of 10 who buy it are actually taking it for severe congestion.
Arkansas Walgreens customer on 07/19/2012:
My husband was told by our family chiropractor to get sudafed for ear issues when flying next week. "My" Walgreens pharmacy told me that I had to have had a prescription filled within the last 4 months in order to purchase said product. While this is all fine and good for their protection, I haven't had need for a prescription for possibly a full year. BUT, my husband and children have all their prescriptions filled there..for which I have had to deliver and pick up etc. Seems wrong. I've given my license in the past before this new policy went into effect. I have nothing to hide and feel a bit unappreciated as a client. I will not let them make me feel less than worthy because I am healthy and generally not in need for myself. Guess I should think about looking for another pharmacy for the whole family. Thankfully I had gone to a local Medical clinic earlier in the week regarding the ear problem and was able to have them phone a prescription in. Guess it's surprising to Walgreens that I didn't ask the Medical clinic doctor for some hard drug when I saw him. Sad state of affairs.
clermont fl on 08/17/2012:
Walgreens just denied me, then my hubbub, stating to both we have over purchased claratin d. It was the first time either of us have tried to buy cold medicine this year. They were rude and gave no number for us to call.
1LosTCaus3 on 10/27/2012:
RXtech statement is the problem "I hate to sound cynical, but as many years as I've worked in the pharmacy and had to listen to people ask for the "96 Reds" or the "generic 12 hour" who we see every other week, who get denied by the register every other time they come in, and who come in packs and wait out in the car for one to come out before the next one comes in, or even worse hang out just outside the door and ask strangers to please buy it for them because they know they are over their limit... It's hard not to hate selling Sudafed. Especially when you have several people waiting on actual prescriptions " Have you even took the time to read your own post. So basically your justifying making loyal customers and law abiding citizens suffer and feel unwarranted shame for trying to purchase a legitimate legal product because a small small percentage of a population use it to make meth. You are not stopping them from getting they just drive to the next place. You hurting your patrons. When did I become the town leper because I want a medication that works. You say your not stupid by god lets hope not but use your intelligence to also not be single minded. In your scenario hell no don't sale to them that's common sense, but your are not law enforcement and there are regulations in place and your not qualified to say who is and isn't I'm tired of getting denied lied to and looked down on simply because I'm white and wear my ballcap backwards. Oh and maybe if theres so much concern with meth being produced with these pills it would be wise to stop printing the Gram weight on the card jesus whose idea was that. Pharmacists have taken a request to be vigilant and turned it into a Crusade where the law abiding loyal customer/citizen is the victim and that's what I'm tired of
Mike on 11/14/2012:
Unfortunately for you... Pharmacists ARE law enforcement. Law enforcement of medicine. The must abide by a set of laws and enforce them to the best of their ability. In this sue happy and drug abusing world, you can't blame someone if they don't feel comfortable selling something. Because it is THEIR ass on the line.
You say that pharmacists aren't qualified... But it's actually quite opposite. Pharmacists are the ONLY ones qualified to sell. You won't find anybody ever who can make them sell it. If you don't like a decision, then you get a second opinion. Like a doctor, who can write a prescription for it instead.
ryan on 11/25/2012:
tell me about it. I went the other day to buy walphed for my family and I. The pharmacist delcined to sell it to me because I was supposedly "buying it for someone else". No not a meth making stranger who gave me $20 to buy the pills. But for me, my wife and son to use. She told me my family would have to come and buy it themselves. My son is under age and cannot buy it because he is under 16. Why would my wife have to buy her own box, when she can just as easily got into our medicine cabinet and take one?. She claims it is the law. She has to make sure I'm not making meth with it. I forgot to mention, I was in a police uniform, drove a marked police car and I am a local cop standing in front of her. I am pretty sure I'm not making meth. Then she tells me that I can only buy it if I fill my prescriptions here. Since I don't, she won't sell it to me, that's the law. That isn't fare, because Walgreens has a contract with my insurance(blue cross/blue shield) that they can charge the maximum price every time for prescriptions if I fill it there. Why buy a $150 bottle of pills from Walgreens when target sells it for $30. I have tried every one of the o.t.c. brands and none work like walphed. It is frustrating that they make it so hard to legal medication for honest hard working people. Every few months they keep coming up with new corporate policies and just plain dumb.
Tina on 03/03/2013:
Similar situation here, also in TN, (where half the pharmacies are getting robbed left and right for opiates!) My husband and I have been sick with a cold that has turned into a nasty sinus infection. The only medication that has ever worked for me for sinus troubke has been the old formula of actifed, which is now only available as 'wal-act.' In fact, this was recommended to my mother by a pediatrician when I was young, and has been my go-to ever since. We had some left from last years allergy season, but ran out, so hubby went down to get some of that and more tissue.
Now, he HAS purchased this before from that store with no problems, probably about a year ago. This time, the guy says he needs to have a consultation. Fine, he has nothing to hide, that sounded reasonable enough. Pharmacist asked about symptoms, hubby said he was congested. Which he obviously is. The pharmacist said to get mucinex-d. Hubby explains that the only thing that works for him is wal-phed. Pharm was very reluctant, which I don't understand, because mucinex-d also contains the same ingredient, just not the other that the wal-act has.
Anyhow, the pharmacist took his licence, which is a cdl (commercial drivers license! ) to the back to scan it. He came back and asked him if he had anything besides a cdl. A cdl is a valid drivers licence, it just requires more testing for truck drivers. He said it didn't scan and said perhaps hubby had gotten too much of that medication recently. Which was certainly not the case, he has only gotten it once or twice in the last 3 years. Hubby asks him to scan it again, he took it back, pretended to scan it, and basically said, sorry, no soup for you. Very frustrating.
Honestly, I have a strong feeling that the guy took one look at my husband, who has dreadlocks and a beard, and decided he was less than wholesome. Now, I can certainly understand judging appearance as part of the equation. If he had gone in there, not been sick, asked for "red20" or whatever it was the poster above said, came in weekly for the same thing, what have you, I can see his appearance being suspect. Not that it's 'right,' but that's life. But when everything else checks out and they just don't like the look of a person, it's very frustrating and makes a person feel like a criminal.
Luckily my husband was able to drive down to the next Walgreen's, give them his license, sign the thing, no problem. I understand that they have reasoning for their policies. I was under the assumption that they had a computer system in place that alerted them when someone had gone over the 'quota,' and that they wouldn't deny someone who was obviously sick. If this is not the case, I guess we'll make sure to wear our business casual attire and look presentable while still taking care to sneeze and snot all over the place...which is probably something the meth makers already know to do.
I can understand the pharmacist's frustration as well. Sure, that sounds awful, people coming in weekly, using obvious druggy lingo, all that. But, your honest consumer has no concept of this. We'd be perfectly happy not to have to bother you with our stuffy noses, and um, inconvenience 'real' sick people waiting for their rx. But this is the system in place. You signed up to be a pharmacist, we'd just as soon not be sick and have to bother you. I was under the impression that this medication was still available to law abiding folks who don't abuse the privilege. If that's not the case, tell us upfront there's no way you're going to sell that pack of medicine right behind you so we can move along and not waste our time or yours. Then perhaps look into changing how this system works as citizens so we can get our medicine.
Sorry if meth heads have made pharmacists cynical. I am a bit cynical myself, of pharmacists who want to punish sick people for it, or are on a power trip and hold back medication for sick people because they are mad at meth heads getting one over on 'em.
J on 04/22/2013:
Well it happened to me today.I went to my local Walgreens,handed them my I.D. no biggie but then gave my a note saying I've went over my limit.When I just recovered from an accident had not left my home for at least 6 months.........they scanned it or whatever said I was over my limit .......how?? when it has been well over a year since the last time I bought Advil cold and sinus.
DISTURBED on 04/27/2013:
To the girl asking about the purchase of sudafed being denied due to having reached her limit,"are you sure someone hasn't stolen your identity?"and to the individual acting like he's GOD,who are you to sit and pass judgment on people for buying sudafed and assuming that they're automatically a Meth manufacturer or user only cause the actually need or prefer this product. Tell me when did this country actually go from being the Land of the Free to being a communists country that's ran by the government. IF YOU BEINGS YOUVE GOT YOUR TECH LICENCE AND SEEM TO KNOW SO MUCH,WERE TO GET SICK AND THIS BE THE ONLY PRODUCT THAT,HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING OF COURSE, DID WORK FOR YOU,Well thatt wouldn't make you a Meth user that's really just a egotistical moron that is really just angry at the truly sick people out there that are coming into your pharmacy buying up all the sudafed products before you can actually maybe swipe each of their licence only to go and tell them they've rrached
DISTURBED on 04/27/2013:
Excuse me as I got a little excited trying to get this comment in.as I was saying you could easily just give em their ID back tell em they've reached their limit and then go back sign their name and bam! You've got yourself another box to add to your batch of Meth in the making.after all you do have the background in chemistry needed to do this right? You know this has been known to happen before. POINT BEING JUST BECAUSE YOU HOLD A DEGREE IN MEDICINE DOESN'T SINGLE YOU OUT TO BE ONE THAT CANNOT POSSIBLY SUFFER FROM THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION
EVEN PEOPLE WITH AN EDUCATION CAN BE ADDICTS.I think this law on controlling sudafed is bullshit.just as all the other things that are being controlled by the government.The facts are that the disease of addiction doesn't single people out but can be anyone even someone in office.DON'T BE IGNORANT TO WHAT THE TRUTH REALLY IS HERE.ALSO THE ADDICTS WILL FIND ANOTHER WAY TO GET THEIR FIX SO AS USUAL THE WAR ON DRUGS IS NEVER ENDING. I SAT TO EACH THEIR OWN.LET THEM GET THEIR DRUGS.ITS THEIR LIFE AND IF THEY WANT TO KILL THEMSELVES THEN WHAT'S IT TO YOU.YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE THE RIGHT NOR THE CONCERN AS TO WHAT A TOTAL STRANGER DOES TO THEIR OWN BODY.THIS IS WHERE IT GETS ME.PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS.IF YOUVE GOT SENSE THEN WHEN YOURE ADDICTED TO SOMETHING YOULL SEEK HELP IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE AND IF YOU DON'T.WEL ITS YOUR LIFE.AM I RIGHT. YES BECAUASE IM A RECOVERING ADDICT.THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN BEING ADDICTED IS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE ADDICTED TO LEGAL SUBSTANCES WHILE OTHERS ARE LESS FORTUNATE.BUT BOTTOM LINE IS EVERYONE IS ADDICTED TO SOMETHING.THE DRUG PROBLEM CANNOT BE STOPPED TIL YOU GET TO THE REAL ISSUE AT HAND. FINDING A CURE FOR ADDICTION. AND TIL THEN.HOPE AND PRAY FOR THE ADDICT. THIS IS TRULY A SAD DAY IN TIME TO SEE SO MUCH CONTROVERSY OVER AN INGREDIENT THAT HELPS SO MANY BE CONTROLLED BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DOESN'T REALLY HAVE AN ANSWER. BUT I ASSURE YOU ITS NOT TO BE WON BY CONTROLLING EVERY THING YOU COME TO FIND IS ADDICTIVE OR BEING ABUSED.THIS ISN'T THE ANSWER.
Julie Young on 04/30/2013:
I have had a similar experience in a store in Harrison Arkansas on Friday April 27, 2013. I am currently complaining to the Walgreens team and trying to get them to make some sense of this silly notion that they can't sell this necessary drug if you don't have an RX on file IN THEIR STORE. I had my son with me who was suffering from an acute case of allergies. We were headed into the country to help his grandparents pack their home and move and stopped at this store in Harrison to get him a decongestant. He was very OBVIOUSLY IN NEED. We took him to the pharmacist on duty after being turned down initially and the pharmacist still refused him the medication. The pharmacist actually said to my husband that if he made an exception for my son that he would have "meth-heads" from all over in his store looking for medication. Really? How would said "meth-heads" know? I am very concerned about this. My son had to continue to suffer with his allergies all weekend while helping grandparents pack and move and cleaning up a dusty old garage - it was great fun for him - NOT! Walgreens, especially in Harrison Arkansas, is a cruel and heartless establishment. I am still complaining to them and upper management and I am forwarding them articles on the applicable laws that they have ignored!
N Dove on 05/07/2013:
I just went ot Walgreesn today to pick up my childs medicine for allergies, and some OTC decongestant for her. They scanned..my D.L. and then told me I had been declined, over the limit. I told them that I had not gotten any sudafed in the past month or so.. they would not help me or give me a number to call. the receipt they gave me said PSE State Declined null. I don't but it very often at all, I certainly don't misuse it!! makes me sick. I am so tired of this. It's ridiculous..
