eli5: Why does filling a prescription take so long?

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Most times I have a prescription filled it take much longer that I would guess. A recent example, at a simplistic level, all that was needed was for 10 pills to be put into a bottle, however, it took nearly an hour. There did not appear to be other customers waiting. Is the delay because there is a complex process with controlled drugs, or they are under-staffed, or are other things going on?

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36 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Really it can SOMETIMES take long. My experience at the pharmancy would tell a much different and varied take.

Take for example a mixup I had with a brand name and generic. Pharmacist takes a look, sees the computer went gluey and tried to fill the brand name hence the delay. Goes and see if there’s the generic on hand. So bottle in hand, dispenses my 25 pills, printed a lable, and had me on my way in 5 minutes.

Then you have times where I’ve taken paper copies from an urgent care doc directly to a local pharmacy and they simply say “15 minutes”. Seems reasonable.

Now, on the flip side, another drug I routinely take ALWAYS takes a day or two (sometimes more) because apparently they simply never have on hand. They have to order it. This is no fault of theirs and is something to be understood.

All in all, I find experience with filling Rx’s a slight gamble with (in my experience) more good experience than bad (though trust me I have had my fair share of bad)

IMO if you truly aren’t happy with a pharmacy, try and investigate the WHY. Being informed will help you build patience. And overall, be prepared to wait longer than not. At least that’s the mindset I go into it with.

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