We have become a society that is basically addicted to “convenience”. When it comes to getting prescriptions filled – especially controlled medication… “convenience” can be mistaken as a “RED FLAG” of a pharmacy shopper.
Unlike the local Starbucks … where no one is looking over the barista’s shoulder and keeping track on how many – or how often – you are buying highly caffeinated lattes … Likewise… no one is tracking how many cans of beer or bottles of liquor that you buy or how frequently you purchase any of those items or at which outlet you purchase them at.
You can eat a Big Mac, Large Fries and a large soda for every meal and the USDA or any other Fed/State bureaucratic agency could care less.
I just recently got a email from a pt… this pt had a new C-II Rx that was written by a specialist for a IR medication to supplement the pt’s ER of the same medication. The pt took this new prescription to a big box store because other shopping had to be done and it was “convenient” and the pt had never had a prescription filled at this particular big box store before.
Apparently, this particular Pharmacist checked the state’s PMP… saw that the pt had the same medication from two different prescribers.. although one was a ER and the other was a IR and dosed differently and should have been acceptable for the pt to take both and both prescribers were aware of the pt taking both medications.
Apparently the pharmacist decided that the two medications taken together was inappropriate and called both prescribers and what story was told to the two prescribers were not known, but the pharmacist “DEFACED” the prescription. Refused to discuss the reason for not filling the prescription with the pt and “DISMISSED” the pt by walking away. The pt attempted to discuss the issue with the Pharmacist but he refused to return to the register. The pt later called back to the pharmacy to find out the pharmacist’s name and the Pharmacist was rude, refused to give his name and hung up on the pt.
What we don’t know is what the DEA is telling chain execs and/or pharmacists in one to one conversations and/or in closed door meetings in regards to filling controlled substance prescriptions.
What we do know… is that we have a sizeable pharmacist surplus that is growing dramatically. What we do know is that the major chains’ revenues are growing substantially and the stock market and the stock holders are happy/satisfied with how the corporations are preforming… filling controlled medication prescriptions pose more financial risk to the corporation’s bottom line from DEA’s fines than not filling them.
What we do know is that if a pt called a corporation’s HQ and complains about one of their pharmacist not filling their prescription.. the pt will be told that it is the Pharmacist’s decision and they stand behind their Pharmacist’s decision not to fill.
What we do know is that the vast majority of Boards of Pharmacy (BOP) are stacked with non-practicing corporate Pharmacists that work for the same corporations that they are suppose to oversee and whose charge is to protect the public’s safety. Normally, if a pt files a complaint with the BOP …they will be told that they can’t force the pharmacist to fill any prescription.
What conclusion that can be arrived at … if the Pharmacist knows that the corporate HQ will not do anything about refusing to fill a legal controlled prescription and the BOP will not do anything about refusing to fill a legal controlled prescription.
What conclusion that can be arrived at… if a pharmacist does something that gets the corporation fined by the DEA.. that with the growing Pharmacist surplus… he/she will be fired..because the corporation has dozens of pharmacist’s applications wanting a job. Remember, healthcare is a FOR PROFIT BUSINESS.
It is probably in the pt’s best interest to find a independent pharmacy.. where you will be dealing with the pharmacist/owner… who unlike the pharmacist at the chain store.. doesn’t get a paycheck every two weeks ..regardless if they fill controlled prescriptions or not. The pt is less likely to see a turn over in Rx dept staff and/or run into a “floater Pharmacist” that is just “not comfortable” filling ANY CONTROLS.
The fact that the pt is thrown into cold turkey withdrawal and/or unable to go to work.. is none of their concern.
Here is a link that will help pts find a local independent pharmacy by zip code http://www.ncpanet.org/home/find-your-local-pharmacy
Just like you have a FAMILY DOCTOR… you need a FAMILY PHARMACIST… they know you… you know them… less likely to find yourself being denied your necessary medication at the pharmacy counter.
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