Armstrong Pharmacy & Travel Clinic

This pharmacy went from being an okay chemist to an absolute no no. It was never great but now it's really a place to avoid.

The young Chinese (Asian at least) girl they hired as a pharmacist several months ago now, is the main reason why I had to switch to another local chemist for mine my wife's medicine, after having relied on the place for the past three and a half years, without any hiccup.
She just can't seem to get it right, and blames everyone else for it. The worst part is she wants you to believe that local GPs as well as suppliers ALL make mistakes and it's NEVER her fault. Here's the thing : local GPs and suppliers all started ''making mistakes''......around the exact same time she became the main pharmacist. Ahem. What a very strange coincidence ;)
It would be easier for everyone including herself if she actually owned her (numerous and constant) mistakes and acknowledged them, rather than blaming everybody else, including her own dispensers and counter staff whenever they have their backs turned or are having a day off.
Most worryingly, there is something about her attitude and tone that I absolutely cannot stand. She behaves like a spoiled little princess, and her fake laughs and noises are just too much for me. Never have I seem someone so fake in my life. She's as fake as they come (And I'm telling you this as a certified psychiatrist) This shows her lack of compassion for patients and her unsuitability to work in any health sector. She might want to reconsider her career choices. Of course she won't, but...

Apart from this (rather major) problem, the store itself doesn't have many basic items (too many to even mention) that you would expect to find in a local chemist, and seems to have by the truckload, tons of useless and overpriced creams and the lot, that no one really wants or cares about. And all of the basic items they DO have, and that you'd find in any Tesco or Boots at a reasonable price, have very clearly had their price tags increased to a point where it's actually laughable.
The place is also almost always dirty: they never seem to clean the floors properly, and the shelves are dusty. The windows are dirty too. And 3 times out of 5 you walk inside this place there's a pungent smell a cheap Asian takeway.
AVOID THIS PLACE. THANK ME LATER.

The staff are very pleasant, courteous and knowledgeable. The store is very well laid out(easy to find items)and the staff are happy to help if you're having difficulty. There is also a ramp to the doorstep for wheelchair access.

As a new customer with a child with a medical condition and needs, the staff have been very helpful and understanding. They genuinely try their best, all that can be asked and hoped for. Thank you

Excellent pharmacy. The pharmacists are incredibly helpful and competent. Would say one of the best pharmacies in North East London.

It’s got everything we need from a pharmacy with really kind and helpful staff.

The pharmacist is brilliant and has saved us a few trips / calls to the GP.

This was a great local chemist that I have used since it first opened. However recently the staff have changed overnight and it seems to be under new management. They are all extremely rude except for one young kid who seems to be training. I've had several arguments with them over medications as well because apparently everything the previous pharmacist did was wrong, which is nonsense she was brilliant!

Tonight was the final straw I went there in an emergency to buy antihistamines as I was having an allergic reaction which can lead for me to life threatening anaphylaxis and I carry an epi pen.

Their card machine wasn't working so as I have been a patient for as long as they have been opened I ask if I could put it on pharmacy first as I'm entitled and it was an emergency. I was then told they don't do it which is a nonsense they have done it for year but as I was ill I just wanted a way to get the medication without hassle as I was getting worse.

I then asked if I could have it as it was an emergency and I would bring the £3.50 the next working day again I was told no!

I left stunned! The previous pharmacist saved my life from an allergic reaction and treated me until help arrived. In an emergency a pharmacy should be a place you can go to for help

Instead I had to go to the 24hrs chemist a mile or more from my home to get help.

Don't go near this place it's not what it was and first thing Monday I'm moving all my repeats and telling the GP I want nothing more to do with them and if I was the owner I'd be concerned patients need to leave to feel safe!

I've almost exclusively had bad experiences with this pharmacy and have seen other people have a similarly difficult time. Myself being newish to the area, I heard it came under new management relatively recently (at least a year ago) and that the current set up is far worse than the previous one. I wanted to wait it out and give them opportunities to improve, but this hasn't happened. I felt compelled to write after two of the pharmacy staff started arguing loudly with each other about the printer, which was very unprofessional and contributed to the already uncomfortable atmosphere.
My main issue is that every time I go here, it's a battle. Almost everyone else also seems to be battling with the staff to obtain their meds. Even though I've been on the same repeat prescription for years, I have to convince the pharmacy that I need the medication. They misunderstood the transfer of prescription from an EU country to the UK. They often get the dosage wrong (apparently it was 'in the system' wrongly) and don't give me enough medication. I've started phoning the doctor myself to send through the prescription directly because it takes days for the pharmacy to sort out the meds if I go solely through the pharmacy. Beyond the battle and lack of care shown by the staff, the place isn't clean, the staff rarely wear masks, they are very slow to take your name and get the meds (even when you've ordered them well in advance!), and there is generally a bad atmosphere in the place. That said, the lady who I think is the main pharmacist seems kind and proficient. Sometimes, I've had good experiences. Overall, however, I and - it seems - most other people who use this pharmacy do not have a good experience. If you're wondering whether to go here or somewhere slightly further away, I'd say it's worth the extra travel. I really hope this situation does improve.

Can’t praise or thank this pharmacy highly enough. The staff are so welcoming, professional friendly, have helped me so much when dealing with my mum and late dads medication. Sort all queries efficiently, nothing is too much bother, they genuinely care when helping with your query, it’s a real team effort and would recommend them to anyone.