The Honest Truth About Chain Pharmacies
CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid dominate Queens with convenient locations. But convenience comes at a cost—and that cost is often your time, your health outcomes, and your peace of mind.
AV Chemist, an independent pharmacy in Glendale, serves patients throughout Queens who've made the switch from chain pharmacies. Here's what they wish they'd known sooner.
Side-by-Side Comparison: AV Chemist vs Chain Pharmacies
| Feature | AV Chemist (Independent) | CVS / Walgreens / Rite Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Fill Time | 15-30 minutes | "2 hours" often becomes 24+ hours |
| Pharmacist Availability | Always available to talk | Too busy to answer questions |
| Delivery | FREE throughout Queens | $5-10 fee or $35 minimum |
| Same Pharmacist Each Visit | Yes—builds relationship | No—rotating staff |
| Wait Time | Little to no wait | 15-45 minute waits common |
| Medication Counseling | Comprehensive, unhurried | Rushed, minimal |
| Stock Issues | We get it same-day if needed | "Come back tomorrow" |
| Phone Access | Talk to pharmacist directly | Automated system, hard to reach |
| Medication Therapy Management | Comprehensive MTM services | Limited or unavailable |
| 24/7 Emergency Service | Available anytime | Limited 24-hour locations |
| Compounding | Full compounding services | Not available |
| Customer Service Focus | Patient care is priority | Corporate metrics prioritized |
What Chain Pharmacies Don't Tell You
1. Understaffing is Policy, Not Accident
Chain pharmacies deliberately understaff to maximize profits. One pharmacist may serve 200-300 prescriptions per day while also giving flu shots, answering phones, and managing drive-through. This isn't poor management—it's corporate strategy. Result: Long waits, rushed service, and increased error risk.
2. Pharmacist Turnover is High
Chain pharmacy pharmacists burn out fast due to impossible workloads and corporate pressure. Result: You never see the same pharmacist twice, so nobody knows your medication history or health conditions. Continuity of care is impossible.
3. "2 Hours" is a Lie
When CVS or Walgreens says "ready in 2 hours," they're gaming metrics. If you show up in 2 hours and it's not ready, it doesn't count against their performance numbers because you were "early." Reality: Most prescriptions take 4-24 hours at chain pharmacies during busy times.
4. Cost-Saving Recommendations Aren't Made
Chain pharmacists don't have time to review your insurance formulary, suggest generic alternatives, or coordinate with your doctor for lower-cost options. Result: You pay more than necessary because nobody is advocating for you.
5. Drug Interactions Go Unnoticed
Computer systems flag interactions, but overworked pharmacists don't have time to investigate every alert. Critical interactions can be missed. Independent pharmacies have time to properly review every prescription and call doctors when needed.
Why Independent Pharmacies Provide Better Care
Independent Pharmacy Advantages:
- • Owner-operated: Pharmacist owner is invested in your health outcomes
- • Adequate staffing: Enough staff to provide quality service
- • Personal relationships: Same team every visit who know your history
- • Time for counseling: Pharmacists can spend 10-15 minutes per patient vs 30 seconds
- • Proactive care: Identify drug interactions, cost-saving opportunities, adherence issues
- • Community focus: Serve neighbors, not corporate shareholders
- • Flexibility: Can make exceptions and accommodate special requests
- • Professional satisfaction: Pharmacists practice actual pharmacy, not just count pills
Real Stories: Why Queens Residents Switched
From CVS to AV Chemist: "I went to CVS on Queens Boulevard for 5 years. Every visit was the same: 30-minute wait, different pharmacist, no time for questions. When my doctor changed my blood pressure medication, nobody explained the side effects. I got dizzy and almost fell.
At AV Chemist, the pharmacist knows me by name, counsels me on every new medication, and even called my doctor when he noticed a duplicate therapy. This is actual healthcare."
– Michael D., Forest Hills
From Walgreens to AV Chemist: "Walgreens ALWAYS said 'we're out, come back tomorrow' for my son's ADHD medication. Every. Single. Month. It was a nightmare trying to coordinate with his school schedule.
AV Chemist has never once been out of stock. They proactively order his refill before we run out and deliver it to our Rego Park apartment. This is what pharmacy should be."
– Sarah M., Rego Park
From Rite Aid to AV Chemist: "My mother has diabetes and heart disease (11 medications). Rite Aid filled her prescriptions but never reviewed them together. When AV Chemist did a medication therapy management review, they found she was taking TWO blood thinners from different doctors—a life-threatening situation Rite Aid missed for 6 months.
AV Chemist's pharmacist called both doctors, fixed the duplication, and probably saved my mother's life. Chain pharmacies don't do this level of care."
– Robert K., Middle Village
Common Myths About Independent Pharmacies
Myth #1: "Independent pharmacies cost more"
FALSE. Insurance copays are the same at independent and chain pharmacies. In fact, independent pharmacists often save you money by finding generic alternatives and working with your insurance.
Myth #2: "My insurance only works at chains"
FALSE. Almost all insurance plans (including Medicare and Medicaid) work at independent pharmacies. AV Chemist accepts all major insurance plans.
Myth #3: "Chains have better technology"
FALSE. Independent pharmacies use the same pharmacy software, drug interaction databases, and insurance processing systems as chains—but with better customer service.
Myth #4: "I can't get delivery from independent pharmacies"
FALSE. AV Chemist provides FREE delivery throughout Queens—better service than chains that charge $5-10 or require minimums.
How to Switch from Chain to Independent Pharmacy
Easy Transfer Process:
- 1. Call AV Chemist: (929) 387-8111
Tell us you want to transfer from CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid
- 2. We Contact Your Old Pharmacy
We call CVS/Walgreens/Rite Aid and transfer ALL your prescriptions—you don't do anything
- 3. We Process Your Insurance
Same copays, same coverage—nothing changes except better service
- 4. Choose Delivery or Pickup
FREE delivery to your Queens address or pick up at our Glendale location
Total time to switch: 15-30 minutes. Insurance coverage unchanged.
Serving All Queens Neighborhoods
AV Chemist provides superior pharmacy service with free delivery throughout Queens:
- • Glendale
- • Ridgewood
- • Middle Village
- • Maspeth
- • Forest Hills
- • Rego Park
- • Elmhurst
- • Corona
- • Flushing
- • Astoria
- • All Queens!