Messina's Pharmacy

Mr. Messina was a very good pharmacist that went out of his way to stay late so I can get my prescription filled. then something terrible happened I was mnuchin his Pharmacy and did not know they did not take checks so he let me go across the street to Albertsons and to Hi Nabor so I could get that cash back from running my check over. But after he found out they did not approve my check to give me cash back he had an attitude about haven't you had filled my prescriptions. Then haven't you discard all of them and give me my papers back. As he did that he made sarcastic remarks low enough to where I can understand what you was saying.

They were very nice, & offered to help with my pre cert on meds. I hope this continues, I've been at James in DS for 6 yrs, & they've become very rude.

The pharmacists and staff here are by far the best I have found in Baton Rouge. He has gone above and beyond what anyone else would do to help care for me and my family. He does not do an early refill on certain medications because he is scrutinized by the DEA , state agencies and insurance companies just like everyone else. i have been a regular client there for several years and the number of people who come in seeking early refills is amazing. Many are 1st time customers and some are regulars who always have some reason why they need an early refill every month. It is always for narcotics or amphetamines. As the final gatekeeper for these substances it is his duty to try to protect his customers, sometimes from themselves. Once you have established yourself as trustworthy an infrequent early refill due to vacation or emergency can be done if the doctor and insurance are okay with it. In the current climate the DEA is Seems like they are out to put as many doctors and pharmacists away as possible. If you lose your license you lose your ability to feed your family. On many prescriptions he makes little, if any, profit. On a few he loses money. This is due to the way insurance pays. They pay a set amount, no matter what the medkcstion costs him. A couple of years ago the price of Adderall rose sharply and he lost about $30 per prescription. You can't fill a prescription and lose money. He is not allowed to charge more than the copayment. It puts businessmen like him in a terrible situation. He is the owner of a small business and does not get the huge

Volume discounts as the chains and yet often he charges less. I have waited 2 hours at Walgreens or CVS for a medicine that is pre packaged and only needed a label. I have been to Messina's with multiple prescriptions and been out of there in 10 minutes. As stated earlier, if you are a loyal customer and he feels you are not seeking narcotics or amphetamines to feed an addiction he is wonderful. However, no one should expect him to risk his license or face possible prison time because they need an early refill for the 5th time in 5 months. People who come in right before the pharmacy closes on a Friday needing an early refill of OxyContin are following a pattern common with drug seekers. He is supposed to verify these types of medications with the doctor. If he or she is gone for the day he can't verify. If you are allergic and can only take a certain brand of codeine based cough syrup, the one used to make a particular cocktail, you look suspicious. My doctor requires me to use one pharmacy. I found Messina's right after Hurricane Gustav when he had my medication while no one else did. He was using generators and working under 3rd world like conditions and was trying to help everyone he could. I respected what I saw. I drive home passing 4 closed chain pharmacies. He has been my regular pharmacist since. I would like a couple of weekend hours, like he used to do, but he has family obligations also. Plus as a human being he needs some downtime.

This is a GREAT Pharmacy. I have been to all of the Big Chain Pharmacy's, and let me tell you that Jerry, the Pharmacist will bend over backwards to help you. I have been going there for a little over a year now, and will never change. My wife has transferred all of her medicines over as well. I cant say enough good things about Messina's, and would recommend it to anyone. Thank you to Jerry, and the WHOLE staff at Messina's for all that you do!



Chad

Messina's Pharmacy in Baton Rouge, LA are extremely

rude. They will not let you refill your prescription even 1 day early even though the doctor AND the insurance has ok'd it! I will NEVER do business there again and I will tell everyone I know how they treat their customers. So disappointing for a local place. So much for trying to support local business! I will be going back to a national chain that is closer to my home where I know I will be treated with respect and compassion.

They are not open weekends,for the second time they have no record of my paying a bill of over $200 with them back in January and forced me again to go through my bank to print out the cancelled check to prove that I paid! Book keeping disorganized which doesnt give me much confidence in the pharmacist not making errors too. This is only drug store that made me wait until I was OUT of pain medication before refilling...CVS,Walgreens,etc allow patients to get refills 2 or 3 days before running out. They have no web site or even a phone system that allows you to request refills...usually have to speak with an older woman who is rude quite frankly and not a pharmacist and should not be acting like a bad one. Thank you...I feel better getting my true frustration out and being able to warn other potential customers. I am so disappointed because in my past experience, family owned and run pharmacies tend to give great personal customer service...I know that is Messina's goal but they need to make some changes!

Very nice people w/ great service!