Professionalism and courtesy.
I talked to a pharmacist today who had me so upset that, when I got off the phone, my hands were shaking, and my husband, who heard most of the conversation, tried to comfort me. I simply called this afternoon at 5:00 to ask if they could get my medication, which was due to be refilled tomorrow, prepared so that I could pick it up going through the drive-thru tomorrow morning because my husband and I have several appointments tomorrow, and I'd like to pick it up on the way out of town. The pharmacist was incredibly rude to me and just kept saying, "I won't do that!" and "If I do it for one, I'd have to do it for everyone!" and "There's just not time!" I couldn't imagine what the big deal was--to refill one prescription before the next day when they had 4 hours before closing time! He just kept yelling at me, and truly, I thought I was talking to an inexperienced high school kid. I finally asked, "Is this the pharmacist"' and he replied, "Yes," to my shock. I just tried to explain that I wanted to pick up my medication the next morning on my way through Alexandria and that I already had one medication there waiting for me, but he kept yelling at me, "I don't care! I won't do it! You can call back tomorrow!" He kept making me feel like I was asking him to do something wrong--"I won't do it!" So, then I asked if it was because it's a refill on a controlled medication, and he absolutely would not give me an answer! I thought maybe he couldn't get that prepared early, but he wouldn't TELL me this! He just kept saying, "I won't do it, and I won't keep going around and around with you about this!" He was literally yelling at me, when all I wanted was for him to answer my question. My husband was looking at me with concern at this point, and I was shaking and on the verge of tears with confusion and anger. I didn't want to pick up the prescription early; I just wanted it ready for me the following morning. But this man treated me with such unkindness, impatience, and true unprofessionalism that, after the call, my husband was urging me to change pharmacies. But, not every experience is like this one. This particular extraordinary experience occurred around 5:00 on June 9, 2026. If I'm ever treated that badly there again, I will leave, even if another pharmacy is less convenient. When you become older, convenience becomes important, but not at the sacrifice of courtesy, graciousness, and good manners. I still value these qualities. read more
