Would you change Pharmacys?

I have been having alot of problems with my current Pharmacy for the last 1 yr.  i've been getting my meds there for over 8 years. and for the most part been ok with them, I originally started out with walgreens pharmacy years and years ago when i was first diagnosed as a diabetic, then started having problems with walgreens.

 

 I'm with a small company pharmacy that is  not nationwide.I accused my 28 yr old daughter of stealing 2 weeks worth of my blood pressure meds because I came up short 2 weeks worth (so I thought) well it turns out that my current pharmacy called me just yesterday and said they had 2 weeks of my blood pressure still at the store, in a seperate bottle..how the hell could that have happened.I always get 1 month supply of my blood pressure meds at a time,  no i didnt count them, i trusted they had it right.with this new heart attack 2 months ago i got a higher dosage of it , now 10 ml. of lisinoprol. at Jan 8th..after my check up after my heart attack Dec. 22nd 2012.to me this is a very serious incident. I told my daughter she is never welcome in my home again..I wont go into all the details why i accused her of stealing them,in the first place, trust me i had very good reason. Well moving on , I have been having past problems with this current pharmacy because of them and my doctors communication between the two. i am always having to reconfirm that my doctor called and faxed my newest dosage increase and back and forth always having to reconfirm they both are getting their faxes straight , they keep telling me they made the call but when i call they say they never got the new fax. I understand one mistake but this is several mistakes,I need to keep getting my meds on time, I cannot miss one day of my meds.. Espically my newest one  plavix. Talk about getting fustrated..

I have talked with my daughter about the mix up with my blood pressure meds. we are still talking, thank god.I apologized.Now dealing with a big decision i have to make. I dont like to keep changing pharmacies. would you forgive this and stay with them or move on to another pharmacy? thanks for your important input on this matter.. PeaceV Wendy

For me, I hold little loyalty to corporate stores.  I would first see where the error really is, be it the pharmacy or the doc's office.  Many docs order meds online anymore and eliminate faxing altogether.  It keeps track of your prescriptions and alerts the doc if any of the meds don't mesh well.  It arrives at the pharmacy instantly too...much faster than it takes for you to drive there from the doc's office.  If you know that the problem is with your pharmacy and you've got plenty to choose from, then take your prescription bottles and the transfer is pretty easy.  One thing i would do is address the copay on that missing 2 weeks of medicine.  If you paid a copay for a whole month, I sure as heck wouldn't pay a 2nd copay for the missing half.  On that note, I'm relieved that you and your daughter are still on speaking terms over that fiasco.

Is it possible to make a friend of and a personal connection with a pharmacist. Not with one of the underlings but with the or a pharmacist. My mom is 91 and my dad is 93 and they have a wonderful,relationship with "Anne" the pharmacist at the Walgreens on Weslayan. It is a smaller Walgreens with no drive through but they stay there because Anne takes care of them. She knows their ages, their problems, that it is important they get their meds correctly and she helps them. Maybe she is an exception but it is an idea for you. Someone on a personal level who knows your medical history and will look out for you. Of course no drive thru is a pain in the *** for me but she is important to them so I pick up by going inside and not driving through. I also have gotten shorted when they are out of the total meds I need but they always put a note on the bottle so I know I have to go back for the rest of the supply. Before I changed I would try to make a personal contact.

I just remembered another problem i have had with this same pharmacy.they do deliver meds.I have requested them to deliver my meds at times and never got them on time before i ran out ..dam I think i just answered my own question.. It's time to change.Since I live near a walgreens I think i am going to give them another try my problem with them was very minor compared to the ones i am having with this current pharmacy..the last walgreens was at a different location..I can walk to this other one if i need to..thank you so much for your input, it also just dawned on me that pharmacy didnt seem too interested in listening to me when i explained my concerns.. so thanks again!!............

                                                                          

I guess I don't see why it's such a big deal to change pharmacies. You said "I dont like to keep changing pharmacies." but you haven't changed in eight years!

Personally I've tried Walgrens and they scare me. It's like a big assembly line in there and they are rushing like crazy. I don't trust  them not to make mistakes.

I used the pharmacy at our local grocery and I love them because they are small and personal and they know me. If my doctors did something stupid like prescribe conflicting meds, they would totally say something because they are like that.

But the issue with small places is that they are more easily disrupted. One good person leaves and it can all fall apart. (The same people have been working at mine for over a decade.) If they started messing up, I'd find another place and just think "well, it was a good run, but it's over now."

However, depending on how things went down, I might talk to them first to see if the issues could be resolved. As was said upthread, it could be your doctor who is screwing up.

I haven't used Walgreens for prescriptions since they gave my meds to someone else, lied about it, forged my signature and refused to rectify the situation.

You need to do what is best for you and "safe" for you.  We think you know what needs to be done. to the new pharmacy! 

I was at Walgreens for a lot of years because when I travel, I knew there one wherever I traveled to.  But they messed with my meds so I switched to CVS.  My meds cost more but the peace of mind is worth it.

I don't know what the issue is.  Changing pharmacies isn't a big deal to me.  I go for convenience and accuracy.  I am sure there are tons of pharmacies near you unless you live in a small town.  There is no reason to accept incompetency.  You are the consumer and you can take your business anywhere you want and if the place you are going to isn't meeting your needs then it's time to find another place.  You don't need to question it or stress over it.  Just vote with your shoes and find another place.  If you  are unsure check with friends to find out where they go and how they like it.  

I would not hesitate to change.  I am not sure what area you are in, but CVS is good.  I personally use them and Walgreens.  If you are back east, Target and Kroger are good.