CVS
Reviews and Complaints

After a terrible experience at the Aliso Viejo CVS Pharmacy located at 26891 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo, CA and being provided bad prescription for a monthly birth control, I transferred over to the Laguna Niguel branch at 29995 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA. The transfer was initially fine, and they processed a replacement package for birth control NORG-EE 0.18-0.2150-0-.25/0.035. Once that package cycle was complete, I received a call on 10/14/2018 that the next prescription for the refill was ready for pick-up. I went into the pharmacy about 3:15pm, and the technician Ella searched for the item. She collected the package, and went to the computer to ring-up the item. Instead of ringing me up for the $13.84 though (the same price I had paid the month previously and the amount shown on the package), she went over to her other computer, asked me to follow her, and then went back to the original computer. She changed the price to $17.18. I told her that I was not comfortable with the change of the price, since she did so right in front of me after opening the bag, but she ignored my concern. I then asked to speak with a manager. The manager was called over, and listened to the concern. The pharmacist, a woman named Nastran, then proceeded to tell me that I should go to another pharmacy location. I told her that I was very uncomfortable and wanted to call the cops. She then said she could do it instead, and so we waited for the cop to arrive. When I explained the story of what happened at the cops arrival, he asked us for both sides of the story. He then said that I would have to pay the higher price of $17.18, even though the receipt says $13.84, and that they have a right to restrict service to someone because they are a private organization. I told him that I transferred to this branch for better customer service, and that I didn't want to transfer. He then said I did not have a choice. He also recommended I try Walgreens, and submit a complaint for poor service to the Better Business Bureau.

After many years I finally got wise and closed out my account I have had to many problems with the pharmacy. The manager at the time looked me straight in the eye and told me that my medication did not have penicillin in it. I believed her and broke out in a horrible rash. I am severely allergic to all penicillin products. I checked the internet and this medication did have penicillin in it. I could have died. I cThe store clerks have helped me not the rude people at the pharmacy. I spend over $200 for a product that I did not open and tried to return and they refused. I could see if I had opened it--however, it was unopened. So I got stuck with a product that I no longer want or have used and they have come the winner and me the loser! Yes I am angry. I emailed them and they have not contacted me yet. I will find another pharmacy. I will not shop at CVS ever again. I am destroying my card!

My needles for my TRT shots came in the wrong size at my regular pharmacy. I went to CVS in Newport News Va at 13000 Warwick Blvd to get a 25 gauge or smaller needle. Lauren the pharmacist said needed to see my prescription before she could sell me a needle. I said why I've never had a problem getting a needle before and Virginia has no law requiring anything to buy one. She said it's a CVS rule so I said I can call my wife and she can take a picture of the box and the bottle which shows my name and everything on it. Lauren said nope she need to see the real thing here. So I went home and got it and then she wanted to hold it and I said she can look at it and verify it's mine and current as well she could see my ID but she was not writing anything down of the bottle other than my name, address, phone number and reason for use. I would not allow her to write down private information off the bottle unless she could show me in writing that I had to. Lauren then said you know what I don't have to sell you anything if I don't feel like it. I said I agree if you think a person is getting needles to go do illegal drugs or something harmful you shouldn't sell them anything but I have proof that's not the case here and I have my prescription in hand and I have needles in hand it's just the 22 gauge needles hurt to much. 2 shots a week in the same spot for over a year makes scar tissue and it's tender in that area and all I want is a 25 gauge needle or small so I can take my medication. Lauren said we'll too bad you give me the bottle and I'll write down whatever I please and I'm not showing you any policy. She said you can call the 800 number but it will do you no good because I don't have to sell you anything and I don't even have to give a reason is our store policy. Now in closing I would like to point out I'm a white man and she was a black woman. I will call the 800 number tomorrow when they open and the BBB. Funny thing is I dove 5 minutes down the road to another CVS and a nice man working in the pharmacy just gave me 2 needles.

Incident on week of 9/30/18, not sure actual date, but the complaint is to regards an pharmacist, evenings, her name is Lynsy, not sure her spelling.

I am a 30 year diabetic, insulin dependent, I have been going to CVS pharmacies for many of years, never been treated with such rudeness and lack of concern before at any store.

I needed a refill on my insulin needles, but the scrip was out of refills, I have always purchases needles without a scrip until doctor calls in a refill.

