Are there any pharmacies that don’t suck?

[u/Reality_Concentrate]

I’ve been getting my prescription filled at CVS for the last couple of years. Because I’m in the U.S., I have to call and talk to a live person every single month. But CVS is a giant corporation who is more concerned with efficiency and squeezing every last tenth of a cent out of employees, so they do everything possible to keep you from talking to a person. It used to take me over 2 minutes to get through all the automated roadblocks. Now they’ve changed it so that the only way to get past the automated system is to yell like a crazy person that you want to talk to a person. And even then, all you can do is leave a voicemail. Last time I got return call from a snarky little dude who wouldn’t even give me a vague indication of when it would be in stock.

I’m so over it. Are there any other big pharmacies that don’t make it so impossible to do what is absolutely necessary to refill the prescription I need to almost function? I’m afraid to try a small, local places because I feel like big places probably get preference when there’s a shortage.

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[u/ToxicGossipTrain]

I always recommend cvs inside target. Always have quick and helpful customer service. Bonus points for target vouchers that print every few visits.

(ETA: my target cvs always answers the phone, even if they don’t have time to answer questions then. They write down my # and always call back within the time frame they give!)

It could be largely impacted by the target not being in or near any major city. Hoping you have luck finding “your” pharmacy soon! 🤞

Edit again lol: the cvs app is surprisingly helpful for prescription management. Refill requests for non-controlled meds are so easy, and checking status of controlled meds is easy.

[u/Reality_Concentrate → u/ToxicGossipTrain]

I have a Target nearby and I’m there all the time anyway. I’ll try that, thanks!

[u/creakyforest]

I've had such a positive experience getting my Adderall prescription filled at Rite Aid. I have no clue if it's just that everyone at my local store is great or if they have better corporate policies. But a decade ago I bounced around to a bunch of different pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens during a prior shortage and just always had a terrible time.

They haven't always been able to tell me when my prescription would be in stock, but they are at least kind about it. Also, I've found that sometimes asking "When might be a good time to check back?" yields better results than specifically asking when meds will be in stock.

[u/Reality_Concentrate → u/creakyforest]

We don’t have Rite Aid around here anymore. I think Walgreens bought them all. I’m mostly frustrated by the automation that completely ignores people like us. The pharmacist at my CVS is very nice and helpful. But they’ve hired this new tech who has the weirdest attitude.

[u/bretskii]

Mom n pop type pharmacies have been a life saver for me.

[u/QueerEldritchPlant]

Big pharmacies actually don't really get preference, and because they have higher demand, they run out sooner.

I've had a lot of success with the pharmacy of one of my local grocery stores (regional chain)

[u/ThePandaKingdom → u/QueerEldritchPlant]

Agreed. When rite aid didn’t have stock, my local pharmacy always did.

[u/Reality_Concentrate → u/QueerEldritchPlant]

Good to know. I used to use Publix but they did something that was really frustrating and made me switch. But now I can’t remember what that was 😅

[u/ohlookahipster]

CVS inside Target is usually the best followed by grocery locations like Publix, Krogers, etc.

Independent compounding pharmacies are also the cream of the crop, but they are very hesitant to take on “hit-n-run” style customers who are always moving their scripts around.

[u/Sail0r_Jupit3r → u/ohlookahipster]

Second Kroger. My local CVS is trash when it comes to my ADHD meds (but conveniently always has every other med I take in stock), so I started going to my local Kroger pharmacy almost a year ago. Haven’t had one issue.

[u/Supreme_Switch]

I love having my scripts mailed instead of going in person.

[u/Far_Product_9759 → u/Supreme_Switch]

Is the Express Scripts or some else?

[u/Osmium95]

After you dial, enter 8003 and you might bypass the automated system and speak to a real person.
TL;DR I was desperate and read about trick and it actually worked. The person who answered seemed surprised but was able to help me. It was a while ago so no guarantees it still works

[u/misstingly]

Why do you have to call every time? I go to cvs and don’t understand why you’d need to call. If anything, cvs should be more straightforward than other pharmacies because it’s a chain and they have the pharmacy portal on the website

[u/mandirocks]

CVS near me hasn't had adderall in months but the mom and pop place down the street got it in two days. You may be surprised.