G on 08/15/2013:
The issue here is not that they have bought too much - but they have not bought ANYTHING in 6 months. This just happened to me the other day in Arkansas. I was heading out of town and realized that I forgot my allergy medicine, which is a prescription for 30 days worth of Claritin D that I fill at Target. I was right next to a Walgreens and went in to buy the 10 day supply so I had my equivalent with me for the four days I was on the road. When I went to go check out, the tech took my ID, scanned it and then told me I could not buy it from them because I had not filled a prescription in 6 months. Well, I haven't filled anything from them b/c Target is cheaper and closer to my house. I think it is ridiculous that I can't buy 10 days worth of an allergy medicine b/c I do not "have an established patient profile". What if I didn't take medicine at all...what if I had no presciptions to fill ever? What if I was new to the area and where I lived before now there wasn't a Walgreens nearby? What if I always used Target and wanted to start using Walgreens? What if I was out of town and my luggage was lost or stolen and normally use my local pharmacist back home? What if I changed religions and previously didn't believe in medicine and had recently decided to change my way of thinking? I didn't walk up to the counter with tons of boxes of the stuff. My ID shows that I have not bought anything OTC, including anything used to purchase meth. Seems like a way to make people use you as a pharmacy if they want to buy OTC medicines. It is not a law - not in TN or AR. It is a policy that only they seem to be forcing on people. It would be like a gas station saying - you can't buy gas here because you have not bought gas from us in 6 months. Or a hair dresser saying you can't get your hair cut here anymore because you haven't had it cut in the past 6 months. Sure this medicine and I get limiting people who have bought it frequently, but limiting people who have never bought before or not within the past 6 months? Seems a bit backwards and ridiculous.
Lynn on 10/30/2013:
If you try to buy any of the pseudoephedrine products and are denied because you have "already reached your monthly limit", know that the computer system between your local store and your state regulating system sometimes breaks down. Instead of telling you the system is down, the state tries to shift the blame to you.
Find the company that wrote and manages the software that your state uses, and contact them. They will give you a number for the store to call AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSACTION. That department can check your purchase records and override the denial.
I have been told that CVS will make this phone call for you if you ask.
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Walgreens Stores Cheat Customer
Posted by
MONTGOMERY, ILLINOIS -- I swiped my bank debit card to pay for my prescription and the machine said sale was APPROVED, but then the register froze and would not give me a receipt. The clerk said I had to swipe my bank card again. I said no because my purchase was approved and if I swiped my card again I would be double charged. At that point the clerk called the assistant manager who took the bag out of my hand and would not give me my meds until I paid again. I explained that I was a senior citizen on disability and could not afford a double charge, but he said too bad, swipe again or you don't get your meds. I was told that if I was charged twice come back in and they would give me a credit. So I went home and went on line and checked my bank account and sure enough I was double charged. The next day I went to the bank and requested a print out of my account showing the double charge (which I had to pay for). I took the printout back to Walgreens store manager Mr [snip], manager of Walgreens on Douglas Blvd, in Montgomery, IL. Mr [snip] was so RUDE to me, I couldn't believe it. He said the print out I brought him was not good enough and I had to bring in my bank statement which I would not get until the 15th of the next month. I told him I could not wait that I was a senior citizen on disability and I needed the money he took out twice was for my groceries. He looked at my balance and said you have 900.00 in the bank you have enough for groceries. I explained to him I had written checks that had not cleared yet, but he did not care. I was getting upset by this point and Mr [snip], Mgr., then told me that he didn't like my attitude and now he decided he would NOT give me my money back. I left the store in tears, I was insulted, double charged and to make matters worse when I got home and opened the bag I was given the wrong brand of on the meds that I take every month, so I called and they told me to come back and return the wrong brand and they will give me the right one. So after 3 trips to Walgreens, a trip to the bank and back to Walgreens I still did not get my money back, I have to wait until next months statement and go back to Walgreens and fight for my money back. I have used CVS pharmacy ever since they opened years ago and never had a problem like this. Mr [snip] should not be a MANAGER. He was RUDE and INSULTING to me and Walgreens made the mistake...not me. I am calling my insurance company and reporting Walgreens in the morning. This must be how they make their money by cheating their customers. Mr. [snip], manager of the Walgreens in Montgomery, Illinois does not deserve to have the title of Manager. There are many people out of work and would love his job. He cheated me, he knew he cheated me, but he did not care. I want my money back, I want the money back I paid for the bank print out, and I want my gas money back for the trips I made back and forth. Mr [snip] should be FIRED
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Skye on 11/29/2010:
Drop Walgreens. They do not deserve your business.
idontthinkso on 11/29/2010:
The local news desk might like the story if it's a slow day..
Venice09 on 11/29/2010:
I don't think Walgreens does this on purpose, but I do agree that the manager treated you terribly. He left you no choice but to scan your card again if you wanted the medication. I can't believe he's refusing to return your money. Going to the local news might be a good idea.
Did your bank have any suggestions?
yoke on 11/29/2010:
Since your bank can see that it is a duplicate transaction can't they remove one of them.
Have you tried contacting the main office and tell them what is going on and how the manager is refusing to refund the difference.
Anonymous on 11/29/2010:
Most places will not accept an online print out of your account in place of an actual bank statement.
You could contact your bank and see if they could give you a current statement from them. Mine does that if you ask. It would be worth a shot
Anonymous on 11/29/2010:
Wow, that manager seems like a real DICK. I don't even GET mailed statements any more, ALL if my banking is done online. I would have been PISSED TOO. I would have demanded compensation for my inconvenience.
momsey on 11/29/2010:
Horrible. I agree, call your local news station. Call Walgreens Corporate. If this guy is the general manager of the store, call the district manager. Call EVERYONE and don't stop calling until you get refunded.
bcd on 11/29/2010:
After the cash register was restarted, the manager could have (and should have) printed a duplicate receipt of the first charge. Or, when the store closed their daily batch, they could have issued a credit at that time.
This is a valid complaint and a good review.
terjoal on 12/09/2010:
So sorry this happened to you, but I find that contacting the corporate office usually produces quick results. Good lucj
rodandkathy on 12/09/2010:
Use a credit card for future purchases. That way if there's a problem you can dispute the charge and the money won't come directly out of your bank account. This is why I don't use my debit card.
Obsfucation on 12/09/2010:
Call your bank, they'll fix this for you. Better yet, go into your branch and talk to a live person.
Zeroedgel on 12/09/2010:
I would like to see this incident more widely publicized. I recommend starting with a letter to the editor of the most local newspaper followed by a letter to the consumer division of the Governor's Office or whatever it's called in that state. A quick notification to this person's congress persons would be helpful as well. Of course, all of this should be preceded with a letter to Walgreen HQ.
chrissiann on 12/09/2010:
That is why I don't use debit cards. Too much trouble can occur. Additionally someone can steak the debit card n drain the account. I use credit cards. Only time I use debit is on a separate bank account that I only keep a few dollars in.
dbtaylor on 12/09/2010:
Call your local TV station reference your story on this site and email the Wal-Green Corp office. Shine a BRIGHT LIGHT on this and demand a public apology along with some Wal-Green freebies.
3marliz on 12/09/2010:
This kind of treatment against people who (seemingly) can't fight back, is infuriating. I have stopped doing business with companies after reading reviews like this.
We have done business with Walgreens for years and one bad apple doesn't mean all parts of the chain are like this. If there is anyway to post a follow up I would sure like to know how Walgreen Corporation deals with this person who waited on you. Another Walgreen branch might give you the name and address, or it could be found online so you could contact someone in higher management.
If you did that and Walgreens didn't compensate you, I would seriously consider taking my own business elsewhere to protest the way they treated you.
I'm not confrontional by nature, but have discovered that a person who makes a lot of noise about such things, is often heard. That person who treated you so irresponsiby should be fired. If you aren't given compensation, search for every complaint site online (they are out there) and keep making noise.
TL-Houston on 12/09/2010:
I am really sorry to hear that this happened to you. I get my prescriptions filled at Walgreens and have always received courteous, friendly, efficient service. Have you contacted Walgreens corporate? Try their website (walgreens.com) or call them 1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733). I am sure once you tell them what has happened, they will help you. The manager at the location you went to had no right to be rude to you. You did nothing wrong. I don't understand why their register couldn't tell them you did pay. Good luck!
srm on 12/09/2010:
I have had things like this happen to me. 1st. Contact Store Manager and get his assistance, he has power to correct problem. If no luck there, report the Walgreen to Corporate Offices as was suggested by others. Also report store to A. Better Business Bureau and B. Federal Trade Commission C. Regional Pharmacy Board in your area, try phone book or internet and D. Elder Abuse in your area. Such actions by Walgreens is 100% uncalled for, the Customer is Always given 1st priority & understanding, and if no one listens, they ought to be reported to the authorities in the order above. I suppose you could also report this problem to the Local Police while you are in the store, that may stir them up a bit. I am certain if you follow the above, you will get satisfaction in the fastest possible time.
srm on 12/09/2010:
Oh, I forgot an important one here. You can dispute any illegal charge (which this is) directly to the credit card company. They will immediately reverse the charge and dispute it following their procedures. You will win this case, following this and previous advice if followed through properly, I can assure you this. Do not give up, this store needs to learn lesson, and Walgreen's cannot afford a a black mark on their reputation so they will make it right or suffer because of it. Also you can leave complaints on the internet regarding their lousy service, and that also stays on their record for all to see indefinitely. In fact, they may beg you to remove it or something when they realize you are very strong and persistent.
tired of ripoffs on 12/09/2010:
I refuse to go into a Walgreens. I needed a prescription immediately, said the Dr. messed up on the prescription and they'd call him. That was at 4 pm. I called them at 7:30 pm about my prescription they said the Dr. never called back. I reached the Dr. and he called them correcting there mistake. I p/u the new prescription, got home and couldn't figure out how to get the liquid out of the bottle (the right amount), called them back they said well don't you have something to measure it with, NO. Had to go back, they gave me some type of plastic device that never worked and bottom line, they didn't care that I had to take this med immediately and in the right amount. I went to Costco the next day and they gave me an injector (for free) when I told them what I was going through
trmn8r on 12/09/2010:
The reason the store manager made you swipe a second time is that nobody knew if you actually paid. It makes more sense to charge you possibly a second time than to walk away without paying. If they did the latter as a rule, they wouldn't get paid at all most of the time.
The two parties (bank and company X) often don't want to go out of their way in disputes to help in any way, and the account holder/customer has to jump through hoops. Obtaining your bank statement is an example. Whether it is to prevent fraud or not, I don't know.
ok4now on 12/09/2010:
Manager (snip) needs to be smacked upside his head for treating you so poorly. I can understand that he wanted to confirm the payment. You took the time to get written documentation from your bank and proved that you paid twice. The "snip" should have promptly refunded your money with a sincere apology.
Ytropious on 12/10/2010:
Interesting. At my work it happens quite frequently that a computer freezes or shuts down in the middle of a transaction. If the customer got to the signing screen then the transaction went through. If the comp shuts down between the signing screen and the receipt print then we can look up the transaction in the computer and print them out a receipt. Funny that Walgreens can't do that but who knows.
In their defense, maybe this doesn't happen often at all. They can't risk giving you meds you didn't pay for if they don't have a way to check and make sure the transaction happened. Dispute the charge with your bank?
Lastly, I don't care how any employee or manager treats anyone, we don't need more out of work people right now. There's 2 sides to every story. He doesn't need to be fired just because of you.
HOCKEYLOVER on 12/10/2010:
Hi,I had an experience like this with shucks auto parts,took a bad starter back to them to be checked out they told me that there was nothing with it I
had sent my to exchange it,he came home and told me what they said,I called them and explained it was
the bendix spring that was bad they all but called me a lair,so I called corp. office explained what was wrong with it,they called the store and by the time I got there they gladly exchanged it for a new one.
zeldaz on 12/12/2010:
When I had a problem with Walgreen's I asked for the Manager's Manager's number, which happened to be the Regional Office. They didn't want to give me the number at first until I told them they could give it to me or I could get it online. They gave it to me. The Regional Manager did not like that I told her I would be calling Corporate if the matter wasn't solved. I did end up calling Corporate and all was solved with an apology from all involved. Being a senior citizen does NOT mean cowtowing to anyone! Do not be afraid to be assertive when it comes to your rights. You also could have contacted AARP for advice. They would walk you through a situation. You could also bring in a friend, there is courage in numbers. Stand up to bullies. If Mr. Snip starts in on you again, let him know you will not stand for Elder Abuse and you will be reporting his behavior to Corporate Headquarters and to your local Family Shelter. What he did to you, with what you have presented is Elder Abuse. He had no right to grab that medication from you. I also would have told him I would be calling the police and reporting him for abuse. Stand strong!
lorrwill on 12/12/2010:
I believe every word of this complaint. I base that on how horribly I have been treated at Walgreen's here in California. And calling the 800 number several times as well as sending several emails did NO good whatsoever.
I hope you have contacted your bank and have started the charge back process. This is the store's error, compounded by hostile staff who have no business dealing with the public.
To say that Walgreen's as a corporation sucks would be putting it mildly.
ocresearch on 12/17/2010:
Please don't argue with WALGREEN. you need to file a lawsuit and your attorney would not take any money until the case win. second; you'll win because you'd all the document which show that you paid.
