Mobity
03-09-2004, 06:24 PM
We had a bad experience a couple of days ago at the pharmacy. We live very close to the state line and our doctor is on the other side. The pharmacist wouldn't fill my husband's prescription for Oxy because it was from out of state and there was "no way for her to verify it's validity." I asked why she didn't call the doctor (It was Sunday) and the snit just said she didn't do that. I asked if that was the pharmacy's policy and she said it was "her" policy. I told her that if she would check in her little computer she would see that we have had a prescription (out of state) written by the same doctor every month for the past year. She wouldn't bend. She just stood there with her arms crossed in front of her looking down her nose at me. I went balistic and demanded to see the manager. When I talked to him, my fury was barely contained and told him that I didn't appreciate being treated like a criminal because I happened to pick Sunday to fill my husband's prescription at a pharmacy that advertises 24-hour a day 7-days a week service. A pharmacy that has enjoyed my family's business for at least 12 years. I also asked him to check the records and see how much business he was going to lose if I chose to go elsewhere. (I'm saying "I" a lot.) Anyway I let him know in no uncertain terms what kind of pain this pharmacist was forcing on my husband and how out of line the pharmacist's behavior was. "If you are going to let her treat your law-abiding when they come to this pharmacy for help then you are going to lse a lot of customers." By this time I'm getting stirred up again as well as loud but the manager seemed to be listening. He said that he himself was a pharmacist and he would make sure the prescription was filled. Just a few minutes later my name was called over the intercom and I passed a furious pharmacist (the snit) storming out of the pharmacy area with her coat in hand. The prescription had been filled by said manager and was ready for me to pick up. I'm not normally a nasty person, but I sincerely hope that the snit quit her job. People suffering the way my husband does, do NOT deserve to be treated like that. <growl>
Sometimes we do win the small ones don't we!
Hugs
Mo
Sometimes we do win the small ones don't we!
Hugs
Mo
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tchair
03-10-2004, 05:16 AM
Good for you. And a good lesson for others. When my pain wasn't being managed it was my wife that told the doc to do something constructive or get me to someone who would. It was she who told another "This medication does not work. We have told you for three months that it does not work. Do not write another prescription for this medication that does not work." There are those who will bar the way to proper care and often we need a strong, intelligent and willing advocate. Sometimes love is going head to head with a 'snit'.
Mart7
03-10-2004, 05:38 AM
I definitely agree -- especially since you had a long-standing business relationship with that pharmacy - the first pharmicist you dealt with it blew it! :nono: Good for you. ;) There are times when it is necessary to "assert" your rights and that was definitely appropriate given the situation. :)
-MJ
-MJ
PsychLea
03-11-2004, 01:54 AM
Good for you!
I have been off and on narcotics for about a year, and fortunately, I have a very good relationship with my pharmacist, due to past medical problems. They have NEVER given me any problems with filling my meds and go out of their way to give me quick service.
Your husband is blessed to have someone to advocate for him. All the girl had to do was look in the computer and that would have settled the isuue. She was definitely out of line.
It might not be a bad idea to have the MD who wrote the script call the pharmacy manager as a "friendly" follow up, since it was his script that was being questioned. After all, that is what a pharmacist is suppose to do if they question a script, call the doc.
God bless,
Lea
I have been off and on narcotics for about a year, and fortunately, I have a very good relationship with my pharmacist, due to past medical problems. They have NEVER given me any problems with filling my meds and go out of their way to give me quick service.
Your husband is blessed to have someone to advocate for him. All the girl had to do was look in the computer and that would have settled the isuue. She was definitely out of line.
It might not be a bad idea to have the MD who wrote the script call the pharmacy manager as a "friendly" follow up, since it was his script that was being questioned. After all, that is what a pharmacist is suppose to do if they question a script, call the doc.
God bless,
Lea
Mobity
03-14-2004, 07:36 PM
Thanks for the encouragment everyone. I will fight to the death if I have to. Wish I could go with all of you guys to mouth off for you too. :D
Oh Lea,
What a good idea. I think it is all water under the bridge now since we are definately changing pharmacies. But if it ever happens again I will remember that. I thought about writing to the pharmacist and telling them what poor hubby has gone through and continues to go through but it just seems like to much work at this time. Grr We switched pharmacies once before.
We had one pharmacist that kept shorting my husbands pills and you know as well as I do that pain patients know exactly what and how many pills they should get, how long it will last and when their refill is due. I know this guy was selling it on the side. Hubby was afraid to complain because it would make him out to be a doper. Geez you just can't win can you! In my next life I want to be a witch doctor :eek:
Hugs
Mo
Oh Lea,
What a good idea. I think it is all water under the bridge now since we are definately changing pharmacies. But if it ever happens again I will remember that. I thought about writing to the pharmacist and telling them what poor hubby has gone through and continues to go through but it just seems like to much work at this time. Grr We switched pharmacies once before.
