Rite Aid Pharmacy closed during the day on Saturday 8-16-08 unable for father in law to get prescriptions Westbrook Maine

   Thank you, Brian, for explaining the reasoning behind a pharmacist being absent. As a certified technician, I work at Rite Aid as an assistant to the pharmacist and we do our best to meet our patients needs. Unfortunately, our district is one who suffers from a pharmacist shortage and whenever a pharmacist needs to leave for any reason, it's not always easy to bring someone in to cover the day so quickly. In addition to that, Mr. Westbrook's father should have been able to go to the nearest Rite Aid location other than the one mentioned, and since our patient database is via satelitte, he would of had no trouble picking up his medication at another Rite Aid location, we are a chain retail pharmacy and are usually not to far apart. I completely understand the trouble, but state laws not do not allow ANYONE in a pharmacy without direct supervision of a pharmacist, I cannot even practice my profession w/o one in the building. I apologise that your father in law was not able to easily retrieve the service he desired, but please understand the situation and know that you can always visit another Rite Aid location to meet your needs if there is another issue,  promise they will understand and be more than happy to help you. 

Unfortunately, many patients do not understand the issues regarding store closing. I cannot speak for other states, but in New York, however a pharmacy cannot be open without a pharmacist legally. With this being noted, I am sure that most people understand that things come up (I.E. illness, death in family). Often it is not feasible to find a replacement, especially on a weekend. I am sure everyone has had to take a day off for some reason, is it not reasonable for a pharmacist to need the same.

To be fair to the nature of your concern, as compared to pharmacists, a pharmacist is a highly educated professional. They take time to work convenient hours for patients. Unlike many doctors, pharmacists are almost always available on weekends, late hours, and holidays. The point being is, a pharmacist has already bent over backwards to work hours most convenient for you, the patient, much more so the other private health care workers.

A pharmacy being closed should never be a big deal if you understand a few basic concepts. While inconvenient, an acute medicine can always be filled at another pharmacy, thus not causing a medical emergency. Furthermore, refills should not be an issue, as it would be irresponsible to order a medicine and pick it up last minute when it was needed. If planned at least a day or two in advance, if the store was closed, you could always come back another day.