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Original poster

The time it blessed takes for a prescription to be filled?!

154 replies

Looklively · 14/02/2022 18:09

Am I the only person that can’t quite understand why, when there is no queue, and apparently three members of staff plus the pharmacist (hiding) behind the counter it still takes an eternity for someone to serve me, and then another lifetime for them to fill the script?? I wouldn’t mind but this happens every single time at every pharmacy I’ve tried recently, and I was collecting medication that had been prescribed and sent by the doc (he checked it had been sent whilst I was at the surgery) at least four hours previously - I even received a text to say that it was ready! And why, when all I’m doing is confirming my name/ address are they so damn surly? Am I just really entitled for thinking that these people don’t really understand the idea of expediency/ efficiency/ customer service? It takes less time to collect my orders from next - and they are almost always friendly and usually only have one or two people on hand.

OP posts:
Tyrozet · 14/02/2022 18:44

Because you're not the only person who's precription they are working on? Surely it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work that out.

Unless you think they should drop everything else they are doing and skip you to the front of their queue?

You have absolutely no idea what the workload is like for them behind the counter. If you haven't got time to wait for your prescription to be filled, come back when you do have time - don't get your knickers in a twist because you're not their priority in a sea of other jobs that they are unlikely to be adequately staffed to do.

Your orders from next are already packaged when you go to pick them up. They also wont kill you if a qualified professional doesn't take their time checking they are correct before handing them out Hmm

Reallybadidea · 14/02/2022 18:45

We're lucky enough to have a dispensary attached to the surgery so at the end of an appointment the doctor sends it through and they have it ready within 5 minutes or so.

Repeat prescriptions I use Hey pharmacy app. A few clicks and my medication plops through my letterbox a few days later.

H1Drangea · 14/02/2022 18:46

There is a pharmacy connected to our Drs surgery , we can collect 10 mins or so after the appointment
24 hours notice needed for a repeat prescription
Works fine

H1Drangea · 14/02/2022 18:48

Haha !
Cross post with @Reallybadidea
( do you live in my village 👍)

Cherrymix · 14/02/2022 18:50

I also get frustrated with slowness of pharmacies. Plus asking you loudly in front of all other customers why the person you are collecting prescription for has an exemption ( even though it says it on printed label).

If there are good reasons, instead of being grumpy, why not provide some information to customers about why it is taking so long. A simple printed notice would help to manage expectations.

itrytomakemyway · 14/02/2022 18:51

I think pharmacists have been the true heros of the pandemic. They have been open throughout - unlike my GPs who have been invisible for much of it. Ditto my bloody expensive dentist.

Yes they are often slow, but bloody hell, look at the conditions they work in. In my Boots there are 3 or 4 of them crammed behind a tiny counter. They stay in masks all day. they face abuse from inpatient customers. They face abuse because the GP surgery has, yet again, nit sent the repeat prescription in on time.

Thank you to everyone who has kept this service running for the pat 2 years. A lifeline to millions.

BellatricksStrange · 14/02/2022 18:52

I think Jack Dee has a routine about this. His point is: Surely it shouldn't take longer than it takes to count to 24 to fill your prescription. Just count the blessed pills and let me get on with my day.

Cherrymix · 14/02/2022 18:52

We used to have an excellent pharmacy service locally but now it is terrible. While there may be good reasons for this, it is a mystery to all of the users

Darbs76 · 14/02/2022 18:53

Mine always takes ages but it’s controlled drugs, my daughters is usually ready under the counter

Nightlystroll · 14/02/2022 18:53

I'm with you op. At our surgery, they take the script off you and put it in a basket and pile it on the counter. The pharmacist then picks up the basket, takes a box from the shelf and puts it in a bag. God knows what else they do. Eat lunch? It's not as if they're grinding up the chemicals and moulding the pills themselves. In acknowledgement of the time it takes, they've now put in a lounge with a telly so you could be comfy while you wait. I once waited over half an hour with my dad. It's ridiculous.