We had one pharmacist that kept shorting my husbands pills and you know as well as I do that pain patients know exactly what and how many pills they should get, how long it will last and when their refill is due. I know this guy was selling it on the side. Hubby was afraid to complain because it would make him out to be a doper. Geez you just can't win can you! In my next life I want to be a witch doctor :eek:
Hugs
Mo
wastefulltick
03-14-2004, 11:35 PM
hi moblity i just had a problem at the pharmacy sat morn i went to my pm appt and after i saw dr and got my scripts i went to k :nono: pharmacy there in the same plaza i was going to buy some shoes there so i thought well they are on the network so i drop off my scripts at the same time so i goes up to the drop off window and hands the woman there my scripts with my ins card and drivers license she hands it to the pharmicist who then looks at me and says i dont fill presciptions for those drs :angel: over there at that clinic for reasons that i am not willing to discuss with you :confused: mind u i had not said 1 word to him while this happened i was so mad and embarrassed i could not get out of there fast enough needless to say i got my shoes elsewhere when i got home i emailed everyone i could think of even the state of fla pharmacy board i am still seething :o over this i will never buy anything from any of there :nono: stores ever again i had been filling my prescriptions at small mom and pop pharmacy :p for years they take my ins card i just thought since i was there i would fill it while i shopped wrong it seems like a week ago i read what happened to you and i thought how horrible but it would never happen to me rolleyes: wrong again sorry for the rant
take care mobity
bob :wave:
take care mobity
bob :wave:
Mobity
03-20-2004, 10:16 PM
Hey Bob!
That will teach you to shop pharmacies :D Just kidding but we started talking to another pharmacist who told us that some people will go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to squeeze in extra days. How sad that that has to happen. If people would get enough or the right meds to begin with it would make their lives easier. I work in a hospital that has a pharmacy and I had a heart to heart with the pharmacist there. I wanted him to be well aware of my husbands problems. He was very understanding and so far he has been supportive. I hope it continues because we are on a very very long journey here. Hubby has four collapsed disks in his thoracic spine and degenerative disk and bone disease throughout the spine. He has severe stenosis in his lumbar spine. Two failed back surgeries. He just went on full disability. I feel so bad for him. I hope I never have to go through what he has to endure. I feel so helpless....the least I can do is put up a fight when one is called for and get in the face of anyone giving him a hard time. As far as your feelings about the pharmacy you had to deal with - let it go. They aren't worth it. Don't let anyone else control anymore of your life than you have to. The pain controls enough.
Good luck.
We care
hugs
Mo
That will teach you to shop pharmacies :D Just kidding but we started talking to another pharmacist who told us that some people will go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to squeeze in extra days. How sad that that has to happen. If people would get enough or the right meds to begin with it would make their lives easier. I work in a hospital that has a pharmacy and I had a heart to heart with the pharmacist there. I wanted him to be well aware of my husbands problems. He was very understanding and so far he has been supportive. I hope it continues because we are on a very very long journey here. Hubby has four collapsed disks in his thoracic spine and degenerative disk and bone disease throughout the spine. He has severe stenosis in his lumbar spine. Two failed back surgeries. He just went on full disability. I feel so bad for him. I hope I never have to go through what he has to endure. I feel so helpless....the least I can do is put up a fight when one is called for and get in the face of anyone giving him a hard time. As far as your feelings about the pharmacy you had to deal with - let it go. They aren't worth it. Don't let anyone else control anymore of your life than you have to. The pain controls enough.
Good luck.
We care
hugs
Mo
wastefulltick
03-20-2004, 11:11 PM
hi mo
i emailed and complained to everyone that i could and got a lot of responses back as well as my letter posted on a health care problems newsletter also got a call from some fed employee in washington dc he left a message fri when i was at work and i will call him back monday to see what he wants to talk to me about i also emailed the corporate offices of the pharmacy and have yet to get a response a lawyer must have read my story at health care problems and emailed me telling me to tell my pm dr what happened that the dr may have a slander case aganist the pharmicist i will not in the future go to any other pharmacy again since i have been going to the current one for 1 1/2 years unless i move or the the place closes :wave:
i emailed and complained to everyone that i could and got a lot of responses back as well as my letter posted on a health care problems newsletter also got a call from some fed employee in washington dc he left a message fri when i was at work and i will call him back monday to see what he wants to talk to me about i also emailed the corporate offices of the pharmacy and have yet to get a response a lawyer must have read my story at health care problems and emailed me telling me to tell my pm dr what happened that the dr may have a slander case aganist the pharmicist i will not in the future go to any other pharmacy again since i have been going to the current one for 1 1/2 years unless i move or the the place closes :wave:
Mobity
03-21-2004, 05:33 PM
OMG Bob!
I take it back. Don't let it go. Hubby is taking a nap, but as soon as he wakes up I will show him your post and he will (figuratively speaking) jump up and down for joy. A pharmacist that can actually be knocked down a peg. Please please please let us know what happens. Wouldn't it be nice if this whole thing could be brought to the public's attention and for focus to be put on the problems and needs of chronic pain sufferers??????? :bouncing:
Hubby had a setback yesterday so this will cheer him up a bit.
