Life is short, and it's becoming harder and harder to find ways to have fun. The common experience at the pharmacy can be quite boring. "There has to be a better way!" I've come up with some ideas to make your next visit to the pharmacy more memorable.
1. Dare to Stare
When you come to the pharmacy to drop off a prescription, the first thing you want to do is negotiate. If they tell you it's going to take 20 to 25 minutes, ask them if it can be done in 15 minutes. Keep negotiating until they cave. Your next step is to sit in a seat where you can stare at the pharmacy employees. There is nothing they love more than to be stared at while working.
2. Drive-thru Shopping
If you happen to come through the drive-thru, make sure to press the button several times as soon as you get to the window. If it's been more than 30 seconds, honk your horn. That'll get their attention! If you're picking up a prescription, ask the staff if they can grab you some over-the-counter products. Start with reasonable things like ibuprofen. Then start asking for snacks like Snickers bars. Might as well try your luck, right?
3. Express Care
If the doctor's office tells you they'll send the prescription over electronically, make sure to speed over to the pharmacy and tell them the office said the prescription will be done by the time you get there. The doctor's office and pharmacy are in constant communication, so they wouldn't tell you that if it wasn't true. If you're in the drive-thru and it's not done, just put your car in park and roll up the window. If you can't hear them tell you not to wait in the drive-thru, then you can do what you want (Don't forget to ask for a Snickers bar, either!).
4. Phone
The best time to make phone calls is white you're at the pharmacy! If you're waiting for your prescription in the waiting area, make sure to talk loud enough for the staff to remember you're still there. If you're waiting in line, the staff won't mind if you stay on the phone during the transaction. I mean, what would they want to talk to you about anyway?
5. Insurance or Discount Card
Make sure to keep all of your old insurance cards in the event that your current insurance information they have isn't working. That way you can give the staff a plethora of cards to compare. Is it private insurance, discount card, or a donut stamp card? Might as well let them figure it out. Also, if the copay ends up being more than what you want to pay, you can at least try to negotiate or ask about price matching. There's no harm in that!
Next time you visit the pharmacy, make it a fun one!