My store in ohio always did that for me, they know I was insulin dependent, just look at my records for years, my constant purchasing of all sorts of meds over the years, I have spent high dollar money at CVS, and she was rude and said she will not fill my request, knowing I am diabetic, I explained to her that I have been reusing my old needles and that is not a good practice, but she had no concern. She said as the Pharmacist she can refill or not refill to who ever she wants, I think that is so discriminatory in practice. I said to her, do you think I am a drug user or something. She replied, I don't know you. Well that is so upsetting and I told her I will file a complaint on her, she said fine do what you have to.

In saying this, I had my Endocrinologist transfer all my refills/meds to Walgreens down the street. I will never be talk to or treat like that again, you have lost a good and loyal customer. People like her needs not work in a customer service role.

Shame on CVS to hire someone with this kind of demeanor, By the way, I work as a manager over 120 FTE's, if one of my employees treated a customer like that, they would be out the door. Morris Allison

Today I went to CVS to pick up an refill of my prescription as I have done for the last 12 years with this medication. They refused to provide me my medication unless I allowed them to scan my driver's license, as the medication they claimed is now a controlled substance. I allowed them to copy the information and they refused they said they only can scan it and thus refused me my prescription. They were rude, crude and like dealing with a machine not a human, they just kept repeating a script and said they do not want to deal with this issue. I left, came back and cancelled the order and purchased it elsewhere without allowing my license to be scanned and my identity stolen.

Cvs nesconset ny 11767
I have been on the same blood pressure medication, verapamil 240 mg for years. It is on automatic refill. The problems started last month.
I was supposed to get a 90 day supply and the day I went to pick it up they said they are "on back order"
And don't have any and maybe it will be in tomorrow. I told them I am out and it's on automatic refill so why wouldn't this have been taken care of sooner and or why wasn't I notified as I can't just skip blood pressure medication. They apologized and said come back tomorrow. So I did, and again was told they did t have it. So of course I was angry told them I had recently been in the er for rule out stroke, and this medication was now doubly important for my safety (which is true).
So they come back and say "we have someone else's 30 day supply that wasn't picked up do you want that" I said I just need somthing it's been two days. Fast forward to now. My verapamil again was supposed to be ready sunday sept 29th. Go to pick it up, "oh we don't have it it's on back order. It we will have it in tomorrow"
Go monday the 30 the. Nope we don't have it, but "we have have verapamil 120 mg maybe ask your doctor to prescribe 120 mg tabs twice day to give you your 240 mg dose. By this point too late to call the doctor. Call tuesday oct 1st get my doctor to order 120 mg twice a day that they told me to do because it is what they had in stock.
Go to pick up."oh we are out of it"now it's 3 days without my medicine and i'm angry and let them know it. So they are able to give me a partial dose of 5 pills (not even 6 to make 3 full doses).
So I take a dose that day, and and thursday and one pill on friday (because they only gave 5 pills for no reason) and go friday evening to now get my pills? Nope"we don't carry verapamil 120 or 240 both on back order. So I flip out now and i'm a calm person. You told me to call my doctor and change to 120 mg because you had in stock
I've been calling and coming back like an idiot being promised pills. So pharmacist ran around looked for pills. Sorry nothing we can do.
"called" other stores nothing we can do
So another day, a patient with hx of rule out stroke
And hypertension sent away from cvs
So now I called this am oct 6th demand to speak to whoever in charge, told while story, said I don't care how but do something. She said "oh you were on capsules would you mind tablets we have plenty of those" are you f*ing serious?
After all this time, all the calls and 6 days no one in whole pharmy thought to change me from capsule to tablet in order to protect me and or make a customer happy? Of course ill take the tablet
I dont want to have a stroke
I cannot believe the level of incompetence and or lack of critical thinking at this store

First off me and my wife are frequent shoppers of cvs and as of today we will never shop at your location on staples st in corpus christi, tx. Me and my wife went in to redeem our rainchecks of oxiclean. First off they didnt want to let us split the transaction to 3 and another of 2 because of the max limit of 4. So we understood after being talked to extremely disrespectfully by an elderly man by the name of manuel who was at the register at or around 10:45pm. So i stepped in to tell manuel that it was fine that we would only take the 4 and out of nowhere your "manager" Adam of that shift starting cussing using vulgar language at me and my wife and threatened us to beat me up and fight me because apparently he felt we disrespected manuel. So Adam took it upon himself to scream at "CUSTOMERS". I cannot fathom how comfortable he was talking to us so horribly and was so confident that no one would ever fire him. Me and my wife are extremely disappointed in this location and these specific employees who had no disregard for customer service and satisfaction to paying customers! Instead we left humiliated by these 2 persons at the night shift. Me and my wife will not stop calling corporate offices until action is taken upon these employees.

