Pharmacy from Hell part two

[Stetson]

Here we go again! I called my doctor to tell him the Lycria was working
on my leg and foot neuropathic pain.Well the sample were about to run out
so I called the doc to refill to a different pharmacy,of course they sent it
to the old on.Guess what? They would not fill it because the doctor office
didn't something wrong on the script! The pharmacists said they call the doctors office once and that's it as they have a lot of them.I wonder why didn't they call me with the problem so I could take care of it? Sounds like
a crappy policy to me a retribution for calling Board of Medicine on them?

I am in the process of changing all my meds over to a different pharmacy
with the exception of one class two med just make a point!My Doctor on board with this as he aware of all the problems I had with Hannaford
Pharmacy on Whitten Road Augusta,Maine.

They will not drive me away ! My wife goes to same health center and has no problems so I say they are making things difficult!Anybody got some fresh
ideas how to deal with this harassment?

[Pharmacist.steve]

I'm a little confused... the pharmacy sent a fax or verbal request for some sort of clarification??? How long had passed since the contact was made? Some doc's offices do not return calls to the end of the day or even until the next day.

There seems to be some "details" missing....

[Stetson]

Doctor's office sent fax and there was something wrong with it !Pharmacy
calls the Doctors Office one time then trashes script.What about customer
piss poor set up don't ya think!


I called Friday so pharmacy called Friday

[BrokenBladder]

Stetson,

I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through with this pharmacy. I don't understand why they would throw it away and not even call you.

Everyone is entitled to a mistake but if I remember correctly this pharmacy has been making ALOT of mistakes just on you.

I hope you get this squared away and soon!!!

[Mark N]

Stenson, it sounds like petty payback to me and certainly doesn't speak of good customer service. I hope it gets worked out soon.

[Pharmacist.steve]

Doctor's office sent fax and there was something wrong with it !Pharmacy
calls the Doctors Office one time then trashes script.What about customer
piss poor set up don't ya think!


I called Friday so pharmacy called Friday

Several things could be going on here... there could be some problems between the doc's office staff and pharmacy staff .. I have known of doc's offices who discourage patient from going to a particular pharmacy because of various reasons.

The pharmacy is understaffed/overworked which is not all that uncommon with some of the BIG BOYS... so the staff has been forced to create some internal "rules" that are not very customer friendly..

It could be some sort of payback

[simby]

i am sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately, the pharmacy holds all the cards (or meds, in this case).
They can make your life hell.

I would switch asap and never go back there for meds. Its not worth the hassle.

hugs,
sims


(i live near oob. I always like meeting a new maine-iac. Just sorry its through a spine board).

[mrsdoubtfyre]

is a controlled substance. And as such is more carefully filled. Must have a Dr's DEA number on it. Some states require all faxes be verified by a phone call.
If there is such a law in your state, the pharmacy has to do that, to keep its license. Things like this frustrate patients.

Some states will not allow faxes of controlled substances. Have to have an original signed RX.

[Stetson]

This time I insisted talking to a nurse to find out what was going on so I don't
blame the wrong party.This is inefficient and not acceptable! I got to the
bottom of this it the doctor's office again not know the rules of dispensing
medication.That is,certain faxed drugs require doc electronic signicturecoupled
with no call back from pharmacist or doc if there's a problem leaves the patient holding the bag.Thank God these weren't my pain meds.

[Gimpy]

Lyrica is a controlled substance? My dr. gave me a rx with a coupon for a 7 (or 14?) days free trial. I didn't know they could give controlled substances out free?? I never paid any attention to the script it was written on either. I thought it was similar to Neurontin, which is not controlled?

Either way, it was a horrible experience and I won't ever take it again.

G

[mrsdoubtfyre]

Lyrica is a CIV... which is like Xanax, Ambien, etc.

I don't know why.... except for the fact that when it was in studies, it originally was being targeted for FDA approval for anxiety. Thinking that most drugs that are for anxiety are controlled, and that to prove it was not habit forming would cost more $$ in studies, Pfizer just elected to have it CIV. It lost approval for the anxiety however. But I believe Pfizer plans to continue studies with it in that regard in the future.

