CVS — Local services in Bethesda

URGENT WARNING! Please check that the pharmacy properly fills your prescriptions here, particularly if you take an expensive medication that affects you differently than similar generics. If your meds look different than they usually do, google the letters/numbers on the pill to check that it is the correct medication.

This Friday, I filled for my name brand medication and when I picked it up today, I found a different pill. I assumed that my medication just changed its capsule and almost took it. Fortunately, I decided to google the letters/numbers on the capsule just in case and found that I had been provided a similar generic medication. I was previously prescribed this generic and had negative side effects, which is why I switched to the name brand that I pay significantly more for.

The pharmacist who I reported this error to was apologetic, immediately provided me with the proper medication, and said there are multiple checks and balances in place that typically prevent errors like this from happening. Given that I was provided a similar generic medication, this was not an "error," it was a pharmacist opting to provide me with a different, less expensive medication while charging me and my insurance for the expensive name brand that I require.

I am alarmed by this "error" as I am sure this is not the first or last time this pharmacy will do this. I am sure a good number of patients will assume, like I did, that their medications look different because the capsule was just changed by the manufacturer and not double check the imprint code. CHECK THE IMPRINT CODE IF YOUR MEDS...

Oct 30, 2023, I ordered 4 boxes of CVS Health Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops, 70 CT, Single Dose STERILE Eye Drops. On Oct 31, I was told about the FDA recall because investigators found unsanitary conditions & life and eyesight threatening bacteria present in the manufacturing of the drops.

The FDA published the recall on OCTOBER 25, 5 days BEFORE I ordered. On October 27 they required that all of the lots for those drops be taken off the shelf - 3 days BEFORE I ordered.

When I heard about the recall, knowing it had occurred before my online order, I assumed that the online order would therefore be cancelled. I was extremely unhappy to receive the 4 boxes of eyedrops delivered on Nov 2nd. Now I would have to take them back to a CVS and fight to get a refund.

While it did take a bit of arguing to get a refund, I managed to get that once I got the manager involved who kindly helped me get the refund. BUT when I went to look for other eyedrops to buy, I found numerous sizes of the recalled drops on the shelves, the 70 count size even offered, Buy 1, Buy 2nd 1/2 price.

I immediately brought all of them to the manager's attention. He thought that if anyone tried to buy one of them, a code in the register would not allow it to be rung up. I asked him to try it and when he did, the sale of each of the sizes went through.

People have gone blind from using these drops and some have had their eyeballs removed., CVS has shown a complete disregard for their customers and a concern only for their...

So I know we all have our differences and values. Since I could post again for the Upper Rock location, I'll give my update here

Update: I contacted the Arlington Rd location, and they were incredibly professional and pleasant to work with. They confirmed that my insurance had never been submitted and assured me it would be taken care of right away.

I also reached out to the Customer Relationship team, and they were amazing, highly recommend contacting them if you're having issues with locations like Upper Rock Cir. I spoke with Candace, who was fantastic, very professional and patient as we went through all six of my prescriptions that had not been reported to my insurance company. She confirmed none of them had been processed and assured me she'd make sure I’m reimbursed. For me, it’s not about the money, it’s about meeting my deductible. Either way, she promised to handle the situation and will also follow up on my complaint regarding the younger staff member at Upper Rock who was extremely rude and dismissive.

Although it’s a bit of an inconvenience, I’ve decided I will no longer be returning to the Upper Rock location for prescriptions. I’ll be making the drive to Arlington Rd from now on.

Also, while I was still on the phone with Customer Relationship, I noticed that Arlington had already processed my insurance, and the cost difference was huge. Really huge -Thank Tay.

Upper Rock, you need...