On Thursday, October 4, 2018,

I returned back to the pharmacy after picking up my son's medication due to not having a measuring cup or syringe to administer the medication. As I stood in front of the consultation window, the pharmacist ( Sarah Dawood) was watching her cell phone and bagging medications. She walked away to turn her phone off and returned not responding to me. I requested assistance and she told me to wait. THEN after a few minutes said yes, I told her what I needed and she handled me a single syringe without any plastic covering. I asked her, if I can have one that is in a plastic covering and she stated "that's what we have." And returned back to her work.

My two year old son has a viral infection and I would hope that as a medical professional, I would have been given a sterile syringe or measuring cup to administer his medication without any contamination. How can this be? How can this be appropriate? I am applaud and angered by her dismissive response. I find her behavior to be discerning and should be immediately addressed. I would appreciate some form of response regarding this compliant. I may be reached at [protected] or my email address is [protected]@gmail.com. My name is Jacinta Powell.

I have been getting automatic refills on the same RX for years at the CVS pharmacy located in Grandview, MO. My medication has been at the 75mg strength for years and when my doctor changed my dosage to 100mg, the pharmacy first filled it as name brand with a huge up-charge, instead of my usual generic brand. That issue was resolved. This week I was notified my RX was ready on the auto-refill but after paying for it and getting it home, I noticed that it was the 75mg not my CURRENT strength. When I contacted the pharmacy, they stated that the AUTOFILL generated the drug and they could not take it back. So I pretty much have a drug that I paid for that I can't use because your auto refill service did not update to my current dosage. I think this could have been a medical error due to YOUR AUTOFILL system. It's not fair I had to pay for your mistake.

All my medicines were transfer from desoto pharmacy witch I have been going to for more then 25 years, it was a mom and pop pharmacy. I when to cvs and I didn't like it right away. No manners or smiles. The girl told me right away I was to early for my pain meds, but I said I get them every 14 days, see used her fingers to count. I said if I got them the 4th and it's the 18th then it's been 14 days. Then she got it and told me to came back at 5 pm. Today was the same, no manners or smiles and I was told to come back at 7 pm. This place on roscoe and desoto in canoga park is not a nice place to go. Tomorrow i'm going to one I saw on the internet that's a little far, but I rather drive 15 minutes then get the trestment I get at this cvs, I think it's called the winnetka store.

I am writing to report poor customer service by an employee, Mitch Bonnett, a pharmacist at CVS store # 07217 in Tuscaloosa located on Rice Mine Road. I do not have the date(s) I have had interactions with him but there have been at least 3 occasions where I have been treated in an extremely rude manner. He answers my questions both on the phone and in person that is indicative of a need to hurry, not to listen, and try to answer my question before even listening to my question. He has also been untrue about prescriptions that have been received by CVS and telling me he did not have them. He talks to me as if I am not intelligent and he is superior because of his position. I have used CVS for many years. I hold a Master's Degree and worked as a Speech Pathologist and although I am not a pharmacist, I am not mentally deficient. I am able to understand completely what he is saying and remember what he has told me. He may have the knowledge to be a pharmacist but he needs training in customer service. People who are asking for prescriptions to be filled are usually sick or in need of maintenance medication. They should not have to engage in a disagreement with the pharmacist. I feel that the person behind the counter should be kind and helpful OR find another job. I do not want believe CVS wants a person like this to be the face of CVS pharmacy. I did speak to another pharmacist at this same store about Mitch Bonnett and she suggested that I let CVS know because other complaints have been made about this man but previously but possibly no-one had taken the time to write to CVS complaints board. I ask the he receive some counseling on customer service and/or termination from his position. At the very least he needs to be monitored and mentored for the foreseeable future regarding his treatment of customers. Thank you for taking action on this matter. I would appreciate a response to this letter so I would know it has been received.
[protected]@gmail.com

Starting in June 2018 when I returned from Bakersfield, I went into the pharmacy location at Aliso Viejo on Aliso Creek Road to refill my monthly birth control prescription (which I've never had problems with prior to June 2018, or at this location). These issues all involve the same monthly prescription.

