Last weekend I saw a pharmacy MANAGER refuse to replace the wrong pills THEY PROVIDED because (in her words) CVS was not responsible for the drug company's mistake. I'm moving my prescriptions elsewhere and I'm very unhappy about it, because I can't beat the location, prices, or other services of this particular store. But if you're like me, and you have to take the right medications every day or else, you'll understand. read more

The pharmacy at this CVS is not worth your time, even if you do manage to pick up your prescription. It's regularly out of medications (though they don't always tell you this when you drop something off), and the lines are amazingly slow. Today was the absolute last straw. I waited in line for over 5 minutes to drop off a prescription, returned an hour later to pick it up, waited line for over 10 minutes again, only to be told that the pharmacist refused to fill it because the zero in "10" (for 10 milligrams), looked too much like a lower case "g", and the doctor could have written "1g" instead (note: a 1 gram dose of this medication does not exist. Nothing close to a 1g dose does). CVS must have a record of filling this same prescription for me hundreds of times in the past. Go to the CVS Davis. Go to either one in Harvard. Do not waste your time and energy on an operation this poorly run. read more

Hate going to Porter CVS... but its always open.. Regularly takes multiple trips (a real pain) BECAUSE CVS IS SO OFTEN OUT OF BASIC MEDS. CVS IS TRULY PATHETIC WHEN IT COMES TO TRACKING CUSTOMER NEEDS, PLANNING, ORDERING, AND GETTING MEDS TO ITS STORES... Not sure if this is more about the individual store pharmacy staff, or a 2nd rate corporate approach... No provision for immediate supply from central or other stores. Note that CVS has similar chainwide issues with non-pharmacy products. But regardless, IT IS ABSURD THAT A 24 HOUR PHARMACY IS ALWAYS OUT OF BASIC MEDICATIONS. Not just me... Friends have had the same experience. Calling ahead to verify is a 20 minute effort.. usually with the call answered by somebody who really did not want to answer the phone. Most other CVS locations are no better at stocking meds.. You would think a chain this large would have better inventory control and stocking protocols...and clout with drug companies to ensure such. And unlike some chains, Porter CVS won't get meds from other locations... They even try to tell you they can't hold your prescription until the meds come in.... so another trip.... Why....I was told they "don't want to lose the prescription".... HUH?? A few staff are good, but most of them are unhelpful and poorly trained. Phanrmacy staff is overworked... and they often look and act as such. Chief is a good guy, but most of the rest need more training, or better hiring. CVS is not nearly as customer oriented as they should be. Unfortunately, most other chains are equally bad... read more

I wish I could give the minute clinic negative five stars. Long story short, I could have died in at least two different ways as a result of taking the cough 'perles' I was prescribed by the clinics NP. Because these meds did nothing for my cough, I found myself coughing so violently that I threw them up. As a result, my throat went so numb I couldn't even tell if I was still vomiting, or choking on my own vomit. luckily I wasn't home alone. Afterward, I started feeling faint and I started seeing things and feeling just plain weird. So I ended up at the emergency room where they confirmed a drug reaction, and had to check my heart for damage. Come to find out, hallucinations, heart damage, and possible blindness could be caused by Tessalon Perles. None of these dangers were ever discussed by the NP as a side effect of taking these meds-- she described this medication to me as being safer than codeine. Never again. And, to add insult to injury, it was near impossible for me to contact the NP I saw to ask advice about the medication while any of this was going on -- but of course now they are calling me up, to see if I'm feeling better. Never again. If I ever need a walk in, I'm going to Mt.Auburn, anywhere but CVS actually. Like another poster said, Minute Clinic is a good idea, but a bad practice. The NP I saw really meant well, but I could have suffered lasting damage as a result of making an appointment with her. read more

This review is for the Minute Clinic. I took my son to get a prescription for what was clearly conjunctivitis. The service was advertised as $99. We were in and out the door in 7 minutes, but when I got the bill, I had been charged for an "extended visit" at $129. It took MONTHS and four phone calls with variations of "oh, it must have been a test or lab" (when neither were performed) until finally a supervisor walked through the chart with me and told me it was an extended visit because of the combination of taking his vitals and writing a prescription!! Taking his vitals!!! This has to be done at EVERY appointment. Writing a prescription! If it was OTC medication, why would I have bothered with the minute clinic?! This is so obviously a scam to charge everyone an extra $30. The lack of transparency and the inherent deceit in coding a 7 minute visit as "extended" is sickening. read more

