Started By
Message

I think I've found a cheat code for getting through to the Pharmacist on the phone

Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:25 pm
Posted by SUB
Silver Tier TD Premium
Member since Jan 2009
25225 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:25 pm
CVS and Walgreens' automated phone systems are such arse these days. You can say "Pharmacist" til your face turns blue and you rarely ever get connected. Even when I do at CVS, it now sends me to a damn voicemail.

You want to go directly to the pharmacist? Just say that you are a provider at the beginning after it prompts you, or just whenever. You'll get put right through to their phones.

Apologies if this is common knowledge, but thought I'd pass it along for anyone else that doesn't know.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
138647 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:41 pm to
Or do business with a better pharmacy than walgreens or cvs.
Posted by Eighteen
Member since Dec 2006
37323 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:42 pm to
haven’t tried it but I heard if you just say a few cuss words all AI are trained to treat that as “anger” and escalate you to a real person
Posted by Jake88
Member since Apr 2005
79483 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:44 pm to
quote:

You want to go directly to the pharmacist? Just say that you are a provider at the beginning after it prompts you, or just whenever. 
Youre not a prescriber and no, it doesnt. You'll get asked if you want to leave a message and then you'll eventually get connected with a tech.
This post was edited on 3/26/26 at 12:49 pm
Posted by Pettifogger
I don't really care, Margaret
Member since Feb 2012
87039 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:46 pm to
I understand why people don't want to rely on a small local pharmacy (although I also understand why they're attractive). But if you've got decent grocery store options - like Publix, etc. - why isn't that a far preferably option to CVS et al?

I call Publix, they answer. They'll call you back, etc. Reliable, easy to navigate issues with. I mentioned this once and got pretty heavily downvoted so I guess I'm missing something.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
45073 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:49 pm to
I say "speak to pharmacy staff". It tries AI a few times then relents and puts you through.
Posted by SUB
Silver Tier TD Premium
Member since Jan 2009
25225 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:50 pm to
quote:

Or do business with a better pharmacy than walgreens or cvs.


I get discounts through my health plan if I use CVS, so I'm not using another pharmacy.
Posted by HogPharmer
Member since Jun 2022
3620 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:50 pm to
You don't need to speak to me to ask for a refill.

Having said that, I work at a small town independent pharmacy. So if you have legit questions, I'm always happy to answer them. That's literally my job. But it does get frustrating when customers call the doctor line just to ask for stupid stuff.

And yes, CVS and Walgreens automated phone systems (and their stores in general) suck.
Posted by Bigfishchoupique
Member since Jul 2017
9559 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:51 pm to
I’ve known that for three years.
Posted by SUB
Silver Tier TD Premium
Member since Jan 2009
25225 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:54 pm to
quote:

You don't need to speak to me to ask for a refill.


I know, baw. But sometimes the pharmacy says there's an issue with a prescription and the doc says they've given them all they need, and I need to play middle man. I don't want to but I have no choice. Also, they weren't going to refill my script well after I had run out, had I not called them.
This post was edited on 3/26/26 at 12:55 pm
Posted by WaydownSouth
Stratton Oakmont
Member since Nov 2018
11056 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:57 pm to
You are using the McDonalds and Burger King of the pharmacy world and complaining about bad service .

Never have this issue with the independent I use
Posted by madamsquirrel
The big somewhere out there
Member since Jul 2009
55925 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 12:59 pm to
quote:

you just say a few cuss words all AI are trained to treat that as “anger” and escalate you to a real person
Most places pressing zero repeatedly does the same thing
This post was edited on 3/26/26 at 1:24 pm
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
15137 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:01 pm to
Why does anyone need a pharmacist to answer questions the doctor should have addressed, or to read what is printed when the RX is delivered?
Posted by SallysHuman
Lady Palmetto Bug
Member since Jan 2025
19705 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:08 pm to
quote:

Why does anyone need a pharmacist to answer questions the doctor should have addressed, or to read what is printed when the RX is delivered?


When you have a new Rx and want to call to see if it’s filled yet. Not needing a pharmacist, but somebody from the department.
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
61246 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:10 pm to
I’ve never needed to speak to a pharmacist.
Posted by TigerBaitOohHaHa
Member since Jan 2023
1971 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:13 pm to
CVS and Walgreens both suck. I have good luck with my local grocery store pharmacy.
Posted by Codythetiger
Arkansas
Member since Nov 2006
30370 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:15 pm to
My wife went to the Walgreens pharmacy by our house for about 2 years but after long waits and bad service she switched to the mom and pop pharmacy that's literally across the road. Much better and they deliver straight to our house
Posted by NBR_Exile
Houston via Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
1995 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:20 pm to
quote:

Or do business with a better pharmacy than walgreens or cvs.
. I use HEB. My doc sends over the script. HEB tells me they have the script and when it’s ready. Easy peasy.
Posted by Gravitiger
Member since Jun 2011
12362 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:20 pm to
How often do you need to personally speak to a Pharm.D. by phone that this is a major issue for you?
This post was edited on 3/26/26 at 1:21 pm
Posted by Misnomer
Member since Apr 2020
3731 posts
Posted on 3/26/26 at 1:21 pm to
I work at an independent pharmacy. I'll never work at the big box retail for many reasons, one of them includes how angry people are by the time they've held 30 minutes and finally get a human on the phone.

At my pharmacy, a human picks up within three rings.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 3Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram