I normally don't like to post stuff like this but if you happen to need your medication from the pharmacy please remain patient and respectful with your pharmacy staff. Most stores are almost always operating with minimal staffing (as in maybe 2 people working inside the pharmacy to fill your medication) and there is a high demand for your pharmacist's attention from patients (especially the elderly), doctors, and insurance companies more than ever.

*use the drive-thru and avoid coming inside if you can.
*Don't wait to fill your medications until you have one day or have taken your last pill.
*Know which pharmacy your insurance prefers. Not all plans are accepted everywhere. If your prescriptions are sent to an out-of-network pharmacy it will further delay you getting your medications.
*Have insurance issues or delays?
-> Call your insurance company ahead of time, they know more about your plan and they determine your copayments and deductible.
-> See if they will allow you to fill 90 days for non-controlled substances even if you normally get 30 days supply (you may be able to get an override even if it's too soon to fill, of course this all depends on the type of medications you need.)
-> Need a prior authorization? Patients can always inquire about the status from their insurance.

*Ask your doctor for 90 day prescriptions if you don't have any current prescriptions (non-controlled prescriptions expire after one year from the date they are written. Rxs written for C3-C5 controlled substances expire 6 months from the date written regardless if they have refills or not).

*GoodRx.com is a great site for discounts or search via google for a manufacturer coupon! Also, make sure to ask your insurance company if they allow you to use coupons or promotional cards.

*If your pharmacy has a phone app download it and register your profile to see your prescription information, status and pricing (instead of constantly calling the pharmacy for things that can be easily accessed on your phone).

*Inquire about delivery services (controlled substances, high risk medications, and refrigerated medications usually aren't eligible).

Amen.

If your Dr. sends your Rx(s) to the pharmacy electronically, that is the only "instant" step in the process. Do not go straight to the pharmacy expecting it to be ready. Our system defaults to 90 mins after receipt of electronic and faxed Rxs (we normally will have it ready within 60). During our lowest volume times, it would be a minimum of 15-20 mins from receiving the eRx from your Dr. to bagged and ready to go. We are currently as busy as we have been all year, which means it's likely not going to be ready if you show up within the hour.

I will echo the insurance points made above, and add to just bring your insurance cards with you. All of them. One way to know which one we need is to look for "RX BIN" "PCN" "RX GROUP" on the card somewhere. If it's not on there, it's probably the wrong card.

If you are using goodrx and/or other discount cards, please don't plan to wait for us to process every single one of them while you wait in the drive thru. Imagine that you are in the car behind you.... We are more than happy to assist you finding the best price, but that process takes time.

Sign up for email and/or text alerts.
Read, and I mean **READ** the messages. Closely. Use the links in those messages to find out what's going on. Most of the time that will tell you anything you need to know without calling the pharmacy.

Also, lots of sick people touch things in the pharmacy. All the time. Don't let your kids rest their faces on the chairs, counters, handle of the cart, etc.

If you feel the need to wear gloves around town, don't put them all over our counters that we are constantly trying to keep clean. I had a guy with gloves on today lean with both hands in multiple places on the counter while he waited, and I'm not a germaphobe but it was disgusting to think about. Just because your hands are clean, those gloves are likely nastier than anyone's bare hands right now.

If you shop at a chain or grocery store pharmacy, we don't keep TP, thermometers, masks, hand sanitizer (for sale), milk, eggs, etc. in the pharmacy and have no idea when it will be in stock next - our orders and inventory are totally separate from the self-service items.

We are currently extremely busy from open to close, every day (actually the last 6 months have been crazy at my store for some reason), and I'm just waiting for the first tech to call in sick with a sore throat, then the panic set in among the rest of the staff. The silver lining of schools being closed is that some of my most experienced staff are college/pharm students, and are now available full time to help out.

Reading and thinking about all of the businesses failing, or that are in jeopardy of failing, gives me a little peace in all of this madness that I can still provide for my family.

Keep fighting the good fight, folks.