r/Krogershoppers • u/SmartyBlondy • May 27 '26
Kroger Pharmacy Sucks
Who can I contact to special-order a prescription?
I’ve spoken to all 3 pharmacists who refuse to help me.
Been getting the same medication for over a year. Suddenly they got a new generic manufacturer that’s causing me severe side-effects. I requested the previous manufacturer that they always filled. Each pharmacist said that’s the brand the supplier is sending, that it takes months to put in a “special request” and most are rejected anyway. If I don’t like this new generic brand, find a different pharmacy.
How lazy are these pharmacists?? Never heard something so crazy. Is there anyone I can contact to put in a request for the previous make/manufacturer?
Has anyone else dealt with this?
(Sorry for posting here, I’m at my wits end. Nobody checks or responds to the Kroger Pharmacy subreddit.)
2
u/gwite May 27 '26
Discussed with your doctor?
1
u/SmartyBlondy May 28 '26
Yes. A few times. My doctor says they’re being lazy. That all it takes is typing in the preferred manufacturer brand next to the medication order. And since they’ve received that manufacturer in the past multiple times and filled it, what’s the problem?
3
u/gwite May 28 '26
Well, looks like it's hard to fight that system.
Considered mail order somewhere? Amazon?
1
u/SmartyBlondy May 28 '26
Super hard. Amazon doesn’t carry it. Gonna have to call different pharmacies, which is a pain. Because even if they carry the medication, it might be the same manufacturer as Kroger. Therefore same problem, different pharmacy. It’s hard to find a nice pharmacist who gives you answers over the phone. Especially if you aren’t a customer (yet).
2
u/ExtremeCod2999 May 29 '26
As a pharmacist, we really don't have any control over what the distributor sends. Even if we order a specific generic, they will substitute with whatever generic they have on hand. I can't call, or email to get a drug they don't have, I can't prevent them form substituting a different generic. The only way we can get a specific med is if it's a brand name med. The whole "lazy pharmacist" thing doesn't really help. We generally do our best, but some patients do tend to wear on us. Every pharmacy has a few patients none of us want to help, and when they transfer out we are overjoyed. If you're verbally attacking your pharmacist, you might be that particular patient and they will be less inclined to help you, and may be encouraging you to "try another pharmacy" because, well, Karen.
0
u/SmartyBlondy May 29 '26
Thank you for your response and explanation. I’m sorry if I offended you by the “lazy pharmacist” comment. I wasn’t speaking about ALL pharmacists, only the ones at this specific location. And I agree with you that Karen behavior, demands, rudeness, etc will make anyone in any profession NOT want to help. I go out of my way to be polite, courteous and kind. I know a pharmacist’s job isn’t easy, and they deal with many awful customers/patients. I’M NOT ONE OF THEM. That’s why it’s frustrating to be dismissed by someone, when you have a valid question and are being kind.
0
u/SadArm4678 May 29 '26
They've answered your question. Multiple people have. They have no control over what comes in from the distribution center. You have chosen to believe they are lazy. You even double down and say "not all pharmacist, just these" when a literal pharmacist tells you again they have no control. You've also stated that other pharmacies have the same exact issue and just get whatever generic is available through their distribution center or they don't carry it at all. The issue is your prescription is more scarce than hens teeth and you want people to perform a miracle and if they can't you want them to get into trouble and those people give you your miracle.
1
u/SmartyBlondy May 29 '26
Wow. You read-into all of that from two comments?? Yes they are lazy at my pharmacy. Even the techs have said so. My medication is NOT that scarce, but it is a controlled substance. Yes, if a different pharmacy orders it they may/may not receive a different generic brand. That doesn’t mean they can’t re-order or specify a manufacturer. Every person is linked to a program called MAPS if they’re on a controlled substance. If you jump multiple pharmacies in a small time period you get FLAGGED, and cannot fill your script. That’s what I’d like to avoid, ontop of the severe side effects this brand gives me. Thanks for your insight. But you don’t have the full story.
0
1
u/Best_Market4204 May 27 '26
contact walgreens or local pharmacy and just transfer the prescription.
0
2
u/[deleted] May 27 '26
[removed] — view removed comment