Ms. Vania W.
Not everyone who is BLACK can’t afford it
On May 12 I visited my doctor to discuss a medical issue I had encountered and a medication was recommended that was not covered by my insurance! My doctor told me the cost of the medication which over $200 at which I told her that I would definitely get it. My doctors procedure is to tell me what is covered and what is not covered by my insurance! It is also my practice to asked what is covered and what is not covered by my insurance! Upon our discussion I told my doctor yes and it was the prescription order sent over to my local CVS pharmacy. Upon my arrival to the pharmacy and further explained that I was there to pick up a prescription it not covered my insurance and that I am aware that it was over $200 and inquire about the full amount at which I was told could not be given until the prescription was filled. I was then asked if I was going to wait for this prescription and was told that I had other prescriptions that were refills waiting in their system! I answered “yes”; I sat down and waited for my order. When my name was called, I went back to the cashier and noticed that the cashier only had one item from the multiple orders I was expecting at which time she regurgitated the information that I had given her by explaining that the other one was at a huge price of over $200. I told yes, I have already told you that! Given the FACT that I am a BLACK woman 👩🏿 I have had to deal with this type of racism where I am NOT expected to afford certain things even when they are non-prescription item whenever I go to this CVS pharmacy! Where most of their pharmacist speak with us customers in a RUDE way and seem annoyed that they have to answer questions about the medicine you have need, some of them enjoy speaking to me and others in condescending and disrespectful manner. I explained that my doctor would not have sent this particular prescription to their system if there was not a discussion between us and my confirmation of being able to afford it! Because it is NEVER covered by my insurance! I asked once again for the full actual price at which she asked the pharmacist again and in a condescending and disrespectful manner told her “it’s a lot of money, ask her if she still wants it”! She then told she had asked me two time for the price! At which time I am shock at the audacity of the statement which got me highly upset that I reiterated again that “this is unacceptable that when non-black or brown persons go to certain stores there are NO assumptions made by others when they asked about the price of an item/s that they don't have the financial ability to make certain purchases”! She then informed me also that this $245 or more medication was NOT in stock and would need to be ordered to be available for me today! The cashier realized what had happened and began to apologize for her colleagues ignorant/racist/prejudice and disrespectful tone in her statement towards my personal ability to pay! At which I stated to her comment that she was not the offender and spoke up loudly in the direction of the offensive woman that I heard her and that I was visually disturbed by her disrespectful and unprofessional behavior! I then contacted CVS official customer service and to my utter disappointment, was ignored by their so called customer relations rep! I am posting this on your CVS Facebook page and my personal Facebook page! This needs to be stopped, your employees need to be adequately trained to treat people as individuals as well as to use their common sense! I wish this site allowed NO stars or half of a star on this review!