That's interesting, I haven't heard of that before. I go to walgreens for some things that are on sale but that's about it. I go to CVS for any medications really.

My insurance company forced me to go to CVS.
" free" country, right ?
" you can go to any pharmacy, we just won't pay for most of the bill"

What the heck Aronia? geesh.

Actually I have been going to Walgreen's for so many years I've lost count and had a good experience with them until about 6 months ago or so and there was a new pharmacist there who didn't want to fill my pain med scrip my doc had given me. My doctor had changed the mg. of the scrip I gave him. ( the PA had written my last scrip for a lower dose and I never called cause I knew I was going to see my my doctor in 2 weeks and would straighten it out then . Yes, I just took 1.5 of the pills to keep the dose the same as it was. Probably should've called I know ) . Anyway, the doctor wrote ' can be filled early '. The pharmacist made me feel like a junkie. He told me ' Your last scrip was for a lower dose and now you're going up on the dose?' ( I'm sorry, but is that the pharmacis't business in the first damn place? ) The scrip was written as it was written . I didn't even need it to be filled yet but I was on the way home and thought I would go ahead and drop it off. I just told the pharmacist ' There was a mistake made on my last scrip and that's why the doctor has written the new one'. He hesitated awhile and then said ' Ok. I'll fill it. '. Okay judgemental pharmacist, thanks.

Don't get me wrong. I ' get it ' with pain meds and people abusing them and doctor shopping , etc. I ' get it ' that the pharmacists are doing their jobs and I'm sure it was a red flag with me dropping off the scrip before 30 days and the change in the dosage. My issue was the way he talked to me and how I felt.

I now get my prescriptions filled at Publix. I wish I had been going to publix, because they are cheaper than Walgreen's and I should've checked that out a long time ago!

I hadn't heard that Walgreen's is buying out CVS. Ironically, there is a CVS directly across the street from the Walgreen's I wrote about.

OOps.. Just realized you said Rite Aid, not CVS. I don't know if we even have Rite Aid's down here in Tennessee. I don't think I've seen one.

I enjoy Walgreens but since getting medicare w perscription assistance I took all meds to CVS because they administer the discount program I am in!

The same thing happened to me as Aronia. With little notice I was told I had to stop going to Walgreens and change to CVS. Meanwhile, it was my last month on Medicaid, so I tried to get as many prescriptions as possible filled, since I paid so little on Medicaid. But CVS wasn't great at calling for new prescriptions. So for one month I went to CVS and now I'm back at Walgreens with Medicare with the Extra Help.

Oh, well.

I guess whatever works... *sigh*

If you have Medicare, then your Part D drug coverage may offer you to go to a certain pharmacy(Anthem has CVS) where with Tier 4 or 5 drugs, you can get a greater amount paid if you use the "preferred" pharmacy or pay a higher amount with another.

So in effect, they have created a 6th tier for the meds but it's worth it to try and see which one is cheaper as CVS is known to have the highest cost for drugs. I have one that my Part D does not cover so I go to Walgreens for that and CVS for the covered ones.

Anyone see the Ken Burns documentary on Prohibition? It talks about how Walgreens was just starting out and they figured out, when prohibition came in, that if you mixed alcohol with something medicinal, people would buy it just to get the alcohol.They had like 7 stores at the start of prohibition and by the time it was repealed, 500+ stores. I like our Walgreens because it's the only 24 hour store in the area. Lousy service but cheap drugs and always open.

OCP I can understand your disappointment. Riteaid is a smaller pharmacy if I remember correctly. We don't have them in our state but I recall being in them elsewhere. They are like a real pharmacy and get to know you unlike a big chain like Walgreens.

With no notice our pharmacy sold out to Walgreens several years ago.
We found out before they closed and moved all our scripts to a family owned pharmacy before they could be transferred to Walgreens.

Hope you will find a friendly family pharmacy.

hippy

@hippyone,

Riteaid used to be Eckerd Drugs, they're a decent size chain in the south, I'm not sure if they're in the North or not. I've had the same 2 pharmacists there for 17 yrs. now and they are awesome.

and..I don't like change!!!! lol

So I'll have to do some research and figure out what to do. Both my Pdoc and my PM prefer being locked into 1 pharmacy for all meds, and I have no problem with that, I've always done it that way...so we'll see...i'm not changing until they make the change and force me to.

The Walgreens in my city is excellent. Much better than the smaller pharmacy I was using. They get my meds refilled if there are no refills, they alert me when a med is due to be refilled, text me when it's ready for pickup etc.
Maybe your experience will be like mine. I hope so.
It is dishearting when this happens, though.

In Louisiana CVS use to be Eckerds. They sold it around 1999 or 2000.

Noticed this discussion is from last month but thought I'd share what I've been told. Usually on the RA forum but read here time to time.

CVS is buying out Target.
Looks like Walgreens is buying out Riteaide.
All of these changes this new year? I know express scripts is the leader but also mail order which does not fly with certain meds. I wonder what prompted these buy outs. Think I'll ask my one pharmacist who I'm on good terms with.

Because of the generics I used 2 pharmacies with my docs understanding & permission. Once upon a time I had a decent relationship with both until a new pharmacist replaced the other at Walgreens. Since then it's been awful. She was great over the phone until I walked in one day. Apparently people on any narcotic therapy should not be ambulatory. Since then the treatment has been awful from being accused of early refills when I was actually late due to hospital visit to rudeness that extended to my husband. I've heard this lady discuss meds in front of customers & talk plenty loud enough through the drive thru for every county to hear.
Hate new pharmacists always feel as if I'm being judged.
Had a great relationship with one at target & she new my entire medical history. Declined to pick up a narcotic as I did not need it & she told my husband that was a first. Also never early in fact late on filling diazapam so basically I earned her trust enough to actually recommend meds to discuss with my doctor.
She left to have her fourth child & raise her family. As she arranged for me to pick up the other generic & let Walgreens know I could be trusted. Thank god the new one was trained by her so she is very good with me also.
Honestly believe Walgreens is trying to get me to go else where.
I've heard plenty horror stories & experianced my own.
It's harder then heck to find a independant pharmacy in my area that deals with these meds but I'm trying.
Walgreens has had me so shook up & even depressed over their treatment. Don't want to change to another chain as 2 pharmacies are enough. Lord knows just trying to get a script filled when my pharmacy was out was a nightmare. Another horrid ordeal. Told pharmacist they had my med in stock, once I arrived they suddenly did not have enough. Out that day so once I finally lost it & burst into tears they discovered they indeed had the quantity.
With RA, Neuropathy, Spinal problems, Fibro, Sjogrens Myofascial damage you'd think I've dealt with enough. You simply cannot appear to look normal & need these meds. The reason for taking these meds is to have quality & stay as mobile as possible. Perhaps I should video the days I have to use a walker or can't use my hands or put shoes on...we all deserve respect.
Once I leave walgreens I plan on speaking with a district magager or taking some form of action. No one should ever be treated so badly & no one should worry about others over hearing what meds they take.
I do not trust pharmacies & will ask for help transferring to an independant if I locate one.
Just thought I'd share.
Sammy

I know someone that uses a free Walgreens discount prescription card for their meds. The discount they receive at Walgreens is the only way they can afford their med. I wonder how this will affect them.

It may not effect your friend as Walgreens is the one buying rite aide.
I believe the move with Target & CVS has already occurred.
He can ask just to be on the safe side.
sammy