CVS Health has overhauled pharmacy and front-of-store staffing. The company includes: Aetna, retail…read morepharmacies, a pharmacy benefit manager, MinuteClinic walk-in clinics, MinuteClinic virtual care, 24/7 video chat with a provider, specialty high-cost complex meds with a dedicated care team that coordinates with your doctor, mail-order pharmacies, vaccinations, health screenings, and chronic disease programs.
The pharmacy and store layout has been redesigned. They've added more staff and products locked behind glass. I thought removing a systemic customer pain point, former rude pharmacy manager Amin Aziz, would lead to positive changes. The new pharmacy manager, Kimberly Kulick, was a relief and created a better experience. I couldn't tell you if she still works there. Some technicians don't care and provide limited information--and at least one pharmacist lacks empathy, problem-solving skills, solutions, and interpersonal skills.
You would be shocked to know that only Walmart, Google (Alphabet), United Health Group, and Amazon rank above CVS on the Fortune 500 list. Their value is $112B. That's why, even with buy-one-get-one-free, you're still paying more than online or at stores like Swanson, iHerb, or Walmart. 99% of CVS stock is highly marked up.
CVS, one of the last nationwide pharmacy chains, heavily markets vaccination services to healthcare, since they also own Aetna insurance. They profit from every part of healthcare, ultimately at the customer's expense, driven by greed. I formerly stated, "EVERY pharmacy employee is genuinely pleasant, responsive, HELPFUL, cordial, and PROFESSIONAL." REDACT THAT.
Ineffective communication channels for problems that arise are not solution-oriented or time-efficient. This is coming from a customer who PREVIOUSLY REMARKED, "pharmacists and staff are EMPATHETIC, SOLUTION-ORIENTED, and are truly a breath of fresh air!" The air at this location is unnecessarily difficult to breathe.
CVS customer service representatives on phone support have been helpful, but they often can't solve problems because of the pharmacist or technician they speak with.
The front of store is and has been wonderful. In my last update, I stated, The store itself has always been a GREAT experience. Erica McCullough, an excellent Store Manager, led by example. She's been replaced by Nicole Dippel, with big shoes to fill, but she's already instituted changes to use every bit of available shelf and end-cap footage. I have not met her (yet)."
The retail store staff all contribute to keeping the store clean and organized. Employees take extra effort to check if a product missing from the shelf is in the back and waiting to be restocked.
During a recent call with CVS customer service, the representative put me on hold to call the pharmacy and returned to say the pharmacy stated, "He can transfer the prescription to another pharmacy", because a medical issue and logistical issues prevent pickup. That's when I realized a household with over 15 prescriptions and at least 12 filled monthly isn't appreciated for their business. Therefore, CVS might only change if customers move their business and transition to another pharmacy.
CVS's logo should be an infected or broken heart. A majority of items in the store, in the pharmacy that doesn't disclose harmful additives, artificial flavors, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, SLS, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, chlorinated parafins, forever chemicals (PHAS, PTFE, PFNA, PFOA, GenX, HFPODA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFBA, TFA), BPA, BPS, triclosan, BHA, BHT, TBHQ, FD&C yellow 5,6, red 40, blue 1, blue 2, red 3, green 3, citrus red 2, orange B, amaranth, caramel, TO2, cyclic siloxane (D4, D5, D6), OPFRs (TCIPP, TPHP TNBP, TDCIPP), and Nonylphenols. These chemicals have been shown to cause issues with development, hormone disruption, the endocrine system, fertility, cancer, immunity, allergies, the heart, kidneys, the liver, the thyroid, metabolism, and epigenetics (DNA). CVS's logo, a , is completely misleading. Perhaps one of these is more fitting: , , or ?