Customers arriving at the Walgreens pharmacy on Timber Drive in Garner are encountering a new reality in how their prescriptions are being filled: Their medications are being sent to a micro-fulfillment center in Virginia.
A sign posted at the 825 Timber Drive location in Garner serves as the initial point of contact for customers learning of this new system. It explains that their prescriptions are being handled at the out-of-state facility, a move designed by Walgreens to "streamline delivery of medication."
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However, some customers say they are getting partial medications or their medicine is being delayed.
These centralized pharmacies utilize technology to automate the filling and processing of prescriptions.
On Wednesday, a Walgreens spokesperson provided WRAL News with a statement about how it fills prescriptions.
"We are expanding our micro-fulfillment center network to better support our patients and select stores in the state of North Carolina," the spokesperson wrote. "Pharmacy micro-fulfillment centers use automated technology to fill and ship prescriptions to Walgreens retail stores.
"We have utilized micro-fulfillment centers since 2021, which support more than 5,000 stores and fill [more than] 3.5 million prescriptions each week.
"The centers eliminate routine tasks and excess inventory from the pharmacy and add efficiency by allowing pharmacists to focus on patient care and create an environment that’s more attractive to healthcare workers."
WRAL News watched Wednesday as Ruth Delphonce walked inside to fill her prescription. Ten minutes after walking in, she walked out with her prescription and reported no problems.
Delphonce shared that despite not having any issues today she is concerned by what other customers are facing.
“That should not be happening” Delphonce said. “We should have it right away.”