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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
Does anyone else suffer constant problems with their pharmacy? Mine won't refill an rx until 2 days before the previous one is expected to be used up. That's fine, but it's not uncommon for them to tell me that they're out of whatever drug I need when I do order a refill, and I end up missing a day or two (like today) until they get it in. If not that, they forget to make ordered refills, short me pills, etc. Some of them have never even heard of the drugs I order ("What's mir..ta...za....PINE?"). Argh!
I'm considering switching pharmacies, but I fear that all of them will be the same.
Posted by crazychickuk on January 15, 2004, at 9:31:23
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
In the uk we have to get a repeat prescription from the doctor, and then we go to any pharmacy to get out meds, so if one hasnt got it the then we try another.. i always goto lloyds pharmacy they r big and always got my mirtazipine in..
Posted by Laree on January 15, 2004, at 10:22:55
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
My pharmacy is usually great--are you in the U.S.? If so, I can recommend a large chain to you that is very efficient...let me know!
Best,
L.
> Does anyone else suffer constant problems with their pharmacy? Mine won't refill an rx until 2 days before the previous one is expected to be used up. That's fine, but it's not uncommon for them to tell me that they're out of whatever drug I need when I do order a refill, and I end up missing a day or two (like today) until they get it in. If not that, they forget to make ordered refills, short me pills, etc. Some of them have never even heard of the drugs I order ("What's mir..ta...za....PINE?"). Argh!
> I'm considering switching pharmacies, but I fear that all of them will be the same.
>
Posted by Maxime on January 15, 2004, at 10:23:26
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
yes, the same thing happens to me in terms of the "one month" thing. But I am on two meds that order just for me and now they always have them on hand. Perhaps you could talk to the pharmacist and tell him or her that you will be on this med and to please keep in stock so that you do not have to wait. Or you can try changing pharmacies and see if that helps.
Maxime
PS If you ever plan on going away need more that one month supply you will need you doctor to write that on your prescription.
> Does anyone else suffer constant problems with their pharmacy? Mine won't refill an rx until 2 days before the previous one is expected to be used up. That's fine, but it's not uncommon for them to tell me that they're out of whatever drug I need when I do order a refill, and I end up missing a day or two (like today) until they get it in. If not that, they forget to make ordered refills, short me pills, etc. Some of them have never even heard of the drugs I order ("What's mir..ta...za....PINE?"). Argh!
> I'm considering switching pharmacies, but I fear that all of them will be the same.
>
Posted by Emme on January 15, 2004, at 10:52:53
In reply to Re: Pharmacy rant, posted by Maxime on January 15, 2004, at 10:23:26
My big chain pharmacy (Rite Aid)does fine. There has only been one time when they didn't have what I needed and they made calls and sent me to a competitor who had it on hand. They have given me several extra days' worth when I told them I was going on vacation - they went online to my insurance and did a "vacation override". They've given me two days' worth of meds to hold me over when I had lost track and run out of refills and needed to renew a script. On the few occasions when they have made minor mistakes, like a miscount (nobody's perfect) they were prompt about fixing it.
Posted by Angielala on January 15, 2004, at 13:17:40
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
Eddie
My advice is to find another pharmacy. Before you do that, politely ask your current pharm for the district manager for that pharms business address. When they ask why (which they shouldn't) explain that your DOC asked for it. Making it seem like it's a DOC issue will prompt them to do what you have asked. If they think it's coming from you, they will be more likely to say that they can't give that out or some crap. If that happens, we need to find you the right place to contact to explain the rigamoral they put you through. Pharms are there to make sure those of us needing meds- especially ADs and such that can be devestating by missing a few days. This pharm is still in business because no one lets the managers and high ups know how difficult it is to do somethign as simple as fill a prescript- and fill it correctly. Pharms NEED to have the meds that WE need... and if they give you such a hard time- don't give them your business and explain to the highest up possible to explain how difficult it is to maintain your meds because of this place.
There's my rant. I hate bad pharms- I have written many times when things like that happen, and I always get a handwritten letter back. That proves to me that the pharms want our business BAD. And if they want it-it's up to us to let them know when they need to shape up a little.
~Lala
ps- TOO MUCH COFFEE FOR ME DARN IT> Does anyone else suffer constant problems with their pharmacy? Mine won't refill an rx until 2 days before the previous one is expected to be used up. That's fine, but it's not uncommon for them to tell me that they're out of whatever drug I need when I do order a refill, and I end up missing a day or two (like today) until they get it in. If not that, they forget to make ordered refills, short me pills, etc. Some of them have never even heard of the drugs I order ("What's mir..ta...za....PINE?"). Argh!
> I'm considering switching pharmacies, but I fear that all of them will be the same.
