Freedom Pharmacy - AVOID THEM!

[vingulf]

If you are buying your fertility meds from Freedom Pharmacy or are about to..STOP! Avoid them if you dont want to be stressed out.

It all started when my RE put in the order. Someone from the pharmacy called me to get info. Then she asked for a credit card. I asked her how much the charges would be and she said not sure yet. I told her I need to know because I want to give her a credit card with enough balance. She said "dont worry, they will call you if the charges is over $200 or if your meds are not covered by insurance". Well, my meds came and guess what??!!! I had a $2600 charge on my card!!! When I called to ask about it, they non-chalantly said "oh, part of your meds were not covered by insurance.." I told her that I was assured that someone was going to call me if the charges exceed $200 as the card I gave them is linked to my checking account! And you know what the lady on the phone said? "Well, we were busy. You're lucky you got your meds because some people didnt!" HOW RUDE!!! I was livid!

Granted that a rep called me 2 weeks later....the damage had been done. Checks had already bounced.

And now, here I am again...having to deal with them. My RE instructed me to start using Estradiol on day of transfer (12/26). Last night, I noticed I only have 4 left! Whereas my Prometrium bottle is still somewhat full. I looked at the label and it says 60TAB. Well, they apparently miscounted. I dont have 60 tablets in there (only 24). So I called them this morning. The lady said that I only have 24 hours to check and call for problems! I was like "so you expect me to open ALL my pills and count them??? I never had to do that with ANY pharmacy!" And the manager is "busy" and will not talk to me directly!

After much going back and forth (and some bitching from me), they eventually are going to *try* and get my local pharmacy to fill it in. While writing this, they had already called telling me that my pharmacy will not take their credit card over the phone. So I had to search for another pharmacy! UGH! Other option she said was for me to pay it and then send in my receipt! YEAH RIGHT! Like I am going to trust them!!!

[Sheri1972]

Wow!  That's horrible!

You might look into Shraft's.  My RE uses them and they are really great, and upon doing some research, they are the least expensive place I've found.  They are a subsidiary of Walgreen's.

Sheri

[sommer117]

I do not think that is the correct Freedom Pharmacy.  You should call the pharmacy and speak with a manager or someone who can tell you where to direct your concern...it is a very reputable company.  I took the liberty of looking it up because we had a wonderful experience with this company.  They left nothing but a good impression on me.

[ms320]

Maria,

You are welcome.  Sorry, I just realized that her email didn't come out.  It is:  nloisadams at hhcs.com.  As I said, execs hate to get complaints from customers, so raise some hell.

Mary

[vingulf]

Mary, sweetie! Thanks so much for looking up the info! You're awesome!!!

Maria
:-)

[ms320]

I am a big believer of bypassing all customer service reps when I have a real problem with a company.  I always go right to the CEO/President of the company.  High level executives hate being bothered by customer compaints; especially when poor customer service is involved.
I looked up some info on Freedom Pharmacy.  Here is someone you can contact.
Lois Adams, CRPh, MBA
President/CEO of Freedom Pharmacy
888.307.4427 or 407.898.4427
Fax: [phone]
***@****
Hope it helps

Mary

[Helen72]

Warning: Aclepsa on line pharmacy: AVOID!!!
First, shipping takes over a month since apparently they ship from India (which they don't tell you about!!!)
Second, I ordered clomid on Nov. 26 and still did not get it.  

It must be a scam!

[vingulf]

LOL. Vent away! That's what we're here for :-)

I hate that when they accuse you of lying! I mean what happened to the "customer is always right"???

These people should be told that going through TTC and infertility is VERY stressful and NOT to add to our stress!

[jen_KE]

I can understand you issue with customer service.  Last month the First Response O test I used didn't work and I missed it for the month.  I was LIVID and when I called to complain they asked me if I took the test right (uh, no I just threw caution to the wind and took it any old way I wanted!) then she told me that "not everyone ovualtes every month"  to which I replied that the Dr confirmed with blood test that I did.  After a month and no refund they called me back and said that they needed the box mailed to them to proceed!  Who keeps garbage for a month when I already sent in the reseipt?!?!?)  Then she said she was wondering if I was telling the truth since I refused to tell them how I used the product!!  Which I did not do.  Finally I told them that this was rediculous that they were putting me through this and that I would contact the BBB - finally, my check is in the mail (supposedly).... ok, that felt REALLY good to vent!!  lol

[Chrissieanddan]

I am so glad I dont have that problem, you should be chilling out at the moment, not stressing over all  this its hard enough anyway.

Just write a long letter of complaint & send it to there head office, tell them that you are in a crucial stage of your teartment & shouldnt have to go through extra stress & pressure due to there incompetance!!
good luck with it & relax x x x

[vingulf]

My main complaint with them is the lack of sympathy and customer service. I used to work in a customer-service oriented business and if I say to a client "well you're lucky your got your products!", I would have been fired the next day! There were no "we're sorry...". If my RE's office didn't threaten to stop sending them business, no one would have called me back. They were rude...I know at the time of the order it was a busy time (before Thanksgiving), it still doesn't give them the right to act the way they did.