In June 2018, I tried to update my address and change it back to Aliso Viejo, but the pharmacist said my Aliso Viejo address had been deleted from their system and couldn't be updated yet (even though I moved back on 06/03/2018). In July 2018 when I went in to pick-up the same prescription refill, they still hadn't updated the address. They finally did in July 2018. In August 2018, I began receiving text messages that the prescription was ready for pick-up. When I went in to pick-it up though, the man at the desk said it wasn't ready yet. I waited about a 1/2 hour for them to fill it. Then in September, I went in after receiving 2 text messages on 9/11/2018, that the prescription was ready for pick-up. When I went in, a new intern they had working smiled at me and said it wasn't ready yet, but that I could leave and come back later. She then disappeared into the back and I didn't see her again. I waited to talk to the manager, and reported that someone was returning prescriptions that had been filled, because it happened 2 months in a row. The man who helped me told me there shouldn't have been a problem, because the prescription was actually ready. He then picked up the one that was since then filled, and asked me if it was the correct prescription.

During the months of June 2018 - September 2018, the pharmacy had steadily raised the price for the same prescription from $16.74, $17.40 to $18.11, saying the price increase had to do with the CA RX discount. When the prescription was taken starting 9/16/2018 this past week, I began feeling sick (stomach ache, tired, trouble sleeping every night this week, hot flashes and then a sore throat that began on 9/19/2018). I went in today around 2pm to ask if they could replace the package with a new one, because the one they gave me was making me sick. The Pharmacy Manager (an Asian man who gave me a card, claiming that the name on the card was his name, even though he doesn't look like the name represented on the card), said I would have to buy a new package at an even higher price $18.68. He said he couldn't just replace the bad batch or package making me sick, completely disregarded my statement that the pills in this birth control package were making me sick (indicating that I was incorrect in stating the prescription was bad), said it was the right prescription (because no recall had been requested), and that I had to buy new one's. He then also said I could choose to stop taking them entirely and gave me a sheet of paper with a phone number on it to call for medical CA RX advice, at [protected]. This number is no longer a working number for CA Rx.

Every month I have to pick up my Hormone Medication from CVS pharmacy on park Ave. South and 17th St. in NYC< and EVERY MONTH for WELL OVER A YEAR now, they tell me that they are OUT OF THE Medication and need to Order it, causing a WEEK delay in my medication, which is DANGEROUS to ME, Every month for OVER A YEAR NOW I have asked the manager named Carlos to PLEASE have it in stock, so I do not have to skip days, and EVERY month THEY NEVER HAVE IT IN STOCK AND tell me they have to order it, and I am forced to skip days of my medication. What can I do to stop this?

My husband is on medication for chronic pain. It will never go away. He does not abuse his medication, but has issues that cause intractable emesis. His meds don't always last 30 days because he loses so many doses on the days he can't keep anything down. Therefore, the fill date for his prescriptions is very important. Every month we are given a different date that they can be filled. Each person that works there, from the techs to the pharmacist, counts differently. Somehow no one can count to 29 the same way. They should be filling his prescription today, but won't fill it until tomorrow because the pharmacist can't face that she is wrong and didn't count correctly the 2nd time either. The inconsistency is beyond frustrating!

When two pharm techs tell you the date you may pick up your perscription and you come on that arrival date, then like magic the pharmacist changes it. Happened 2 times. Same pharmacist. I wait for an explanation. She tells me I need to ask for " her " next time. I ask what the reason for two different techs looking up the information gave me the same date for the same medication. Apparently this pharmacist believes she is superior to my doctor who perscribes .

