Today I called Walmart Pharmacy to check if my usual monthly refill of Mallickrodt fentanyl patches was in stock. The pharmacist on duty told me that they do not carry the Mallinckrodt brand of fentanyl patches, and they can’t order the patches for me, as they aren’t available due to a recall – but they DO carry Alvogen patches, and they can fill my Rx with those. (I can’t use Alvogen patches; they give me terrible side-effects and leave my skin red and raw.)
I got off the phone with Walmart Pharmacy and immediately called Mallinckrodt’s toll-free number, and found out that I’d been blatantly lied to by the pharmacist. There is no recall. Period. Not on any of Mallinckrodt’s fentanyl patch dosages. After I called Mallinckrodt, I called 5 different area pharmacies, and found that 2 of them carry the Mallinckrodt fentanyl patches I need. So my immediate problem is solved, but I’m really annoyed.
I find myself wondering what kind of a financial deal Walmart has made with Alvogen to only carry their brand of fentanyl patches, and no others. I understand the business practice of changing suppliers to get the best price. But to flat-out lie to me about the availability of my preferred brand – to tell me they’ve been recalled! – is unethical. I’d say they should be ashamed of themselves, but it’s Walmart I’m talking about, and this is far from the first problem I’ve had with their pharmacy. *sigh*
Tomorrow should be interesting. I’m planning to physically go to Walmart’s pharmacy, talk to the pharmacist, and request that they order the Mallinckrodt patches for me. I’m really curious to hear the answer – which probably varies by which pharmacist is on duty. Depending on what response I get, I may be switching one or all of my prescriptions to a different pharmacy.
I’m too old, and in too much pain all the time, to tolerate crappy service – or being lied to.
The above was a comment on the web about a Pharmacist at WalMart “lying to a pt”.. about the ability to get a particular company’s generic. Maybe I am odd man out, but a business – any business – that I catch lying to me… they automatically get a position on my “shit list” and I find another business that welcomes me and my money and obviously appreciates my patronage.
I suspect in the above incident, WalMart has decided that they are only going to stock the particular generic company’s product.. probably because of COST and as far as the buyer is concerned… all company’s generics ARE THE SAME… and they don’t want their 3000 – 4000 pharmacies to be stocking 6-12 different manufacturer’s products of the same generic… just because that is what the pt wants/needs. So they only stock the one in their warehouse and/or if they purchase from a wholesaler, they have instructed the wholesaler to only send that one particular company’s product(s) to their stores.
Filed under: General Problems
Hello!I just had the same thing happen!!I could not get Walgreens who has had my business for years to order them sooo I contacted Walmart and was told that due to a “problem”with the Mallinkrodt brand found “internally” at Walmart they would NOT order them.My scrpt is written brand specific because I was using the “recalled” Actavis brand…which noone has really explained to my satisfaction either.So in addition to lectures from the pharmacist about being on them,not knowing what is really wrong with the meds I have been using and now being lied to by Walmart …I just hope none of these people first never know the insane pain I am in every minute of the day and the fear of not getting my medication and the indifference whether I do or not as long as they fashionably support the “opioid epidemic”.Just tell me so I can make a plan and avoid going to the emergency room where I will be treated as though I am a low life and not worthy of any respect at all.I am a suffering human being that needs help and dignity.You have to be a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out now!!!!
Most likely the Pharmacist , not policy, preventing the ordering of product desired by patient. Call corporate office and district supervisor to complain. Ask nicely and insist the Pharmacist order the product. It will happen. Next step tell WM you will call the local news channel. The supervisor will cave like a house of cards and the RPh likely will be gone.
Why does’nt Walmart just say that? I’d take my business elsewhere if they lie to me! Speak with your money people. They still work for you!
Today the person might be told they have their preferred brand. Different pharmacists say different things. It is,always best to deal with only one pharmacist. It can be time consuming and inconvenient. But it can reduce or eliminate any problems.