Yeah, I should not have given them my cc#. But I was so anxious to start my cycle. And I took her word that they will call IF the charges exceed $200 and I verified with her that it's on my order. When I called back to inquire about the charge, I was told that there was no such instruction.

I did check the box to make sure everything is there. But I didn't think to actually count the pills in each bottle. I mean, when I pick up prescription from a pharmacy, I don't count the pills - never had. And if they miscounted, I call and they usually apologize and fix the problem with no attitude.

[mature momma]

I have used them for 4 cycles with no problems at all. They have actually been really nice. On my first dealings with them they checked what was covered by my insurance then called to let me know before filling anything. In their defense they do tell you at the time of the order that when you recieve your order you must check it and report any mistakes in 24 hours. Sorry for all your frustrations. Best of luck. Debra:)

[SHP]

I have used them with no problem but I refused to give them any credit card number until they ran the drugs on my insurance and called me back with a balance.  If my memory is correct they did not call me for a couple of days and I had to call them but I stood firm and asked for the same person each time.  I know how much those drugs are and have never gotten away for less than $2500.  I am glad that this has been brought to everyone's attention.  Do not ever give the credit card number to any of these pharmacies until they let you know how much it will be.  I had one who wanted to give me the total before insurance and I refused to give a card number until they ran the insurance.  Heck they could get busy and not run it on the insurance.  Even if I only save $20.00 - I want my $20.00

[vmvnpv]

Vingulf and lynda....this is what I did to avoid taking the hpt every day.  I had DH hide them in a spot he knew I wouldn't be able to find them.  If they're where I can see them I am tempted to test (even though I know it's not time, therefore I waste a lot of money and time having to go buy more).  I told him that I can test on Wednesday but don't let me do it before then.  It seems to be working so far.  Good luck!

[flygirl44]

Im so sorry about your experience with Freedom Pharmacy.  I only used them with my first attempt at IVF and had no problems with receiving the Gonal-F, and repronex.  At present I use Walgreens for the progesterone, and estradiol.  When you get your BFP, see if your RE will call in a prescription to Walgreens for your meds...they even deliver.  Got your email...and yes my butt is still bruised and sore. :-)  Hopefully, only a couple of weeks to go as far as the shots go. :-)  I too had the same symptons as you and lynda544 during my @WW, so I too will pray for you!

[lynda544]

I drive myself crazy with those darn tests! The first time I tested positive the line was very faint and showed up very late (I can't remember if it was 3 minutes) If you do get a positive, and I'm praying that you do, don't test again to see if the line gets darker. I drove myself insane that way too. I had lots of back pain which is unusual for me. I assumed it was the bed
rest, my MD requires 5 days!!! Which reminds me I read your other post and don't beat yourself up about going to work etc. I could not stay in bed for 5 days, I barely lasted 2. All the data says bed rest makes no difference in outcome at all.
I know I had cramping too and this weird feeling of something sitting on my bladder.

[vingulf]

Yeah, thought about sending a letter to BBB just to complain. Someone did call me back after the nurse at my RE's office called their rep and tried to fix the problem. I told her I would not really be totally upset if not for the "you're lucky you got your meds" comment. Dont these people understand what stress we go through with infertility??? I guess not...

lynda: yup, am 10 DPT today. I told myself I wasnt gonna do any hpt and just wait for the beta b/w on monday but I caved. Now I'm depressed coz hpt showed BFN! Was frantically reading stuff online and some say 10 DPT is still kinda early. Some women dont even get postive on any hpt throughout their pregnancy. And still some say that implantation can occur 6-12 days. So, there is still a *little* hope but it's starting to fade...anyway, still getting mild cramping but it has slowed down a bit (now it seems like some of the cramping moved to my tummy - weird). Yesterday I got a little worried too because my ENTIRE back was aching all afternoon...how about you? how are you doing? any plans for this supposedly gorgeous weekend (not sure how gorgeous it'll be in Denver...hehe)

[lynda544]

That sounds horrible! The pharmacy I've been working with has been wonderful. It is mail order and is located in Phoenix, AZ. It is called The Apothecary Shops [phone]. Nothing for me has been covered by insurance-so it has been pricey, but I remember my NP telling me they were one of the lowest in the nation. They have gone out of there way to reassure me etc. How are you feeling? You are 10 day post transfer now????

[vmvnpv]

BBB.org ASAP!  You would be surprised how fast they'll *try* to fix the problem.  You'll have to write a letter to the BBB in the pharmacy's area but it will be worth it.  Just describe everything in detail and they have a deadline they have to meet to respond.  I had to use it once and was very happy with the outcome.  I'm sorry you're dealing with this.  And it really sucks that your checks are bouncing by no fault of your own.  I would also mention that to BBB and see if the pharmacy can be made to pay your return check fees.

[jen_KE]

Wow, I don't think that I will ever have to use these people (nor would I ever after reading that), but I would contact the Better Business Bureau in the state they are in and make sure you let the company know that you are reporting them.  I've done it before and actually gotten good results from the company I was dealing with.... just a suggestion!  good luck!