So, you read my last post and now you are thinking that you might need to seek out a new pharmacy to serve you better. Maybe they make you wait too long. Maybe they don’t do what they say they will do. Maybe you just don’t connect with them personally. Whatever the reason, let’s talk about how to do this. The two most common reasons why most people don’t switch their pharmacy are 1.) they think it will be a hassle or 2.) they think all pharmacies are a pain so why not just use the one closest to the house even if it is a pain.
Let’s tackle these in order. First, it is quite easy to make the switch. All you need to do is call the new pharmacy and tell them what you want to transfer. They will do all of the work for you. Some will even offer you a gift card or some other incentive to move. Be sure to ask about that when you make your request. There might be an adjustment period as you get used to each other but that won’t last long and then you are good to go. Second, and most importantly, all pharmacies are not a pain. I will admit, we all have our opportunities, but there is no reason why you should have to go to a place that consistently disappoints you. It may be time to choose a new pharmacy. Here is what you should think about:
Convenience
But…you…said….not…to….use…the…closest Yes, I did, but I also said we are a business built around convenience. You likely have 7 or 8 pharmacies within a few miles from your house. Let’s pick from those. You don’t have to find the best Pharmacist in the city, just a good one, and there are a lot of good ones out there. My store is 7 miles away from my home yet none of my friends or neighbors shop at my store, and I don’t expect them to. It isn’t convenient.
Chain stores
Don’t generalize that one chain of stores is good or another one is bad. It is easy to group them together based on an impression that one store has made on you. Great chains have some bad locations and terrible chains have some great locations. It depends on the personnel who work there. Treat each store as its own entity and you might be surprised.
Types of chain stores
The tendency for a lot of people is to only look at the traditional corner drug store mega chains. Their opinion may be that these guys focus only on pharmacy so they must be the best. There is some merit to that mindset but there is more to the story sometimes. A lot of Pharmacists prefer a calmer environment where they have more time with their patients and will seek out places that can offer such an environment. If you haven’t considered looking at a pharmacy in a grocery store or a mass merchandiser, maybe you should. I am trying to avoid using names here so as not to bias your decision. Again, all chains have good and bad locations. Don’t generalize.
Convenient drive thru windows
Now there’s an oxymoron for you! If you have ever sat in line at a pharmacy drive thru then I don’t have to tell you how frustrating that can be. It seems like a good idea but not all pharmacy transactions can be taken care of quickly. If one person ahead of you runs into a problem, everyone has to pay for it. If you are disabled, have trouble walking, have young kids, or are simply just too lazy to get out of your car then you should seek out a pharmacy with a drive thru. Otherwise, don’t choose one of these thinking it will save you time. If you do choose a pharmacy with a drive thru and you have a transaction that might be difficult, please be considerate and go inside for that one trip.
Meet the Pharmacist
This is your best way to choose a pharmacy. Go by and talk to someone for a couple of minutes. You can tell them you are thinking of switching pharmacies and see what they say or you can just go by and ask a question. Ask something open-ended like “I have a cold. What do you recommend?” or “I am constipated.” These would require the Pharmacist to ask you a few questions to narrow down the recommendation and the second one would also give you a nice lesson in humility. See if the Pharmacist takes time out for you, if they communicate in a way that makes you comfortable, and if they seem to care about getting the right product for you.
Trial run
After you find a place you think you might like, take a prescription by or have them transfer something for you. Check out their efficiency. See if the other staff seem to be competent. If that goes well then you are on your way to a better experience at the pharmacy.
I hope this information will help you choose a pharmacy if you are in need of one. Please add your comments and ideas below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
I went to the same pharmacy for years, not because I loved them, but just out of habit. One day I realized that I didn’t recognize any of the employees anymore, and when I thought about it the pharmacists seemed to change frequently as well. I came to the conclusion that these people didn’t know me or my medical history,so I decided to look around.
After doing some research I found a place that was convenient and where there wasn’t such a turnover of staff. I now have a pharmacist who recognizes me and my family and who smiles when I have a question. I feel a lot more confident about the service I’m getting there.
Will your pharmacist special order a medication for their customers or would it be a hassle to them
We will but only under certain circumstances. There must be a legitimate medical reason to do so, like an allergy to dye. If someone doesn’t want a white pill because their other pills are white that is not a good reason. Also, the requested medication needs to have a similar cost to the one we offer. Lastly, be nice and not demanding when you make this kind of request.