As CVS's go this one is pretty great. Open 24 hours and right in porter sq makes it very convenient. i often run in here after late nights at Toad to grab a few things. And i get any rx's here too, they are always reliable at the pharmacy dept. In a pinch i sometimes do the 1 hour photo, but as a photographer, it's not the best place to get picture perfects. the 1 hour is sometimes even less though so thats good. they are well stocked in all the usual cvs stuff. read more

I have had No problems with ordering and picking up my prescriptions. I have had prescriptions here since about 1987--30 years. Two of the pharmacists have helped me personally. 2 years ago, after i was made homeless by a large fire in my apartment building started by a cigarette on mulch (i don't smoke), a female pharmacist gave me 50$ and a heavy jacket,both which i needed very much. More recently, a male pharmacist gave me more than the amount of a med in a one-time prescription--which allows me to extend it's use over a longer period of time, and he did so deliberately after he found out i sometimes cannot afford my meds. As for the goods in the general store, it is a large store well supplied with both refrigerated food and dry or canned food and with the usual goods of a big drugstore. A previous manager, Mike, was a friend who allowed me to hang out for long hours during the night shift and with whom i had interesting, intelligent discussions about news, politics, and life. The current night manager is not friendly, doesn't let me hang out much, but is not hostile, either. In general, the staff have been a bit more helpful and friendly than your average store employees. There is a set of bicycle U-posts(upside down metal U) in the shopping center about 55 feet away, next to the Tags. But i usually just used a post for a parking sign right outside the main entrance. read more

Great CVS; lots of space to move around, well-lit clean, and they have 4 self-checkout kiosks to alleviate the other checkout lines. You can almost always find a salesperson stocking shelves to answer questions as well. Also right off of the Porter Square t-Stop, so a very convenient location. I also usually hit Shaw's and this CVS in one go as Shaw's is in the same shopping center. read more

I routinely fill my monthly prescription At Walgreens instead of this place. I drive an extra 20 minutes out of my way to get there. The reason is because every time I call to ask if this cvs has my medication in stock they tell me they don't without even checking. This last time I called, whether it was a tech or pharmacist i spoke to I do not know, but the person lied to me and said they "can't tell me whether they have it in stock according to the law." I asked if this was a new law they just passed in the last 30 days because I fill my prescription every 30 days and never heard of that before- the person repeated the statement (some guy mumbling with an Indian accent, I had to ask him to repeat himself the first time because I could not understand him the way he mumbled). I then was curious and asked for his name or to speak to a higher up to confirm this law and they hung up on me. In any other ordinary circumstance this would infuriate someone but I laughed it off because this pharmacy has consistently disappointed me with their unprofessionalism and I never expected for them to have my medication in stock anyway. The only reason I'm writing this review is because I'm not sure who to complain to about this, and if I write a formal complaint to their management, I doubt it will really be heard. I find it really unjust that people who are supposed to be helping ill patients with legitimate doctor-prescribed medications are lying/making up laws among other unprofessional behavior. I'd like this pharmacy's employees to be held accountable for their unacceptable behavior. Also, Don't go here. Go to Walgreens. read more

You know that meme "you only had *one* job to do?!" Well, all CVS had to do was fill a single, simple subscription in one hour, as promised. We returned after one hour and 20 minutes, and waited in a long line at the pickup counter, only to hear "that prescription isn't ready yet." read more

This review is for the pharmacy side of CVS. What is the deal in the pharmacy with having 7-8 staff members filling prescriptions but only 1-2 people working pickup for sick people just trying to get their prescriptions during rush hour? I feel like we are all buying potatoes in Russia during the cold war, the lines are so long! Can't you guys fill the 3 registers that are there so we don't have to collapse waiting for medicines? Secondly, I don't see why the bathroom has to be only for minute clinic customers. I dont mind having to ask for a key etc, but especially because your customers who are there waiting sometimes 20-30 mins for meds under any kind of circumstances - ie. bladder infections - shouldnt we be able to use the bathroom? read more

One star is one too much for CVS Porter Square passport photo service. I was led over to a corner of the store and told to stand in front of a display rack of goods, directly under the only light source, a big, glaring ceiling fixture. The shadows from my eyebrows made me look like I had two black eyes, and my moustache came out striped; gray on the sides and black in the middle from the shadow of my nose. The clerk said they were originally set up to have people stand against the wall (where the light fell more evenly on the face) but somebody decided to put a display rack there, so now everybody has to stand two feet out from the wall, directly under the ceiling fixture. I wondered why they don't have a mirror anywhere to let people make sure their hair is combed and their tie is straight. Now I realize that none of that could possibly help make the photo acceptable. Sentencing loyal customers to ten years with the same horrible photo in their passport strikes me a pretty lousy PR for Porter Square CVS. Somebody's not thinking. read more

