Meijer — Local services in Urbana

I rarely give bad reviews. It's just something that I don't do. However, after my experience today with Meijer's pharmacy, I feel the need to inform others about how I was treated today, in hopes that no one else will have to go through what I went through. I was prescribed a medication from my health care provider who is located out of state. I asked to have this prescription filled at the Meijer's in Urbana, without hesitation, as I have never had any issues with them before.

When I called to check on the prescription the pharmacist asked to be speak with me, before filing my prescription. I was confused as to why she was asking questions, but answered them anyway. She then told me that she would call me back. I asked if it would be this evening and she said yes. 30 mins later I had not received a call from her so I called her back. She said that she was not sure if she could fill the prescription due to the type of medication it was and it being prescribed from a provider out of state. (I was shocked that the pharmacist did not know that she in fact could fill the prescription) I informed her that yes, in the state of Illinois the prescription can be filled. She then asked to put me on hold again. I waited on hold for about 20 mins and my phone died. I called back a few minutes later, and she then told me that she wasn't able to fill the script due to Illinois law. I again, assured her that the script could be filled. I asked her if she was unaware of this information and then she began to back peddle and say that she never said that she could not fill the script. This went on for awhile, with her saying she wasn't sure if she could and back and forth. I waited over an hour and a half, only for her to finally tell me that she was not comfortable filling my prescription. I want to be clear that I am not upset that she did not fill my script, but rather how she treated me during the process. The biggest issue was her lack of information on filling this particular prescription. She would tell me one minute that she couldn't and then say that she didn't know if she could or not. As a customer this was extremely frustrating. By the time she finally was truthful with me and admitted that she did not feel comfortable filling the prescription it was already 6:30 and too late to have my clinic call it in elsewhere. Had she been upfront from the beginning I would have my prescribed medicine this evening. Fortunately, I contacted two other local pharmacies that were appalled by her behavior and gladly said that they would fill my prescription once my provider called it in. Needless to say my family will be using a different pharmacy where the pharmacist, are able to provide thorough customer services, are knowledgeable, and upfront with their patients/customers. Please save your time and go somewhere, that treats you with kindness and does not...

Meijer Pharmacy does a wonderful, wonderful job! Very knowledgeable, responsive, and friendly. 4 star rating instead of 5 due to the long hold times when calling the pharmacy. I love that you can manage almost everything online via the app, and it will notify you of any updates, which is super helpful! With all of the prescription drug shortages and uncertainty going on in the State of Illinois, they have been able to locate and / or refer me to other pharmacies to assist me in the past. They are also the only pharmacy in the district that has the lowest cost through my Rx assistance card for 1 medication that is not covered by insurance. Unfortunately, that out of pocket cost has risen over the past 6 months, and of course, it's the one that insurance just will not approve yet it helps my rare Esophageal condition in between going to get my esophagus stretched every so often until further studies are scheduled with the Esophageal Motility Specialist in Chicago. It was a difficult transition for me when Shipt stopped delivering medications-per end of covid protocol or something to that effect. I am predominantly homebound except for getting figured out medically. It was a true blessing that Shipt was able to assist me during this past year. That's when I had to find a different pharmacy that had the capabilities of delivery service but I still find that Meijer Pharmacy customer service is very caring and actually wants to help you and will go above and beyond for you. Quick shout out to Amy, Stephanie, Paul, and forgive me-I can't remember your name, but I know your kind face...is it Brenda or Melissa?? Your hard work does not...

The Pharmacy is a complete joke. Every single time my wife or I go to pick up a perscription it’s never ready, or they haven’t gotten to it yet, or the medicine is out of stock. I know you read “every single time” and think to yourself, no way that’s possible, but I promise you it’s the truth. Just today for example, my wife, who is 8 months pregnant, went to pick up two insulin and needle prescriptions, that weren’t ready yesterday (surprise surprise). Insulin was ready, but when she asked about the needles the only response given was “we don’t know anything about those, but here are some to get you by.” (Barely enough for 2 days) If that’s the case then why did we receive three separate text massages for three separate scrips? When she asked, all she was given was a shoulder shrug and reiteration that they didn’t know about them. Then, as an added kicker, when my wife, who has never used insulin in her life, asks the “Pharmacist” how to use them, his response....”well I’ve never used it personally.....” What?!? Seriously?!? Aren’t you the one person in this building who should be providing medical guidance above anyone else, even in your own department?!? We will NEVER be back to this Pharmacy, and in the future will have to think differently about who we use for groceries.

If management reads this, I would ask that you take a look at the empathy and care that the Pharmacy department is giving to your customers. As someone who has worked in customer service my entire adult life, your business is lacking severely...