It is confusing, because doctors think it is just like Neurontin which is not controlled. So snafus may occur at the dispensing, like this post illustrates.

Drug companies cannot give free samples of controls to doctor's offices.

But they can do a coupon. The coupon is put thru the computer online network at the pharmacy for a chosen insurance company, or McKesson's, and the dispensing to YOU is free, but the arrangement with the manufacturer is to pay the pharmacy like insurance payments. This is called 3rd party payment.
I have seen coupons for Adderall in the past, a patient support system paid for by the insurance companies. But I have not seen CII opiates done this way. Adderall is CII. But that was a while ago...they may not do that anymore.
Androgel is also couponed at times, and it is a control as well.
When a coupon is used, it typically has a number on it, and it is tracked by the online computer that services it. So it has a "trail". I believe Lunesta recently had a coupon program, and Lunesta is also CIV.

[Gimpy]

Lyrica is a CIV... which is like Xanax, Ambien, etc.

I don't know why.... except for the fact that when it was in studies, it originally was being targeted for FDA approval for anxiety. Thinking that most drugs that are for anxiety are controlled, and that to prove it was not habit forming would cost more $$ in studies, Pfizer just elected to have it CIV. It lost approval for the anxiety however. But I believe Pfizer plans to continue studies with it in that regard in the future.

It is confusing, because doctors think it is just like Neurontin which is not controlled. So snafus may occur at the dispensing, like this post illustrates.

Drug companies cannot give free samples of controls to doctor's offices.

But they can do a coupon. The coupon is put thru the computer online network at the pharmacy for a chosen insurance company, or McKesson's, and the dispensing to YOU is free, but the arrangement with the manufacturer is to pay the pharmacy like insurance payments. This is called 3rd party payment.
I have seen coupons for Adderall in the past, a patient support system paid for by the insurance companies. But I have not seen CII opiates done this way. Adderall is CII. But that was a while ago...they may not do that anymore.
Androgel is also couponed at times, and it is a control as well.
When a coupon is used, it typically has a number on it, and it is tracked by the online computer that services it. So it has a "trail". I believe Lunesta recently had a coupon program, and Lunesta is also CIV.

As usual! Thanks for popping in, you're an invaluable resource.

Gimpy

[debhun]

My Dr gave me free samples for 3 months when I was on it. And my surgeon gave me a bottle of free samples about 2 months ago. But I called when I got home cause I can't take them. So why is the Dr giving out samples if they are controlled?

Deb

[Pharmacist.steve]

My Dr gave me free samples for 3 months when I was on it. And my surgeon gave me a bottle of free samples about 2 months ago. But I called when I got home cause I can't take them. So why is the Dr giving out samples if they are controlled?

Deb

Some states allow controlled substances to be sampled ( INDIANA) some don't ( Kentucky).. I see a lot of coupons (in KY) for ADD/ADHD drugs...

[mrsdoubtfyre]

for example in NY.... sampling controls is not allowed.
Here is a link that describes a new ruling for indigent patients:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/professionals/narcotic/patient_program.htm

New York state is pretty strict about everything, IMO.

New Hampshire doesn't allow it:
http://www.nh.gov/pharmacy/mftinfo.html

It might be in your state, Deb, that if a physican has a license to dispense drugs it covers these samples. And it may be that your state does not prohibit this.
Or that someone is not following the rules.

[suede]

Deb,
I got free samples from 3 of my Dr's also.
Unfortunately I couldn't take it.
Linda

[Kira]

I looked it up here: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/alpha/alphabetical.htm

It is listed under the name "pregabalin" as a schedule 5 controlled substance.

[ErinENj]

First, Stetson, I'd definately be interviewing new pharmacies. I think when you switch, definately talk to the manager at the new pharmacy to see what you think of their procedures. Ask them about the issues you've had in the past and what they'd do in the same situation, without telling them what the previous pharmacy did to you. And I'd be having a very long chat with your doctor about all the issues you've been having. There's some major responsibility that lies with them. And I hate to say it, but it's a little scary that a doc is prescribing something they don't know everything about.

