Hy-Vee Pharmacy

Mark Stoneking

2024-04

By far the worst pharmacy you could pick. Insanely long wait times and half the time they say my Dr. hasn't sent the prescription over, which hasn't been the case on many occasions.Edit 10/31/23: this pharmacy has slowly been making improvements, but have a ways to go.Edit 2/29/24: still slowly getting better.Edit 3/29/24: the fastest experience I have had yet to date. Seemed to be staffed up properly and were very quick. In and out in less than 5 minutes.

Amanda Lockwood

2023-05

I have used this pharmacy for the past year and before that over the past 15. It's a catastrophic disaster. I have to call 20-25 times and still get no answer. I will order a refill and days after it was to be ready, it's not. I have to physically go into the location to be told I'll have to wait another 30 minutes because it's not ready even though I submitted for it to be ready 2 days earlier. I just tried calling 10 times in a row. No answer. I don't leave vm anymore because they will never return them. If they don't have your medicine in stock, they will never call you. You will show up to pick up, wait in the line of ten people only to be told it's not filled and won't be because they're out. Then you've to call your Dr to get a different script called out. The Dr's office even asked me what is up with this pharmacy, they can't ever get someone on the line. I've hoped over the last year it would get better and stayed. I am now losing 4-6 hours a week on trying to get medications filled. That's outrageous. I will be leaving. I have grave concerns about why they're accepting new patients if they're unable to provide for the ones they have. I will be contacting the Iowa Board of Pharmaceuticals.

David Patterson

2023-05

The Pharmacists are knowledgeable and do a wonderful job. The problem is, the Pharmacy's far too busy, woefully understaffed, with too little room to function, properly.Simply put, add more people, give them more room to operate and do their job, and open more windows, during peak times.This is not a failure of the pharmacy or its staff, it is Corporate, deciding higher profits will be better served with more room for Alcohol and a building a new building, for I assume, curbside pickup.

angie jones

2023-05

Worst pharmacy ever!! My daughter was prescribed chewables on Wednesday. The pharmacy decided it wasn’t important to call me or the doctor when they realized they couldn’t fill her script. Instead waited for me to come on Friday to pick them up and then called the doctor. Of course on a Friday there was lousy communication so the issue wasn’t even addressed until Monday. Then on top of it they didn’t get it filled when my husband went in at 5:00 they said they didn’t know if they even had the medication! Even tho someone from the pharmacy called me and told me they had the new medicine the doctor prescribed. I just got it this morning! My daughter has had a horrible ear infection for a week now because they couldn’t do their jobs!!!

kevin hook

2023-05

If you want to wait in the line to pick up your medication (that is ready for pick up) for 1+ hour then this is the place for you! Just moved to Altoona from Waukee and switching to this HyVee was a big mistake. It’s faster to drive to the Waukee HyVee and pick up my medication and drive back than it is to pick up in this store! I don’t know if the whole town of Altoona uses only HyVee or if their method is just that slow, but when we get a notification on the app that the meds are ready I should not have to stand in a line for 1hr and then be told to take a seat for approximately 30min while the order is filled. After the first time this happened I figured I would call ahead to see if the med was actually ready. After attempting to call 12 times with no answer I drove up there… guess what, it wasn’t ready! It’s not hard to answer the phone, it’s not hard to not say the meds ready when they clearly are not ready!

michael ware

2023-05

***Update 11/8/2022The store manager called me to follow up. He offered honesty and no double talk or spin, as many do these days in any brand of customer service. He explained that he's short staffed and they have some bottle necks in processing they're trying to resolve.What this really means to me, is simply, that I can give them more time to process scripts as my end of the relationship. If I can give them 4 days or more, they are likely to have worked through the backlog when I come to pick up. ...And frankly that isn't an unrealistic ask at all. I can call in scripts a week in advance if that helps.We spoke briefly about other options to serve customers more efficiently as well. I'm happy about the dialogue and the follow up. I changed my rating from two stars to four. I can't give five because there are still problems that aren't related to the customer, but the effort, communication, and offers to serve the customer count towards the experience, and that adds value for me.The attitude I got from staff, was probably due to having a long hard day full of people like me that were short on patience and understanding. ...And I'm quite willing to forgive that, as I seek forgiveness for the same, myself.I'll continue to shop at Hy-Vee Pharmacy Altoona and we'll see how things go.***Update 11/6/2022I spoke with the store manager and things are being investigated.My review is subject to change.******Original Review - Two Stars - I've been getting the prescriptions there for over a decade. They've gotten so bad now, that a script for a common med that is called in on Tuesday first thing in the morning IS NOT ready for pick up by Friday at the end of the day.I've had to drive an hour round trip now several times for this and it happening routinely. Not just an isolated incident.Poor service. No pleasures when they interact with you. They don't answer the phone any longer. They don't return your voicemails any longer.I suppose it is time to look into a pharmacy elsewhere or begin one of the mail delivery services....And that has nothing to say about ridiculous lines I wait in each time I go.Hy-Vee isn't value priced. They're often higher on their average shelf product costs, but I go there because I can get what I need and go. Now I can't, the costs are rising, and the service no longer is present."A helpful smile in every aisle" has devolved into "A reluctant and terse quip in the pharmacy..."

