PHARMACY-SPECIFIC REVIEW: Disorganized. Rude. Smug. The epitome of dangerous hubris.
I wouldn't wish this pharmacy on my worst enemy. They shouldn't be allowed to dispense gum.
Here's the horror show I've been dealing with:
Two prescriptions were called in on August 8th. These were refills to me, but I'd never picked up from this pharmacy before. I moved a year ago and hadn't needed refills during that time as I use these medications sparingly. (My old pharmacy was not a Walgreens). I don't get a call or text after 3 days. I tried to call but no one picked up (ever), so I went to the drive-up after 6 days, on August 14th. There was no one else in line. I rang the bell. Was asked to wait. 10 minutes passed. I rang the bell again. I was asked to wait. 8 minutes later someone asks how they can help me. There's horrific banging/construction noises and I could barely hear them. I gave them my name and birthdate. They told me no prescriptions were ready and none had been called in. I asked them to check again. 7 minutes later they returned to confirm they did get the prescriptions (on the 8th) but they weren't ready. After 6 days. I was told I could return in 2 hours to pick them both up. I left after almost 30 wasted minutes.
I couldn't make it back the same day so I went the next day, on August 15th. 16 minutes of waiting. Then I'm told...no prescriptions were ready, none had been called in. I explained everything that happened yesterday. They looked again. Found them again. One medication (for ADHD) they were out of. (Note: My doctor called it into CVS and I got a text within 90 minutes that it was ready). My second prescription (for anxiety)? The pharmacist asked my doctor for additional information...
I called my doctor's office. The pharmacist was requesting my session notes. The private notes about my anxiety condition that I've had for 15 years. I approved this because I'm not ashamed of my anxiety, but I couldn't believe it. Even though this medication had been prescribed for me before with no problematic side effects the pharmacist insisted on seeing my notes.
On August 17th I called Walgreens again to see if my prescription was ready. I was told they were still waiting for my session notes. I called my doctor's office, they told me they'd been faxed and confirmed received on August 15th. I called Walgreens, told them they confirmed receipt of the notes two days earlier. I was then told the notes were "under review."
On August 18th I called Walgreens again. The guy who answered the phone told me the pharmacist reviewed my notes and was DECLINING TO FILL THE PRESCRIPTION because there was "NO CLINICAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PATIENT'S USAGE OF THIS MEDICATION." So, a stranger I've never met decided they know better than me, my prescribing doctor, and 15 years of successful mitigation.
I'm disgusted by this place. I've filed a complaint with the CA State Board of Pharmacy because I want to spare others the stress and anxiety I was put through, not to mention the time that was wasted.
I feel sorry for anyone who works here who isn't incompetent and awful, because I dealt with incredibly inept people who had no bedside manner whatsoever. read more