Pharmacies

Parent Q&A

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  • Hi folks - I'm a parent of a newly diagnosed ADHD kiddo who has been prescribed a low dose of Adderall. Unfortunately we keep striking out on pharmacies, which all seem to be out of stock!

    We've called about a dozen pharmacies, physical and mail order, but no luck. We're on Blue Shield PPO so I don't think Kaiser will work for us (happy if I'm wrong about that!).

    Do you know any pharmacies that have Adderall in stock? Thank you!!!

    I’ve been successful with the CVS inside of Target on university.

    my son gets his filled at safeway pharmacy in pittsburg or walnut creek. Depending on his dosage you can ask the doctor to re-write it so that its totals the amount. My son takes 20 mg as a helping does after his vyvanse wears off but the doctor just prescribes him 10mg instant release. You an also try vyvanse as it works just like adderral and works better since it last all day and is much smoother.  My son is in HS now so by the time he's done with swim practice and gets home to do homework he needs the vyanse so that he can have some focused work for 2-3 hours. Good luck!

    You might try the Amazon pharmacy.  Not local, but I've had good service from them when stores in the area stopped carrying the prescription I needed.  I think Blue Shield PPO is actually recommending then now.  

    Unfortunately, this is a nationwide problem. There is a severe shortage of ADHD meds. I anticipate it will only get worse with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s opposition to ADHD meds.  I would make several suggestions. First, contact the doctor that prescribed it and see if they have any suggestions where you could get it. Second, see if you could get a generic version of Adderall. My brother had good luck with that. Lastly, my son is using Atomoxetine (Strattera). It is not as potent as Adderall, but we have not had any trouble getting it. So sorry you are having to deal with this!

    I don't know if they carry Adderall, but it might be worth calling Costco Pharmacy to check.  They might be willing to order it for you and their prices are usually very reasonable.  Good luck.  

    Have you tried Safeway Pharmacy? We currently use Kaiser for our son's Adderall prescription but we have used Safeway in the past when we went to an out of network doctor, and there have been shortages in past years too. They don't always have what you need on hand immediately but they can usually get it within a day or two.

    This has been a problem periodically over the last few years.  Some poeple have found better luck with Concerta.

    I don’t have experience with this particular type of medication but I’ve found Alto Pharmacy to be great. There have been 2 times where I’ve had issues getting medication from other pharmacies and they’ve always had it in stock. They are an online pharmacy, based in SF, and offer free and fast delivery.

    Sadly, our experience is that the stock is variable, and one pharmacy that might have it now might not have it next month. You end up having to keep calling every month. Very frustrating!!

    I have been a pharmacy technician for 12 years. There is a nationwide shortage on many of these meds. Most pharmacies will not do stock checks on controlled medication for random patients who call. They will just say they don’t have it. If a md calls we will let them know if we have stock. Even if they do have the med, there is no guarantee that it will still be in stock when your md gets the prescription there. We never save meds waiting for a prescription. Best bet is to establish a relationship with one pharmacy and work with the pharmacist and md to find a med that works and will be consistently in stock. When the med does come back in stock you will be in line ahead of those who are calling around. Bouncing around pharmacies is very difficult with controlled medications. If your child will be on this med long term it really helps to have a relationship with your pharmacy. Please understand that we can’t control availability and it will be frustrating. Please don’t take it out on your pharmacy team. We want your child to have their meds. It is exhausting to be screamed at by people when their med is not available to order and to field endless calls for stock checks when we won’t tell if we have it or not. Retail pharmacy is a very stressful job and got much worse after Covid when many technicians quit. 

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  • where to buy supplements

    Feb 11, 2023

    I take A LOT of supplements and was a really big Pharmaca  in store shopper as I usually loaded up during their sales.  And now they're closing.  I haven't purchased supplements for a while because I naively thought that Pharmaca was going to restock.  I'm wondering whether anyone has suggestions of another spot to purchase them that has occasional sales? In store would probably be easiest but I guess I can do online.  Brands I take are Thorne and Pure Encapsulations. I really don't like to give money to Amazon, which is probably the cheapest way to go.  Berkeley area would be best.

    Thanks so much.

    I buy mine online via Vitacost.com. I think they have reasonable prices, often have sales, and also make their own versions of supplements that are of good quality and generally cheaper. They are owned by Kroger (I just discovered).

    I don't know about your specific brands, but Sprouts on San Pablo has a very large selection of vitamins, supplements, etc.

