CVS

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

Have any of you had trouble with the CVS pharmacy in Davis? They seem really disorganized, and I wonder if it's just my bad luck to always go in at a bad time. They haven't given me the wrong medicine. I'm just concerned about how many times I phoned ahead to refill a prescription, and they didn't have it ready. They couldn't do anything at all because the computer is down. Or I needed to wait half an hour while they scrambled to fill the prescription (something like 27 hours after I called in the refill and 90 minutes after I said on the phone I'd pick it up.) Or my doctor's office had just sent over a prescription, and they couldn't figure out how to send it to the Porter Square CVS which has the medication they're out of.

It's not a problem for a pharmacy to be out of a particular medication and tell me I need to wait until the next day, or the next day after midafternoon. I don't expect any pharmacy to keep everything in stock. It's a problem when they tell me on Thursday they will have something on Friday, and on Friday when they tell me it will be there on Monday, and it's REALLY a problem when on Monday they tell me it will be there Tuesday. This problem, thank goodness, only happened once.

The pharmacists and their assistants aren't rude to me, and I don't think they are deliberately dishonest. I just can't tell if I've had a run of bad luck in dealing with them (aggravated by the fact that I use a bunch of different meds and refill the prescriptions at different times of month,) or if they are incompetent enough that I should take my business to another pharmacy.

I used to be fairly happy with the CVS at Porter, though since they built one at Davis, I resent that the one in Porter is so far away. (When the weather is reasonable, I can walk to Davis, but not to Porter.) I refuse to do business with the East Arlington CVS--the pharmacy staff there is narrowminded, dishonest, rude, and viciously selfish, as well as incompetent.

Comments

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

I kinda feel like every CVS is a huge shitstorm of incompetence. The one in Porter especially (granted, I've refused to go there for at least five years now)

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I think they've gotten better since then, though I hope you've found an alternative that you're happy with.

[justjess.livejournal.com]

I've had similar issues with the new CVS in East Boston. I think it's unfortunately a company-wide problem.

What problem do you think that is?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Glitchy restocking software?

[cheeseydreams.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you have access to other pharmacies during your day, but have you thought about using an independent pharmacy? There aren't many left, but there is Skenderian's Apothecary in Cambridge which has a website, and apparently you can do refills on the website and have options for prescription pick up/delivery. I go to the Gary Drug Co on Charles St in Boston for my prescription, mostly because I've worked down the street from them for 5 years and prior to that my mother worked there.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of independent pharmacies, but Skenderian's Apothecary is a nuisance for me to get to. The only independent that's really convenient to me these days is Maida Pharmacy, in Arlington, and I have strong philosophical differences with the owners.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I've never had a problem with any CVS, but I've never had prescriptions done at the Davis Square one. Although, if you're having problems with them, I'd go back to going to the Porter one.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I think that's what I'll do. Thanks.

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

I've had some problems with them (not being able to figure out how to enter my prescription plan info, which delayed getting my prescriptions by a day or two--luckily they weren't urgent), but they haven't been too bad.

Have you tried Rite Aid?

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever tried Rite Aid at all, for anything. Is the Davis one especially good, or just not terrible?

[mamabunny72.livejournal.com]

I've had the occasional, run-of-the mill prescription filled at Rite Aid without a problem.
For the past year or two, I use the pharmacy at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates because they started accepting my health insurance/ Rx plan. And it's super-convenient b/c my family's PCPs are at HVMA.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Agreed! I've had very positive experienced with HVMA pharmacy for several years. And they sell OTC drugs VERY cheap there.

[valadil.livejournal.com]

I've never had a problem with their ability to fill a prescription, but customer service is lacking. Whenever I approach the presciption desk they avoid eye contact until they're ready to deal with me. A simple "I'll be with you in a minute," would go a long way.

[rax.livejournal.com]

I have had problems at the Davis CVS --- I go to Davis Square Family Practice, who sends them online prescriptions, and they routinely say they haven't received them and I should wait a while, and then I wait, and they say they still haven't gotten then, and DSFP says that there was receipt acknowledged, so I just get a paper prescription and bring it over and then have to wait longer. I would not bring anything but a paper prescription there at this point after the problems I have had; Porter does not have the same problems, in my experience.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I would not bring anything but a paper prescription there at this point after the problems I have had; Porter does not have the same problems, in my experience.

That matches my experience pretty closely. I don't know if we were just lucky not to have had any trouble at the Porter CVS, or if they really have their act somewhat more together.

