It has taken me several months to write this review because I was treated so poorly that I needed…read moretime to process both the incident and the communication that followed.
I was a loyal customer of Glen Head Pharmacy for approximately 30 years. John, the owner and pharmacist at the time, was professional, friendly, and always willing to listen to concerns about medication and offer sound advice. After John passed away, his head pharmacist, Joe, continued that tradition. I trusted them and felt confident in their knowledge and professionalism.
Unfortunately, my recent experience with the new ownership was the complete opposite.
My physician prescribed a cream that he told me was available over the counter. When I went to the pharmacy, a woman behind the counter told me I needed a prescription. I called my doctor's office in front of the staff, and a prescription was sent over.
A young pharmacist, whom I believe was named John, then told me the cream was "out of stock" and subsequently said it had been "discontinued." I simply asked which was correct. Was it out of stock, or had it been discontinued? He could not give me a clear answer. When I questioned him again, he continued talking in circles without addressing my question.
I then walked toward the register to ask the female cashier for the owner's telephone number. At that point, John began yelling at me and shouting insults in front of employees and customers. I chose not to respond. No customer should have to endure that kind of treatment, especially after being a loyal customer for three decades.
I contacted the owner and requested a conversation about what had happened. My calls were not returned, and the owner would not arrange a meeting with John to address the incident. The new ownership continued to refuse to speak with me.
A few days later, my physician sent another prescription to the pharmacy, but it was not being filled. When I called, a man named Burt told me they would not fill it. I was shocked that the situation had escalated to the point where I was being refused service as it is illegal to refuse to fill a prescription unless it is contraindicated or has been tampered with.
I considered filing a formal complaint with New York State but ultimately chose not to do so.
Instead, I found another nearby pharmacy with wonderful, caring pharmacists who have demonstrated the knowledge, empathy, and professionalism I believe patients deserve.
It is deeply disappointing to see an establishment I trusted for approximately 30 years change so dramatically. The new owners had an opportunity to speak with me, listen to my concerns, and address the situation professionally. They chose not to.
My experience has left me questioning whether this pharmacy is still a place where patients can feel confident that their prescription needs will be handled with care and professionalism. If you are shopping for toiletries or gifts, you may have a perfectly fine experience. However, based on what happened to me, I would be reluctant to trust this pharmacy with my prescription needs.
After 30 years as a customer, I never expected to leave Glen Head Pharmacy feeling this way. What a disappointment.