    I take a lot of supplements too and am really sad about Pharmaca closing!! I have purchased supplements at Whole Foods, but that's just basically Amazon too so I only do that in a pinch.  I have also used Vitacost and Pure Formulas to purchase supplements.  Now, I almost exclusively use my acupuncturist's Wellevate online store that carries most Thorne and Pure Encapsulations items, as well as a lot of other high quality brands. They also have some of my pet's supplements, so it is nice to have one place for everything.  Also, I have found the prices to typically be a bit cheaper than Pharmaca: https://wellevate.me/anjie-ro-trock Delivery is usually fairly quick.  

    We recently made our first order directly from Thorne. Super quick -- they shipped from somewhere in the Bay Area, and the package arrived two days after I ordered. I paid retail for this order, but they have discount pricing for subscriptions. 

  • Compounding pharmacy

    Nov 6, 2022

    Can anyone recommend a reputable and reliable compounding pharmacy in (or near) Berkeley?  Thanks so much!

    I don’t know one in Berkeley but I use ScriptWorks in Walnut Creek. They mail me my Rx so the distance isn’t a problem. I love them. Super responsive, pick up the phone right away, really friendly and reliable. 

    I have used many compounding pharmacies over the years.  The best I've found are Koshland in San Francisco and Scriptworks in Walnut Creek.  I've also used several others that seemed ok at first, but as time when on, their prices skyrocketed - namely, Valor Pharmacy in Berkeley or Pharmaca (which has stores across the west but all compounds come from their Portland area store). There's a fairly reliable, lower cost compounding pharmacy called Apothocary Options in Chico. Good luck!

    Valor Compounding Pharmacy in Berkeley. They offer free shipping and when I called, I was able to easily reach a live person who answered my questions.

    https://valorcompounding.com/

  • My house household has about 10-15 meds that need to be filled on a regular basis. 

    I've been using the Walgreen's at 51st and Telegraph because it was attached to our insurance at one point (isn't any longer), but I've kept them because they have drive-through and are nearby.  Only the long waits, the screw ups, the clerks who walk away without telling you what's going on have finally broken me. 

    I'd like to find a place with reasonable hours that answers their phone, and delivery would be a plus. I live near them so South berkeley or North Oakland would be preferable because I'm go anywhere from 2 times a week to every 10 days.

    Thanks

    I use Wellspring on Piedmont Avenue.  Their hours are shorter than the big chains, but they’ve been communicative and haven’t made mistakes.   They deliver.

    Check out Alto. Mail delivery pharmacy, works with your insurance. Good customer, personalized service. Great at helping when a prior authorization is needed too. Just ask your provider to switch over your meds to Alto. 

    Alto is fabulous! We switched from CVS and never looked back.

    I have been satisfied with the service at CVS at 2000 Mountain Blvd. Oakland (Montclair district) for a long time.  When my prescription(s) is ready to pick up they send me a text. 

    Pharmaca on College Ave in Rockridge is amazing. They don’t have extended hours like CVS or Walgreens, but they are so so much better. Whenever there is an issue with my prescription, they proactively call my doctor and/or me to try to resolve it. Walgreens and CVS are a nightmare. They don’t tell me when there are problems or that they don’t have a medication in stock until I arrive to pick it up. I’ve had them tell me something needs to be ordered and will arrive in 3 days, only to show up 3 days later and be told that no one ordered the meds. This never happens with Pharmaca. 

    High marks for cvs on Solano Ave in albany.  They text when order is ready and you can get free delivery in two days.  Great for reg meds.  I have also found them very helpful and accommodating over the years.  

    Agree about Pharmaca on College (next to Trader Joes Rockridge).  They answer the phone, rarely a line, and delivery available.  Also efficient for vaccines. 

    I also switched from Walgreens to the Pharmaca on College. They have real people who are courteous. A world of difference!

    I really like Pharmaca in Rockridge. I shop at TJ’s next door so it been convenient for me. My family has 3 prescriptions/month. They answer the phone and are earnest about answering questions. Also, they will deliver for a fee which a few times has been a lifesaver when I’ve been very ill. 
    safeway, cvs, Target, Costco are all too big and  impersonal. I’m older and old school so I prefer to get to know my pharmacists. 
    hours are more limited, no drive-thru.

    If you use these medication on an ongoing basis, check to see if your insurance has a mail-order option.  I know ours offers a three-month supply by mail for any ongoing meds (and our copay for the three months is just two months of copay, another benefit). 

