CVS Pharmacy

When I went to pick up a refill of a prescription for Protonix that I have been on for over a year I was told by the CVS Pharmacist at the Mass Ave, Acton, MA 01720 store that my insurance company would no longer pay for that particular drug but that they would pay for one of 3 other similar drugs. Since I had been on 2 of those 3 other drugs on the past without success I explained that I needed the one the prescription was for. She told me that the insurance companies do it all the time. I left without my pills and 2 days later on Monday I called my insurance company. I was told by them that the pharmacy had entered the wrong code and to go back and if they still had a problem they could call the number on my card. When I went back to the pharmacy I explained that I had spoken to the insurance company and that if it didn't go through the computer to please call the number on my card. The pharmacist was hesitant to make the call but after I asked again he did call. After about 15 minutes on the phone he said that I was all set and it would just be a few more minutes. Then I overheard another pharmacist, the one I spoke with on Saturday, ask what the problem was and what code he used. He quietly said that "I guess we are part of a program where if we get the customer to switch to one of the other 3 drugs we get $12.00 back" He then handed my pills to a cashier who rang me out and thanked me. I asked what the problem was and he said they just needed a different authorization. I asked if it would be a problem next month and he said I hope not but we will see. Obviously I was not meant to hear the true reason why my medication was withheld from me for 2 days. That being the desire of CVS to try to get an extra $12.00 from my business. Because of this questionable activity CVS will never see another penny from me again. I am also looking into the legality of this type of practice. I hope everyone questions the local CVS pharmacist when they are told the insurance company wont pay for this drug but will for this other similar drug. Seems like the lowest form of bait and switch mixed with back room kickbacks to me. I wll NEVER shop at any CVS again!