Jessica Fees

2023-05

I understand they aren’t responsible when there’s a shortage of medication, but they also don't communicate when they aren’t able to fill a prescription. This is the 2nd time I’ve gone over 48 hours without medication I need (and that has detrimental side effects) because they fail to communicate that they don’t have it, and I only find out when I call to check on the prescription. I’ve just switched to using Walgreens, but want others to know this isn’t a reliable pharmacy if you’re dependent on certain medications that are time-sensitive.

zodiac bakri

2023-05

It's funny when you hear hyvee advertising patient first, while the liquor store is 10 to 20 times bigger than the pharmacy. Pharmacy is too small, and they don't hire more people b/c they dont want to pay more. I fell sorry for the people who work there, and I have seen many patients yelling at them. Do they have a break time likes walgreen? Of course no. Have you seen any chair in the pharmacy? Of course No. Iam not surprised with the attitude or service, low work environment gives you low service. I hope 🙏 will be brave to talk to Hyvee management.

Michele Jones

2022-05

The staff is always friendly and courteous (the only reason I gave it 2 stars,) but time and again there have been delays and issues with the availability of medications my husband and I need. I had surgery and my doctor prescribed a common pain medicine. I had him send it to this pharmacy because it was close making it convenient for my family to pick up for me.I happened to have a few at home, so I didn’t go to pick up my prescription until the next day. When I arrived, I was told my order was still being processed. Where would I have been if I hadn’t had pain meds at home? I would’ve been in agony because they didn’t have it!I’d understand if my prescription was something rare or very expensive making it difficult to stock on site, but it wasn’t. I’d understand a little better if it was a one time problem, but it’s only the most recent one. That’s why I try to avoid using this pharmacy as much as possible!

Jeff Anderson

2023-05

Worst pharmacy known to man. Went to get a prescription filled when they opened at 9 am in the drive thru. Sat in the line for 30 min nobody would answer the intercom or even the pharmacy phone. Come to find out the drive thru was closed. Go into get the prescription to find out it will not be in until this afternoon. Tried calling to confirm it’s in and no answer. Now will go in wait in line for 30 to 40 min just to be told that they still need to fill it. Absolute joke of a pharmacy.

Kerri Hunter

2023-05

This location does not answer the phone regardless of how many times you call and they don't respond to voicemail. My husband has switched pharmacies because prescriptions are not ready many days after having been called in and no communication regarding this. You must show up to wait in lengthy lines to find out and then spend another 30 -45 minutes waiting to then stand in line for another undetermined amount of time to receive it. We are both gainfully employed and don't have time for this.

Alex Hawn

2023-05

This is the absolute worst pharmacy to get ahold of. My migraine medication was called in and a week after, they still hadn’t filled it with zero communication. I had finally gotten ahold of them and they claimed my Dr needed to call on again, which they had already done twice. I understand being short staffed, but it has gotten to a point where it’s unreasonable and unprofessional.

Heidi Baker

2023-05

I have nothing but praise and gratitude for the pharmacy staff at Hy-Vee. They stepped up in a major way recently when a national chain of pharmacies could not accommodate my prescription for a common antibiotic which none of their pharmacies in the Des Moines area seemed to have in stock.While this nation chain of pharmacies was telling me it would take them at least 72 hours for them to get my meds the folks at Hy-Vee had my prescription transfered to them and filled within two hours on a holiday!Thank you to the folks at Hy-Vee Pharmacy for going above and beyond!

Samantha Cooper

2022-05

We've used HyVee Pharmacy in Altoona for years-and are ready to switch. Prescriptions are never ready when they're supposed to be. My husband had surgery and it has been a struggle to get his pain meds to him on time due to waiting for it to be done.I know that everyone is short staffed-yet I don't believe there is ANY excuse for poor customer service and literally refusing to ANSWER THE PHONE. The text message alerts aren't helpful at all because when there are 5 people in your house and the message doesn't even say WHO the prescription is for-its super confusing. That needs to be improved on.