Law sueing is the best
MOMO5Ginger on 12/18/2010:
I used to think K Mart held the title of worst employees until I shopped at Walgreens.
jhny11735 on 12/18/2010:
He really needs to apologize to you and then get a different job..one that he does not have to deal with customers.......
wsvoboda on 12/20/2010:
OMG~give me the link and I will personally call him.. what a horrible person he is...
wsvoboda on 12/20/2010:
OMG...I just called and a lady Doreen told me Mr. Martin was there and he got on the line. I told him I wanted to know why he double charges a customer and won't take care of the charge. He told me he was Andy and told me I could do whatever and hung up on me.
I called back and Doreen answered. I told her the guy told me he wasn't Mr.Jim Martin and that he hung up on me. She thought someone else had picked up and she told me she would page him. I asked her was there an Andy and she said he would not be in until 3pm. Then she said she would page Mr. Martin. I explained that he obiously did take the call and pretended to fake being Andy. She was getting me the Corp. number and then the line was hung up. I feel certain Mr. Martin hung that call up. I called back and again he hung up on me.
Wow...everyone that reads this needs to file a complaint on this guy!
wsvoboda on 12/20/2010:
I just filed a formal complaint with Walgreens on Mr. Martin for lying and hanging up on me three times. There is something wrong with that guy......mentally!
Slimjim on 12/20/2010:
I would have hung up on you too wsvoboda. You have no business making those calls based on hearsay from an anonymous complaint site. Not challenging the original poster's accounts, but moreover your right to involvement to the level of harassing the staff of a business you've never been to based on something you read on the internet.
wsvoboda on 12/20/2010:
SlimJim ~ you have no idea what you're talking about...I tried to have a cival conversation with him and he was a liar before we even spoke. I've had the same issue with my account being double swiped from Walgreens as well. You are making a judgment that you don't know all the facts. Not only that I looked into this with someone else that is handeling this case and she is dead on right of what happened. So you should not jump to conclusions and take your own advise. This is no way to treat anyone!
Anonymous on 12/20/2010:
Give Slim a star. Make it a double.
Slimjim on 12/20/2010:
Have you ever been to this location wsvoboda? Ever done business with this location wsvoboda? Do you know the author of this post or any details first hand that gives you some credibility to involve yourself with a verbal argument with this location's manager?
If the answer to these questions are no, which it sure appears, then you have absolutely no business whatsoever calling this man and harassing this business. I know exactly what I'm taking about.
wsvoboda on 12/20/2010:
slimjim ~ my dealings aren't with you or about you. I explained earlier that I went into detail about this. You aren't even paying attention to what you're reading. I'm with a National Newspaper and I know what I'm doing ~ your assuming things.
I don't like people being taken advantage of and I have ways of getting information that you wouldn't. You need to stop assuming things. You could be this manager for as much as any of us know. This person did not post this to have someone come on here and fight with others. If you want to fight with other people take it somewhere else.
Thank you!
Slimjim on 12/20/2010:
I don't think you do. Curious, what do you do at this national paper? Calling a business blind and getting involved over an anonymous gripe site complaint? What reaction does a "pro" expect differently from this manager than us daft folk? I'm assuming a few things right now.
Anonymous on 12/20/2010:
Now who's assuming wsvoboda? How do you know Slim doesn't have ways of getting information just like or better than you? And FYI - if you're so good at accessing information, you would know what the rest of us know - that Slim is not the manager in question. National newspaper = National Enquirer?
BreezyBird on 12/20/2010:
slimjim and ript2010 does it really bother you boys that someone might know more than you? And wsvoboda thank you for trying to really help someone. There are enough people that tuck there tails and run just as the above that are attacking you. My thanks to you and for your trying to help!
wsvoboda on 12/20/2010:
Thank you BreezyBird....they don't bother me. I'm used to dealing with people that tuck there tails....lol
Anonymous on 12/20/2010:
What bothers me is some puffed up pompous *** who bluffs and bloats their bogus credentials when the professed professionalism is obviously a load of bull. Flipping it right back at you bird.
Fufu487 on 12/20/2010:
Threads starting to get a little ridiculous guys, don't you think? Call corporate. See what they do before going all media crazy about this. And I think calling the store if you're NOT the party involved is a bit extreme.
Slimjim on 12/20/2010:
Well as is obvious by wsvoboda's own retake, the manager basically made clear he wasn't even going to entertain discussing a customer service issue regarding one customer, to some unidentifiable unrelated different person whose business it was none of.
See, I would have figured that. Guess I'm not so out of it as accused.
Nohandle on 12/20/2010:
I believe Fufu487 hit the winning number here. Bingo.
Nate. on 12/30/2010:
My bank allows disputes as long as you tried to work it out with the company first. Tell them that the manager on such a date at such a time would not refund it, and they should be able to assist you in recovering the funds.
steven on 08/06/2012:
I work for Walgreens and yes it is a missed up company what ever they promise the customers they are liars .
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Walgreens corporation treats their employees like *CRAP*!!!
Posted by
I have worked with this company for several years, and once wanted to be a retail pharmacist. But now, if I ever do become a pharmacist, I would never work for Walgreens or any other big corporation! Surprisingy (hah), they are all about the money, to the saddest degree!
(1) Walgreens is hurting financially right now, and that means one thing for us - layoffs and cut hours. But, as a corporation, Walgreens doesn't want to "lay people off", they want us to quit. They sent out presentations to every pharmacy manager instructing them to cut hours, and to *encourage people to quit*! Why would they want us to quit? Here's why -- Because if we get fired, they have to pay us unemployment! If we quit, they save money! This presentation told the managers to "use a form of attrition" to meet the reduced hours standard! Meaning, if they want to fire a bad employee, just cut their hours until they quit on their own. If a manager ever fired an employee for whatever reason, the manager would then get in trouble by Walgreens for firing someone!
(2) Walgreens has a little thing called the W Card, which allows uninsured patients to receive discounts on prescriptions. The W Card costs the patient $20 to sign up, and then most generics cost $10, or $12 for a 3-month supply. My biggest proble with the W Card is there are signs all over the store that say "Pay less than $1/week for Generics!". These signs are misleading because (1) The signs don't mention it costs $20 to sign up and (2) It is only $1/week if your doctor wrote a 3-month-supply script, and that particular medication must qualify. Not all generics qualify for that. SO, the signs themselves cause a lot of drama. Because the $1/week thing is only possible when you get 3 months for $12, which cracks down to $1/week. You never only pay a dollar. Many people think that if they have a prescription for 7 pills, it will cost $1, but unfortunately that is not the case. Confused yet? :)
On top of that, as I mentioned earlier, the W Card costs $20 for the patient to sign up. First of all, Walgreens shouldn't charge anyone $20 to sign-up, since they profit on the medication anyway... But anyway. The pharmacy tech who signed the person up used to get $3 in commission. So, when a patient signs up for the W Card, Walgreens corporation makes $17, plus the cost of the medicine, and the lowly pharmacy tech makes $3. I think the pharmacy tech should have received $10 in commission. After all, they have to input all of the information, and re-submit the claims, and explain the terms to the patient, all which usually takes around 10 minutes. And they only got $3 commission. BUT now, since Walgeens is in an economic crisis, they cut the commission down even more! The pharmacy techs now make $1 for every sale of the W Card, when Walgreens makes $20 plus the cost of the medicine! One dollar?!?! What a joke! Whenever someone asks me about the W Card, I will now tell them to try Walmart's $4 presciptions, since they don't even make you pay to sign up!
(3) Back to my first point of Walgreens cutting the hours of all the empoyees... We were short-staffed anyway. We have always been short-staffed. That's why it takes 30 minutes to fill a 10-pill prescription. Because the *one* pharmacist is usually on the phone 24/7, and the *two* techs are running around like chickens with their heads cut off since 10 people just walked into the pharmacy and they all need their medicine immediately. So, Walgreens answer to us being short-staffed? They told us to work "more efficiently"! Since we never worked efficiently before. So now we have to work even MORE efficiently with fewer workers!
*****Please, PLEASE, boycott this evil corporation. Go to your local family-owned pharmacy. They won't have a drive-through and they won't be open 24 hours, but they will appreciate you more. Walgreens treats its employees like chattle.********
Also, on an related side-note: As much as I hate Walgreens and all other retail pharmacies....The next time you yell at your local pharmacy tech, please keep in mind that (1) you are not the only person who needed a prescription filled that day, and (2) 90% of the time, whatever you are going to yell at me about, it's probably your insurance company's fault. So call them and yell at them.
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goduke on 04/15/2010:
Interesting post. I really don't think you understand how the W Card works.
Of course they are going to use some quick language to describe it. Other stores have a sign up that says "$4 Generics." Do you think they mean all generics are $4? Nope. It's a marketing hook.
The charge the $20 in order to make it an insurance plan. If they didn't, the rock bottom price (or cash price as its known without the plan), affects the amount they are allowed to charge health insurance plans for the same medications. Because the $20 plan makes it a insurance plan, there's not impact on reimbursements.
Folks don't understand it? It's kind of your job to explain it to them. Insurance issue? I believe the Walgreens policy and procedure is that you'll interface with the insurance company to see if it's worked out.
Right now the economy has hammered all businesses. Everyone is having to make do with less labor. That's why there is high unemployment. This gives an opportunity for the exceptional employee to rise to the occasion and establish themselves well for the future.
PepperElf on 04/15/2010:
goduke +++
indeed if there are extra steps one must take in order to get the $1/week deal, one would suspect that the policy would be explained to the customers who want it.
and if not explained, at least documents given to them that detail exactly how one obtains the deal.
If someone suspected the customer didn't understand, it would be very professional to explain to them what the upfront costs are and what steps are needed in order to receive the price.
Anonymous on 04/15/2010:
I don't know about Walgreens financial condition or the 'W' card or presentations to managers. What I do know though is that after years of being GREAT my local Walgreens is going down the tubes. In fact the service and ineptitude got so bad that I switched to another big box chain, CVS, which as of now is doing alright.
I can't say if my experience is typical for the country but it is for one particular store. It makes me wonder if has to with exactly what the OP posted about manipulative attrition.
Good review!
goduke on 04/15/2010:
I suspect it has more to do, Stew, with a change in the store leadership. That's generally what brings about great service or poor service.
Walgreens has been hurt by the economy, and by a slow flu season. They've been pretty candid about that in their monthly financial releases. But if you're not selling as much, chances are you don't really need as many hours of work in the store, right?
Anonymous on 04/16/2010:
The unemployment tactics are that way in nearly all companies. But I sense in the tone of your letter, that you are out to "get yours", and if it's not in YOUR best interest, then you want no part of it. (I.e.-the sales aspect of the "W" card). I'm not sure how pharmacists are paid, hourly, salary, commission? But where I work, it's hourly. If it's commission, then you have a legitimate point. But if you're hourly, then you should be open to doing pretty much anything that is asked of you, all in the name of the company that employs you. If you wish to decide how much profit or commission you should get, then start your own company and you can make the rules and policies all you want. Unfortunately, you don't. Neither do the rest of us.
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Rude service
Posted by
BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA -- I had been suffering serious and debilitating migraines. Much more so than my usual and couldn't even sleep for the pain and on top of it had the flu with fever. I was prescribed sleeping pills that when I went to refill needed doctor authorization. When I knew that my prescription was there I dropped by to pick it up when my husband and I had to pick up his car from the repair shop. I didn't have my wallet, but thought "I'll use express pay" not thinking that I would need my I. D. because it was a narcotic. (I had never refilled it before) I was in pain and just wanted my meds when I pulled up to the window. My prescription was ready and she asked for my address, date of birth, and then she asked for my I. D. which of course I did not have. My first reaction was to want to get angry, but I stopped myself because she was doing her job so I just sighed and said "no, I will have to go home for that". I might add that she did not say "I'm sorry, but it's the law, or I hate to tell you this, but"...she was not pleasant in ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM!!!! Even though I go to this pharmacy constantly, I drive a white s type Jaguar and I know that they know who I am there, but oh well, I went home told my husband I would be right back and when I got to the window it was the same woman. I swear on my life that I did not even look at her sideways. She opened the drawer towards me. My only remark was "here is the plastic that you requested" and she took it and walked away, (I presumed to do something pertaining to me.) I waited about a couple of minutes and someone came up to the window and asked if they could help me and I said I was being waited on and kept waiting. Then about 3 or 4 minutes later another person came to the window and asked if I needed help and I started to say that I was being waited on when I looked across to the register into the store and THERE was the woman who was SUPPOSED TO BE WAITING ON ME, TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE AT THE REGISTER FOR INSIDE THE STORE, LEAVING ME TO HANG AT THE PICK UP WINDOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could NOT believe my eyes!! I got out of my car for a better look (which wasn't easy cause I was next to the building) and it was indeed her!!!! I went ballistic!!!! I said "WHAT is she doing waiting on those people when she is SUPPOSED to be waiting on ME when MY PRESCRIPTION IS ALREADY READY???!!!!! OMG!! I made a complete fool out of myself standing there red faced, feverish and screaming while the guy in the next car had a look of horror on his face not knowing WHAT WAS GOING ON!! The girl who took care of me apologized over and over, but I told her it wasn't HER fault it was the fault of the woman who was so RUDE and that I would call when I got home. I called the head pharmacist who said that the employee would be "spoken to". I inquired the next day to find out what happened about it because I was still upset and was told that the woman denied any deliberate action on her part to upset me. I said that I begged to differ. I said that her attitude wasn't pleasant at all and that my take on it was that she thought that she would teach me a lesson because she saw that I wasn't happy about having to go home for my I. D. The boss's answer to that was that this particular employee never smiles at anyone and that she has to encourage her to smile ALL THE TIME "because it won't break her face"! I told her that I wasn't happy that all she got was "what was your side of the story?" I was not offered an apology from the rude woman which was all I was after nor did they try to appease me with a gift card or ANYTHING to smooth my ruffled feathers. I now go to Kroger where they paid me 25.00 for each of my transferred prescriptions and I will NEVER GO BACK TO WALGREENS AGAIN. I tried going back to them, but when I dropped off a prescription at the window and the RUDE WOMAN WAS THERE WITH HER UNSMILING FACE to take it, I almost lost it and knew that it wasn't going to work for me anymore. This is just one store, but I warned the pharmacy manager that I was going to go elsewhere and she STILL did nothing to stop me, so they deserve to lose their customers to drug stores that KNOW HOW TO TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS RIGHT and know how to discipline their employees properly when they pull something as rude as what this woman pulled on me.