Conveniently located in Porter Square a stones throw from the T station and my gym, this place is perfect if I forget something and need to pick something up on my way to work. When you need something random, CVS is there... and this one is open 24 hours! read more

I was in an extreme rush trying to pick up my photo prints before catching a commuter rail train. The lovely associate at the door saw this in my sweaty red face and went out of his way to pluck my prints from the stack so it was ready for the cashier when he was done with the current customer. I made my train with the mother's day gift in hand! Best people!!!!! read more

Pharmacy is horrible. Slow, disorganized, and rude. Prescriptions take forever to fill, they say 15 minutes means like 30+. Pharmacists are so unprofessional. They yell at customers from behind their little computer about a conversation with a cashier. Stay clear of the minute clinic! Rare chance that you will actually get good advice or accurate recommendations. CVS only gets the one star because it is open 24 hours. read more

Oh, why can there not be negative stars? Always lines, always out of anything you want. You can buy any kind of candy you want, but twice I have had them out of basic drugs that were prescribed. This is an overpriced hell hole. read more

Beware: there is a young woman working at this CVS who would not fill my prescriptions because she said they were written on paper that was not acceptable because it was not security paper. I have never had this problem before, And she was very defensive and rude. I needed my prescriptions filled because they are medications that I use daily and if I do not have them, I will go into withdrawal. Her lack of empathy seriously wasted my time and and I believe she was quoting a law that does not exist. My prescriptions were completely valid written by my psychiatrist who is easy to identify on the Internet or telephone. Her name is Yenly and she is a young Asian woman with short hair and she's about 54. If you want your prescriptions filled at a 24 hour CVS this is not the place to go because you might run in to this young woman. I am going to call her manager and alert him to her behavior. She in essence physically hurt me and because of that I would like everyone to know to be aware of her and if she treat you this way please call her manager. I believe this is illegal and I was abused. I wish you all luck in getting what you need at any time. read more

Normal generic pop music. Nothing crazy, because you can't scare the 90 year old woman behind the cash register or she might die from the start. read more

This place sucks. They advertise DOT (truck drivers) exams. I give up half my day to get there, and the sign says "Sorry....temporarily unavailable DOT exams...." I am very plelrmanently avoiding this CVS. Actually, I usually avoid CVS anyway. Hard to find somebody in the aisles to help you Misleading fliers, too. read more

I never thought a store like CVS could be better than the rest of them but this CVS really out does any other pharmacy in the area. The pharmacy is 24 hours which is great because that was a lifesaver one night when I needed a prescription after an unexpected visit to the hospital. They have parking, even though it is crowded I always find a spot right up front. It is easy to find everything. The nylon tights I bought there are still perfect and have no runs and I have worn them over a hundred times. That basically just says they buy good brands. And my number one reason for going there over the Rite Aid that is about the same distance in the opposite direction is because of the amazing staff. I have never encountered any rude, slow, or clueless staff members at this CVS. I especially love the service of one man who works there. He is always extra courteous when ringing my purchases, remembers to ask about my Extra Care Card and even informed me on how to get a new one when I said I lost it. He is always very pleasant and I can tell that he genuinely means it when he says "have a nice day." I wish I knew his name so he could get some kind of recognition. As long as he is working I will always go to his lane. I also like that they always have someone in the self check out section who is basically there just to watch over the area and help if needed. I never use the self check out because it is too complicated for me but it is a nice addition to the store. read more

I used to like going to this location, because it's 24-hour and has a self-checkout. (I like to pay cash and dump all my accumulated coins into the machine, and not have any employees judging my purchases). Now there's a guy who comes over to you every time you are trying to use the self-checkout, and it's annoying and awkward. I'll probably start hitting the CVS at Alewife or Rite Aid in Davis instead. read more

Rude service from the man that works the night shift on Wednesday nights. Long waits during the day so pick your poison. Walgreens was so much better. read more

Nurse Leigh P was the must unfriendly and uninterested nurse I've had. She seemed annoyed and distracted and that she'd give anything to be somewhere else. What a shame, because she knew her facts and serves a great role to the world by providing health care. She even yawned mid sentences, proving I was an annoyance to her. I had a case of sever strep throat and was feeling awful, only to be treated even worse than I felt. If you are sick, go somewhere that will make you feel like the nurse actually cares. read more