Babby Schmitz

2022-05

I've been a customer here for over 15 years, and the service lately has deteriorated. I don't know if it is high turnover, outsourcing or what, but that small town pharmacy touch is gone. If I go IN the store, I usually get great service, but if I have to call, more times than not, my order is messed up, or I can't get anyone on the phone. When a message is left, you are lucky if you hear back. I've been waiting a week on a special request, and finally called yesterday. 24 hours later, and still no return call. It is very frustrating, and not the level of service I've experienced over the years.

Jess Harris

2023-05

One star because I have to give a rating to write something. Pharmacy is a joke. I've been sitting in the drive through almost 45 minutes and there was only 4 cars in front of me. Had my oldest daughter run in to check the line and line was all the way to the back of the store. This seems to happen almost every time I come here. Horrible, slow and CRANKY service.

Shelley Gilgen

2023-05

I have had the misfortune to find out the reviews about HyVee Pharmacy in Altoona are true. I had a prescription called in by my doctor and I stopped into the pharmacy several days later only to be told it wasn’t ready. I waited almost an hour only to be told they didn’t have it in stock. I drove 25 min to get to this pharmacy wasted time and money, only to be told they didn’t have it in stock. I’ve waited three days to give them time to get the medication in stock but decided to call first to see if it was ready. Guess what??? THEY DIDNT ANSWER THE PHONE!!! I am now going to have to drive from Baxter, IA to Altoona to go into the pharmacy in person. I’m sure I will be told it’s either not in stock or not ready. DEFINITELY NO HELPFUL SMILES IN THE PHARMACY AISLE IN ALTOONA.

Michael Finley

2023-05

They dont start filling a prescription until you're there. Probably one of the poorer run business models out there. If you are getting more and more customers and are experiencing staffing shortages you probably need to increase pay to get people to apply and stay working for your company.

Bill Canney

2023-05

For some reason Hyvee corporation doesn't see a need to expand the pharmacy to match what the community has grown into. It is very common to wait in long lines to pick up scripts 20 - 60 mins is very common anymore at this location.

Sharon VW

2024-01

Very slow service. Not very organized. They need to restructure how they do things for better customer service.

Sharon Bakley

2023-05

I think the staff is way over worked and they need more breaks so they would be better at there job.. I stood in line for a hour and they only had one of my prescriptions done out of three so I had to go to the back of the line again so I spent an hour and 45 minutes I am a sick person feeling like I’m going to drop dead in the line waiting! There was a lady with a cane standing in front of me she could barely stand 💔 Hy-Vee fix this problem!!! I give ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️five stars to pharmacist that deal with this daily! 0 stars to you Hy-Vee for letting this problem to continue!

Alyssa Marzen

2022-05

My daughter was very sick and had an anti-nausea prescription sent in at noon. She went to pick it up at 4 and it wasn't ready and was told it would be an hour. When she called to have it transferred, the lady told her it was ready but she sent it over anyway, and now couldn't pick it up. However she didn't send it for over an hour. I suppose this was a vindictive move on their part. Way to stick it to sick people. Have some empathy for crying out loud, or get in a different business.

Ryan Carlstedt

2022-05

Just the worst. Never enough staff. Don’t do anything proactively. Waited in the lobby today for over 30 minutes while they filled my prescription for 6 pills. Please HyVee. Figure this out. It shouldn’t be this difficult.

Lindsey A

2022-05

They NEVER answer the phone or return voice-mail. My daughter has medication she has to have on a daily basis twice a day her entire life and every time it needs refilled there is always an issue and it is always their fault but they blame my daughters doctor.

Kelsey Carlstedt

2022-05

They refuse to answer the phone, no matter if you call through the main Hy-Vee line or directly through the pharmacy. I went to pick up a prescription 3 DAYS after the promised pickup time/date and it STILL was not ready. Then I waited 20 minutes for them to fill it and it was only a partial (5/30). Avoid this pharmacy!!!!

Jen Williams

2022-05

Prescriptions are never ready even hours after doctor calls them in. Refills are never filled when you’re ready for them. In the store, 20 minute wait turns to a hour to pick up. It’s absolutely ridiculous here.

C Heinzman

2023-05

They keep sending me texts that I have a prescription ready, but I don't live anywhere near there so would not use them. I've called and called and called, multiple times, and they will not answer the phone!

Tiffany a

2023-05

So slow. So unorganized. One prescription is always being worked on and are asked to shop around 15-25 min that turns into a hour deal every time.

Amy Taylor

2023-05

Allison was SUPER friendly and helpful today. She went above and beyond to make sure that I had a prescription that was very hard to find. Thank you Allison!!!

Maja Hayes

2023-05

This is the worst place to get your meds. They are never ready on time, they give you a different pick up date every time, they never answer their phones, and never receive what you need from your drs it’s always missing.