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Comment by JohnMakin | Hacker News Reader

It’s a shame, I have had a longstanding condition that occasionally requires medication that is not readily available in some pharmacies or that pharmacists occasionally will not even want to stock. CVS is such a miserable experience I stopped going years ago, walgreen’s much the same. My rite aid, which maybe is a local quirk, for whatever reason is extra attentive to my needs, medication refills take just a few minutes, they’ll call to remind me about things and regularly contact my doctor’s office to see if they need to stock anything. It’s been great and I’ll be really sad if it closes.

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Probably location dependent. We have a very well loved grocery chain in Texas called HEB who have their own pharmacy. The one down the street from me is horrifically bad at managing scripts. So I use the Walgreens down the street because even though it’s double the price they can at least reliably fill and produce medication for me and have functioning technical systems

The HEB a few minutes further down the road also is fine, so it’s often branch dependent in my experience (mismanagement?)

I’d recommend giving Amazon Pharmacy or their subsidiary, PillPack a gander to see if they stock your medication.

I've had a lot of success with Cost Plus Drug as well.

Be aware that Cost Plus Drug is also heavy on marketing. The few times I’ve checked it was not actually the cheapest cash-pay option.

They have cleverly, although transparently, applied the fee model to prescriptions. You see one price on their page, but when you get to checkout the total price inclusive of everything might be more expensive than your local Walmart.

Their marketing is incredibly effective, though. I can’t believe how many people think Cost Plus must be the cheapest option who are then shocked to discover the same prescription is $4 at their local Walmart.

It also takes 7-10 days to get your script from Cost Plus.

I use Amazon Pharmacy and it’s been an amazing experience. I get my drugs auto refilled, insurance is recognized and delivery is fast.

I haven’t filled a prescription in a brick and mortar pharmacy for a long time. Only limitations of online pharmacies are no consults, no vaccinations and no controlled substances.

I still go to a Safeway pharmacy for my shots. Even with an appointment I have to wait 30 mins or mlre because the staff are slammed. Pharmacist friends tell me it’s not a great time to be a pharmacist because of the shortage of techs.

I tell folks that if they can move their prescription online, they should. Not only will it save you the hassle, it’ll take the pressure off brick and mortars and actually help them improve in-person service for those who need it.

I’ve had a great customer service experience with Amazon Pharmacy, too.

Oddly enough, their non-insurance/Prime price is more affordable than my Bronze-level insurance plan.

> CVS is such a miserable experience

Never, ever let CVS get hold of your cell number. They start texting and texting and texting, and to get it to stop you have to phone your local store AND the headquarters.

The last time I was there paying for a subscription the pharmacist showed me how to opt out of that on the payment device in a few clicks.

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