I'm a diabetic, kidney failure patient and have been attending this "CVS pharmacy 219-39 89th Ave, Queens Village, NY 11427" for 7-8 years and have had frequent complaints towards their pharmacy department. Recently on September 3rd 2018 i ordered "Freestyle test strips". Normally when i arrive at the pharmacy i give my name "Kandiah Saravanamuthu" and receive the test strips without any amount due for my medicaid insurance paying for the cost( Medicaid ID# TA19015H). Unfortunately when i arrived at the establishment i was confronted with an unexpected amount due around $28. My insurance hasn't changed and i didn't understand why i had to pay an abnormal amount of money for test strips as my insurance pays for my medication. I went to the pharmacy everyday onward and the pharmacists demanded me to pay for the test strips. Then, I went yesterday September 14th 2018 and they didn't charge me surprisingly. I'm not sure why this has been a major conflict, this heavily dissatisfies my opinion of your organization due to these circumstances. In the meanwhile i have spoke with my medicaid insurance and they have told me nothing is wrong with my coverage thus they recommend me to change my pharmacy but i enjoy going to CVS for location convenience. However this pharmacy is damaging the image of your organization hence i think there should be a serious involvement. I'm sorry for bringing a complaint towards your organization but my family and I attend this pharmacy as well and i wish for a better environment. Please notify me as soon as possible [protected]@yahoo.com or [protected].

Thank you for your time

We have been waiting for my husband's pain meds for 4 days. He went in to pick it up 9/11/2018 as advised. He was then told it was too soon (it wasn't) and he could pick it up 9/14/18. At 9:30, 9/14/18, a VERY rude pharmacist called to tell him they were out and wouldn't be available for a week. He asked if she could check if they had them in the next city...SHE HUNG UP ON HIM! He can't take a breath without them! We have had multiple problems in the past and wish you would hire people who like people (yep, Funny Girl). We are elderly, live 45 minutes from the pharmacy. This all happened at the CVS in Felton, Ca. Where did they have the meds? In Scotts Valley, Ca. An extra 15 minute drive. WHY WOULDN'T SHE HELP US?

I picked up 2 prescriptions this morning for my husband and one was a medication that needed to be refrigerated. I DID NOT KNOW THIS! and the tech that gave me my order did not bother to tell me this or ask if I had any questions. I had several errands to run when I left and the medication was in my hot car for several hours. I had to stop back by later to pick up my Rx and only after I told my husband that I had picked up his new medication and HE told me that one if them had to be refrigerated. First of all, this tech was undoubtedly the most RUDE person that I have ever dealt with. She informed me that rule of thumb is that all medicine needs to be refrigerated. Really? I've never heard that and I have been a nurse for over 30 years. Instead of apologizing for not telling me this, she decided to talk to me like I was an idiot. Had I known this had to be refrigerated, I would have picked it up on the way home. This was CVS on hwy 58 in Chattanooga and the tech had short dark hair, glasses, and a northern accent. Maybe she thinks southerners are dumb. Who knows... But she clearly not need to be waiting on customers!

I walk into CVS Pharmacy to withdraw money from the ATM machine on my way to purchase and knee brace I asked if I can use the bathroom the attendant behind the register said no they don't have a bathroom. I stated this business does not have a bathroom for employees? He said yes we have it for the employees but I cannot use it. I informed the attendant behind the register about Ally's law. The attendance stated he does not answer to the law he answers to CVS. I I didn't purchase my item and walked away stated that I will report them.

My name is Melissa, my husband has been a customer at CVS Pharmacies for over 10 years. He has a broken back and has been receiving a long acting narcotic from his doctor and has been filled through CVS for the past 7 years. On or about Monday 9/1 My husband Alfredo brought it in a prescription provided from his Doctor to be filled. The prescription is for Ocxycodone 30 mg Extended Release. He waited and received the prescription. He came home and took the medication, and did so as prescribed for the next three days. On the second day 9/2, he said he wasn't feeling well and did not go into work. The third day he woke up in a complete sweat, had no energy and very very pale. I knew something was wrong. I took his medication, looked at it and seen there was a change in color, not something new, time to time due to manufacturer changes this does happen, I looked up the medication anyway and was shocked at what we had received. He was given a immediate release Narcotic. I brand it to the Pharmacy to be fixed right away. The on duty Pharmacist was extremely professional and apologized for this mistake. She refunded us back our $1.10 copay, but we feel something else needs to be done though. I would appreciate someone calling me back to follow-up on what the plan is to ensure this doesn't happen again in the future to someone else. My husband lost two days of work and was VERY sick. Thank you!

Melissa Corriveau-Benitez
Alfredo Benitez
Worcester MA
[protected]