    Pharmaca next to Trader Joe's on College Ave!  I used Chime Pharmacy before they closed (when the new giant Safeway moved in) and I love it.  I won't go to a large chain anymore.  Pharmaca is a small chain (Solano Ave is the other local one, rest in Colorado? Not sure...)  with very competent pharmacists -- many have been working there for years.  Text message updates etc.  Great service.  

    Have you considered Amazon pharmacy? No having to make trips to the pharmacy or waiting. Delivered to your door. Good pricing:

    https://amzn.to/3w1y44C
     

    in an emergency you can always go to a local place as well.

    I see other people recommended Alto (courier delivery) pharmacy. I just want to chime in and say they are FANTASTIC.  I discovered Alto while briefly taking a specialty drug that regular pharmacies don't carry, but I now use them for all prescriptions. It's easy to switch over and easy to get new prescriptions sent there once you have their info. The only thing you can't easily do is give them a physical piece of paper. That would require going to their San Francisco location to drop it off (I asked). This happened to me only one time -- stubborn ER insisted on paper. But for literally every other prescription in three years I've had no problems doing everything through Alto. And it doesn't cost anything more than you'd pay at Walgreens, etc. You can get things the same day, too. 

    I feel your pain. The Pharmaca in Rockridge is incredible. The staff is so kind, helpful, and efficient. We recently moved to North Berkeley and transferred to the Solano Ave one, and it’s not nearly as good (the Oakland peeps warned me….). I miss the Rockridge one so much. I just transferred everything over to Alto Pharmacy which provides free same day or next day delivery via an app and that has simplified my life greatly. For me, there was no difference in cost with Alto but it depends on your insurance. 

    Alto Pharmacy delivers to your doorstep. They often do same day delivery and are great with recurring prescriptions. 

    I've recently switched to the Safeway Pharmacy on Broadway and it is worlds more convenient and pleasant than the Walgreens on 51st, plus you can double up on other errands.

    Another happy Alto customer.  Their app is great and I often get same day delivery.

    I recommend Alto as well. They deliver from their San Francisco location. I am a physician and they are very responsive, keep in touch with the office and deliver meds quickly. They are great at figuring out insurance issues and prior auths- especially for new medications. I have used CVS on Mountain and had many issues such as being overcharged and taking hours (literally) of my time to resolve. The pharmacists there can be helpful - but it really depends on who is on. 

    I evangelize about the CVS inside the Emeryville Target. I didn’t know it was possible to adore a pharmacy. They’re just always so CLEAR and KEEP RECORDS and are friendly and communicative.

    BPN readers have posted excellent suggestions, but here's my take.

    In 2021 I went from one regular prescription to five.  With just one, the cost of enrolling in Medicare Part D was not justified by the cost of the one drug.

    With five drugs, however, it is complicated by a factor of ten-to-the-fifth.  There is always some screw-up.  (I will spare you the details.)

    Another factor is that the doctors are experimenting with which drugs work best, so it does not make sense to engage with an insurance carrier that may or may not have various drugs on their formulary.

    For this reason, I am continuing to go to the CVS that is five minutes from where we live, in the Redwood Heights district. There I have discovered that they actually give me a discount for not having insurance. I am well-rooted in their database as a non-insured person.  When I had to get a novel drug that is still under patent, very expensive, and not covered by insurance, the clerks tried three different "manufacturer coupon" billing strategies to get me the lowest price.

    Two weeks ago I switched doctors, and there was a major screw-up with my eyedrops.  The pharmacy said that it was not in stock.  Presumably it was caught in a supply chain snafu on the slow boat from India.  So I asked the pharmacy to send the scrip to Rite-Aide in Montclair.  This pharmacy could get it, but they proposed to charge me 2x what CVS charges.

    The saga continues, but the moral of my story is that dealing with the pharmacy is always a headache, so I chose the one that is easy to get to, so that when i must go back repeatedly to thrash with them, it is only five minutes away.

    I like Costco - the staff is happy, friendly, and unchanging.  And the wait's never long.

    Hi,

    I originally responded to this post with a recommendation for Pharmaca, that I now want to retract. I’ve now had two experiences with them where they’ve known they didn’t have the medication but waited for me to drive from Lafayette to Oakland only to tell me they’re having supply chain issues and that I should call another pharmacy to get my meds. In other words, they’re no better than CVS or Walgreens anymore. But their hours are worse.

