Reader "R." recently complained to me on a different thread about
Target's pharmacies moving to
CVS management. Well R, you're not alone, as
Consumerist just posted a report about the CVS takeover erasing everything that used to be good about Target pharmacies. Cited as the primary gripes were the elimination of the ClearRX bottle system, increased drug costs, and the poor data migration (which interrupted auto-refill prescriptions).
Unfortunately for them, Target seems to be paying the price for these decisions. During a recent earnings call, Target tied
its poor performance to the fact that stores have lost some foot traffic because of “some disruptions” when the discount store sold its pharmacy business to CVS.
6 comments:
i loved my target pharmacy and the bottles were super easy to tell the difference of what was whose. With four people being on medicine, it was easy to glance at the color band and grab. I HATE the new bottles, and they are super hard to open too. UGH. Also, the app is annoying, and they have changed some generic manufacturers...which affects my son with a red dye allergy. So annoyed at all this!!
That's why I use a local independent pharmacy.
Hey I bet that "R" is me! ;) I feel internet famous now.
I have to agree, the old bottles (ClearRX) were AMAZING. I have 4 pretty healthy family members and 2 pets with medications.... I know for a fact I have accidentally taken my crazy dog's doggieprozac by mistake in the mornings (when I take my vitamin and PCOS meds - before my coffee has kicked in). I understand the issue is Target still owns the patent or something, or the problems of large scale implementing a bottle that would probably be harder for manufactures to produce on the level of CVS... but COME ON. BRING IT BACK PLEASE. Or even just color coding on the white bottle caps. I'm baffled as to why this isn't thing at EVERY pharmacy, honestly. Walgreens turns the caps pink in October for breast cancer.... why can't they offer different caps for different family members!?
I do agree with the previous commenter; the CVS bottle are super hard to open. I'm young and work out, too. Must be very hard for older people, or those with diminished grip strength.
Lastly, there was no change for our family personally in drug costs, but my dang crazy dog doesn't have RX insurance (because he's a DOG) and the cost for his crazy pills QUADRUPLED. I switched the dog to Walgreens because they have a drive through. In the process of switching the rest of the family. I went out of my way to get our meds at Target before because the bottles were literally safer, pharmacy rewards, Starbucks, and ITS TARGET so obvs I have a cartful of other stuff I "need" to pick up as well... no more! Walgreens and the drive through window is super convenient, their app works, they're 24/7 and on just about every street corner everywhere. (One time I forgot my medication when I went on a Vegas trip and it was a pain to find a Target pharmacy...)
End rant. CVS do the right thing around and bring back ClearRX. At least for your Target locations. Call it a special exclusive bonus or something.
I saved my last Target pill bottles & I now transfer refills into the old bottles -
once I get them open! I keep current CVS (UGH) empty bottles until the next refill,
so I have info available.
I've been a Target pharmacy customer for years. The change to CVS has been dreadful. The few Target employees who are still there are just as helpful, but I can tell they are frustrated with the whole thing. Most times I go now and get a new employee...brought over from CVS..they have been surly, unhelpful, you name it. It took me 3 times to try and get signed up for their new reward program, with a "new" employee assuring me I was. Yet, next time I presented my card, it showed "not recognized". The one pharma tech that I have known for years get me signed up, the 4th time. He actually "scanned" the card into his hand-held, something the previous 3 employees had skipped, so therefore I wasn't getting signed up like they told me. I agree the bottle issue is awful. The first one I got had a snap off lid, which opened up inside my cosmetic bag while travelling. When I opened the bag at my destination, I had the task of picking up tiny pills, (60 of them) that spilled on the floor, the bathroom sink, etc. losing some of them in the process. Now, I just transfer to my old red bottles, but you do need to have a currently dated prescription when you travel. I really like and feel a certain loyalty to my tech that I have known for years, but I have told him that I am considering changing if things don't smooth out soon. I only get to see him 1 out of about 6 visits anyhow. I am suspicious that he may be looking for another job.
I despise CVS, but it's the only pharmacy on my plan that's in any way convenient.
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