[ominousspectre.livejournal.com]

The only time I went there, I had to go in and out 3 times because they kept telling me "we haven't had a chance to fill it yet, it should be 20 minutes" when I'd originally called ahead. Every 30 minutes or so, I went back and was told "another 20 minutes" for about an hour and a half. I was pretty sick, so that sucked. I finally just stayed until it was filled (which ended up taking longer than an additional 20 minutes!)

Nothing will ever be as bad as the Amherst CVSs. There were 2 and somehow they would mix up prescription files between them all the time. To the point where I'd call the correct one to have a prescription filled and it would still get filled at the other one. Never figured out what was wrong there.

[lac.livejournal.com]

The only CVS that I have never had a problem with, is the one on Medford St in Magouin Square. I'm in the process of transferring my stuff from the one on Boylston St in Boston to that one. It's not quite as convenient but it will do.

[i-leonardo.livejournal.com]

i've had fantastic service from this pharmacy for the last few years. reliable, courteous, and open until 10pm weeknights, 8pm weekends.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

try acupuncture

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

I think the proper needling technique for this particular problem is better known amongst Vodouin practitioners than acupuncturists. . .

[joyeuxnoel.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I've been having my prescriptions filled at the CVS Pharmacy at downtown Summer Street for years. It's usually 5-6 scripts, spread out so they're refilled two different times a month. Usually with like a 14 hour notice of refill. Then again, none of the meds are too rare and I mostly just use their automated system. Although, any time I've had to call and speak with someone, they've always been helpful.

I do run into the lack of eye contact thing sometimes but it really doesn't bother me terribly. (Although their automated calls asking me to refill my prescriptions drive me batshit. x_x)

[alphacygni]

I also have consistently decent and reliable service at the Summer Street CVS downtown, so I am unable to condemn the chain as a whole. In fact, every time I've had a problem with any CVS, it's turned out to be my doctor's office's fault.

I grew up in an area that had already lost any independent pharmacies eons ago, so it's possible that I don't even know what I'm missing.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

I understand that this isn't easy for you to get to--if it was, you'd probably just go to Skenderian :)--but I get all my scrips filled at the Walgreen's near Inman Square and they seem to be both reliable and pleasant to deal with.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

It doesn't help me, but I'm still glad you posted it. It turns out there are an awful lot of people who are unhappy with whatever pharmacies they use, and some of them are probably near Inman Square.

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

Haven't had any trouble with either DS CVS or Rite Aid pharmacies. Sorry to hear you have had such ordeals.

(fwiw - both stores are kind of zoos, but at Rite Aid it's like all the animals have died - maybe due the the bad smells in that place! ;-)

[en-ki.livejournal.com]

You mention chronic pain. Does that mean ordering online is ruled out?

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I can get some of my meds online, in theory. It's a horrible nuisance, because UPS delivery to my apartment is so unreliable I usually end up needing to pick up the package from the depot in Medford. (Even in the unlikely event I'm home when they try to deliver.) It's a lot easier for me to go to the pharmacy than the UPS depot--better T access, more convenient hours. USPS is somewhat better, in that they will *sometimes* deliver a package from a pharmacy to me, if I'm home. They won't leave packages that might contain drugs in the lobby, but at least the post office is easy to get to on the bus.

All in all, it's much more convenient for me to get prescription meds from a pharmacy than to deal with having them "mailed to my door," at least while I'm living in this apartment.

CVS

[lizzyclean.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've encountered annoying waits and crappy customer service at the Davis CVS pharmacy.

I have been going to the Porter CVS without a problem for years and finally decided a few weeks ago to try the Davis one because it's much closer. Both times I went they seemed generally unprofessional and both times I was told my prescription was not ready when it was supposed to be. I also went to them once a few months ago to ask a question regarding diabetes monitors (for a family member) and the person I spoke to seemed clueless and sort of oddly unwilling to talk to me in general. I was being a normal and nice human being so I was confused by the person's attitude.

More recently, the customer service has been bad, so much so that I considered writing a letter to CVS, but then I never did. The pharmacists did not make eye contact, ignored me while I stood at the counter for a very long time and just generally acted like I was a nuisance. It sort of seems like the Porter CVS is the "real" pharmacy and the Davis one is the training center staffed with cranky people. They just do not inspire confidence in me so I'm going back to the Porter CVS.

