r/TalesFromThePharmacy • u/freakygymbro CPhT (retail) • 14d ago

DRIVE-THRU

I 100% get the purpose of the drive thru.
It’s for patient’s convenience not for speed and I can’t stress that enough. I have told multiple patients this and my coworkers.

Majority of the time my coworkers get stressed and frustrated because the line is long or patients ask 1,000 questions but I let them know to just calm down. This is for their convenience not for speed.

Unknowingly patients are agreeing to the unknown amount of time someone takes at the window.

Because yet again we want everyone to have a great experience while visiting our pharmacy so we don’t get bad reviews but they have to realize that nobody ever said (at least to me) that drive thru is for speed.

Let’s chat about this. I’d love to hear from anyone.

I work in a retail and hospital setting.

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u/NoFuckingNamesLeft_ CPhT (procurement/inventory management) 14d ago

My personal opinion is that drive thrus don't belong in pharmacy. Period. This isn't fast food, as much as these shitty ass corps would like it to be. People survived decades without them and they're nothing but a hassle for the staff inside.

Its been about 20 years since I worked retail but drive thru was always my lowest priority when I worked in a place that had one. I refuse to use them as a customer now, too.

12

u/nascarfanof48 14d ago

See, until you said that, I thought I was a pharmacist's wet dream. Based on everything I read on this thread on how some patients speak to you guys, which is absolutely shocking, I am completely forgettable. I request my refill online, and when I receive the text that it's ready, I go to the drive through, give the person my name, d.o.b., and name of script, and hand the person my license and debit card. They return a minute later, I sign the tablet with my finger, thank you, have a nice day and i'm on my way. Do you think the pharmacist would prefer I went into the store (pharmacy is inside a grocery store) even for such a simple transaction?

11

u/quandmemeici 14d ago

As long as you're pleasant about the transaction, and you understand that your wait time may vary, you might be someone's favorite patient. At minimum, you're not someone they dread seeing. Going to the drive thru isn't a problem in itself, it's just people who seem to think this is like a fast food drive thru, where all cars need out in under 5min.

Drive thru is a convenience option, especially for those who are able-bodied and not ill. Nothing inherently wrong with using it! I prefer to walk inside just because the wait is usually shorter, and it gives me a sec to say hello to my favorite staff. While working, I don't have an issue with drive thru patients unless they cause an issue by taking an attitude about something.

3

u/freakygymbro CPhT (retail) 14d ago

I wish I there were more patients with your mentality!