Pharmacy Ridiculousness

[bednobs]

Hi, i have had to go to the pharmacy for the third time in 2 weeks today. Each time was at a different time of day on a different day. Each time there is about a 30-minute wait in the queue followed by a 30–55-minute wait for prescription to be checked and dispensed. If you go away in the dispensary wait, you have to join the queue again to let them know you are back (when you get to the front) Every time the queue was "restive" about having to wait so long, nearly everyone moaning to the staff as soon as they got to the front about the wait, and some outright hostility too.
is this just a local issue, or do you all have pharmacies like this?

[rockyracoon]

Don't talk to me about pharmacies. The one I use is dire, but it's the only one that will dispense my meds.

GP send prescription electronically
Go round there, they haven't ordered it
Go round next day, they haven't checked it
Go round next day to collects.

3 visits every 45 days for one prescription. Does my nut in. Can't find a postal service that can get my meds.

[gingejbee]

Some of our prescription items are delivered by a local independent pharmacy...but one is collected from (useless) Boots.
A few weeks ago they texted me (Thurs 4PM) telling me that the item was ready to collect. I went at 10AM the following day and was told I couldn't have it because they had no pharmacist on duty that day!
So a pharmacy without a pharmacist...that's Boots now.

[davebro]

Bit more queuing at the chemists these days. I was thinking going postal would reduce their footfall & maybe they could close down but that doesn't seem to be possible. Re-thinking the options now.

[youngmafbog]

Use System online (not the best but functions) prescription then sent to Day Lewis almost next door to surgery. Never had a problem there dont think I have ever queued behind more than one person. It's busy but not mega. Only had prescription not get there once, Day Lewis sorted it. Also went to pick up prescription and was told you can have the flu injection, I said OK expecting to return but no dragged into the little room jabbed and out in about 1 minute.

I call that a service.

[calmck]

Good service here. Doctor sends prescription by SMS to my phone. I go to chemist, take a ticket, usually no more than 5 minute wait, show SMS they get the meds, leave. If they have to order anything in chemist sends SMS when ready. When I go to collect take different ticket to pick up order. We get all our meds in original boxes etc. no dispensing into bottles etc. just straight from manufacturer.

[bednobs]

almost everyone poured out their tale of woe to the harrassed pharmacy assistant
you didnt put my inhaler in the bag ...
i had to queue up for 50 minutes ...
i'm going to collapse i've been standing so long ...
i have left my mum with dementia at home alone ...
i can't wait any more ...
i felt a bit sorry for them really.

[roopower]

Our local pharmacy does get very busy but the worst problem is the drs not sending the prescriptions through to them.

[Buenchico]

For repeat prescriptions, I simply make my request online and then pick up my prescription a few days later. Just like any other shop there's sometimes a short queue but I never have to wait more than a few minutes.

For a fresh prescription issued by a doctor, either following a face-to-face conversation or a telephone one, he/she sends the prescription electronically to the pharmacy (which is on the same site) straight away and it's then available for collection just a few minutes later, again with a minimal wait.

[anneasquith]

I’ve heard recently about pharmacists and pharmacy staff being verbally abused. Since covid they have been particularly busy and short staffed, some are leaving .
If you recall we were advised to use our pharmacist more to assist gp’s. Clients are doing that, with no increase in staff how can they cope as they did ?

[anneasquith]

** true, roopower .

[naomi24]

Our GP pharmacy was rubbish before Covid. Nothing has changed except before we went into the building and now we wait at a window.

[Patsy33]

That is so bad. No wonder people are stressed
We are lucky where we live, we phone surgery for repeat prescriptions, and pick it up 2 days later at gp surgery.

[tiggerblue10]

I used to have the same problem years ago but now, since I moved, any prescriptions I need get sent electronically to the pharmacy next door to my surgery. They tell me I can pick up so I know when to pop down to collect. There's usually a small queue with two tills.

[tomus42]

I order repeat prescriptions online. The pharmacy (Boots) sends me a text when it's ready for collection.
I just turn up and collect it. No queueing is involved usually.

[douglas9401]

Sadly a good experience for one person doesn't mean it'll be the same for others.

Covid has been a godsend for the officious and awkward.

[hamta03]

That sounds incredibly frustrating! Dealing with long wait times and queues at the pharmacy can be a real headache, especially when it becomes a recurring issue. It's disappointing to hear about the wait times and the dissatisfaction among customers.

While experiences can vary from place to place, it's unfortunate that you've had to deal with this multiple times. It seems like there might be some inefficiencies or challenges in the pharmacy's workflow that need addressing.

If you're looking for alternatives or supplementary options, you might want to buy zopiclone online uk at https://buyzopicloneonline.com/. It could provide a convenient solution, especially for medications that don't require immediate dispensing.