CVS — Local services in Washington

My mom was on a trip to DC from out of town and had her bag with her insulin stolen. She had her doctor call in a script for her insulin and she also called the pharmacy to let them know that she was looking for her prescription to be called in because her medications were stolen. This all happened around 11:30/noon. By 2pm, she hadn’t heard back from the pharmacy so she called me, her daughter, a pharmacist. I called the pharmacy to get a status update for her and also to make sure they had her insurance information. I was on hold for a while, when a gentleman picked up the phone and told me her prescription would be ready in 15 minutes. I asked for the copay and he told me $100. When I let me mom know the copay, it was more than normal but she said she would have to pay it because she needed her insulin. She calls me back an hour later saying that she got a text from CVS saying that her prescription would be $550. I called the pharmacy back to ask the staff to call her insurance for a lost/stolen medication override - something that I knew could be done for patients because I do it regularly for my patients at my practice. The technician told me that they do not call insurances and it’s the patient’s responsibility. I asked if she would be willing to call the insurance company on the patient’s behalf and she said no. I would bet that 80% of patients, maybe more, have no idea how to get a lost medication override from their insurance company. So there are patients out there who would have been out of luck, just like my mom would have been if her daughter wasn’t a pharmacist. I was able to contact her insurance company, who called the pharmacy for an override for a copay of $35. Why don’t we try assisting our patients who need assistance instead of dismissing them? Do...

Although generally responsive and professional, today's visit proved that some pharmacists there have no sense of accountability. I refilled two prescriptions at the behest of a CVS-initiated phone call reminding me of two refills. When I arrived to pick them up, there was only one med eligible for refill. After I explained that the pharmacy had informed me that I need two refills, the pharmacist 'on duty' responded that she wasn't 'on duty' yesterday and was therefore, apparently, not responsible or in any way interested in a conversation and process initiated by one of her colleagues, a process which cost me 15 minutes of phone time yesterday, and unnecessary hassle at the pharmacy this evening. When I reminded her that it was actually a colleague of hers who called me, and that she should therefore be aware of the lack of organization in her pharmacy, she stated that in the future when responding to phone calls initiated by the pharmacy that it would be incumbent on me, the customer, to make sure that I spoke to a pharmacist rather than any other employee. Apparently the customer at this pharmacy is responsible for assuring that the pharmacy staff provide correct info to the customer. Like I said, this was unprofessional, and demonstrates a lack of accountability and lack of interest in providing quality customer service. #professionalfail,...

This rating isn't lower purely because of the stores convenience. Now being watched while in the store is getting EXTREMELY old. I work across the street, have for going on a year and I've never stolen in my life. I've seen the people who steal be chased out of the store, the only similarity is the color of our skin.

I never leave the store without paying, my receipts are digital also out of convenience. I'd go to the in person register but employees tend to be flocked together there which makes for uncomfortable maneuvering, as such I use the self check out.

The first time is understandable even the second from a societal standpoint but this has become a hindrance. Once the Wawa opens across the way I'll happily shop there, or at ANY other CVS because DC has...