Pharmacies in Cheboygan, MI

“Love there flower sale every year at the end of May. Mark's the beginning of summer for me ? Good deli and bakery selections. They have a nice variety of food that other stores don't have..”

“Best pharmacy! Everyone is kind and very helpful. They’ve been able to compound medication for me to offer it at a much lower price. Also love that they have fun kids toys if we have to wait!”

“Giving this pharmacy 5-stars and a big shout-out to my comrades, (both pharmacists and techs), in the trenches!

As a semi-retired pharmacist, I can say that the general public have no idea of how unforgiving this job can be.
Staff almost never hear any praise for helping people, but god forbid a mistake is made, or someone has to wait...
Then the squeaky wheels start complaining.
It takes 6 years of some very difficult schooling and years of experience to become an effective pharmacist. Tech training has become more of a time investment as well.
The pile of work ever-grows, the pay almost never does, and if it does, it is miniscule and a token raise.
It is beyond me how people can regard a pharmacy like a fast food restaurant, and think staff are just slinging burgers back there.
If pharmacy personnel make mistakes, people can suffer or die. (Think about that a minute before you try to rush ANY health professional).
Did you tell the doctor to hurry up too? If so, how did that work out for you?
Between the government, insurance companies, and the complexity of modern technology, this job has become very complicated, tedious, and downright frustrating.
Shrinking profit margins and mail order have resulted in many pharmacies closing and workers retiring, or pursuing other fields.
If you feel you are being treated like a number, just think about the thousands of Rxs some pharmacies fill in a week.
(Sorry, but you ARE just a number, and you can thank the insurance companies for that)!! Doesnt mean the staff doesnt care. They are forced to operate this way.
The only thing protecting the public from a 3rd world situation in this profession, is a law that says a pharmacist MUST be present when a pharmacy is open for business.
(You can only pray that law does not get changed)!
In the good ole days, the pharmacists OWNED the pharmacy and could make a good life working for themselves.
Not anymore. Insurance companies have made the independent pharmacist a thing of the past.

Folks, there are things you can do to get better service from your pharmacy:

1. Dont call unless absolutely necessary. Use automated systems for refills. Leave a message
2. PLAN AHEAD. If you're out of refills, call your doctor first. Pharmacy can send e-request as well. We dont call Dr. offices anymore.
(It is beyond me how people are on maintenance meds for YEARS and still dont plan for when they run out of meds and refills).
Call a WEEK ahead. Yes you can do that, especially if you get a 3-month supply at a time.
Friday is NOT a good day to pursue Rx renewals. Most Dr's are out of the office for the weekend.
3.You try and rush the staff and they will just dislike you..it's not going to make things happen any faster!! If anything they'll put you to the back of the line!
4. Your doctor cannot FORCE a pharmacist to fill an Rx. It is his/her discretion. If you're not happy with that find another pharmacy/pharmacist!
5. Insurance co's change things overnight. Being covered one day doesnt mean you'll be covered the next.. If you get a new card, bring it to attention of the staff so they can update your profile. Insurance rejects are a big hassle for staff and very time consuming!”

“For 13 years I was at a pharmacy in downtown. Cheboygan but, in the last year They have gotten very lax with their orders. When I get a prescription and then it's sent into them. Sometimes I have to wait 4 days before. I get the prescription and I'm out of pills by then, same pills for 13 years.. This has happened more than once so, I thought I would try family fair. I was pleasantly surprised they were quick and pleasant. They called me when prescriptions were ready. I could ask for no more. They have pills on hand, the other pharmacy Always said, we have to order those. . For 13 years this happened frequently. family fair has them on hand on the shelf. I'm not going back. This is a good pharmacy. It's small but very friendly. Thank you guys.”

“We are traveling from out of state and I ordered a couple of prescriptions while in the area. One was only partially refilled. I was unsure if the remaining prescription would be refilled before we left. I called and spoke with Chad. He assured me the med would be on an incoming truck and even took the time to check for sure. I went in later that day and was also waited on by Chad. True to his word I left with the the rest of my prescription. Chad was so very kind in every response as well as being extremely proficient. He is a true asset to the Cheboygan Walgreens!!”