Safeway Pharmacy

Very helpful. Was able to get a flu shot within minutes. Thank you

On Sunday December 8, 2019 at 9am, as a licensed physician myself, in consultation with my personal physician, I required an antibiotic. I tried unsuccessfully repeatedly calling the Safeway Pharmacy at 277 Piikea Ave Kihei, HI for over two hours as well as leaving messages to call me, all without any human or automated response.nnSo, I chose to drive to the pharmacy, noticed a lone pharmacist on his computer, and waited patiently at the Drop-off Window to be recognized.nnAfter waiting longer, I asked the pharmacist to help me. He asked me what I wanted and I told him I wanted to prescribe an antibiotic for myself. He came over and I showed him the GoodRx app on my phone showing the exact prescription I wanted including dosage and count. I also showed him my medical license and my NPI number (required by all prescribers). The pharmacist did not even look at the phone or my credentials and instead gave me an empty paper prescription. He then asked me for my DEA number. I told him I did not have nor need a DEA number because I don't ever prescribe controlled substances. He then told me that without a DEA number he could not fill my prescription. I reminded him that an antibiotic as a non-controlled substance doesn't require a DEA number. He told me that it was Hawaiian STATE law that out-of-state prescribers must have a DEA number.nnSo, I called my personal physician (who has a DEA number), and he immediately called the pharmacy (but again had trouble dealing with the automated pharmacy system) and phoned in the prescription.nnImmediately, I told the pharmacist the prescription was called in, and he then asked, for the first time, the dose of the prescription. I told him the dose again, and he said THE PHARMACY RAN OUT OF THAT MEDICATION AT THAT DOSE THE NIGHT BEFORE! He then referred me to another pharmacy a mile away.nn1) If the pharmacist had even bothered to look at my phone or ask me about the prescription the very first minute I was there, our entire interaction would have lasted less than a minute.nn2) As I learned at the subsequent pharmacy (a real pharmacy and not a grocery store), THERE IS NO STATE LAW REQUIRING OUT-OF-STATE PRESCRIBERS TO HAVE A DEA NUMBER FOR NON-CONTROLLED MEDICATIONS.nnThis pharmacist was lazy, indifferent, and LIED to me.

I have never in my entire life been so disrespected and discriminated! It was a horrible experience that left me hurt and traumatized. Unprofessional staff in the pharmacy over the phone.

Better go to Long's in S. Kihei, more variety and lower prices than Safeway.

Fast. Efficient and friendly. Everything you would expect on Maui. Thank you Pharmacist John.