RiteAid Pharmacy Co-Pay

I have recently joined a program offered by Abbot Technologies called "Freestyle Promise" which enables members to receive a discounted rate on co-pays at the pharmacy for diabetic testing strips. They are also doing a promo offer to receive a box of fifty free test strips along with your prescription, which my doctor had called into this pharmacy.

They were unable to process the coupon and I could not retain my supplies entirely. I asked that they simply call the 800 number listed on the card and form letter from the company. They refused. They sent me away to contend with the problem myself. I went home and called Abbot and they spent the next twenty minutes (approximately) attempting to explain to the Rite Aid Pharmacy staff how to run this card and participate in the program. The Abbot employee told me that she could not help because they became rude with her and refused to follow the instructions she was trying to give them. Abbot told me to try to locate another pharmacy because of the nature of this encounter.

After waiting for over 16 weeks (rebate mailed 9/18, check received approx 1/21), I was only refunded the amount of cash I paid out of pocket, which amounts to $1.79, but the purchase price minus the coupon should make the refund $15.79. I used UP rewards earned at RiteAid for purchasing other items during previous sales. I have called three times, spoken to supervisor Lidia, left further messages for her and to date, there has been no response, positive or negative. I have read all over the web that Novartis is issuing checks for the difference for some, but not others, such as me. This is not a fair business practice.

I feel this complaint is very important. Rite Aid consistantly charges me a co-pay of $9 for any prescription, even when the medicine would cost less than $9 if paying cash. Lay consumers usually do not know the usual selling price of an rx. I know that the pharmacies at Longs and Target charge me the usual price (e.g $4-$5), NOT the HMO co-pay of $9. This activity is unethical, unprofessional and illegal.