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Anonymous on 05/02/2011:
I think I can see what the problem was. What did you expect them to due to this employee? You can accomplish much more without screaming.
trmn8r on 05/02/2011:
Put yourself in the manager's shoes. You have an employee who neither smiles nor swings her arms when she walks.
You are aware of it, but HOW to make her smile and swing those arms?
I think you did the right thing in making your concerns known, and taking your business elsewhere. It is up to the manager to decide what to do about the deadpan-faced arm hanger.
Anonymous on 05/02/2011:
I'm the same way. When I roll up to Walgreens in my black Jetta to pick up a prescription, once the tech turns on the mic and asks if s/he can help me, his/her attention better be focused on me and me alone. If it's not, I go ballistic..and it is not a pretty sight trust me.
I don't know how many times I have requested Walgreens to install one of those counters like they have at some FF joints..."if we don't have your script in hand and you on your way in 30 seconds or less, it's free!" So far no luck, but I'm going to keep trying.
Anonymous on 05/02/2011:
You were definitely wronged but I think your reaction was disproportionate. You reported her and I am sure her manager will keep it in mind if/when she has any subsequent performance issues. Expecting them to can her on the basis of your complaint (inconveniencing you for about 5 minutes) only is not reasonable IMO. I hope you are happy with your new pharmacy and that they are better equipped to meet your needs.
trmn8r on 05/02/2011:
I used a pharmacy drive through a week for one reason only - my battery was dead and I couldn't shut the car off.
I far prefer going into the store and dealing with people face to face. But, if I drove a Jag, I'd probably like to remain in its sumptuous seats.
Anonymous on 05/02/2011:
Stop hating on the OP's whip...lol! She had every right to be upset. I think she did her duty in reporting her experience to the Pharmacist but I think that's where it ends. What they do with the emloyee is between Walgreens and the employee. She DID receive an apology but was unhappy that it wasn't from the employee. It isn't grade school. They aren't going to make her stand there with downcast eyes and apologize, nor are they going to ban her from the window. Of COURSE she was there the next time. It's her job. It isn't a reasonable expectation. I think using another pharmacy was the BEST solution and if Kroger is paying $25 for a transfer, I am headed there too!
momsey on 05/02/2011:
You were angry as soon as you were asked for ID, which wasn't an unreasonable request. I don't think this situation was going to go any way other than the way it did.
Venice09 on 05/02/2011:
I'm not sure how I would react if an employee deliberately left me waiting at the window with no intention of coming back. But if I had a headache and was annoyed (even if it was my own fault), there's a possibility I might have reacted the same way the OP did. I think the employee WAS getting even with the OP, and that is completely unprofessional for a pharmacy. Can this employee be trusted not to find other ways to get even? I wouldn't stick around long enough to find out.
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Bad Customer Service
Posted by
BIRMINGHAM -- Back around November 2010, I went to pick up a new RX for my Glacoma and I when the Clerk told me the price of the drops, I tried to tell her that those were the wrong drops, that they had never been that much before but she disagreed with me and I told her that I did not want those because they were not the correct drops and I left.
On Dec 18th 2010 I was at the Pharmacy in Walgreens and I paid for my RXs at the Counter and then told the Clerk that I needed to speak to the Manager of the Pharmacy (who I later learned her name was ) so he went and told her but instead of her finishing up with the Customer that she had and coming over and addressing my concerns, she kept on taking people that were walking up to her window. I ask the Clerk if he had told her that I needed to talk to her and he said that he did.
A lady standing behind me heard what I had ask the Clerk and commented that First come First serve does not apply here in Walgreens and that she knew that we both had been standing there longer than the people walking up to the Manager's Window. So, I had to leave, I could not wait any longer.
I called back and talked to the Manager of the whole store and told him of the incident and he took my name and number and said that he would talk to her and have her call me or he would call me back.
Neither of them ever called me back, as of this date I have not heard from anyone from Walgreens.
I have gone on line to see Customer Service Complaints from Walgreens and Wow !! You have a lot of them so my incident was not just an isolated situation.
I don't know if this matters or not, since you are a big Company but I want you to know I have transferred all of my Rxs to CVS on 12/31/10 and I spoke to a very nice and helpful Gentleman who took time with me and even straighten out my concern on a Eye Drop Rx, the same concern that I was trying to address with your RX Manager at Store # 06977. This CVS Pharmacist even went so far as to call my Doctor and explain one of the Dr's Residents had prescribed the wrong type of Eye Drops for my Glacoma. "THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE", something that your Employees have not learned yet.
The only reason that I am writing you is to let you know because maybe you can address the Customer Service Concerns and other Customers of yours won't have to go through what I experenced.
It's too late for me, I have found a Pharmacy that cares about their Customers.
They don't have a drive through but their personal and caring service makes up for that.
As of 2/10/11 Walgreens have not even had the courtesy to contact me on this complaint, not that it would do them any good because I am through with them for ever.
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Venice09 on 02/11/2011:
Are you saying that the mistake was made by the doctor's resident and not the pharmacy? Instead of telling the clerk it was the wrong prescription based on the price, you should have actually looked at the name of the medication. Prices vary, names don't.
I agree that the service could have been better, but I do think you could have prevented part of the problem by checking to see if the prescription was correct. If you had told the clerk that the name of the medication was wrong, and not just that the price was too high, she probably would have done some investigating.
fast327 on 02/11/2011:
Does a pharmacist know enough about glaucoma to question a doctor's prescription?
Venice09 on 02/11/2011:
Fast, I think the OP is saying that the price discrepancy prompted the CVS pharmacist to question the doctor, and that's how he found out it was the wrong prescription. That's what I got out of this.
fast327 on 02/11/2011:
Thanks Venice, I got the wrong impression.
Anonymous on 02/11/2011:
Eyedrops for glaucoma are very expensive. I was paying about $150 a bottle for my papa's drops, and the bottle was very small.
fast327 on 02/11/2011:
Yes ript, that's about what they cost me for a month and there are no generics at the present time.
Anonymous on 02/11/2011:
Ouch fast! Ask your eye doctor for samples once in a while.
fast327 on 02/11/2011:
I don't think they are available, at least my ophthalmologist has never offered them. I see him quarterly for my diagnosis and care.
Whiteduck on 02/11/2011:
I think there are only 2 drugstores left in the world (at least around here). Walgreens and CVS. They've reached that magic number of stores that means they don't give a rat's behind about customer service anymore. And, in my opinion, I'm sure they get together and set prices. This stuff can't possibly cost that much.
Skye on 02/11/2011:
Whiteduck, prescription eye drops always are very costly. The ones who set the prices are the companies who manufacture them.
When the patent expires, then generics can be manufactured. Until then, it's crazy prices for eye drops, even if you have prescription drug coverage, which may or may not cover certain prescription eye drops.
PepperElf on 02/11/2011:
then again... one of the other reasons why medicines are expensive is... while the costs of the actual ingredients might not be as much as you'd expect, the amount of time and research that goes into making them *is* expensive.
fast327 on 02/11/2011:
I don't really care that much about the cost---my eyesight is priceless.
Anonymous on 02/11/2011:
Quite right fast, it is vitally important to keep the pressure down.
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Walgreens Pharmacy
Posted by
PORTLAND, OREGON -- Consumer Complaint:
For the past 10 years I WAS a completely satisfied Walgreenâs customer until a recent incident with Walgreenâs pharmacy managerâK.
Originally my complaint began with the pharmacy replacing my specified prescription of âAmbienâ for a generic brand, without my knowledge or approval. After discovering this, I brought my complaint to the pharmacy managerâK. Upon doing so, she made the situation worse. The following will explain:
Before Discovery:
Before I had discovered that my last three prescriptions for Ambien had been switched to a generic brand, I made several returned trips to my doctorâs office, concerned and upset that the prescription for Ambien was no longer working.
Afterwards, my doctor increased the dosage from 10mg to 12 mg of Ambien. Through the course of several months, I made several more trips back and forth to the doctorâs office; we were troubled and perplexed wondering why the Ambien was not effectively working for me as it once did, especially now that the dosage was increased. This continued to perplex the doctor and me.
At this time, it never occurred to me or was even made known to me that my original prescription for Ambien had been replaced by a generic brand.
After Discovery:
It was not until my third refill, and after I left the Walgreens store when I discovered that the pharmacy had exchanged my specifiedâprescription for Ambien with a generic brand, without informing me.
I returned to Walgreens and approached the pharmacy managerâK, about this matter; however, she made a bad situation worse by her uncaring, unprofessional behaviors. Throughout our discussion, she randomly made up new and contradicting stories to justify changing my prescription.
⺠First she stated that my doctor did not specify any particular brand. This was proven not to be true, as I gave her a copy of the doctorâs prescription which clearly reveals the SPECIFIED prescription name.
⺠After viewing this copy, once again she changed her story, by stating that she did inform me when she switched my prescription to a generic brand. I asked her to repeat exactly what she said at the time when she claimed that she had informed me. Her answer was, âI asked you if you had any questions, and you said noâ.
a. Obviously her question had nothing to do with informing me that she had switched my prescription to a generic.
b. Secondly, she allowed me to leave Walgreens, thinking that I was walking away with Ambien
⺠In addition to her constantly changing her stories, she then claimed that according to law, she was not required to inform me when replacing my prescription with a generic brand, unless the doctor specifically wrote the word âONLYâ next to the specified prescription.
a. When I asked her to provide me with proof of her claim, she stated that it was posted everywhere in the pharmacy. This too was not true. There were no visible posting of this, and I made this known to her.
b. She then searched and retrieved a wall poster at the opposite end of the pharmacy, far away from the customerâs check-out area, and from such an obscured location that no customer would be able to have view of this poster.
c. She then stated that this poster had always been by the customer window for all to see. This too is false; Ms. K. was referring to an old customer drop off window that had not been used and closed off to customers for the past 10 years.
d. Additionally, she was attempting to use this poster as her lawful-proof that would allow her to switch my prescription to a generic brand without informing me of the switch; however, this poster clearly stated that when exchanging a drug for a generic brand it is contingent upon customer approval; an approval that I never gave.
e. Instead of apologizing, she proceeded to look up the law/policy in the computer; but could not find it.
f. Afterwards, Ms. K. said that she would refill the prescription. I said, âBecause this medication was placed on a workermanâs comp insurance, they will not approve refilling the same medication twice for the same time periodâ. Ms. K. said she would call the workmanâs comp insurance and try to clear it. I approved.
g. However, when the insurance agent asked Ms. K. why I was rejecting this generic medication, Ms. K. inaccurately told the agent it was because I did not like it, when the real truth is
Ms. K. wrongfully switched my medication with a generic brand without my approval, and ignored my doctorâs prescription.
⺠Because Ms. K. conveyed inaccurate information to my workerâs comp insurance, they are now saying that I cannot receive my specified prescription for Ambien when a generic brand is available. Because of Ms. K. blunders and unprofessional mishandlings of a customerâs prescription, I will now have to return to my doctor, once again to restore my specified prescription to Ambien.
All of the above could have been easily avoided if Ms. K. had only followed the simple, basic procedures by informing or asking me if I preferred the generic brand.