>
Posted by 8 Miles on January 17, 2004, at 17:15:44
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
SOME of the problem is not just your pharmacy. State laws regulate the dispensing of controlled substances, and of course, that varies by state. The BIGGEST hinderance, I think, is the insurance companies. Mine will not let me get certain meds (not just controlled substances, but meds like Bextra and Ambien (C-IV))until the doc calls them directly to give them my DX, and that he has tried all other reasonable alternatives to the *expensive* meds. It used to be that I could call in a refill once I had used 80% of the prior script. Now, they go as far as to say 29 days out a 30 day script before a refill. There is the problem of the pharmacy either not having the med in stock (because of when their shippments come in)or the delay in getting it filled so that you won't miss a dose. I have had this happen like 6 times in the past 3 months. I blame the insurance companies most, but since they are in business to make money, it's not an unusual practice. I also think the problems were exacerbated when the FDA allowed TV advertising of meds. For example, I used to take Ambien 9 or 10 years ago, before it was on every TV show, and I had no problems whatsoever. Of course, now that some 100 million adults see how wonderful it would be to get this nice pill to help them sleep, they have gone to their docs by the millions. So what happens? Well, Ambien is fairly expensive, and there is not (yet) a gerneric version on the market. So the insurance companies are getting hit for 10's of millions of dollars because every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to get the Ambien. The pharmaceutical companies are all giddy from all their profits, and the pharmacies cannot be upset with the increase sales. So, who suffers? The ones of us who have or had been using the med legitimately for years because we HAD to have it for ANY sleep. And Jane and John Doe can have a nice bottle of pills in their medicine cabinet just in case they might have a problem sleeping one night. There's no justice in this world, only greed and self-gratification. Well, that's my feeling on the subject.
8
Posted by watergirl on January 17, 2004, at 20:15:09
In reply to Re: Pharmacy rant, posted by 8 Miles on January 17, 2004, at 17:15:44
My pharamacy is great. Never have a problem. They know me by name. Even ordered generic Xanex from Grenstone, at my request. Are you in the US?
Im in AZ. Sorry about your Pharmacy.Maybe ask thier polocy before filling. Worth a try
Best Wishes,
Cindy
Posted by jerrympls on January 17, 2004, at 23:01:31
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
> Does anyone else suffer constant problems with their pharmacy? Mine won't refill an rx until 2 days before the previous one is expected to be used up. That's fine, but it's not uncommon for them to tell me that they're out of whatever drug I need when I do order a refill, and I end up missing a day or two (like today) until they get it in. If not that, they forget to make ordered refills, short me pills, etc. Some of them have never even heard of the drugs I order ("What's mir..ta...za....PINE?"). Argh!
> I'm considering switching pharmacies, but I fear that all of them will be the same.
>If you are in the US and have insurance then it's not up to the pharmacy as to when they say it's OK to refill - meaning - the insurance company dictates when you can get a refill - not the pharmacy. for example, my insurance says I can order refills 7-8 days before I'm out. Most insurance companies usually require you to have gone through 70% of your med before allowing you to order refills.
So, the pharmacy has no say in the matter and if they are out they SHOULD offer to transfer your prescription to another pharmacy that DOES have the medication in stock.
So, if you are in the US and have insurance - contact them regarding refills AND DEFINATELY switch pharmacies - especially if they can't even pronounce a medication.
good luck!
Jerry
Posted by jerrympls on January 17, 2004, at 23:12:30
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
OH- one other thing. A couple months ago I picked up my presciption of Ambien. When I got home I took it out of the bag and noticed there were A LOT missing. There were supposed to be 60 tablets and there were only 32. I kinda freaked out because I thought "Oh great, now if I take it back they'll just think I'm trying to scam them because Ambien is a controlled substance." I had to wait a day because the pharmacy had closed. So the next day I took back the bottle, with the receipt and the info they staple to the bag, etc and showed it to them and FORTUNATELY they apologized and gave me the rest of the prescription. They said that this med had been refilled at their automated refill center and that they would mark on my record that ALL medications refilled are to be checked twice for accuracy.
I was lucky to have a good pharmacy I guess - but I have heard of horror stories where the pharmacy screws up by messing up the count,etc and when the person went back to complain the pharmacy accused the person of trying to scam them!! I know of people who actually count their meds right when they get them in the pharmacy. It's most unfortunate that this happens and that people have to resort to performing their own quality control.
In my advice, go to a pharmacy affliated with your insurance - usually inside the clinic building of your clinic. They seem to be the most professional versus Walgreens, etc. that are staffed by Pharmacy techs straight out of college.
Just my opinion....
Jerry
Posted by worrier on January 18, 2004, at 19:06:03
In reply to Pharmacy rant, posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 15, 2004, at 8:22:57
> Does anyone else suffer constant problems with their pharmacy? Mine won't refill an rx until 2 days before the previous one is expected to be used up. That's fine, but it's not uncommon for them to tell me that they're out of whatever drug I need when I do order a refill, and I end up missing a day or two (like today) until they get it in. If not that, they forget to make ordered refills, short me pills, etc. Some of them have never even heard of the drugs I order ("What's mir..ta...za....PINE?"). Argh!
> I'm considering switching pharmacies, but I fear that all of them will be the same.
>> You seem to have the same Nazi pharmcist I have. I know the insurance companies do limit how often they'll fill a script...but my guy is like yours try to refill 1 to 3 days early and its like you are a hardened criminal. The only way I've found around this is to have my pdoc call in or write a completely new script. Fine if he's in town, in the office. etc. But the potential problems are obvious. "I feel your pain". Talk to you doc about maybe writing the script for a higher dose than you'll need...that will give you some breathing room. Good luck, worrier.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 22, 2004, at 15:16:57
In reply to Re: Pharmacy rant, posted by worrier on January 18, 2004, at 19:06:03
Thanks for the advice, all. It *is* the insurance company that's making me wait for the last minute refills, though the pharmacy (Eckerd, for those curious) is still routinely out of stock, and not staffed by standout pharm techs. I'm due for new rxs soon, so I'm gonna give Publix a try.
This is the end of the thread.
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