The pharmacy here is incredibly slow. There is always a long line and only one person getting customers their prescriptions. Don't come here unless you feel like wasting an hour on a Saturday. read more

The pharmacy here is fantastic. However, I visited Minute Clinic, and was not impressed. My symptoms were taken very lightly. I could barely get a deep breath out of me without coughing and yet I was told "I sounded fine". I was told to "see my doctor" with any other concerns. It was basically a gigantic waste of time and money. I found out later that my actual condition was overlooked. If you go here prepare to seek out a second (and more thorough) opinion. read more

This is seriously the worst CVS I've ever been to. I only come here because it's close to my work and it's 24 hours. What is it about this CVS that makes it so awful, you ask? Basically, it's the staff. Probably the worst person who works here is a man who always hovers over you and says "how are you" and proceeds to "help" you even after you've already told him that you don't need help. One day I was buying a time-sensitive medication that I urgently needed, I was NOT in a good mood, and I wanted to just pay and leave. He kept interrupting me to force me to make small talk, when I was very obviously distressed and not trying to talk to anyone. This was a traumatizing experience and I'm still shaking just thinking about it. Why is it okay for the service industry to hire people with no social graces or emotional intelligence? I work in retail too. I understand perfectly well which of my customers want attention and which of them do not. If someone came up to my register shaking and clearly eager to buy what they needed and get out, I would quietly help them and not do anything to distress them further. I would maybe ask them if they were okay, but I would respect their wishes not to engage in conversation. This guy is seriously awful, and I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels that way. read more

Over the years they have: lied about when rx's were called in, got the wrong pills in the wrong bottles, lost bottles, put the wrong number of pills in the bottle, overcharged, lost insurance info, refused to transfer rx's to another pharmacy, etc. The pharmacy manager and district manager are absolutely disinterested in making improvements. read more

I live in Somerville and this is the pharmacy I use mostly because it is next to my gym and open 24/7 but I have to say there is major room for improvement here. Several times I have gone and they did not have to pick up my prescription only to learn that they did not process my insurance information correctly so I had to sit and wait for 5-10 minutes for them to process this information correctly. Another time I was going on a trip and would run out of medication mid-week so I called and asked if they could advance me a few days medication the girl was very rude and said they don't do this even though I have had it done once before at another CVS. After complaining forever finally someone else there agreed to do it for me. Today I called because I have a new insurance from my employer and wanted to fax them the card so they could have this on file for the next time I fill a prescription. I am told now that they do not give out the fax number to patients and I will simply have to come in and give them this and then wait for it to go through. She says it will not take long but I have a feeling this is bull as the y are busy here almost every time I go. If you live in the area and do not require a 24/7 pharmacy I suggest you go elsewhere. If major convenience in the form of location and hours outweighs horrible customer service for you like it does for me than I guess this is your place. The two stars I am giving this CVS are strictly for convenience (the location next to t station, hours, etc.). read more

Ugh... My prescriptions are never ready when the dr sends them over like they say they will be. I always show up to pick them up and they're "in the process" of filling them. Well the prescription was called in at 8 am and it's 6 pm so I guess they've been in the process of filling it all day. When you ask them where it is in the process they finally admit that they haven't started it and it will be an hour. It's infuriating. You sent the script over, you have to call and wait on hold for 10 minutes for them to pick up your call and actually put the script through, and then during rush hour they will have one cashier with 10+ people waiting in line for 20 minutes to pick up their scripts. They have a young pharmacist who is absolutely nasty when you ask any questions about a medication. Bottom line is that it's extremely poorly run and perpetually understaffed. The one star above 2 stars is for them occasionally calling me when I forget to pick up a script. Horray for the brand new Walgreens to open up next door. Then they won't be so understaffed! read more

This Cvs is horrible. No one will help you to find things that you need.... Especially, the photo department people are real such. They wont ask you if you need help with the computer machine, seem like they just chatted. And if you really need their help... They were like "WHAT" ....OMG I definitely will not come back to this store anymore. read more

iT'S ODD that I would prefer a large conglomerate to a small independent, but these pharmacists actually relate to me personally and accommodate my orders. I had a worse experience with a small independent in Cambridge. Sure, there are often long waits and they could staff it better, as Charles G said, but I saw the pharmacists actually shed tears when they heard the news of a customer's death, and you can't get more personal than that. They know me by name. They also are attentive to HIPAA compliance, which is more than I can say for the local apothecary I tried out and regretted immediately. read more