Instead, she took it upon herself to make that decision for me, totally disregarding my choice and my decision in the matter, creating lies and havoc in order to cover up her blunders, causing me months of unnecessary concern and confusion over a prescription that I thought I was receiving, when in fact I was not.
Frankly, I was so shocked, irritated and annoyed by her deceitful, unscrupulous conduct that I found it necessary to take the time to inform and notify the Walgreenâs Corporate Office of a potentially high risk employee in a management position.
In all the past years, I was completely satisfied when conducting and taking my business to Walgreens, until the point when Ms. K. began handling my prescriptions.
In the past 10 years, I have never had one problem what-so-ever when having my prescription for Ambien refilled until Ms. K. came into the picture. I will now have to do some back tracking in order to fix the damages that she has done.
I wrote to Walgreens Corporate Office with these complaints, requesting that they seriously consider my letter of complaint, and honor me as a loyal customer for all these years by:
⢠Sternly reprimanding the pharmacy managerâMs. K.
⢠Bring about a resolution to the problems she created upon me, as a customer
⢠To inform me of their actions to this matter
However, to this day, I have never heard back from Walgreens. And after reading other reviews from this web site (my3cents.com), I've discovered that Walgreens makes a higher profit from switching brand name drugs to generic drugs; a practice that is appearently incouraged by Walgreens.
Additionally, I have read numerous reports discovering that reveals it is a common practice from the Walgreens Pharmacy to switch customers prescriptions from a brand name to a generic WITHOUT INFORMING THE CUSTOMER.
I am now in the process of finding another Pharmacy who places ethical treatment toward their customers as top priority.
Resolution Update 12/19/2007:
RESOLVED: My complaints were appropriately resolved by the Walgreen's Regional District Manager. She had a clear understanding and was in agreement with my complaints. Her approach to correct these matters is:
#1> A apology for the wrongful behavior of this particular Pharmacy Manager
#2> She will assemble and conduct an employee training at all NW Walgreens Pharmacies, emphasizing on:
a) Policy requirements to always inform the customer of a generic drug availability
b) NOTIFY the customer when replacing a brand name drug with a generic (for what ever reason there may be for doing so)
c) Post signs relating to this policy, in obvious, visible areas for customers to see
d)The important aspects of customer treatment, proper respect and courtesy at all times.
#3> Politely suggests, and in order to avoid future occurrence as this, that I have my doctor write the words "no substitutes" on future prescriptions.
I feel and believe that this matter was handled appropriately and satisfactory by simply recognizing when there is a problem, identify the problem and develop a solution with positive results. This was done. End of story.
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jenjenn on 12/16/2007:
Hey drama queen...it's a LAW. Prescriptions can be filled with generics unless the script says, "DISPENSE AS WRITTEN." It's not the pharmacy's fault...they were just following the law.
tnchuck100 on 12/16/2007:
I might be wrong but I was under the impression that generics were to be offered if available. Not substituted without your permission.
*Brenda* on 12/16/2007:
I've never been offered a generic, they just fill it with one unless the doctor says generics cannot be substituted.
GothicSmurf on 12/16/2007:
It was my understanding that all pharmacies would give generic medication unless DISPENSE AS WRITTEN or BRAND ONLY was specified on the RX sheet.
As for the higher profit- Generic drugs ARE cheaper for the consumer (copays), and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Walgreens a FOR PROFIT company?
Principissa on 12/16/2007:
A pharmacist will give generics unless specified by either the customer OR if it is written on the script by the doctor to not substitute. If you tell them no generics, than they have to give you the brand name. I would get your doctor to write you a new prescription and put DISPENSE AS WRITTEN, NO SUBSTITUTIONS on the script itself. And if they still give you generics, find a new pharmacy.
Anonymous on 12/16/2007:
Why is Ambien (a medication for insomnia) being filled on workers compensation? Don't answer that ... I don't really care!
Most insurances (workers comp included) will not pay for a brand name medication when a generic is available. If you tell the pharmacist that you refuse the generic, they must fill the prescription with the brand drug. Be prepared to pay a higher copay or the usual and customary retail prices for the drug.
From the rantings on this post, a generic substitute is the least of your worries.
Loza on 12/17/2007:
Drug Substitution/Patients Rights:
The law for generic drug substitution may vary from state to state:
The pharmacist or its agent, assistant, or employee shall inform the patient if a generically equivalent drug is available, and of the person's right to refuse the drug selected. The right of refusal is especially important in the retail setting.
The RULE OF LAW is that THE PATIENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE GENERIC SUBSTITUTION.
This is a rule that one routinely sees violated in retail pharmacy practice, yet it is very important on ethical grounds. This right of refusal remains true even if, for instance, the patient's drug plan requires substitution. It may be unusual under such circumstances for the patient to refuse generic substitution, but it is important to remember whether to accept a generic remains his or her individual choice and is not up to the pharmacist.
If this right is not observed, the pharmacist is not allowing the patient to act as an autonomous agent and this is an important breach in professional ethics.
Another important consideration in this respect is that the pharmacist must bear in mind that the patient, since he or she never fully relinquishes the right to reject generic substitution, is always to be included in the decision making process involved in generic substitution.
A patient, if he or she decides not to accept generic substitution, may have to pay a much higher price for the drug that is prescribed; but, on the other hand, may have a completely rational reason in doing so.
To not allow the patient to be part of the decision making is, as mentioned above, to restricting their autonomy or their ability to act as a free agent. Such acts lead health care providers, perhaps due to pressure from third-party payers, to act paternalistically
catman77 on 12/17/2007:
It is the law for pharmacies and pharmacy personnel to disclose substitution of generic medications for otherwise filled name brand Rx's. They must get your OK as a patient and customer and must inform you before your leaving the checkout area of any substitutions!
yoke on 12/17/2007:
Why didn't you question the pharmacy when you started paying a lesser amount when you were getting the generic brand?
catman77 on 12/17/2007:
In the State of Oregon, a person DOES NOT PAY for any drugs when it is on a workers compensation claim (Insurance for injured workers).
yoke on 12/18/2007:
catman, maybe that is why it was generic. Check with workers comp, maybe it only covers generic.
catman77 on 12/18/2007:
Yoke, give it a rest; and yes, my state workers comp does pay for name brand drugs, surgeries, etc. that relates to the injury.
yoke on 12/18/2007:
catman, I was just making a point, no need to get so huffy. BTW, no need to e-mail me.
Mario The Great on 12/18/2007:
I don't understand what your complaint is. The difference between the ACTIVE ingredient in a generic drug and a brand name drug is 0%. Here's some more info.
FDA OKs Generic Ambien
FDA Approves 13 Companies to Make Generic Version of Insomnia Drug
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
Latest Sleep News
* Switch for Internal Body Clock Found
* Sleep Habits Linked to Diabetes, Death
* Sleep Problems Plague the Older Set
* Sleep Key to Pitching Pregnancy Pounds
* Cholesterol Drug Tied to Sleep Disturbances
April 23, 2007 -- The FDA today approved the first generic versions of Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) immediate-release tablets.
Zolpidem tartrate is a sedative-hypnotic drug used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.
"The FDA's Office of Generic Drugs ensures that generic drugs are safe and effective for the American public through a rigorous scientific and regulatory process," the FDA's Gary J. Buehler, RPh, says in an FDA news release.
"This approval offers Americans more alternatives when choosing their prescription drugs," says Buehler, who directs the FDA's Office of Generic Drugs.
Zolpidem tartrate tablets in formulations of 5 milligrams and 10 milligrams are made by multiple generic drug companies in the U.S.
The following 13 manufacturers have received FDA approval for zolpidem tartrate tablets: Mylan Pharmaceuticals, TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA, Roxane Laboratories, Watson Laboratories, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Apotex, Synthon Pharmaceuticals, Genpharm, Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Carlsbad Technology, and Lek Pharmaceuticals.
Are you one of those people that buys a Jaguar just because it says Jaguar and not realize that it's still a Ford?
Ponie on 12/18/2007:
Mario, I like this statement from your post:
'Zolpidem tartrate is a sedative-hypnotic drug used for the SHORT-TERM (emphasis mine) treatment of insomnia' And *how* long has the poster been gulping these Tic-Tacs? How many prescriptions has she gone through?
I've noticed that a pill/capsule in a brand name differs in appearance from a generic--at least in my experience it has. With all these 'switched' prescriptions, didn't you notice a different in looks of your medication? As hyper as you are, you need something much stronger than Ambien to calm you down. Maybe try some wacky-tabacky.
Ponie on 12/18/2007:
P.S. Mario--I agree the active ingredient is the same. The explanation my GP gave me is the difference is in the fillers. Some people may be allergic to the stuff they used to mold the active ingredients into pill/capsule form. Ya' know--like Gorilla glue. :)
Mario The Great on 12/19/2007:
Thank you Ponie. It's a brand name thing. Some people have no idea what generic truly means. Notice how no post has been made since she Googled Drug Substitution/Patients Rights. I did just that and found that the copay for generic is $2 and brand name is $3. If Lazo would like, I'll send her $1.00 via PayPal. :) Here's some more information about the numerous laws they have there. Oddly enough, I couldn't find what she typed anywhere.
Creates a prescription drug list or formulary for the Oregon Health Plan. Also seeks waiver to allow up to $5 copayments. Requires Department of Human Services to apply to federal government for waiver to allow copayments.
Final version directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to adopt a Practitioner-managed Prescription Drug Plan for the Oregon Health Plan to ensure that enrollees "receive the most effective prescription drug available at the best possible price." Stipulates the following provisions under the plan: Prior to adopting the plan, DHS is required to conduct public meetings and consult with the Health Resources Commission. Allows a practitioner to prescribe any drug that the practitioner indicates is medically necessary for an enrollee as being the most effective available.
(Passed Senate 7/6/01 and House 7/7/01, signed by governor 8/2/01)
Oregon Health Plan Drug List | Governor's Letter to Practitioners, 6/02 | Analysis of OR Preferred Drug List, 1/04 |
Rep. Kruse
Department of Human Services shall apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for waivers to obtain federal matching dollars for public subsidies for low-income, working Oregonians for the purpose of making private health insurance more accessible and affordable. Establishes a Waiver Application Steering Committee including four legislators to assist and advise the department. As drafted, includes various co-pays between generics/brands, with the amounts being higher for people in the higher FPL range and lower for the lower FPL range.
(Passed House and Senate 7/6/01; signed by governor 8/01; waiver scheduled to be finalized 6/02; also see below)
Agency regulation
CMS approved Oregon to proceed with an Rx copay of $2 for generic and $3 brand. Applies to fee-for-service drugs (about 30% of OHP clients in FFS) - all drugs prescribed to fee-for-service clients and mental health drugs (7 & 11 drugs, plus Depakote and Neurontin) for patients in managed care plans (up to now all OHP client mental health drugs--even those in managed care--were provided for through a carve out program). Exceptions include: pregnant women, children under age 19, institutionalized individuals, services supplied through a federally recognized tribal health facility, patients enrolled in managed care (except mental health drugs), emergency services, family planning supplies and mail order drugs. Provider cannot refuse service to a patient due to the patient's inability to pay. However, the co-payment is a legal debt and provider can use any legal means to collect.
(Agency regulation, effective 7/1/02)
Limit initial prescription for chronic medications - Effective March 4, 2002, maintenance medications were limited to a 15-day supply for the initial fill of the medication.
Reimbursement: Effective September 1, 2002, payment for eligible prescription drugs will be made to pharmacies at Average Wholesale Price (AWP) less 14%, changed from AWP-13%. Dispensing fees were changed on October 1, 2001 to $3.50 for retail pharmacies and $3.80 for institutional pharmacies.
FY 04 budget eliminates the agency rule calling for prior authorization within the state's preferred drug list program; initiates a polypharmacy review of enrollees with more than 6 prescriptions or evidence of frequent refills; initiates a two-year phase-in of a mail order prescription program for maintenance prescriptions for chronic diseases. Also establishes a work group to study establishing a program of recycling unused drugs.
(Passed House and Senate 8/25/03; signed by governor 8/29/03)
Bill restructuring the Oregon Health Plan includes a prohibition on using prior authorization for enforcement of the preferred drug list. "The Department of Human Services may not adopt or amend any rule that requires a prescribing practitioner to contact the department to request an exception for a medically appropriate or medically necessary drug that is not listed on the Practitioner-Managed Prescription Drug Plan drug list for that class of drugs..."
(Passed House and Senate, signed by governor, 9/24/03 as Chapter)
News article : Kulongoski signs revamp of health plan, 10/9/03
iowaboy77 on 12/28/2007:
You don't know what you're talking about, and you've proven it. Ambien and its generic zolpidem are only available in 5 and 10mg tablets. Ambien CR (only available in brand name) is the 12- actually 12.5mg tablet that you've mentioned. As a pharmacist, I am required by law to fill your prescription with an AB rated product, and it doesn't matter if I inform you of this or not. Even if I had wanted to fill your 12 (12.5) mg prescription with a generic, I couldn't have, as it does not exist.
