1. < Women's Health

Concerns about quality control for medication packaging?

Posted by charlotte12 @charlotte12, Nov 27 4:51pm

I picked up a prescription Vitamin D3 50000UI. The plastic band
was loosely on the cap and turned when opening the bottle. It did not break and I did not have to tear it off, the inner aluminum seal which was supposed to seal the bottle was inside the cap. I questioned the safety taking the vitamins with the pharmacist when going back to the store. I could not get a refund and would have to pay for a new bottle of vitamins. I did not make another purchase. Strange was that only a useless sliver of cotton had been added to the bottle, which looked like it had been pulled from a larger piece. The price for the 12 capsules/ 3 months supply was
about $15.00 at that Walgreens store. Afterwards I learned that CVS sells the identical bottle for about $ 7.00. Have you encountered similar packaging issues? How did you handle it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Nov 28 3:59am

@charlotte12,

I personally would not take. The fact that two of the safety packaging techniques were not in place is suspicious. I wonder if it would have been an over counter container rather than prescription if they would of reacted the same way.

I think the store lacked customer service by not refunding / replacing. Is the $15 cost after insurance? If insurance covered part of cost, the pharmacist would not be able to run through insurance again.

The bottle could of not been sealed correctly at manufacturing facility or opened at store.

Few options,
- Ask to talk to store manager about your concern
- Is there a company name / manufacture on the bottle? If so contact their manufacture. They will need lot number on bottle.

REPLY
1 reply
charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Nov 28 7:18am
In reply to @roch "@charlotte12, I personally would not take. The fact that two of the safety packaging techniques were..." + (show)
@roch

@charlotte12,

I personally would not take. The fact that two of the safety packaging techniques were not in place is suspicious. I wonder if it would have been an over counter container rather than prescription if they would of reacted the same way.

I think the store lacked customer service by not refunding / replacing. Is the $15 cost after insurance? If insurance covered part of cost, the pharmacist would not be able to run through insurance again.

The bottle could of not been sealed correctly at manufacturing facility or opened at store.

Few options,
- Ask to talk to store manager about your concern
- Is there a company name / manufacture on the bottle? If so contact their manufacture. They will need lot number on bottle.

Jump to this post

Thank you for responding. I will not use the capsules. This is upsetting that you have to be on
alert with everything you buy, even pharmaceuticals.
I spoke to the operations manager at the Walgreens store who would not give a refund and was unsympathetic.
This prescription is not covered by insurance but also not an OTC item. I called the manufacturer and left a message. Their call back message was in a heavy foreign accent, difficult to understand. I will give them one more call.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 28 8:46am

@charlotte12, Actually you can get Vitamin D3 50,000 IU over the counter without a prescription. Not sure all drug stores or large box stores that sells supplements carry it but there are a lot online. Here's one for $12.37 for 50 count - https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Supplements-Vitamin-50000-Softgels/dp/B09319WFSB/

REPLY
1 reply
charlotte12 | @charlotte12 | Nov 29 7:28am
In reply to @johnbishop "@charlotte12, Actually you can get Vitamin D3 50,000 IU over the counter without a prescription. Not..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@charlotte12, Actually you can get Vitamin D3 50,000 IU over the counter without a prescription. Not sure all drug stores or large box stores that sells supplements carry it but there are a lot online. Here's one for $12.37 for 50 count - https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Supplements-Vitamin-50000-Softgels/dp/B09319WFSB/

Jump to this post

thanks, I will be looking for those specifics: made in USA, this may not mean all components are from the US, some mention components can be sourced from other countries, and keep an eye on ingredients, read reviews-

I found my prescribed Vitamin D3 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-D3-50-000-100/dp/B00LXNU684/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_pd_sbs_rvi_d_sccl_2_1/140-1056723-5388166
Amazon Black Friday Deal( prime): $17.92/ 100 capsules/ $0.18/for one
Walgreens: $14.99/12 capsules, $1.25/for one

Reading the Amazon reviews, customers had similar issues with the seals. Some complained that they did not get 100 capsules but only 12.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.