[karenjulip.livejournal.com]

Can you use an online service? I use BioScrip and it's awesome. Your doctor has to send them your prescription, but you can order 3 months of medication at a time and they mail it to your house. The only annoying thing is you have to place your order/refill a couple weeks before you need it, but that's not a big deal for me.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

My problem with online services is with UPS and the post office. I expect such a service would be more appealing if I lived (or worked) someplace where it was easier for me to receive packages during business hours.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

You don't need to go to Harvard Vanguard to use their pharmacy. I believe they take most insurance. I've found them to be professional, friendly enough, and they have a real waiting room and bathrooms. Probably more limited hours than CVS, but htey are open on weekends.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

I miss Berry and McDonald. (where the Indian grocery next to Guru is now.)

Davis

[dylanesque29.livejournal.com]

I've had mixed treatment there, but sullen and surly seems to be the order of the day. Good thing my hospital is getting an employee-only pharmacy put in, so I won't have to go to the Davis CVS after February.

[ron_newman]

I've never had problems with the Davis CVS pharmacy, but I think my prescriptions have been pretty boring and vanilla.

[gingerkat.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I know this from the other side of the counter. I'm a pharmacist. I worked at a CVS for a period of time. The problem is with the corporation itself. They time you, and base your bonus on this. That is asking for an error to be made. You also get reprimanded if you don't fill things on time, even if you don't have enough help.

From what I've observed at Davis for my own scripts, my guess is that they started out slow with enough help. As business picked up, they haven't maintained adequate staffing levels. The people you see in line are only part of what's going on. We had a computer terminal filled with refills that were called in by customer, along with the stuff MD's would call in, fax in, or people dropped off earlier in the day. My guess is that store easily does about 500 scripts per day.

Add on the fact that you spend half the time on the phone with the idiot insurance companies or calling MD's for stuff people want filled now because customers can't seem to read the 0 refills on the bottle. The corporation unofficially "discourages" taking lunches or breaks, contrary to what they say. I've easily worked 12 hour shifts (which only ended because the law forbids working more) while trying to gulp down M&Ms so I don't pass out.

During that, I'll get screamed at for some expired coupon some dipshit tries to use on Pampers, a copay that I have absolutely no control over, and by the guy who wants his candy bar rung up immediately while I'm trying to discern the multiple drug interactions on the old lady who wants her 8 scripts filled in 10 minutes. And I'm crossing my legs the whole time because I've had to take a piss for the last 5 hrs and couldn't because it was so busy. I was more than surly with day after day of that. Thank gawd I quit and went to hospital pharmacy.

Order issues can be due to a couple of issues. Miscommunication quite often happens in a clusterfuck like that, or our vendor doesn't have the item in stock. You can have the pharmacist call other stores if you are willing to go there. I did that often if someone needed something important right away.

As far as our role in the health care community, if a doctor makes a mistake on a script and I fill it, we are equally liable. If you fill a script for 100 Percocet with Walgreens, then come to my CVS with a script for 50 Vicodin one week later, then OD, I'm liable. I lose my license. If I know a doctor isn't doing something safe and don't do anything to stop it, that's my license on the line. If it involves narcotics, I can be prosecuted by the DEA. Unfortunately the name of the game anymore is to cover your ass legally.

It sucks that it has come to this. I previously worked at a store where I knew my customers and they trusted me. The big evil corporations and their demands and ridiculous working conditions have ruined chances for that type of relationship for us. For better service, definitely go to some of the independents. They often will deliver. Harvard Vanguard is also really good to their customers. I loved working there as a student.

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

This is funny (ironic). I did a recruiting CD presentation for CVS a couple of years ago targeted at pharmacy students. I guess there is a shortage of pharmacists. It was all about how great it is to work at a CVS.

For me, the CVS/Caremark thing is all about them ($$) and not about the client/patient. Apparently it is not so good for employees either. No surprise there.

Yeah... a universal health plan is some big 'socialist' plot. Given what we have now, I say bring it on!

[obie119.livejournal.com]

I have had on and off problems with the Rapid Refill, but otherwise Davis is no worse than other places I've been. In fact I find them the most pleasant of the local joints. I get a kick out of the guy there who remembers everybody's name - anyone else have that too? He'll see you and boom, he's handing you your prescription.

Gingerkat, thanks for your "inside look" and I'm sorry it is just as stressful and crazy as it looks.

And then there's Costco

[pch1.livejournal.com]

I know it is neither an independent nor easy to get to, but I've had great luck with the Costco in Everett. Their prices on alot of meds are sometimes signifigantly cheaper than what you'd pay at a CVS or Walgreens, and you don't need to be a Costco member to use their pharmacy.

[pushupstairs.livejournal.com]

the only knowledge of the Davis CVS I have is from my neighbor who got a prescription sent there and they had no idea what she was talking about when she arrived, and then weren't nice about it to boot.