And, dumb question, what is the point in a pharmacy taking your phone number in case they have an issue of some sort if they don't bother to use it???? I know, dumb question....

And about the Lyrica controlled substance thing, here's another dumb question - why, if it is a controlled substance, do they allow it to be refilled? I don't understand what the difference is. I understand that some can do more damage than others, like Dilaudid is a lot more powerful than Lyrica, but if they've all got the possibility of being abused, how come the standards are different for them all? Wouldn't it be a lot easier if they had some more general rules, like have all the drugs that are commonly abused and commonly kill their abuser in one class and then have the ones that can be abused but won't easily kill the abuser, just give them brain damage in another class that will give them the ability to be refilled and the doctor the ability to easily call in or fax in a prescription (with a confirmation call to the pharmacy if faxed) or something like that?

Like I said, it's a dumb question, but I've never understood the dozen of different classes that only serve to confuse people, and allow the drug agencies to arrest people and put them in jail longer. It's probably just me, but it's late and my brain isn't 100% functional. I shoulda been in bed a long time ago...thank goodness I have Wednesdays off!!

[Kira]

You can get refills (I believe up to 6 months' worth) on schedule 3-5 meds.

It is the schedule 2 meds that require a new script each month.

[911]

Hey stetson , i have had problems with Rite aid as well mostly being able to get my meds , i tell them a week in advance per the pharmasist request and go back ,, no meds ??? go figure some of these pharmacie's are just no help they also knew i was under contract with the doc to fill in one place ,,,, it's a shame these people play god like this because they know we are chronic in our need for pain meds but they dont care ,,, i had to switch i went to CVS and these people were exstreamly helpful , had meds asked me to call 2 days in advance to make sure if not they could get them in 2 day , just very helpful ,, i am sorry i have had difficulty with hannaford to ( i also live in maine ,,L/A area ) hope everything straghtens out for ya ,,, 911 aka Dave

[debhun]

You can get refills (I believe up to 6 months' worth) on schedule 3-5 meds.

It is the schedule 2 meds that require a new script each month.

I didn't know that thanks. Now I know why PM sends mine to me every month.LOL. NO I am not a blonde but have the roots. I am so dumb when it comes to drugs RX or street.

Deb

[Pharmacist.steve]

You can get refills (I believe up to 6 months' worth) on schedule 3-5 meds.

It is the schedule 2 meds that require a new script each month.

The rule is FIVE TIMES OR SIX MONTHS whichever comes first - of course all based on what the doc has authorized

[Stetson]

I tried rite aid with topomax and I am on day three of trying to get it filled.
Rite aid is where my wife has a good relations with all the pharmacist.I'll
check CVS.Anybody have anything good or bad about Walgreen as we have one coming to Augusta.What about Walmart? I have put them on noticed and
held them accountable for my orders they are now doing the same thing on me.They are not cutting me any slack if the doctor's office makes a mistake
and of course if I don't call right off Iwill run out.So I strongly suggest anybody has chronic pain problems stay away from Hannaford in Augusta,Maine.I now feel their wrath because I would not put up with the
disrespectful ways.

[Gymnast_Navy_Wife]

I rarely get any of my meds filled at non military pharmacies, but when I do I always take them to Walgreens. I love the fact that if I have any questions--about meds I get there or else where, I can talk to a pharmacist to make sure things are safe or whats the best OTC med to use, etc and they are always helpful and seem to be pretty sensitive. Plus, when I have uncomplicated meds that I don't need explanations for, I can drop off and pick up the med at the drive thre--convience. So, my experience with Walgreens has been wonderful.

Good Luck and I hope things work out for you soon !

:) GNW

[simby]

i responded in a pm to you.

sims

[lisa_d]

heck, i got some lyrica here too that my dr gave me as a sample. Used it once didn't work (because I'm impatient lol).

As for hannaford pharmacy - I used to live in Lewiston Maine (hey neighbour!) and they treated me pretty badly every time i'd been in there too.