Walgreens — Local services in El Cerrito

If I could give zero stars. I would!!!! The store AND the pharmacy are racists, discriminatory, and completely unprofessional. I am a caregiver for my Father and Uncle they are 70 year old twins. My Father was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015. My Father had a partial colectomy in 2015 to remove the cancer from his colon. In 2020 my Father had a hepatectomy which removed 70% of his liver to remove the cancer in his liver. He currently is battling prostate cancer with tumors in his lungs and metastasis in his back. The pharmacist S. DEANDREA, whom I believe is the managing pharmacist. She has refused several times to fill his pain medication prescriptions. My Father’s primary care physician has refused to send his prescriptions to this pharmacy due to harassment. The pharmacist has asked for a ridiculous amount of "proof" of his condition. Once the pharmacy and the pharmacist received all the information asked for. The pharmacy and or pharmacist then questioned the physician asking why my Father's pain medication was coming from his primary care physician and not his oncologist. Why or how a mere pharmacist can harass and or question a board certified doctor with way more education and knowledge of the patient's condition is beyond me. Her actions caused me to have to drive 2 hours to another Walgreens in another city. I have no problems at the other location receiving my Father’s medication, each and every time. My Uncle who has a severe back injury, bulging disc, arthritis, and a bunch of other stuff going on. My Uncle has refused surgery, he does not want surgery (which is completely his right) and he has tried different medications and different treatments, as well. His choice is pain medication. He has been using this pharmacy for 13 years for the same pain medication, for 13 years. Recently my Uncle changed doctor's due to his previous physician passing away. His new provider just today 8/05/2025 refuses to use this pharmacy due to harassment. The new provider had been trying to fill my Uncle's prescription since Friday. The new provider gave up today and called us requesting a new pharmacy because of the lack of cooperation. Is it because they are two black men receiving pain medication prescriptions in Richmond CA, Is it assumed that they must be addicts!!?!? I'm very aware of the stigma associated with pain medication. I'm aware of the scams, games, and hustle with pain medication. I am also aware of the opioid epidemic. However what I am most aware of is the pain that these two men carry. The silent cries, I hear through their bedroom walls due to the pain they both experience in their bodies. I am posting this review because I have contacted a lawyer and my family has decided to sue. The pharmacist/pharmacy has a duty of care, which was breached through negligence. The pharmacist/pharmacy has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The pharmacist/pharmacy caused financial loss, emotional distress, physical loss, and undue pain and suffering. My family will also be filing a formal complaint against this pharmacy and pharmacist personally with the State pharmacy board. The treatment received at this pharmacy is less than humane. After reading the other reviews there may be an opportunity for a class action suit!?!? I'm just getting started. I will not rest until jobs are lost!!!! I here for REAL change not...

⭐ 1-Star Review:

Racially profiled at this Walgreens completely unacceptable.

I’ve lived in El Cerrito for 5 years. I’m a regular at this Walgreens. Most of the staff and even the usual female security guard know me by face. But during a recent visit, a male security guard stared me down the moment I walked in followed me with his eyes like I was a criminal.

I hadn’t done anything suspicious. I picked up snacks and was heading to the register. But I felt so uncomfortable being watched like that, I put the items down and asked to speak with a manager. Instead, the guard came up and provoked me, saying “it’s my job” as if racial profiling is part of the uniform.

I started recording the interaction because it was escalating. This isn’t just about me. This is about how Black customers are treated. I wasn’t stealing. I wasn’t aggressive. I was shopping and got treated like a suspect just for existing.

Walgreens needs to hold its contracted security accountable. An apology isn’t enough we need real consequences for racial profiling. I will not be spending another dollar here until action is taken.

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Walgreens is a great place to get male and female beauty products, toiletries and overall body health products, eg. (Vitamin Supplements) miscellaneous household items like Lightbulbs, batteries including portable electronic accessories eg. SD cards, Cameras and Headphones. Their photo service is very quick and straight forward. They have a do it yourself option for managing your photos, or you can get help from their Photo techs. You can get Passport photos here too. They also offer Seasonal/Holiday decorations by season or holiday for every season and holiday. They also have a wide assortment of soft drinks, snacks and candy. Walgreens also offers a great selection of Greeting Cards which cover every occasion. My only grievance is their Pharmacy wait times. The delays are long regardless of time,...