  • Greetings, I don't get much discount through my health insurance for prescriptions. My daughter has been prescribed Concerta and the price of a month supply is from $227 (CVS) to $334 (Costco). I can't use a coupon or discount because it is a schedule 2 drug. What do other families do to afford Extended ADHD meds? Any ideas? Help!

    Try downloading the Good RX app.  It gives you coupons (even for Concerta).  When you get it filled you show the codes to the pharmacist and they input it like insurance.  Concerta on the app for my daughter is cheaper than with my insurance.  The problem is that it won’t count toward your deductible if that is important to you.  

    Are you sure about all coupons? I’m not familiar with the specific drug your daughter needs, but I just looked at GoodRx and they offer a coupon for $90 for Concerta for CVS. I have used GoodRx for a schedule 4 drug. I had to argue with the pharmacy manager (they told me their branch didn’t accept Good Rx), but once I pointed out that it was the parent company that made this arrangement for the entire chain, I had no further problems.

Archived Q&A and Reviews


Questions  

 


Buying Drugs from Canada

June 2004

My daughter's dermatologist has prescribed a very expensive drug (Periostat), which our insurance company doesn't cover for treatment of acne. The doctor suggested we buy it from Canada, but she didn't have any leads on how to do this. Does anyone know a particular source in Canada with their contact information?


Check out the websites for the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin - on them you will find information about several Canadian internet pharmacies that are reputable. One is at crossborderpharmacy.com ; two others you can find through those states' websites. I don't have any personal experience with them. Richard


I have purchased drugs online from Canada at reduced prices. The web site is www.crossborderpharmacy.com. You need to fax a prescription, and then they mail the medication to you directly. It is very easy and the selection of drugs available is large. I also uncerstand that you can take a prescription with you, have filled and bring medication back if you plan to be in Canada. Additionally, you can purchase drugs from New Zealand at planetorders [at] vanuatu.com.vu or 1-877-271-6591, but I do not have personal experience with them. Karen C.


24-hour Pharmacy

June 2003

I was wondering: does anyone know which drugstores around here are open 24 hours, 7 days a week? We recently needed some liquid benedryl at midnight this weekend, and our local Safeway was out of stock. I'd like to have more options next time. Thanks. Elisabeth


Walgreen's at 51st and Telegraph. kathy


When I had mastitas in the middle of the night the only place I found was Walgreens on 51st and Telegraph. They filled a physician called in prescription in the wee morning hours. I would call first and see if you can buy over the counter meds in those late hours. Dana McMahan


The Walgreen's Pharmacy at 51st and Telegraph in Oakland is open 24-7. It's proximity to Oakland Children's Hospital makes it very convenient. They have a drive-through window for prescriptions. Jane Turbiner


Most hospitals (probably all) have a 24-hour pharmacy. Beyond that I've just spent some time looking on the Longs and Walgreens sites and as far as I can tell your only 24 hour pharmacy is the Walgreen's at 5055 Telegraph. It also has a drive through. There is also one in San Leandro. I also noticed that there was a drive through pharmacy at the Albertson's in El Cerritto Plaza.

If you are looking just for OTC stuff, the Albertson's in Montclair is 24 hours. If you are looking for a fairly late pharmacy, the Longs at 5100 Broadway is until 10pm, the store until midnight. Myriam


Friendly pharmacy

March 2000

Wanted, fair and honest pharmacy in the Berkeley/North Oakland/Albany area. I've been using Long's Drugs in Berkeley on Shattuck for many years, but lately they are getting out of hand in overcharging on co-pays, and splitting perscriptions up so that I end paying twice as much in copays for a given set of pills. Somehow I doubt my insurance company is seeing all of this money. Can anyone recommend a pharmacy in Berkeley or the surrounding areas which does not indulge in this sort of price gouging? Thanks.


We've had good luck with the Solano Avenue Pharmacy (1395 Solano, 2 blocks west of Santa Fe, 524-5881). The staff is friendly, the service prompt, and we've never been overcharged! Greg


You might try some of the online pharmacies. I've had particularly good luck with www.drugstore.com and planetrx.com. It's absolutely no help, of course in the instance of an emergency prescription, but quite helpful in terms of ongoing prescriptions.


I heartily recommend Thousand Oaks Pharmacy at the top of Solano (across from the Oaks Theatre). Owned by the Totah family, longtime Berkeleyites, neighborly, friendly, helpful, courteous, kind, honest, etc. And its not a chain!!! Open until 6:30 weekdays, to 6:00 on Saturday, closed Sunday. Tim