Summary

The author shares their journey of finding a more cost-effective and efficient pharmacy after experiencing inconveniences and overcharging at a national drugstore chain.

Abstract

The article details the author's transition from using a national drugstore chain to patronizing an independent pharmacy. Initially, the author faced long wait times, overcharging, and inflexible return policies at the chain store. These issues included a $80 charge for a 2 oz tube of skin cream, a forced switch to a hard tablet medication without the option to return the unused pills, and a dispensing error resulting in a one-year supply of medication instead of a month's supply. Frustrated with these experiences and the lack of storage space for excess medication, the author sought out an independent pharmacist. This pharmacy offered competitive pricing, free delivery, and generic drug options, ultimately saving the author time and money. The author encourages readers to support small, honest pharmacists, citing a specific example where the independent store sold the same skin cream for half the price of the chain store.

Opinions

The author perceives the national drugstore chain as profit-driven at the expense of customer convenience and fair pricing.
The independent pharmacy is portrayed as a consumer-friendly alternative that provides honest service and better value.
The author expresses dissatisfaction with the chain drugstore's practice of selling a year's supply of medication at once, which is inconvenient for customers with limited storage space.
There is a clear preference for the personalized service and flexibility offered by the independent pharmacist, which includes the option for free delivery and the use of generic drugs.
The author believes that shopping around for medication can lead to significant savings and improved customer service experiences.
The author suggests that readers can avoid wasting money and medication by choosing independent pharmacies over large chains.

How You Get a Better Deal on Your Medications

Here is how I Did it.

When moving to my current address, I set up my account with a nearby store of a national drugstore chain.

It was a busy store. I would wait in line to give my order, then go back the next day to pick it up.

The clerk always asked if I would wait for the order, but it took a long time, often thirty minutes. I didn’t want to hang around a drugstore for thirty minutes.

My dermatologist ordered a tube of skin cream for me. The Drugstore charged me $80 for a 2 oz tube. The price sounded extreme for a tube of skin cream. I paid for it, grumbling.

They changed from a water dissolving pill to a hard tablet of the same size on my next order.

I returned the pills, but they would not accept them. I could buy a different powder in a small envelope.

When I went to pick a month’s supply, they handed me the clipped bag, and the price was over $100.

When I got to my apartment and opened the bag, it was for a one-year supply. I took it back. The druggist explained they could not take back any drug sold.

There is little storage space in my apartment.

I found a place, though not convenient, to store the excess drugs.

The Drugstore was, in effect, tying up my capital for months until I used the product.

The Wall Street Journal stated this company had a banner year in profits.

Perhaps they made extra profits by overcharging and overdistributing their products. I had enough of this National Drug chain.

My wish was to find an honest independent drug store.

I wanted a drugstore that was honest with me, not dependent on making profits for headquarters.

After a long search, I found one run by a single pharmacist and one assistant.

It was a small store. The shelves contained only pharmaceutical supplies.

Theirs is nothing like the chain stores that display a vast supply of cosmetics, soft drinks, groceries, and housekeeping supplies.

When I went to the service window, the Pharmacist was filling prescriptions, and he was not to be disturbed.

It made sense. It would interrupt the pill count. He could make a miscount.

I talked with the assistant. She offered free delivery and generic drugs to fill the order.

Free delivery will save me time, and the generic drugs will save me money. I jumped at both offers.

Here is The Way You do it.

Search for an independent druggist in your area. They will save you time and money just as they did me.

The tube of the same skin cream costs $40 at the independent Drugstore. It was half the price of the chain drugstore.

So, it pays to shop around. Support the small, honest pharmacists and save money. You will be glad you did. Also, you won’t have a bucket load of out-of-date pills you need to toss.

My thanks to Maria Rattray for her suggestions.

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