Complaint Review: Eckerd Pharmacy - Irving Texas

As a Eckerds Employee. I can tell you that working in a pharmacy is no piece of cake. Our pharmacist who are over worked. Rarely ever get a break. They can barely step away from the drop off section to check the prescriptions. Before someone else comes in with one. On a Monday morning I have recently witnessed. At least 100 to 150 precription refills phoned in overnight. Isn't that a lovely thing to look forward to at 8 am. Just because you didn't see anyone in front of you doesn't mean that you are the only person in your town who needs to be waited on at that moment. As per your blood pressure. I suggest after leaving your precription at the drop off window. Leaving the store and coming back later. This may help your blood pressure some. As you are not waiting for something and getting madder and madder at the minute because it's not ready yet. The pharmacist and employees are probably laughing, because sometimes we need to step out of the pressure if even for a second. I have witnessed people screaming at me and threatening a co-worker. It's not wonder that employees are hard to come by. Who wants to subject themselves to this abuse day after day??? In conclusion, I also think you should think about the poor pharmacist who barely gets time to sit down for 5 seconds and whom most work 12 hour shifts at a time. It may not be your problem. But, at least put your self in their shoes before you judge them or their company!

As a pharmacist who has worked for 4 major chain drug stores (Eckerd's 2 years ago) and two independently owned "Mom and Pop" pharmacies. Please, allow me comment on a few things and offer some suggestions. 1) The Eckerd corp. itself has very little to do The problems you have described. This WILL happen at ALL chains (CVS, Walgreens etc.) The problem lies with a national shortage of pharmacists and very high volume of prescriptions and most importantly the individuals working on that particular day. 2) ALL the chains pay their technicians just above minimum wage. Because most states don't recognize techs as anything more than unlicensed personnel the "help" often becomes retirees and high school kids. 3) Retail pharmacies are open from 8:30am-8:30pm. The average has 1 pharmacist for that entire shift. In that 12 hours 200-250 prescriptions will be done. That's 3.2 minutes per prescription to be... entered into the computer, checked for drug interactions, MD called for any errors. Then the prescription is verified via modem that the Insurance company will pay for the med. A label must be printed and placed on the bottle, the correct drug pulled off shelf, drug counted by by a pharmacy tech, the drug now in the bottle given a final check by the lone pharmacist. Long story short, if during any one of these stages something held up or the insurance will not go through you wait longer. Also Just because there are no people in the store right dosen't put you at the head of the line. You didn't see the person 1/2 hr before you with 12 prescriptions or the the 2 inch pile of prescriptions faxed in and due NOW. The average pharmacist and techs work at a break-neck pace all day, If their laughing and talking they are probably waiting for your insurance company to get back to them. Incidentally, I hope your pharmacist no matter where he/she works is NOT giving you good CUSTOMER service... He or she took an oath to provide you with the best "patient care" possible. I'd rather all my patients go away from the counter fully informed and with the correct and best choice medication for their disease VS Getting them home as quickly as I can. You change pharmacies all you want, the wait, the service will be about the same. My suggestions for faster service... 1) CALL your refill in wherever with the correct RX number 24 hours ahead (it'll be done when you get there) 2) For new prescriptions make sure your MD has your correct information on the prescription. 3) Carry insurance card WITH YOU. Get your prescriptions filled at a grocery store/pharmacy and shop while you wait the 50 minutes. 5)If you want a little more 1 on 1 attention go to an independent pharmacy, but expect to pay 40-50% more for meds and wait a little longer. While I completely understand your frustrations...having very little patience myself. I also take offense, since this whole scenario offered is a very common and unavoidable one. Frankly, a pharmacy is not a McDonalds. Yet, most in our profession work our asses off to make it as fast as possible for you no matter where our paychecks come from or what our name badge emblem is. Besides do you really...really want your blood pressure meds faster? Knowing that there are about 100 things that could kill you on the same shelves as your pills? And the next time you see your pharmacist Why not ask him what HIS blood pressure is running these days? Or perhaps the last time he got a lunch break?

I am a pharmacy technician. I've only been in pharmacy for a few years, but know their reputation. Eckerd's is often a joke among real pharmacies. They are money driven. I've heard that they hire inexperienced people to save money on their payroll. Some of their employees aren't even certified and may be only making minimum wage. Which, to me, is the same as a fast food drive through employee with no experience. I thought this was well known everywhere. I, as a technician, am sorry that you were given such poor service. I wish they would quit giving pharmacies a bad reputation. There are so many other places you could go. There are many great pharmacists and technicians that remember that your well being is the first/only priority. This should be the ONLY reason they work in pharmacy. My advise to you is to never even think of going to another Eckerd's. You will probably never find a good Eckerd's anywhere. Best wishes to you.