Walgreens would uphold the pharmacist in this matter. None of my employees would be appologizing to you, in fact, I would probably ask you to take your business elsewhere.
Loza on 12/29/2007:
Hay, Iowa boy... slinging and flaunting your stupidity certainly does not impress anyone. Perhaps you should have kept your mindless "unprofessional" thoughts to your self, and stayed in your back country woods where you obviously belong. You might have convinced yourself that you're a pharmacist, but that is where it stops. And for the record, whether it is Ambein or Ambein CR, these are both within the same chemical family and labeled under Ambein. Do your home work before revealing your brainless mind by going to http://products.sanofi-aventis.us/ambien_cr/ambienCR.pdf
Loza on 12/29/2007:
Typo error: Ambein.
Correction: Ambien
DebtorBasher on 12/29/2007:
I'm glad your complaint was taken seriously enough for them to take steps to prevent the same from happening in the future.
Loza on 12/29/2007:
Dear DebtorBasher, Thank you for your comment and most importantly, for your being a decent person about your comments, unlike a few others in this blog.
Anonymous on 12/29/2007:
You're welcome.
DebtorBasher on 12/29/2007:
You're welcome...I didn't get Five stars for being nasty to people! LOL ... Pirate still has a little ways to go yet.
*Brenda* on 12/29/2007:
Loza, thanks for all the information. I looked it up for my state and per state law the pharmacist is actually required to fill with generics unless the box is checked where it says no substitutions. You learn something new every day! Glad it all worked out for you in the end! :)
iowaboy77 on 12/29/2007:
Ambien CR is the 12.5mg tablet you claim to have received. It is not available as a generic, only brand. If the pharmacy dispensed a generic tablet to you when the prescription was for Ambien CR, it wasn't a mere brand/generic conversion, but rather a misfill. Ambien and Ambien CR are not interchangeable although they do contain the same active ingredient, zolpidem.
Anonymous on 01/04/2008:
Good points Iowaboy77! I can't believe I let that slip by. I think the only resolution that will actually be followed up on is that the OP will start having her MD write no substitutes. If I was the manager at that pharmacy, I would not apologize. I've seen this type of behavior in a patient before and nothing that the Rph does will ever satisfy them. I would rather spend my time helping a patient that is doing things other than gouging a workers comp claim by insisting on higher priced drugs simply because it is not coming out of their own pocket. I bet if they had to write a check for the drug they would want the generic!
Darq on 01/22/2008:
Iowaboy is right, you just don't want to hear it.
You received an apology because explaining the entire situation to someone who won't listen is not worth it.
According to the FDA Ambien does not equal Ambien CR.
That is all, have a nice day.
Loza on 01/23/2008:
To whom it fits:
SOME of you just don't get it, and never will.
In reference to one of the aspects of my report, and to give an example:
In short, if a person goes to the store and buys a black pen, they don't expect the pen to be switched with a blue pen at the register, nor to be lied to about it, and then try to justify the switch by saying it's the same thing, etc.etc.etc.
Secondly, it appears from the very start, some of you had no intentions to seek out a resolution to a problem, but rather, sought only to indulge in your own criticism and build-on to your insults & digs. Apparently, focusing on a resolution was obviously a challenge TOO GREAT for some of you.
This is especially obvious, particularly after a two month period had elapsed, after posting that my problem was resolved; and yet, the slams continue.
Let's just say that it is easy to weed out the idiots from the professionals; just look for the ones who seek positive resolution from those who don't.
Thirdly, facts are indeed crucial to add any credence to a person's comments or criticism. So in lieu of this, I say to "Mario the Great", get your facts in order; the Oregon Health Plan is a different agency from the State Worker's Compensation System, with different rules, and laws are different from state to state. Get your facts together by reading twice and answering once! Obviously your brain was too INFLATED to be considered "GREAT" to know the difference.
And as for JohnInSoCa, the one who stated, "Don't answer that...I don't really care!" isn't that the truth! You said a mouth full.
Your selfish, narcissistic comments are a testament to this, revealing YOUR TRUE NATURE, totally disregarding the dignity and rights of others. Your recent response even reveals a grudgingly disappointed attitude upon learning that I received a positive resolution from my report.
And you are right to say that YOU would not apologize; because a person of your disgusting nature, your behavior, and your type of mind-set, NEVER DO.
In addition, you claimed that you would rather spend your time helping a patient..... Such a hype of bullsh_ _! This comment is incongruous and bizarre, and defiantly OUT OF YOUR CHARACTER. God forbid if you should work in the field of human services. If in case you do work in a health care field then it is indeed unfortunate, for you are the type of person who would take their Hippocratic Oath as a Hypocritical Oath! Oh, just for the record, I have, I do, and will continue paying for brand name drugs, regardless if there is a generic substitute, unless and of course if it is a work related injury. And "Why" you might ask? Because it is my right. And mainly because it is MY CHOICE.
Oh, BUT WAIT, you don't really care! Then stop responding with your LESS THAN 1 cent worth of opinions. Oh, BUT WAIT! I forgot; you're not responding because of your lack of intelligence, or you're lack of concern, you're responding because you don't have much of a life, a non-contributor in life, or should I say a contributor of nothing other than slap-stick crap in hopes of bringing others down to your pathetic level in life. Maybe, just maybe, someday you'll get it.
And to you, Iowaboy77, you are correct to say that there is no generic for Ambien-CR 12.5mg. Congratulations! However, it did not work for me either. Concerning the Ambien 10mg vs. its generic substitute, the Ambien 10mg works every time for me; the generic does not. Why? I don't know, nor am I seeking an answer. I just stick to what works, and that would be Ambien 10mg.
This was my first time on this website when I posted this report. It's unfortunate, but I was hoping and expecting something other than those indulging in their own digs & slams.
Anyone with half a brain and a good heart would try to help their fellow human being by giving GOOD and USEFUL ADVICE.
It's a shame that this board allows comments from those with time on their hands to create more harm than good.
Lastly, and thank you to all who gave the helpful and positive responses.
And finally, once and for all, good bye.
JasonJD on 01/24/2008:
They didn't switch a black pen for a blue pen, your analogy betrays your misunderstanding of what a generic drug is. They took a 5 dollar black pan and gave you a cheaper black pen that has the same ink in it and pen tip. If you don't have allergies to the generic fillers, then you don't need the brand, as someone earlier stated, the drug is for short term sleep issues, you may have grown a resistance to it over-time. If I take Acetaminophen every day for my headache for months, eventually my body will adapt to it, and switching to brand Tylenol won't help.
catman77 on 01/26/2008:
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??????? And there goes another point, right over your head. And what happened to the rights and choices here? Oh! and by the way, WHAT FACTS are you basing your ASSUMPTIONS on that she/he is abusing his/her medications and for a long term? Never mind...it's just as that person says,"SOME OF YOU JUST DON'T GET IT, AND NEVER WILL". Hooray for you Loza, the responses proves your point.
JasonJD on 02/21/2008:
The FACT is that in most states the Rx is supposed to substitute generics when possible and doesn't need to notify anyone, a generic is the same active ingredient and must be approved by the FDA and manufactured by reputable companies. I NEVER said that she abused her prescription, I did assume from the fact that she says "my last three prescriptions for Ambien" meaning she had not just started taking this medication. I never said that she abused it, once again you misunderstand, you must be assuming that only drug abusers build up a tolerance like I postulated above.
Choices and rights? you have a right to get the drug prescribed by the doctor, in some states you have the right to demand Brand, in others you don't, so all you have a right to do is demand that your doctor write it as Brand Name Necessary. If you don't like that, well, most states elect legislators every 2 or 4 years.
Loza got her drug, she just didn't like that it wasn't stamped with the name 'Ambien' like I said, perhaps it didn't work for her because her body had grown tolerant to the drug (which can happen without abuse). What I know is she got her black pen. next time acetamenophen does not relieve my headache, I would be foolish to turn to brand tylenol, but you can do as you wish, within the law. If you don't like the laws, write your legistlator, don't complain about the Rx upholding it.
kyke on 04/10/2008:
Going to the complaint I didn't know Ambien comes in 12 mg. I thought it was only in 5 and 10 mg tablets.
kyke on 04/10/2008:
And look lady, you WERE leaving with ambien all those times. Zolpidem = ambien. read it. Ambien (zolpidem tartarate) is what u get
Dee232 on 11/17/2008:
They may have provided "resolution" to this single customer, but the chain continues to disregard the law by substituting generic for brand without customer knowledge and against prescribers orders. I take Levoxyl, for hypothyroid, dose regulation is extremely important and cannot be as closely measured in generic Vs brand and I therefore insist on brand. After returning to replace generic THREE times I REMINDED them that I SHOULD have a "no substitution" note in my file. They stopped trying. I then had a second Rx for Mobic filled. They tried to exchange, I complained they fixed it. The refills ran out and my doctor faxed a new Rx in. I went to pick up and got generic. I questioned the tech who told me the doctor sent the rx for meloxicam (generic) not Mobic (brand), I refused to fill and called my doctor. The RX was faxed to me and was not only written as Mobic, but signed "Dispense as written" (ie NO SUBSTITUTION"). The reason Walgreen's does this is because, believe it or not, they make MORE money on generic drugs than they do brand drugs. It's not to help YOUR pocket book, it is to help THEIRS, and they break the law to do so. They should be held accountable!
noname1 on 06/16/2009:
Federal law allows for generic substitution. The law supercedes any state law. Walgreens district merely placated you. Your gripe is reflective of self-oriented trouble-making. Again, for all those who are having trouble: federal law allows for substitution. You can always go to CVS or Wal-mart where you'll encounter the same thing.
Jennifer1234 on 06/16/2009:
The law states that a generic equivalent is REQUIRED unless otherwise stated by the MD. Filling it for the brand name would be illegal. Whenever a generic becomes available, by law a pharmacist MUST dispense the generic, unless the doctor specifically states that they want the brand. The pharmacist did nothing wrong. It's written right on the prescription blank that a generic drug will be dispensed unless the doctor writes otherwise.
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Customers Deserve Some Customer Service
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I have used Walgreens pharmacy for many years simply because it is on my way home, and as many other people now, my time is precious.....So, I call in my prescriptions, my husbands, and yes, my dog's. We spend (with insurance) about a month at Walgreens pharmacy and store.
I don't believe it is the fault of the employees, but Walgreens corp. Because there is, at the most, two employees in the pharmacy, which is my final destination.
When I finally get to the counter, if the person who appears to be a pharmacist, waits on me, it is as if I am an irritant. They look for my prescriptions and ring them up, I pay, get home and find something wrong....They have given me generic when my doctor specifically wrote on the prescription not to give me a generic. Oh, let me mention that before I began checking, I took the generic for many months and when I went for my bloodwork, there was a problem. The doctor asked me to bring in my prescription bottles, and when I did, the doctor found that I was taking a generic for synthroid.
My bloodwork was not good and the doctor explained how important it is for me to take the synthroid. When I had my thyroid removed, they first put me on generic medication and I was alergic to pork, so they changed me to synthroid which I had been on for over 40 years (I am 59). The doctor said it is a fact that individuals who have had their thyroid removed and were placed initially on synthroid, do not do well on the generic. The doctor told me it was very important to always make sure I get synthroid.
The same type of thing happened to my husband. He took the generic, not knowing that it was not okay and the medication did not work properly.
For the convenience of location, I continue to go to this awful Walgreens where the pharmacist always give me the feeling that I am a nuisance by being there.
I quit going inside of Walgreens to get my prescriptions because I had to wait so long. I thought the drive-in would be faster. After many long waits in the drive through, the final drive through trip happened this week.
After waiting in line, I finally got to the window, where no one was in sight and was told by a voice on the speaker to "I'll be there in a minute." It was actually five minutes, and a nice young girl appeared. I paid for my package, and told her this had no reflection on her, but they needd more help and who could I contact to voice a complaint. I was told 1-800 Walgreens. She actually said, "go girl."
I know you have an idea what is coming.....I called the number on my cell phone on the way home I was so fed up......After hearing a recording and waiting for a lengthy period, a person came on the line and asked my name. I told te person I would like to speak to the CEO, the person said she has never talked to the CEO, she could not connect me and she could not give me a phone number or an e-mail. She said she could take my compalint. I asked her where my complaint would go and she said to upper management. I said, "can I speak to upper management, please." She said no, she could only take my complaint and send it herself. She said she could give me a mailing address for Walgreens corp.
I came home so frustrated....I promised myself I would change drug stores and I will, but isn't it sad that the CEO of Walgreens couldn't care less about what is 'going on."
The American people need to take a stand. According to the news, "1 out of every 7 Americans is living at poverty level." We are doing more for less.
It is time we made a statement to corporations that are making the "big bucks," and make a public statement that they don't appreciate our business and do not want to hear what we have to say. If you are experiencing this type of service, make a statement, take your business where you will be treated as you should be treated as a vert special person. We all are!
