CVS

The cvs pharmacist - mr milton nichols at your cvs pharmacy in silver spring, at 1290 east-west hwy, md 20910.

This is the 3rd time in about 6 - 10 months i've been given the rude firm hand and no smile treatment by mr milton nichols, the last poor service given to me by him being last evening (jan 7th, 2010) around
6.15 pm when I went to pick up my prescription.

The incidents are as follows;
A) the 1st time I was prescribed lovaza (early 2009) and I filled it, due to the high cost, I asked the pharmacy assistant if there was a generic. he put me on to mr nichols who very curtly told me that's what the doctor has prescribed (with the straight faced look as if to say don't bother me with silly questions).

B) sometime later, gsk sent me a coupon to get $ 20.00 off. I took this to re-fill my rx and since the coupon had some issue in processing, I was told by mr nichols to deal with gsk myself if I want the rebate. the following day I called up gsk and they explained to me it was valid but (due to technical matters) asked me to ask the pharmacist to call them.

The next day too I was refused at cvs for this request by mr nichols telling me that its not their business to call. having called gsk for a 2nd time the following day, they explained that the code or something to that effect has to be entered by the pharmacy and for them to call to sort out the matter.

A third visit on a subsequent evening for the same matter, a pharmacy assistant took the time to make the call and got the necessary clarification / processing done (mr nichols was not on duty at that
Time) but alas, the item was not in stock and I was going overseas on work.

C) yesterday, I went in for another re-fill. the pharmacy assistant who helped me at the checkout entered $ 50.00. I explained to him that I previously paid only $ 15.00 (that is co-pay of $ 35.00 less the gsk rebate of $ 20.00) and showed my re-fill receipt of 31st oct, 2009. he promptly went with the matter to mr nichols who told him something. I was then told by the pa that it is the correct price.

Mr nichols then walked upto me and said very firmly, even though I may have paid $ 15.00 previously, the 2 codes are correctly entered pointing to it. he snared at me saying, 'I like to remind you that it is now 2010 sir, and your previous re-fill was in 2009. prices could have changed - we know nothing else. we just fill it. you will have to sort it out with your insurance'.

Today, I phoned caremark and the agent who served me after verifying my details said i've already filled in the lovaza yesterday. I told him I did not pick it up (and as at almost 24 hours later, the entry has not been reversed) due to the pricing and inquired as to why the change? he told me it is $ 70.00 as i've been given 2 months of supply (which I did not ask for).

Mr nichols in addition to being the kind of rude and no smile poor customer care provider, has also in my opinion not done his duty by trying to check as to what could have been the price difference. he had also approved the incorrect quantity of re-fill.

A little more care and review on his part (on my inquiring) could have easily rectified this matter as mistakes could happen. recovery seems non-existent.

As for me, I now have to make another visit to the cvs pharmacy tomorrow to get the correct re-fill at the correct price.

You may contact me if you require further clarification. I sincerely hope you will have mr nichols trained with immediate effect before more customers silently suffer his high and mighty arrogance and poor service.

A truly hassled cvs pharmacy customer!