I had to switch pharmacy’s after 20 years and everything seem ok for about 6 months and new pharmacy called and the guy says I hate lying but I can’t fill your meds anymore kept talking about being told to lie and he was sorry, I ask them to put it in writing and they just refuse , this is large store It’s not right
I am going to presume that by “large store” you mean a chain… easiest thing to do is find a independent pharmacy here is a link to find one my zip code https://ncpa.org/pharmacy-locator if one is available but some distance, talk to the pharmacist about syncing up all your meds so they are all filled the same day each month… making one trip a month – instead of several could compensate for the distance.
From what you had stated… the store’s HQ has made a decision to stop or limiting the filling of controlled meds… chain stores are being sued … as being a PUBLIC NUISANCE by “causing the opiate crisis”… which has nothing to do in reality.
Independent pharmacy – you will be dealing with the Pharmacist/owner… I had my own independent pharmacy for 20 yrs.. I know the mind set of those guys/gals… I rubbed elbows with many at annual local/state/national association meetings.
If you want to create some WAVES… I doubt if you will get them to change their mind about filling your Rxs… send a certified letter to the PIC (Pharmacist in Charge) of the pharmacy – should be able to find who that is on the state board of pharmacy website for the particular store.. I would also send that letter to VP of Pharmacy services – if it is a chain …at HQ and the legal dept at HQ. In the letter, I would ask for the CLINICAL REASONS – in writing- why they are refusing to fill 1 or more of your Rxs. State that you asked the Pharmacist at the store and he/she DECLINED. a response that the “pharmacist was not comfortable” is not a clinical reason… it is a LAME EXCUSE. I would state in the letter that you would expect a response within 14 calendar days ( 10 business days)
If you don’t get a response within 14 days +/-… you might get a letter stating that a Pharmacist can refuse to refuse to fill FOR ANY REASON… and they stand behind their Pharmacist’s decision.. GREAT – give me the reason IN WRITING. of if you get this… just go with it.. they have a “reason” which they won’t put in writing – which strongly suggests that the Pharmacist’s reason has NO CLINICAL RATIONAL – just a opiophobic, personal bias, or some other personal reason that has nothing to do with clinical rational.
then you might be able to cause them some pain… send a letter to the state pharmacy board… stating that they declined/refused to fill your Rx(s) and refused/decline to provide you in writing from the pharmacist that directly declined/refused and PIC, VP of Pharmacy services & Legal from HQ refused to provide a reason in writing after sending a certified letter to each and asking for written response within 14 days… or gave you a non-reason reason.
Many state practice acts requires that a pharmacy maintain a inventory of meds that are regularly prescribed in their market… Send a letter/complaint to the State Pharmacy board… denial of service without a valid clinical .. I would also send a copy to the State AG, many state AG’s will take a complaint about a state licensing agency directly from a pt/customer… I would put a cover letter to the AG and suggest that you may have been discriminated against because of your medical health issues and/or medications that your health issue requires for proper treatment… the Board of Pharmacy can’t/won’t be interested into discrimination… but the AG’s office might be.
To continue the “causing waves” … send similar correspondence to the PBM – your drug card – company… the pharmacy has a contract with the PBM to fill Rx presented… denying filling a Rx without a valid clinical reason… might get them at least a letter from the PBM… do you like your contract ?… you better honor in the future if you want keep it…
If you are on Medicare or Medicaid… file complaints with 800-MEDICARE that is CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
You can forget filing complaints with fed agency that deals with American with Disability Act and/or Civil Rights for discrimination of the disabled… the agency that enforces that is under the same Presidential Seat -DOJ as is the DEA… everyone that I have heard that tried was told they don’t have the resources..and I have heard the same thing from ACLU.
You might be able to find a local law firm that deals with civil rights – because if they are refusing to fill your Rx and Pharmacist told you that he was told to lie… There may be a boat load of other pts they are doing the same to. If you find a new independent pharmacy – might ask them if they are getting a lot of new pts from the store that turned you down..
On June 21th at 7 PM EDT American Pain and Disability Foundation (APDF) is hosting a ZOOM meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81321198479 on self advocating for chronic pain pts.
Shirley Buck and myself will be the hosts and moderators. This is just the second in what is planned to be many future such educational presentation by APDF
Filed under: General Problems
Dear Pharmacist Steve Ariens:
Has anyone told you how very much we appreciate you for the act of kindness you do on a daily basis explaining from A to Z how to handle unjust actions in an efficient and timely manner? You are a tremendous help. Thank you and God Bless you.
Mindy
Thanks for reading my blog … and such a nice compliment… IN 1996 we sold our independent pharmacy after 20 yrs.. We had grown – beside the pharmacy – the largest home medical equipment company in two counties… After 20 yrs, I had become physically & mentally exhausted. We had a HUGE home oxygen business and I sensed that Medicare was going to cut reimburse for home oxygen… good time to sell , when I had something of value to sell…two years later medicare cut reimbursement about 40% and 15 yrs later cut reimbursement to 20% of what it was in 1996 and taking a 3% annual inflation.. the buying power of 1996 dollars was about half by 2012… so 2012 reimbursement was really 10% of 1996 dollar buying power and Medicare had added layers of required services to those pts… After I sold our pharmacy and retired – for the first time – I said that if I did any business in the future … it would be me…my computer and my cell phone… and that is where I am now. I also offer a unconditional double your money guarantee if unhappy with my FREE ADVICE… My pharmacy degree and license – 52 yrs licensed next month… has been very satisfying, personally, professionally and financially. I can’t think of a better use of my 52 years of clinical experience than to try and help pts that are being abused by our healthcare system to help them Fight back and hopefully get appropriate therapy.