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Skye on 09/17/2010:
I'm not defending their actions, but I'm just wondering if you were given generic, because, your insurance would not cover the name brand of your thyroid medication.
leet60 on 09/17/2010:
No offense to your doctor but what he told you is incorrect. There is simply no truth in the myths that generic drugs are manufactured in poorer-quality facilities or are inferior in quality to brand-name drugs. The FDA applies the same standards for all drug manufacturing facilities, and many companies manufacture both brand-name and generic drugs. In fact, the FDA estimates that 50% of generic drug production is by brand-name companies.
The content of the drug is EXACTLY the same. While the appearance may differ in color, shape or size the pharmaceutical content of the drug is absolutely no different.
Venice09 on 09/17/2010:
I am not defending Walgreens either, but that's a good point, Skye. Also, people should always check their prescriptions very carefully and not just assume they were dispensed correctly. I realize that shouldn't be necessary, but there's always the possibility of a mistake. That's just the way it is.
OP, find yourself a new pharmacy, even if it's out of the way. You should feel confident and comfortable with the people providing your medications. I doubt that there's anything that will force Walgreens to make the needed improvements, but enough complaints and lost business should at least send a message.
Driving an extra mile or two is a small price to pay for the peace of mind alone of knowing you are using a pharmacy you can trust and that isn't short staffed. But please, please, do not talk on your phone while driving, especially when you are upset.
Ytropious on 09/17/2010:
Don't be one of those "I need to talk to the CEO" types, he isn't the one calling the shots like you think. He isn't in charge of store staffing. I agree with the others, most people want the generic, most people's insurance only wants the generic, therefor the pharmacist gave you generic.
Venice09 on 09/17/2010:
About generics.. the pharmacy should not use generics if the prescription specifies brand. If insurance won't pay for the brand, the pharmacy should inform the customer so they have the option to dispute it. They shouldn't just fill the prescription with the generic version without letting the customer know.
Arkansas Woman on 09/18/2010:
Money is the only way to make a point with a bad pharmacy - take your business elsewhere. I got fed up with WalMart's awful treatment and found an online pharmacy (CareMark) that fills routine prescriptions every 90 days by mail (your doctor has to help by writing 90-day prescriptions instead of 30-day ones). I took my non-routine, more urgent pharmacy needs to Target and those people in my local store have been wonderful. Vote against your bad treatment by seeking a better alternative.
fast327 on 09/18/2010:
I've never used Walgreens, but I would if my only alternative was to use the mail for my medicine. Why would I depend on a service that is known to be late, unable to read addresses correctly, and to be generally undependable?
clutzycook on 09/18/2010:
I'm with you on that one, fast. The prescription plan where I work actually REQUIRES that you use mail order (Caremark, specifically) for routine maintenance medications. Fortunately for me, my husband got a job with more normal prescription benefits before I was forced to subject myself (and my prescription) to that form of torture.
raven2010 on 09/18/2010:
CEO's travel, are in meetings, etc. They rarely, if ever, are at the desk available to take a call from an irritated customer. This is just a fact of how businesses are run.
Businesses are cutting budgets just was much as the Aerage Joe is. The CEO/executive team may well have handed down an order to cut staffing.
The more people on unemployment, or out of benefits completely, the less people shop, meaning the less profits companies have--this usually leads to a cut in staffing. Poeple shop only for must have items, such as meds.
Anonymous on 09/18/2010:
If every person with a complaint wanted to talk to the CEO, or executive devision, they would have to hire an additional 50 CEOs, at several million dollars a year, to handle the volume. Its just not logical.
Anonymous on 09/18/2010:
leet60, I don't know where you get your info but you are the one that is incorrect. There most definitely can be differences in generic medications.
As for the complaint itself, I primarily use Walgreens too and agree with the OP, the level of service has gone way down lately. I disagree wholeheartedly that any of us should have to check a prescription for accuracy before leaving...first of all, these are supposed to be trained professionals filling them, second of all, imagine the add'l wait times if everyone had to check first.
People need to speak with their dollars and start taking business elsewhere..that seems to be the only way to make these companies that just don't have time to listen to their customers wake up.
Venice09 on 09/18/2010:
I agree, just. I've done a lot of reading on the subject of generic v. brand, and there can be differences that affect the effect the drug has on the patient. Sometimes it depends on what it's being taken for.
I also agree that you shouldn't have to check your prescription at the store. I wouldn't expect everyone to open bottles to make sure they got the right thing or to count pills. That would take forever. But I do think people should check carefully when they get home. I know they should be able to rely on the professionalism of their pharmacy, but mistakes are made all the time, even in hospitals. If I took prescription medication, I would check it every time.
And I agree again about customers taking their business elsewhere. That's the only real way to send a message to these companies. If enough people do it, a business is forced to do something or eventually they will have to close their doors.
RXTech on 06/06/2012:
It's true that there are a couple of medications that are not automatically interchangeable with the generic. Synthroid and Levothyroxine are two of those. It is NOT true that all brand name medications are superior to the generics. In most cases, generics are exactly the same. Synthroid is just one of the few exceptions to that. The generic does work just fine for most patients, however some do need to be on the brand. There have been cases where the doctor signed as substitution allowed when the patient had previously been on brand only, and in that case we would NOT automatically fill the generic, we would call the doctor to verify what they were supposed to be taking. I'm sorry that this particular store did not do that.
As far as the complaint line... I can tell you that every complaint OR compliment comes in the form of an email to the district manager, the district RX manager, the store manager, and the pharmacy manager. Who it goes to higher up than that, I don't know. But I know for a fact that those four people receive it.
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Walgreens Is Not The Wonderful Company It Claims To Be
Posted by
sweet cheeks
FLORIDA -- I have worked my butt off for that company for almost 20 years. Now they have this great idea of hiring a group of non-trained people to process & type, check & fill prescriptions in orlando, fl.(They call it the cpo center) ,which they can't do very well but that's what you get for being so cheap!! I have seen so many mistakes come out of that cpo center!! Some were caught by retail store pharmacists but some that fell through the cracks. They constantly tell customers wrong info.,Let customers know when rx's are ready when they are not, telling customers they can pay for controlled drugs for cash when their insurance says it's too soon. Plus many more things but not enough space to list, but this is the biggest farce---laying off workers that have been with the company for years & know what they are doing, that really care about the customers, are willing to help customers find items in stores, listening to customers, feeling what they feel & for what, you got it, the god almighty dollar!! Why do you think all the Walgreen's family sold all their stocks? Mr. Walgreen is probably turning over in his grave for what started out as a family-(mom & pop)store, to a store that will do anything to make a dollar!! Mr. Walgreen treated his employees like they were part of his family. Walgreens now treats employees like crap, just another body to help collect that dollar. Too bad if you have family problems, are sick, have family in life support. Walgreens doesn't care. They say they are the pharmacy America trusts, well that's a bunch of bulls***!! I will never step foot in anyone of their stores or give them 1 cent from my pocket!!
I know the real truth, Walgreens is a scam!! They are far from the best company to work for. I wouldn't let my dog work for them!! If you don't believe me, just pick up a phone & call a Walgreens pharmacy & see how many hoops you have to jump through just to talk to a pharmacist @ a retail store!! Employees family members have to go through hoops just to speak with a family member that works in a retail store. Why else do you think all of their employees carry cells phones on vibrate on their person?? Many employees are afraid to come forward with the truth but I am not, I want people to know about it!! For those who don't believe this, I have some advise for you---be very careful & double check your prescriptions before taking them!!
Remember this---Walgreens has changed & not in a good way! They have sold their souls for dollar signs. It's all about how many stores they have open, how much profit they have made. Walgreens prescription costs are higher than anyone else. Why do you think that is?? Greedy stockholders & people in high positions. Walgreens is telling it's employees the hell with you, we want the money!!! That's the bottom line.
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Eloise on 08/26/2009:
Why do the employee's 'need' to receive personal phone calls at work? Unless it is an emergency, you should be working not talking.
'they can pay for controlled drugs for cash when their insurance says it's too soon.'
Just because the Insurance doesn't want to pay for it, why can't the customer. One case I overheard at my doctors office. The woman's insurance would only pay for 15 tablets of her sleeping pills even though the doctor perscribed 30. What was she supposed to do other than to pay cash for the rest?
MSCANTBEWRONG on 08/26/2009:
I've never used Walgreen's to have prescriptions filled so I don't know anything about that. I agree that employees shouldn't receive phone calls unless an emergency. They can use their cell phone on their breaks to make personal calls. I take it you were one of the people laid off?
sweet cheeks on 08/26/2009:
DebtorBasher on 08/26/2009:
Uh...NEWS FLASH! You ARE Sweet Cheeks...try changing your Nic next time you want to pat yourself on your back!
Anonymous on 08/26/2009:
It seems that many companies have no loyalty to their long-time employees any more. It's all about the bottom line.
DebtorBasher on 08/26/2009:
SweetCheeks removed her comment above, where she was patting herself on her back...
Posted in Consumer Reviews by sweet cheeks - Today at 11:03
sweet cheeks on 08/26/2009:
sweet cheeks on 08/26/2009:
hello debtorbasher but there are more than 1 kind of sweet cheeks in this world. why don't you think about that? uh, duh!
DebtorBasher on 08/26/2009:
That's DebtorBasher with a Capital "D" and Capital "B".
Why do I have to think about that? Your name has nothing to do with anything here. And two people can't be here with the same NIC...
sweet cheeks on 08/26/2009:
Excuse me, but I beg to differ with you DebtorBasher---why don't you come back to earth & get off that cloud your'e on!! stop living in fairy land. you are missing the point, this person is trying to expose Walgreens for what kind of a company they are unlike their commercials.
DebtorBasher on 08/26/2009:
You can differ with me until you're blue in your face...you're still wrong and I'm still right...You posted this review, then commented and gave yourself a "Big thumbs up". Who gives themself a thumbs up?
You say, 'This person is trying to expose Walgreens for what kind of a company they are unlike their commercials"...and 'this person' is YOU! When I busted you for forgetting to change you nic before you complimented your own post, you deleted your comment. Why did you do that? If it wasn't to cover up your mistake?
Get it?
DigitalCommando on 08/26/2009:
sweet cheeks, stop having boring tuna and a boring life, martini, bikini, quit trying to slap-chop your way through this failed attempt at back-patting, I can't do this all day.....
MSCANTBEWRONG on 08/26/2009:
You wouldn't let your dog work for them but YOU do? "shaking my head"
Anonymous on 08/27/2009:
Sweet cheeks, is it? Ya know, when users click on your username... it takes us to a magical place called your profile. And your profile states that you are the one that wrote this review. And now, you're trying to say that another person, with the same name wrote this review and you are giving them a thumbs up. How dumb do you take us for? Is that your natural hair color?
Anonymous on 08/27/2009:
bearkat, it appears "sweet cheeks" is a bit off. She has made a comment on every Walgreens post made. Some she is the customer, others she is an employee. Something not quite right about this individual.
Anonymous on 08/27/2009:
So I've noticed.
PepperElf on 08/27/2009:
so she's pretending to be the more than one person eh?
it's funny when they do that.
Anonymous on 08/27/2009:
You know, PE, sweet cheeks got exactly what they wanted. Attention.
PepperElf on 08/27/2009:
hmmm well in that case.
dang I can't wait for Dune to start up. They need to at least announce the cast!
Eloise on 08/27/2009:
Dune is coming back? Too cool! Any info?
PepperElf on 08/27/2009:
not yet
I've heard a rumor that one of the cullen teens from twilight will be in it, but I haven't seen anything official yet
BokiBean on 08/27/2009:
sweet cheeks, if you pulled the same kind of dumb tricks as you pulled on this board, I can see why Walgreen's fired you...
DebtorBasher on 08/27/2009:
Boki...she claims she is still working for them, which is quite sad, since she said on another thread that there's been a high number of complaints in the past month and that the employees (which includes her) doesn't know what they are doing. Personally, I think she's been dipping into the customer's perscriptions or somethin'.
BokiBean on 08/27/2009:
You know DB, the sad thing about this is that she completely negated her review by pulling this dumb stunt.
I don't think all Walgreen's could possibly be as excellent as our's is..I'm willing to entertain the notion that some are downright bad, but it makes me uncomfortable thinking about doodlebugs like this employed there.. Not helpful!
Skye on 08/27/2009:
I think sweet cheeks may have been dipping into some of the meds herself.
Slimjim on 08/27/2009:
Looks like Sweet Cheeks just got served a good ol' plate of BUSTED. LMAO! She also said she wouldn't set foot in one again, which would be a remarkable feat for someone who still works there. I love this disgruntled ex threads where everything was fine until poster gets fired, then the place becomes a long running scam and the devil's lair.
DebtorBasher on 08/27/2009:
It's that bad, and she's on other threads telling customers to take their business to other stores...AND SHE WORKS THERE? If she does work there, I'm sure she wouldn't be there for very long if they ever seen this review.
I've NEVER had a problem getting through to the pharmacy there... I call, I press the number it tells you to press for pharmacy and within two or three rings, they answer and they've always had answers to any questions I've asked them about prescriptions.
