Rowlands Pharmacy Meadow Way

I have tried from 2pm to 3pm to get through on phone. Nobody picks up.
Awaiting urgent delivery of medication. I need to know if still coming out today. Not up to same standard as Elmhurst branch which was closed down.

I nominated the above pharmacy for my prescriptions that I get trough Poplar Grove surgery.

Few months ago I moved to Ilford.

I had some medicines for my heart condition sent to this farmacy ready for collection.

Due to my work I only could leave London today and drive 60 miles to get to this pharmacy at exact 11.58 hour.

The pharmacy had however, all shutters down, except the one from the door, which was near shut.

I went to my car, 20 m away, to take my phone and try to call the pharmacy, less then 20 seconds. When I was back, at 11.59, the staff, 3 ladies, was in front of the pharmacy, shutting the door. I confronted them and told that I drove 60 miles from home to get my medicine, I arrived in front of the door at 10.58 and the shutter was lowered close to the ground.
They denied it and told me, "It s not true, the shutter wasn't closed before" They continued, "it's 12.00 now".

I repeated them that I went back to my car to take my phone in an attempt to call them, when I saw they were shut down at 11.58, but now, they're answer was:

"no, it's not true, now is 12.01, we are closed!"

I can't come again from Ilford until next week and I have no other prescription sooner than one week.

That's my awful experience, wasting half day and drove too fast to catch it open, I did got in time, but due to the lack of responsibility of the staff, I will have to drive again 120 miles from Monday on or stay one week without my blood thinners, which are quite risky.

I collected my prescription yesterday and asked about getting a flu jab, because when I collected my previous prescription I was offered one but said I'll do it when I collect my next prescription and the pharmacist said ok. Anyway the person who attended to me yesterday asked a pharmacist if I could get one and the pharmacist simply said no. There was no explanation given. I think the service and communication here was a bit lacking and not what I would expect. I'll arrange to have the jab through my GP or work place.

Very good pharmacy try there best always to help patients and will go out of there way even deliver to homes on there way home from work .some people don't realise the work they do and are not thanked enough for there work.

The staff in Rowlands Pharmacy have a tough task at present. They are fighting against supply chain issues, GP shortages and very possibly their own staffing shortages but I have always found that the customer-facing staff will do all that they can to help as much as they are able. I have seen the staff deal with multiple moans and groans (possibly fully justified) from customers but they are not the decision makers in the business and are doing all they can. Customers also need to remember that this is a commercial enterprise. If the business doesn't meet their needs, they can always take their trade elsewhere.

Having come here to review this pharmacy, I'm not surprised at the ratings.
I ordered a prescription on Thursday (they say to allow 3 working days before collecting), so went in yesterday (Wednesday), only to be told it wasn't ready because "it had only been sent over yesterday." I was then told it'd be ready tomorrow. I'm afraid that's not good enough when you rely on medication that has to be taken EVERY day. I explained this and asked if they had any of it, which they did and duly dispensed what they had - what they gave me would only last 5 days as opposed to the correct dose, lasting 28.
I just went back to collect the rest of the prescription, as informed to do yesterday. When I arrived, there 12 people in front of me, not unusual, even at off peak times. I waited ages only to be told, "It'll be ready tomorrow, the delivery hasn't come in yet."!
We've only been using this pharmacy for a few months, but EVERY time we've been there's been an issue or a queue that takes FOREVER to go down. We'll be going else where in future.
I will add though, the 'majority' of staff I've encountered have been pleasant and professional.

This is now my local pharmacy, the closer one having closed, and I go quite regularly to pick up repeat prescriptions.

I don't recognise it from many of the reviews here. There's usually a 2-3 person queue. The speed it moves at depends on how much dithering the customer does or how senile they are, but usually within a few minutes.

Staff know what they're doing and are helpful. Which is all I can ask, I'm not expecting them to be my best friend.

Queues are ridiculous and after waiting 20 minutes to talk to them they haven’t even got the medication. I just watched a while queue of people turned away being fobbed off with it will be in tomorrow or at best ‘the pharmacist’ needs to check it’ and then waiting and waiting to be called. I was told come back tomorrow yesterday and the still don’t have it ready!