Publix gone downhill?

[PharmerJ]

I've heard this rumor that Publix pharmacists are unhappy and many are leaving for other chains. Does anyone have any actual experience with this?

I used to work for Publix for years as a tech before coming to pharmacy school. Now I am getting ready to graduate and thinking of applying for a position with Publix but several of the pharmacists I used to know no longer work there and I keep hearing how Publix has really "gone downhill". Any truth to this?

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[johnep34]

Only know Publix as a customer. my wife and I were most impressed by the stores and particularly the service they gave they gave compared to the UK. Very sorry to hear they may be on the slope. Will check with my nephew who lives in Gainesville FL.
johnep

 

[MountainPharmD]

All retail pharmacies are going down hill. Its unavoidable given the current state of PBM control and $1.50 reimbursements. Labor is one of the few expenses the corporate chains can cut to increase profits.

 

[lorain]

All retail pharmacies are going down hill. Its unavoidable given the current state of PBM control and $1.50 reimbursements. Labor is one of the few expenses the corporate chains can cut to increase profits.

and charge 25 for a flu shot, what a rip off

 

[MountainPharmD]

and charge 25 for a flu shot, what a rip off

Why is that a rip off?

 

[Tinkerbell22]

I live in Florida so Publix is really big here. I have a hard time believing that of all stores Publix is doing badly because they're BY FAR the nicest grocery/pharmacy combination chain I can think of (down here anyway). The pharmacist who wrote my LOR works with Publix and he seems very happy and so does his tech who I also know. I know nothing about the current situation with the store, but from a purely observational standpoint it seems like there are other stores that would be worse. The store has humane operating hours and a clean nice environment anyway.

 

[lorain]

Why is that a rip off?

lol whoops, i meant the 18 for the swine flu shot what wags charges....considering the govt is paying for the vaccine, i think thats way too much, 10 is more reasonable like ive seen in other places around town

 

[PharmerJ]

Thanks guys...

As far as being a Publix customer - yeah, Publix is awesome. I love it. Just wasn't sure if the employee satisfaction was going downhill or what. Their website says H1N1 shots are $10.

 

[J ROD]

In my area, many have been disillusioned with Publix since they started giving away antibiotics and the amount of Rxs they do has increased significantly.

I know I did not put them on my list after hearing what my fellow students have said....😱

 

[marino]

Just joined your forum. Thanks for being here .
Anybody else feeling the pressure at Publix after this
last round of tech cuts ? So many free antibiotics and
now the word has spread about free metformin.
Feels like chaos anymore.
Anyone agree?
Marino

 

[MindOverMatter]

Just got a job with them. It's all groovy so far. The company continues to grow despite a decline in the economy, and nobody I have talked to has anything bad to say about working for them. Will keep you posted if things change.

 

[kvl1027]

The only bad things I have heard about them from colleagues is from those who are floaters with Publix. You have to work so many hours and even on your days off they can call you in if you haven't met your monthly hours. Plus I think they pay "Chinese" over-time, not time and a half. I also think all Publix pharmacists make the same amount regardless of time with the company, although with the stock options they offer that may not be a big deal.

 

[StevePerry]

Just joined your forum. Thanks for being here .
Anybody else feeling the pressure at Publix after this
last round of tech cuts ? So many free antibiotics and
now the word has spread about free metformin.
Feels like chaos anymore.
Anyone agree?
Marino

Not sure where you work (assuming somewhere in the south), but they should probably just add metformin to the drinking water and be done with it. Seriously though, how much of your business percentage-wise comes from the free bull----? Do your local competitors at least follow Publix's "lead" with that or do you just get the sub-Walmart crowd?

 

[rxlea]

Not sure where you work (assuming somewhere in the south), but they should probably just add metformin to the drinking water and be done with it. Seriously though, how much of your business percentage-wise comes from the free bull----? Do your local competitors at least follow Publix's "lead" with that or do you just get the sub-Walmart crowd?

Metformin in the drinking water isn't a bad idea since it might have some "anticancer" effects 🙂

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4365/is_19_42/ai_n42284616/

 

[marino]

Alot of the sub-Walmartians seem to be creeping in. Can be >50% free rxs some days. My concern is the fact we have no support staff and nobody seems to be bothered by it. They are still trying to roll out the same pathetic computer system
for 3 years and can't even get that done. Management simply sucks. I suppose there is just no where else to go that is better from what I read here.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Not sure where you work (assuming somewhere in the south), but they should probably just add metformin to the drinking water and be done with it. Seriously though, how much of your business percentage-wise comes from the free bull----? Do your local competitors at least follow Publix's "lead" with that or do you just get the sub-Walmart crowd?

Hey now, not all of us are pulling in PharmD money. We enjoy the free antibiotics.

Sub-walmart indeed, hmph!

 

[MountainPharmD]

Hey now, not all of us are pulling in PharmD money. We enjoy the free antibiotics.

Sub-walmart indeed, hmph!

When you become a Doctor give some of your services away for free....not everyone is pulling down MD dollars....See how you like it when the Doc down the steet is giving away free office exams and $25 coupons to transfer to his practice.

 

[marino]

Where are you Publix colleagues ?? Tell me how you are filling those 200 scripts with 1 tech/cashier. 75 of them being for free and out the door in 15 min.
Excellent reply Mt.pharmd

 

[StevePerry]

Where are you Publix colleagues ?? Tell me how you are filling those 200 scripts with 1 tech/cashier. 75 of them being for free and out the door in 15 min.
Excellent reply Mt.pharmd

Please tell me you are joking...

 

[StevePerry]

Alot of the sub-Walmartians seem to be creeping in. Can be >50% free rxs some days. My concern is the fact we have no support staff and nobody seems to be bothered by it. They are still trying to roll out the same pathetic computer system
for 3 years and can't even get that done. Management simply sucks. I suppose there is just no where else to go that is better from what I read here.

Please tell me you are joking (again). 50% free???

 

[StevePerry]

Metformin in the drinking water isn't a bad idea since it might have some "anticancer" effects 🙂

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4365/is_19_42/ai_n42284616/

Nice, looks like I s--- gold and didn't even know it!

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

When you become a Doctor give some of your services away for free....not everyone is pulling down MD dollars....See how you like it when the Doc down the steet is giving away free office exams and $25 coupons to transfer to his practice.

I was trying to make a joke, guess my post-call humor doesn't translate well.

I fully intend to do just that... working at the free clinic at the very minimum. If the MD down the street wants to do that, he is more than welcome to. There's plenty of patients for all of us.

Besides, from a professional perspective, that Publix list is a God-send for many of my indigent patients. So is the Wal-Mart one.

 

[torchbearer]

I also have heard that Publix is going downhill. I have heard such complaints not only from pharmacists who have quit Publix recently, but also from some of their pharmacists who still work for Publix. A common complaint is that management is aggressively trying to micro-manage the pharmacy operations. I know of former Publix pharmacists who quit, and they've definitely been better off for it. Of course, I doubt Publix will ever become as horrific and intolerable as CVS...

 

[burned out pill counter]

I also have heard that Publix is going downhill. I have heard such complaints not only from pharmacists who have quit Publix recently, but also from some of their pharmacists who still work for Publix. A common complaint is that management is aggressively trying to micro-manage the pharmacy operations. I know of former Publix pharmacists who quit, and they've definitely been better off for it. Of course, I doubt Publix will ever become as horrific and intolerable as CVS...

 

[hye345]

If you're gonna bump a 7 year old thread, at least say something interesting...