VikingLundyMalin · 14/02/2022 18:54

@BellatricksStrange

I think Jack Dee has a routine about this. His point is: Surely it shouldn't take longer than it takes to count to 24 to fill your prescription. Just count the blessed pills and let me get on with my day.
Well he’s be wrong then - as are you.
Cherrymix · 14/02/2022 18:55

Unfortunately our local pharmacies have not been pandemic heroes. Their service has massively deteriorated and never recovered

Canaloha · 14/02/2022 18:56

Just like anywhere some are efficient with friendly staff, others are full of miserable ones. I suspect lack of staff is to blame for at least a chunk of it, I used to work in one in my gap year and we always had a fair amount of staff in; now there's less than half and from what I gather they're busier than ever. However, it is frustrating when you're told something is ready or are ignored, at least if someone said sorry it'll be 30 mins or whatever you can decide to go back later or to wait; it's communication or lack of that's usually the issue. Some are bloody fantastic though, when DS was poorly they offered to bring it to the car so we could wait and be more comfortable in there. As an aside asking for name and address always feels pointless, I know lots of people's names and addresses, I might know they're on something I want to obtain- I know not everyone has ID so that wouldn't be fair but.

TyrannosaurusRegina · 14/02/2022 18:59

It takes a while because you're not the only person that they are all waiting around to fill the prescription of.

HollaHolla · 14/02/2022 19:02

I have to say that my pharmacy (in Asda) is brilliant. I'm on 9 different medications; some refillable weekly, some monthly, and some two monthly. They do an amazing job, even though I feel like a total frequent flyer. They're sometimes so busy that it takes a couple of days from ordering at the GP (on an app), until I can collect at the shop. They're open 08:00 - 21:00, 7 days per week, which is fab. They also know my mum now, and she's down as someone who can collect my controlled drugs. They even delivered to me when I was stuck inside, post surgery, a couple of years ago.
I think you need to find a different pharmacy...

Stellaris22 · 14/02/2022 19:03

There will always people needing ad hoc prescriptions, so if those with regular/repeat medicines just ordered online for delivery it would free up the time for pharmacists to interact with those who need help.

Clearly there's issues with pharmacists being over worked and unable to cope with demand. Seems odd to complain about delays in pharmacies when you could just have the convenience of delivery.

narcdad · 14/02/2022 19:04

At my usual chemist no more than 5 minutes usually.

Boots on the other hand 😡 I was waiting 25 minutes and there were 3 staff and no one waiting, that's 25 minutes just to waiting to be acknowledged, despite me saying twice I've come to collect.

DetailMouse · 14/02/2022 19:06

I'm with you OP. How long can it take to get the box off the shelf, check the details and put it in a bag? Even when it's "ready" it takes ages for them to actually hand it out.

And even if there are loads of others waiting, it's not at all unreasonable to expect they'd prioritise the one for the customer in the shop waiting.

CharacterForming · 14/02/2022 19:06

I'm slightly baffled by this - I regularly use three different pharmacies and they each normally give me my drugs in the time it takes to play a game of Angry Birds.

Cherrymix · 14/02/2022 19:06

They may have to ask about exemption but this could be done quietly/ politely/ in a pleasant way.

Not as if you are some kind of fraudster

Cherrymix · 14/02/2022 19:07

Especially during pandemic when lots of community volunteers were helping out

Wilkolampshade · 14/02/2022 19:08

I guess I'm lucky because our local chemist stayed open throughout the pandemic, upped their staffing levels and provided jabs as well as collection and delivery services to those shielding or isolating. They have been a source of friendly, accessible and informed medical knowledge on several occasions and seem to speak several languages between them and I bloody love them.

LolaLouLou · 14/02/2022 19:08

@itrytomakemyway

I think pharmacists have been the true heros of the pandemic. They have been open throughout - unlike my GPs who have been invisible for much of it. Ditto my bloody expensive dentist.

Yes they are often slow, but bloody hell, look at the conditions they work in. In my Boots there are 3 or 4 of them crammed behind a tiny counter. They stay in masks all day. they face abuse from inpatient customers. They face abuse because the GP surgery has, yet again, nit sent the repeat prescription in on time.

Thank you to everyone who has kept this service running for the pat 2 years. A lifeline to millions.

This. Every single word. Pharmacy staff hwve worked through out the pandemic with no choice about who they send through the door.
VikingLundyMalin · 14/02/2022 19:10

@Stellaris22

There will always people needing ad hoc prescriptions, so if those with regular/repeat medicines just ordered online for delivery it would free up the time for pharmacists to interact with those who need help.

Clearly there's issues with pharmacists being over worked and unable to cope with demand. Seems odd to complain about delays in pharmacies when you could just have the convenience of delivery.

Unfortunately our funding is linked to prescription volume - no prescriptions = no funding = pharmacies not viable.

Until our contract changes this is they way it will be - and many pharmacies will close before this happens.