8 Reasons CVS Is the Worst Drugstore Ever

Choosing a drugstore to fill your prescriptions may seem mundane, but it's a larger decision than you think. Even selecting a chain to shop at for miscellaneous goods can determine how much you save on everyday essentials.

CVS, one of the biggest pharmacy chains in the U.S., is also one of the most hated by many consumers. Understaffed pharmacies and high prices are just some of the reasons people dislike the ubiquitous drugstore.

One of the biggest problems consumers have with CVS is the long wait times. This isn't just anecdotal, either — the company has been penalized for it.

In March of 2024, CVS was issued $1.5 million in penalties from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. The fines were issued for several safety violations, many of which are credited to understaffed stores and include delayed refills and not enough staff to efficiently fill the number of prescriptions.

After this fact, CVS stated it is improving staffing, enhancing workflows, and hiring more technicians to better support its pharmacy teams.

Consumers also complain about CVS's high prices on over-the-counter drugs. For example, a 90-count bottle of Zyrtec at CVS is regularly $47.49, compared to a 90-count bottle at Target — more than double the amount — that costs $42.49.

There's no official statement from CVS on the issue, but many people cite the cost of convenience, meaning the chain takes advantage of people who need the medicine immediately and charges more than online or less accessible retailers.

It's not just the floor inventory that people say is too expensive — prescriptions are also pricey at CVS. The chain has addressed this issue, however. CVS addressed this in 2018, citing a commitment to keeping drug costs as low as possible.

In late 2023, they announced plans to enact a "cost-based" pricing policy. Previously, CVS followed the same protocol as most drugstores, called "cross-subsidization," where they priced some drugs higher than necessary to account for others that failed. Instead, CVS will now base prices on what they paid for them, including retail markups.

Another reason CVS lost favor with many consumers is due to their involvement in the opioid crisis. The company, along with Walmart and Walgreens, had to pay a combined $650.6 million to Lake County and Trumble County in 2022 as a result of their involvement in exacerbating the opioid crisis.

Since then, CVS has tried to course correct. Some implementations include installing safe disposal sites, creating and expanding educational and community outreach programs, making naloxone more accessible, creating prescription plan designs aimed at monitoring opioid prescriptions, and more.

CVS pharmacies all over the country have also been known to give out the wrong prescription medications, in some cases resulting in injuries and even potential fatalities.

This is largely due to understaffing and is one of the reasons CVS has been penalized so heavily by state boards.

Similarly, understaffing has led to several documented cases of dirty stores. Not only is this gross and unpleasant for customers, but it's also a safety hazard.

Aside from dirty stores, there were some reports of loose pills on the floors of the pharmacy, as well as room temperature vaccines, old prescriptions, and more concerning hygiene and maintenance issues.

Some shoppers have also complained about poor and downright rude customer service interactions, including being redirected to chatbots, having trouble reaching local management, and even being hung up on mid-sentence.

While this could speak to a larger issue of understaffing or CVS' corporate climate, there is no concrete evidence that the issue is unique to CVS or that it speaks to a larger issue regarding the current state of retail work.

Aside from pharmaceutical services, CVS is also known for its photo center. While it's a convenient service, many shoppers take issue with the quality.

Customers have complained about the quality of printed pictures at CVS, especially the saturation and clarity of images. While this varies store by store, it could be a symptom of a larger issue of quality control throughout all locations.

CVS, despite being one of the more popular and accessible drugstores, is also one of the worst. Public opinion aside, the company has been involved in multiple lawsuits and received several penalties for serious issues. Not to mention the egregious price gouging.

Keep more cash in your wallet and shop at other pharmacies and drugstores, preferably local shops.