“Cook County’s troubled prescription drug program seems to be improving.

That’s according to hospital patients who testified before county commissioners Thursday.

Arneda Burton waits 30 to 40 minutes at the Cook County hospital pharmacy every month to get prescriptions filled for her sore knees and high blood pressure.

She says that’s nothing compared to six months ago when getting her prescriptions was an all day affair.

She would bring food and water and try to find a place to rest.

Burton says, ""Because I’m on a cane, some of the men would sometimes get up and give me a seat to sit down, but you were there from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon.""

Burton was one of seven patients who told county commissioners the service is much faster now.

Hospital administrators credit a new program that allows the county to fill prescriptions by mail.

That reduces lines and wait times in the pharmacy.



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