You guys, first and foremost before I go into a diatribe: Vincent Glaviano is an incredible NP (and is just so darling), and Stacey in pharmacy is awesome. Backstory: I have been sick for days and putting off going to a clinic, and my husband got sick of me coughing all night so I finally dragged myself in. I came in right before they closed and Vincent took pity on me and saw me *after they closed*. He took his time, was the model of professionalism, knew his stuff inside and out (meds wise, physiology wise), and frankly was simply wonderful. He was so upbeat and positive the whole time, I almost forgot I lived in Boston. Since when do you end up in a better mood after going to the clinic? Also who is super kind after hours of dealing with sick folks? Vincent apparently. I seriously left his office smiling. So after that I went to get my meds and Stacey from pharmacy who was super informative, fast, hilarious and kept me in the loop (almost minute by minute) as my stuff was processed. Start to finish my visit was around an hour, and I even picked up stuff for the house while waiting. You know what CVS? You're aces in my book. read more

this is my favorite CVS in the boston area... and i am a huge CVS fan! i can't imagine why it is not yet reviewed. though recent re-organization/homogenization has made it a bit less appealing, i find that this CVS has a comprehensive stock of pretty much anything a gal might need. oh, how i love to browse the isles of this store... drinking in aisle after aisle of hair goop, skin products, handy apartment-mending-tools, snacks, chocolates, european beauty products, supplements- on and on.... *and* its open pretty much any time of day or night. the only problem with the place is that the late night crowd can be a bit questionable.... though certainly less so than folks i've seen at the CVS in watertown during daylight hours (which is weird, since watertown sq is by no means a sketchy neighborhood...). anyway, i digress... CVS, porter sq = great! read more

Got here quarter to seven and the minute clinic refused to help. I had blood coming from my ear. I am from out of country so my medical does not cover expensive hospital trips. Working in a pharmacy myself I can never imagine giving such a horrible service to anyone. Definitely won't recommend this place. Stay away far. read more

a) Every time they say my prescription will be ready in 1h, but it has never taken less than 1.5h. b) The line is astoundingly slow, which is an extra annoyance given (a). c) They incorrectly filled my prescription once, giving me half of the correct dose. d) They incorrectly charged me full price for a prescription covered by my insurance (I know it's covered because I've gotten the same thing filled half a dozen times and never been charged more than the co-pay). e) I don't think I've ever left the store pleased. One of the above always happens, or instead just a series of more minor mixups that stack up. read more

This review is for the Minute Clinic service offered here. I caught some god-awful bug trying to be a good medical student in my pediatrics rotation, and was caught in between a closed Student Health and the BMC ED on a Sunday morning (um..yikes?). 5 days with a fever, and I'm certainly not hanging out in the ED. So, I voted for the handy-dandy Minute Clinic. GREAT idea!! It's staffed by an NP, who was a delight. Very knowledgable, and very pleasant, I was happy to have met her. She took a bit of my history in general, and did a thorough job with my HPI. Did a good physical exam, and chatted with me a bit about what I had (which confirmed my own diagnosis...and was therefore very gratifying). In addition to the Rx she gave me, she also gave me some tips about some natural things I could try, which i LOVED. I waited about 5 minutes (max) to go in, and she certainly spent an ample amount of time with me. They accept insurance, or you can just pay and submit later (I had to do this since I left my insurance card at home). Would return and recommend. read more

The CVS itself is pretty standard. If you have to pick up a prescription once in a while I'm sure it's fine-there will be a line no matter what time you go, but for anyone that has monthly prescriptions it is a headache. You are better off doing mail order. read more

Why run a super busy cvs with all pharmacy school interns. I'm never out of there in less than a half got with some kind of mixup, even when they call to tell me something is ready, they can't find it or they get confused or something. Super disorganized over there. read more

Longest wait I've ever experienced to simply pick up a prescription. The line at the Pharmacy was about 12 people deep and nearly went halfway down aisle- on a Thursday at 8pm. Please tell me why there is only one person working the Pick-Up/ Cashier line. I totally understand having a 10 minute wait, or something reasonable but 35 minutes is totally unnecessary. read more

Would give zero stars if I could. I am writing this after being on hold for 10 minutes after being on hold for 15 minutes just moments before and then getting disconnected. Wait times in the store also outrageously long. So sad the Walgreens across the street closed. read more