DebtorBasher on 08/27/2009:
Good point chex....and hopefully with your friend being what seems to be a dedicated employee, he will find a new job right away where he can continue to provide for his family...it's tough out there, good luck to him!
moneybags on 08/27/2009:
OK People, it's called a split personality!
Anonymous on 08/27/2009:
Sweet cheeks, why are you giving yourself a compliment. Are you Scitsofrenic
Eloise on 08/27/2009:
Sweet Cheeks reminds me of a bumper sticker my high school psychology teacher had: 'I am scizophrenic and so am I'
PepperElf on 08/27/2009:
Split personalities are usually not aware of each other, moneybags.
in fact usually that's the cure... making them aware of each other.
In this case she's just trying to pretend she's another person supporting the letter-writer, and she thinks we're too stupid to notice that their names (and profile pages) are identical.
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Why people complain
Posted by
David Cross
CALIFORNIA -- I don't know what's wrong with the vast majority of people who complain. Grow up. Stop being, for lack of better words, a baby.
I used to go to RiteAid but switched to Walgreens because of the better service. RiteAid suffers from long waits, out of stock merchandise, etc. mostly because the company is poorly run. When a company is heavily in debt it cannot pay top rate to get the best employees and maintain the best computer systems and staffing ratios. A large part of this is due to shrink. Theft by customers. And expired foods left out by customers who are too lazy to put it back in the origanal place. Any by the crazy amounts of customer returns.
Walgreens has much less debt. That's why the stores are cleaner. But each store has its own set of employees.
Who frequents a pharmacy? People in need of drugs. The vast majority of customers are well served. Why? They punch in their refills early and give the pharmacy enough time to fill the drugs. Its the people who cannot wait that gives the staff a hard time, and who COMPLAIN the MOST. I sat in the drive through and have seen my share of crazy out of control shopping peers. I don't use drive through because its much longer. You have one person trying to help 2 lanes of cranky people. Some people expect fast food service at the pharmacy. Hello..these are your pills for your LIFE. Would you want your surgeon to rush through a surgery because there is a line? No? Well these pills are just as important and dangerous. Give people time to do their work.
I don't see many people complaining about their doctors and dentists. Do you know how many times your doctor was wrong in prescribing your medication? The wrong dose. How many tries did it take to get the right medication and dose for your hypertension? For mine it was 4 drugs and 3 doses. So that's 7 guesses. It took 8 months to get it right. I think if a pharmacy made 7 wrong guesses across 8 months you would have a cow. And what happens when you make an appointment and don't show up? You get a cancellation fee. How many times did you order and not pick up a medication? Was there ever a fee? Probably not.
I don't see too many people harping when their dentist is 45 minutes late. Yet 15 minutes into waiting for a prescription you go bonkers. If you have a rx for a medication you say..I am so in pain. Put me in line first. Yet when you try to make an appointment because you are sick.. you are told to come in and wait and see if someone cancels. No wonder the staff is so jaded when helping people like you.
I think in the end the pharmacy should only accept a certain number of patients per hour. This way everyone will be served and no one will be overwhelemed. If 10 patients walked into a clinic they could all be seen in 1 hr? no way.
I am very sad my independent pharmacy has shut down. My old pharmacist couldn't run his pharmacy with the chains. Now all there is left is chain pharmacies and rude customers. No wonder the conuntry is in the mess it's in. No one takes responsibility. we are obese. We don't want to work hard. We want to buy homes we can't afford and complain later we don't understand interest rates. If you didn't understand it why would you sign? Why do people declare credit card bankruptcy?
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Anonymous on 07/26/2009:
So, let me get this straight. People are to grow up, not be a baby, and not complain, but you are essentially complaining about Rite Aid. I find that rather ironic.
madconsumer on 07/26/2009:
great review.
very helpful.
Ytropious on 08/13/2009:
VH! This is an awesome review
sweet cheeks on 08/26/2009:
DebtorBasher on 08/26/2009:
sweet cheeks (08/26/2009)
Their employees have changed for the worst? Didn't you just tell me on another thread, YOU work there...YOU are one of their employees? One thread you are complimenting YOURSELF and now here you are complaining about YOURSELF! LOL! You're just too funny...welcome to M3C.
walgreens lady on 07/14/2010:
you hit the spot
I'm not a tech but I do work the pharmacy when they need help
I actually ran into a customer who was like I thought you just type it in and put it in bag its just birth control ( hello this is not McDonald's order pay and go in 3 Min's.)
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Incorrect Pill Amount
Posted by
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA -- Walgreens 9550 Hageman Drive Bakersfield, CA 93312
On 7/19/08 at 12:34pm I pulled up to the Walgreens Pharmacy drive through window (9550 Hageman) to pick up my refill that was ready the previous evening at 7:00pm. I gave the window clerk $33.99 cash for a refill of 60 pain pills. When she handed me the bottle, I immediately noticed that it only had a few pills in it. Before leaving I opened the bottle and counted the pills. There were only 23 pills in the bottle. I then looked at the label on the bottle and noticed it said there were 60 pills in the bottle and that they had been double counted.. In less than two minutes, I handed it back to the clerk and asked her why my prescription was not filled completely. She took the bottle and was gone for about five minutes. When she came back, she asked, "What happened?" I said, "That is what I am asking you. There are only 23 pills in the bottle and I just paid cash for 60 pills." She proceeded to argue with me, saying that I must have done something with the
pills because she knows all the pills were in the bottle when she handed it to me. I asked, "Did you count them yourself?" She said "No, but we always double count this medication because it is a controlled substance."
By this time, I am extremely upset. I went inside to ask for a manager. I was told that there was not a manager available and that the store manager could not help with a pharmacy situation. I said, "Well, you better call your manager because I am not leaving until somebody either gives me my money back or the pills that have obviously been taken from my bottle." An employee got on the phone and soon a young girl came in and claimed to be the manager. (She obviously was not, as her badge indicated that she was a sales clerk.) By then I had five Walgreens' employees all talking to me at the same time, going on and on about how I must have taken the pills out and now I am just trying to get more. OKAY! That makes a lot of sense. "I never even left the drive-through," I said "and you have security cameras right there that prove I did not do such a thing!"
Then another lady came, who walked up to the drive-through window and proceeded to talk to my sister about the situation (who was still parked in the drive-through lane) all the while her employees were telling her that I was the customer not the person she was talking to. It took her about five minutes before she stopped talking to my sister and finally turned around and addressed me. Again, she accused me of lying. I asked her to count the pills herself. Three employees answered, almost in unison, "We are not going to do that, you already opened the bottle." I said, "Fine, write a note saying that at 12:35PM you counted the pills that were in my bottle and that I already opened it and counted it myself." They refused. I then opened the bottle and dumped it on their counter top. I counted the pills in front of all the customers behind me, and all five RUDE employees. I counted 23 pills. They said they would not acknowledge this if they were asked. I was
handed a business card and referred to the district manager.
Then, the fake "manager" asked if I wanted to give the pills back. I said , "Yes. Are you going to refund my money?" She said no, because I already had the pills in my possession. I left outraged.
I called the number on the business card and they do not work weekends. I've left three messages. I also called the police department, who came to my house. They definitely believed me but said it was a civil matter. I filed a complaint with the State Board of Pharmacy. And I called the DEA, who doesn't answer the phone. I tried calling back to ask the name of the employee who claimed to have "double counted" the medication. The lady on the phone, who claimed to be both the store manager and the pharmacy manager, hung up on me.
I want my money back or the pills that were possibly stolen by a Walgreens employee.
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outragedincali on 07/20/2008:
Also, I can't say this enough...I never left the drive-through window and less than one minute passed before I handed it back to the clerk. Somebody stole my medication and Walgreens refuses to even look into it. They must have a way of auditing their employees.
madconsumer on 07/20/2008:
I am sure they can do an audit of pill count. being such a controlled medication, their stand is,you opened the package, counted the pills and handed it back. once you handled the pills, you lost all ability to file a claim. again with such a controlled medication.
MRM on 07/20/2008:
I believe your story is true because Vicodin is an addictive drug and any of the employees in the Pharmacy Dept could have taken some pills out of the bottle. As you stated in your post, as soon as you have received your medication you noticed right away that it was half full. Somebody in the store must have taken some out of the bottle.
MyDogsMom on 07/20/2008:
I doubt an employee who wanted to steal a controlled substance would take that many at once which would arouse suspicion and ultimately get them caught. I would recommend to the OP that next time she skip the drive through window and go in and once the tab is paid, ask the clerk to open the bottle and count the number of pills before moving on. That would be the ultimate proof and exonerate the OP as the thief of the pills.
Principissa on 07/20/2008:
I agree with MRM. In the two seconds that you had the bottle there is no way that you could have taken over 40 pills out of the bottle. The pills weren't in the bottle to begin with. Someone working in the pharmacy either doesn't know how to count, or is a drug addict and needs help. I've never worked in a pharmacy, but I do know that the pharmacist has to check the prescriptions, especially controlled ones before they go to the patient/customer. So either the pharmacist took the pills or the clerk took them after the second check. You are owed medication and you should get it. I wonder how many other patients taking the same medications have been shorted pills from this pharmacy.
DebtorBasher on 07/20/2008:
An audit would not help...it would show a prescription of 60 pills taken from inventory, 60 pills charged for...BUT if an employee dropped them into their smock jacket pocket, and the records show everything accounted for..the audit wouldn't help. What they need to do is review the instore security cameras...all pharmacies have them. I believe the label would state the time and date it was filled.
Nohandle on 07/20/2008:
I know of a case locally where an employee of one of the hospitals worked on the floor of terminally ill patients. She was dropping the pain pills into her pocket and marking the chart as meds given. Sad, but it happened.
There's too much of a discrepancy here...the difference in 60 pills and 23? Even if an audit was pulled there would be no way to determine who, when or how the drugs were taken. How many scripts were filled that day for the same medication? When was the last time inventory was taken of that particular drug? Not knowing the particulars it appears someone was covering himself. Unfortunately he was attempting to make up the stortage on one patient or who knows how many others.
Take your prescription elsewhere. I wouldn't continue to do business with a pharmacy where this happened.
tateria on 07/28/2008:
OK, no. As an actual employee of another retail chain pharmacy, I can tell you that if we wanted to steal 'pain pills', we wouldn't waste time stealing from someone's prescription. There are literally thousands of 'pain pills' within much handier reach than to take a few out of your bottle, where a pharmacist and other employees would notice.
Secondly, we don't believe people like you, because 99.9% of people like you who had someone 'steal' their 'pain pills' are lying, and think if they throw enough of a stink they'll score more. How come no one manages to loose their blood pressure meds? How come you never drop your plavix in the toilet, but those 'pain pills' are drawn to the kitchen sink like a magnet. Crazy!
Now, maybe if you hadn't acted like an idiot, maybe you would have gotten somewhere.
Joe on 02/13/2013:
RE: tateria, get off your high horse.
Why would the op bother coming here to comment just to make the whole thing up?
I had a pharmacist (NOT Walgreens) short me on two medications today, I found this via Google. They weren't pain medications but they were sedatives. It's attitudes like yours that'll make me go the month without enough pills because I'm reluctant to go back and complain. Instead they might just lose a customer. Not sure I have time to stand at the counter and count each pill from now on.
wanda on 05/28/2013:
Walgreens indianapolis Kentucky ave and mann rd. This is twice now have shorted my son's meds which are controlled. Three the first time and five this time!!!!
I will find someone that will do something about this one way or the other!!!!! You pricked will not make my son feel crazy again or I will rip someone's head off!!!!!!!!###!!!!!!!!
JW on 08/04/2013:
I've had the same thing happen more than once at Walgreens. I have major back problems for which I take vicodin. I'm very often shorted, sometimes by as many as 10 pills, and now never leave the store without counting them. Most recently, I have an entire refill of 90 pills disappear from my account. I complained and the refill was put back, but in what I can only assume is some sort of retribution by the guilty party, the store is now refusing to refill the prescription until days after it has run out. I don't know whom to call to do anything about it. So instead, I just suffer.
tim zakosek on 08/19/2013:
call attorney general from your state
Jeff on 10/05/2013:
My wife just had surgery and was shorted 6 pain pills from Wallgreens in Flint,MI. To the woman that's saying "you" people are "addicts" really needs a slap of reality (the answer to your question why is it never blood pressure pills? who would steal those? nobody). It surprises me that they don't count controlled drugs on video. This happened today! and they say well it was counted twice. I call bull sh*t on that they were so busy they said to come back in 30mins ..try 3 and half hours later still not done. After looking at many pages about Wallgreens I can say my family will never use this scam of a company again.
Elaine on 11/30/2013:
The Walgreens Company Policy is that Pharmacists have to fill a certain number of prescriptions in a certain length of time to keep their jobs. On two different occasions I received the wrong medications and had to return them. I no longer use Walgreens Pharmacy.
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