Cvs Pharmacy

Be aware — the minute clinic here is a joke. The electronic registration process is just a show. They don’t honor the order. The way that they did is still the traditional way of people sitting on the chair and waiting in line. What’s the purpose the electronic registration?

Last month I started a new prescription for cancer and when I went to CVS to fill it, was told the insurance company needed prior authorization from my doctor. I had to jump through hoops spending time on the phone between the insurance company and the doctor, but finally got it approved and CVS filled it. Yesterday, I called in two refills: one for blood pressure and the cancer pill. I was told I needed pre-​authorization for the cancer pill again, which seemed ridiculous since it was already pre-​approved last month. Then, I was told that they did not have my blood pressure medication, that it was on back order and wouldn’t be in for about two more weeks. When I told her I was out of pills, she disappeared for a few minutes, then came back and said, «Oh, I have 30 pills», which is the same number they gave me last month. She asked if I wanted them. So, then I had to wait about 10 to 15 minutes to get them. I took my empty RX bottle (for the cancer pills) to the Dominicks pharmacy and asked if I could transfer the prescription and explained what had happened. A few hours later the pharmacist called and said the prescription had been filled.

This review concerns my experience with the actual pharmacists at this location.
I receive a monthly injection in my eye, and need anti-​biotic eyedrops 4 times a day for three days following. Normally, I use Costco or Walgreens pharmacy, but had just received a prescription for 75 mg of a drug called Tramadol for my dog, which only comes in 50 mg tablets. Epocrates (an iPhone prescription drug and medical app) showed me that there are some generic forms of tramadol that are pre-​scrored for easy splitting. Obviously, I wanted those if I could get them.
I called both of the pharmacies I usually deal with, and they did not carry the scored tablets. Then I called this CVS, and the pharmacy tech who answered heard my question, put me on hold, came back after a few minutes, and asked if I wanted to know how much they cost. I repeated my question, and she said, «Oh, right. Yes, they are scored.»
I went there, and was told it would take ½ of an hour to fill my prescriptions. I went home (5 minutes away) and the pharmacy manager, Soumiya, called me 45 minutes later saying that she couldn’t read the name of the eyedrop. I told her it was Vigamox, and she said she couldn’t make it out and needed to talk to the doctor. I gave her the number, and said I could also bring back an old box and bottle if it would help. It wouldn’t. Meanwhile, I’m uncomfortable and concerned I could develop an infection in an eye I’ve worked to keep in my head.
I called one more time, and she still hadn’t heard from my doctor’s on-​call (I dialed them as well) and she assured me that she’d call me as soon as she heard from them.
3 ½ hours after I dropped off the prescription, I just went to the store. It was ready; she was doing other work before calling me, even though I was supposed to have started using the drops long before that. Soumiya also didn’t even deal with me; sending a male tech to do so. I got the number for her regional manager, and I went home, to find that my dog’s pills were not scored.
The only reason there’s a second star on this review is because of their regional manager. John is great. I also don’t hold against CVS the fact that the supervisor that John originally referred me to had a family problem. I eventually got approval from John to return the Tramadol (which meant they had to destroy them). I went back once, and found out that even though the store is 24 hours, the pharmacy isn’t. That one’s on me.
I went back the day after memorial day, and found out that Soumiya did not notify her staff that they were to accept my return. That’s on her. They called both Soumiya and John, but neither were available at 9:30PM. I left, called John, and went back today.
I got my money, and the prescription form back (I remembered to ask for it). In total, I went to the store three extra times to resolve the mess. They offered nothing for my trouble, and I received no apology from the people involved. While Soumiya Thomas can claim corporate policy for not giving me the eyedrops I needed, she also should have treated me better; handled me like a manager instead of passing me off to an underling.
The pharmacy tech who told me that the pills were scored when they weren’t? That deserves an apology.
Although I didn’t ask for it, the right thing for a store to do in a case like that is offer a token $ 5-​$ 10 gift card for your trouble and an apology. That didn’t happen. Both the pharmacy manager and the long-​haired, Caucasian female tech need a course in customer service.
I would not recommend their pharmacy department. My only other experience with CVS pharmacists were in Boston, near the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary years ago, before I was on Unilocal,and would have rated those experiences 4 or 5 stars.
Given how good the regional manager is, I would expect other stores in the area are better (although he did defend this manager on the phone). I’d stay away from this CVS if you want your prescription done in a timely fashion, and if your doctor doesn’t have good penmanship.
In other words, take your prescription someplace else.

If Unilocal were to allow negative ratings this would be a negative 5. Specifically –this review is for this particular incident, location, and for the bald four-​eyed night manager who worked on 2÷18÷11 around 10−11pm. I went in to return an item without a receipt and granted I did not know of CVS’s return policy, I found the manager was extremely rude and unprofessional in the way he handled the whole situation. Apparently according to CVS policy (the manager explained to me as if I was I was an idiot for not knowing) if you return an item without receipt you will get only 50% of the retail value or the last sale price of the item.
As I contemplated whether or not to return the item, I thought about if I would ever use the item. I went ahead for the store credit, but I began to change my mind. When the manager was still in the process of the return I asked if it would be too late for me to change my mind and if he can stop the transaction. He stared at me and then proceeded to activate the store credit card by sliding the card through and then tells me after that it is too late. I may not be familiar with CVS’s register/​check out system but I’ve worked plenty retail establishments big and small to have a hunch that if he was willing to accommodate my request, he could have. Something tells me this guy just did not care what the customer wants as his attitude and demeanor just totally rubbed me the wrong way.
Sadly enough, because of this experience I am hesitant to return to this location ever again. CVS Niles, please do something about your customer service!