Shoppers Drug Mart

While I acknowledge other's experiences, and I know staff can have bad days (or weeks), I have been shopping at this location for 14 years and it's been super consistent for me.The staff is helpful, store is well stocked and while the pharmacy isn't my primary (and I don't get many prescriptions) I've always found the team helpful. I've never needed to wait much longer than what I was told to come pick up. The only reason for the 4 star review for me is the reduction in hours, with kids, being able to stop by late (12am) for that missing item was always nice.Edited to 5 stars to reflect that the store is now back to 12am close.

I have had similar experiences to others who gave a negative review. I came to get a prescription for my son and the pharmacist wasn’t able to see that it was plainly covered by my benefits. Had to pay out of pocket because I didn’t want to cause a scene. Checked my benefits and yes, my son was covered. This is not the first time that they failed to see benefit coverage. Yes, the lineup was crazy long and it’s not the staffs fault. Then yesterday I came to get a minor illness appointment. I’d sign up for a walk in and when I went there, the pharmacist told me she was the only pharmacist and she wouldn’t be able to see me for at least an hour, and she was surprised that I was able to book a walk in in the first place. She stated that her last appointment took 45 minutes and now she’s really behind. I chose to leave rather than inconvenienced her further. So I booked an appointment online and came in the next day only to discover that they couldn’t help me and I had to see a doctor first. It would be nice if they put that on their website so I didn’t waste my time and take unnecessary time off of work. This place has disappointed me too many times.

I have been attending this Pharmacy for well over 25 years. Unfortunately, the service, and the wasting of my time has become too much. I dropped off prescriptions on a Tuesday, requested that it be filled for Friday that week, and when I attended rhe Pharmacy on the Friday (today), I still had to wait for the team to fill the order. I understand that they are busy, but 3 full days of to fulfill the prescriptions and I still have to wait.i will be switching pharmacies. This has become a regular issue. Something needs to change Loblaws, you are ruining what used to be a great community Pharmacy

I called in my prescription using the automated option on a Thursday stating that my medication would be ready after 6pm on the following Saturday. Ok 2 days, I have enough medication until Wednesday. I went to pick up my medication on Monday having a feeling they wouldn’t be ready on Saturday due to previous experience but again, not ready. I’m ask to wait or come back Monday night. Today, I tried to call before showing up…. Still on hold after 15 minutes and counting. Why offer the automated if it’s not honoured? Of course, same answer… staff shortage, etc…. Time for me to reconsider changing pharmacy and head over to another pharmacy if my time and health lacks respect.

Sometimes there’s a long wait but service is great for what they have to deal with on the daily. Everyone I’ve had has been very understanding and kind towards me and when I had issues with my medication they came through for me. Sometimes my medication hasn’t been signed so I have to wait, but they are always quick and helpful. One of the best shopper pharmacies as long as you are patient and kind to them too!

Every single time I have called in to the pharmacy has been an absolute nightmare. I'm left on hold for up to an hour, sometimes longer. Sometimes, after a monstrous wait, I'm disconnected without ever getting to speak to someone. When you're desperate for necessary medication, this becomes an extremely stressful situation.On top of that, going in to the building to pickup my prescription at the designated time is also an absurd hassle. I have been left waiting in line for up to an hour, on average 40 minutes. The staff are pleasant, and I'm sure they're working as hard as they can, but the efficiency of the department is abominable.People should be able to contact their pharmacy!!!! I shouldn't have to sit on hold for upwards of an hour to sort out an issue with my medication!!! Why hasn't this been addressed and managed with any kind of solution??? Do you just not want people to use your pharmacy? That's the only thing I can think of, is that you're overwhelmed and don't want any additional patrons.

Today I have had an “unheard of” experience dealing with the pharmacy here (or lack thereof). After transferring my medications to this location months ago, I haven’t had to request a refill … until today. I had to call to get them transferred as I moved to Victoria recently, which I thought would be a quick and easy phone call (as it has always been). I was a bit worried after reading all of the 1 star reviews on here about the INSANE hold time. Well, I was on hold for a total of 2 hours. Maybe more. I’ve lost track. After about an hour of waiting I resorted to calling Customer Service (not very helpful until I had my partner call them as well.) and asked them to personally ask the pharmacy clerk(s) to pick up the phone. The 2nd time asking customer service, I finally got a young man to answer. He immediately said they couldn’t transfer and I would have to call the pharmacy myself and have them call this shoppers. I am well aware that this is one way you can transfer a file but I have had the current pharmacy transfer it themselves COUNTLESS times with other establishments. Never been an issue. He was not helpful or even professional at all. I needed this medication in a few days as I am running low and it is for Grand-Mal epilepsy. So, it was either stay on hold for hours or have a seizure in the next week. I chose the former. ON TOP OF THIS, I of course did what the shoppers clerk said and called the new pharmacy, waited 2 minutes and everything was good to go! No. They called me back about an hour and a half later saying THEY COULD NOT REACH THE SHOPPERS PHARMACY. After multiple attempts (FROM THE NEW PHARMACY THEMSELVES) I was told they could not reach them and they are trying again on Sunday, when they are open. This is absolutely appalling. Since I cannot wait much longer for this medication, I called the amazing, wonderful, beautiful people at the Beacon Avenue shoppers pharmacy (in Sidney). I told a clerk this story and she was appalled too, because as I said, this is insane and absolutely UNHEARD OF. How can another pharmacy not even get through to you guys? What are the pharmacy workers doing all day? This is a horribly staffed establishment and I am well aware that the management knows about this. I wish I could give 0 stars to you. 5 stars to the Sidney location, if it wasn’t for them I would be in a lot of danger. DO YOUR JOB. You are a part of our much needed health care system, not some little corner store.

A prescription faxed by doctor on July 9 was not ready for pick up on July 12. When I went to pick up prescription was told there was nothing for me on their computer.I insisted that doctor had faxed it .. another clerk offered to go look for the fax and it was still sitting in the back I assume by the fax machine … and had never even been checked…this was a blood pressure and cholesterol medication….this is not the first time I have had a problem and will now take my business elsewhere.Another recent incident was that I had UTI AND IN PAIN AND HAD TO WAIT TILL NEXT DAY FOR THEM TO GET IT READY.Ridiculous and sloppy uncaring treatment of customer needed medications…Definitely unacceptable. Colwood shoppers drug mart - you should be ashamed…

Tried several times to get a prescription filled here that had clear instructions to use consecutively for 10 days then to discontinue use. They have never provided me with 10 days worth. This has affected the treatment plan that was given by my doctor. When I expressed these concerns to the pharmacist I was just brushed off. When I tried to get a refill to ensure that I would have the required amount for 10 days of use, they made me wait upwards of a week. When I went to pick it up, I was still left waiting an hour and a half for them to locate and fill the prescription, even though it was requested nearly a week prior. They said that they owe me a refill that couldn’t be filled the last time I was in and that they’d call me when I could come get it. It has been 3 weeks and I have not heard anything. I’m feeling very defeated at this point and will be moving my prescriptions elsewhere.Do not try and contact them by phone, they will not answer.As for the rest of the store, they deserve 5 stars. But unfortunately due to my experiences with the pharmacy I cannot give that.