Great job
Hugs
Mo
I take it back. Don't let it go. Hubby is taking a nap, but as soon as he wakes up I will show him your post and he will (figuratively speaking) jump up and down for joy. A pharmacist that can actually be knocked down a peg. Please please please let us know what happens. Wouldn't it be nice if this whole thing could be brought to the public's attention and for focus to be put on the problems and needs of chronic pain sufferers??????? :bouncing:
Hubby had a setback yesterday so this will cheer him up a bit.
Great job
Hugs
Mo
carol632
03-22-2004, 12:32 AM
There is another chain of drugstores with a horrible reputation when it comes to their pharmacies. They have been known to question patients about their need for a particular med, refused to fill meds for certain drugs, talk rudely to people on strong narcotics, etc. How have they avoided a lawsuit is beyond me..I hope someone someday drops a lawsuit on their heads.
W is the first initial and is isnt short for wally's world.
Carol
W is the first initial and is isnt short for wally's world.
Carol
Mobity
03-23-2004, 05:03 PM
Wally World huh. I avoid Oscar World now!
Mobity
04-11-2004, 02:18 PM
Hi All,
We have, again, had a problem at Oscar Land. Hubby called yesterday to see if they had an adequate supply of Oxy to fill his prescription. He was told that they did but a different pharmacist was at the counter today (Easter Sunday) and told him that they did not have any at all. He wouldn't even call another Oscar Land to find out if they had any nor did he volunteer any pharmacies that would be open on this holiday. Think about it. Here is a man with a back that is likened to a 75-80 year old back with degenerative disks and bone disease asking for help and receiving none. He is supposed to go from pharmacy to pharmacy until he gets lucky? The pharmacy that we use is closed on Sundays and the stupid PA at the Pain Management Clinic doesn't seem to understand life without pain medication. She sticks strictly to the 30-day per prescripiton mentality and doen't allow for holidays and Sundays so from time to time we have to go to a different pharmacy. I'm growling again. Isn't this to be the pain management decade or something like that?
Hugs
Mo
We have, again, had a problem at Oscar Land. Hubby called yesterday to see if they had an adequate supply of Oxy to fill his prescription. He was told that they did but a different pharmacist was at the counter today (Easter Sunday) and told him that they did not have any at all. He wouldn't even call another Oscar Land to find out if they had any nor did he volunteer any pharmacies that would be open on this holiday. Think about it. Here is a man with a back that is likened to a 75-80 year old back with degenerative disks and bone disease asking for help and receiving none. He is supposed to go from pharmacy to pharmacy until he gets lucky? The pharmacy that we use is closed on Sundays and the stupid PA at the Pain Management Clinic doesn't seem to understand life without pain medication. She sticks strictly to the 30-day per prescripiton mentality and doen't allow for holidays and Sundays so from time to time we have to go to a different pharmacy. I'm growling again. Isn't this to be the pain management decade or something like that?
Hugs
Mo
jhmitch
04-13-2004, 10:10 PM
Pharmacies, especially the chains, aren't happy when their customers kick up a fuss about an employee, since they know word-of-mouth and the Internet can put a big dent in their profits.
I had an incident with a nasty pharmacist a couple of years ago. When his behavior and remarks were way out of line for the second time, I mentioned it to my elderly neighbor, who was (at that time) using this pharmacy to fill prescriptions for her terminally-ill husband.
It turns out that this pharmacist been insulting to her, as well, and we both decided we'd had enough of him. I called another store in this chain and spoke with their pharmacist. Without mentioning my specific pharmacy, I asked how to contact the manager of all the stores and told her how our local pharmacist had been extremely nasty, without provocation. She gave me the direct phone number of the regional manger.
All it took was one call. That afternoon, the regional manager called me back and then called my neighbor. He reassured us that the problem would be dealt with, immediately. In three days, the nasty pharmacist was replaced by a nice one and we never saw that bozo again.
So please, don't let it slide when you are treated poorly. Chances are, if an employee is mean to you, this person is mean to others, as well, and the company would love to have a reason to unload him or her.
I had an incident with a nasty pharmacist a couple of years ago. When his behavior and remarks were way out of line for the second time, I mentioned it to my elderly neighbor, who was (at that time) using this pharmacy to fill prescriptions for her terminally-ill husband.
It turns out that this pharmacist been insulting to her, as well, and we both decided we'd had enough of him. I called another store in this chain and spoke with their pharmacist. Without mentioning my specific pharmacy, I asked how to contact the manager of all the stores and told her how our local pharmacist had been extremely nasty, without provocation. She gave me the direct phone number of the regional manger.
All it took was one call. That afternoon, the regional manager called me back and then called my neighbor. He reassured us that the problem would be dealt with, immediately. In three days, the nasty pharmacist was replaced by a nice one and we never saw that bozo again.
So please, don't let it slide when you are treated poorly. Chances are, if an employee is mean to you, this person is mean to others, as well, and the company would love to have a reason to unload him or her.
dan44
04-13-2004, 11:24 PM
These stories make me angry. Why would a pharmacy want to treat their customers so awful. I am very fortunate. I live in a rural area and we only have one little mom and pop pharmacy. The guy is great. He will go out of his way to please you. Never a snide remark about what medication you are on. Guess I am fortunate not to have a chain pharmacy. They may be cheaper but I don't mind paying for excellent customer service.
Dan
Dan