thyme2b
04-03-2007, 08:35 PM
I've been getting my forteo from a large chain pharmacy. I chose them because I thought they did a high turnover and would know how to handle this type of medication.
Today I went to the drop off desk and ordered it, then went to do a few other errands. I came back to pick it up. It looked like it had been sitting out. I opened it and felt it and it was warm! :eek: I walked back and asked to talk with the pharmacist. I raised the roof, saying that it was supposed to be kept in the refrig, not left out. He gave me a new one, which I felt and it was cool.
One of my fears is that the pharmacy will mishandle this medication and it becomes inactive. Since we only get 2 years on this medication, this really bothers me.
Forteo is supposed to be refrigerated at all times! The pharmacist seemed clueless about this and for sure the many pharmacy assistants that they used seemed clueless. When I was first starting taking it, I had a pharmacist from a different pharmacy tell me that I should let it set out for 15-20 minutes after taking it out of the refrig so that the injection would be more comfortable. When I asked Lilly about this they said definitely not! This would cause it to become inactive. Having seen other serious medication errors, I know that using a medication that requires such special handling makes this a problem.
Has anyone else who takes Forteo thought about this? How did you go about choosing the pharmacy? Have you ever had a problem with it? I'm planning on transferring my prescription next month, but I don't know how to find someplace better.
I really feel upset that I may be injecting myself nightly with a medication that is no longer potent due to the many steps of potential mishandling along the way. HOw do we find a good pharmacy that will take the required care?
Today I went to the drop off desk and ordered it, then went to do a few other errands. I came back to pick it up. It looked like it had been sitting out. I opened it and felt it and it was warm! :eek: I walked back and asked to talk with the pharmacist. I raised the roof, saying that it was supposed to be kept in the refrig, not left out. He gave me a new one, which I felt and it was cool.
One of my fears is that the pharmacy will mishandle this medication and it becomes inactive. Since we only get 2 years on this medication, this really bothers me.
Forteo is supposed to be refrigerated at all times! The pharmacist seemed clueless about this and for sure the many pharmacy assistants that they used seemed clueless. When I was first starting taking it, I had a pharmacist from a different pharmacy tell me that I should let it set out for 15-20 minutes after taking it out of the refrig so that the injection would be more comfortable. When I asked Lilly about this they said definitely not! This would cause it to become inactive. Having seen other serious medication errors, I know that using a medication that requires such special handling makes this a problem.
Has anyone else who takes Forteo thought about this? How did you go about choosing the pharmacy? Have you ever had a problem with it? I'm planning on transferring my prescription next month, but I don't know how to find someplace better.
I really feel upset that I may be injecting myself nightly with a medication that is no longer potent due to the many steps of potential mishandling along the way. HOw do we find a good pharmacy that will take the required care?
Sponsor
tomatojuice
04-03-2007, 08:56 PM
hi thyme2b Last week I saw something on tv that relates to this. I think it was 20/20 or one of those type shows. They were saying how careful you have to be with the large chain pharmacys-they have made many mistakes and horribly harmed people. Evidently unbeknownst to the public they use 16 year ods to fill prescriptions and somehow they are getting away with it. They are not pharmacist-just wearing white coats etc. They particularly targeted walmart. Anyway I was picking up my script for a b-complex vitamin last month at a local duane reade and they handed me a full bottle of xanax, which is a controlled substance-so one can never be too careful at the pharmacy. Always question what you are getting, you have a right. Oh also the book that they make you sign isn't only to show you picked up the medicine-your also signing away your right to counsel by a certified pharmacist.
osteoblast
04-03-2007, 09:37 PM
Thyme2B-I know exactly the feeling that you must have. I have thought about this and even wondered how much variance in forteo results might be accounted for because of mishandling of the drug in the supply chain.
At a local pharmacy here I had spoken with the pharmacist when I thought I would be prescribed forteo. I asked her about what they did when it came in and how sure she was that they would refrigerate it on arrival. She seemed very honest and sincere when she said they would take care of it well. She also told me that she had worked at other places where it wouldn't have been so well taken care of. She wasn't dissing really-just seemed to be stating a fact. She is the pharmacy manager and she said they always staff adequately and she trains her staff well. They do seem to staff very well. It is a busy pharmacy, but they are all on the ball. I have to say over the past 7 pick ups that her words were true. It's always in the fridge. I open it right after paying for it at the counter.. I check that it is cold and nothing floating in it. I read somewhere to check that the liquid is clear. Yet, there are doubts-I can't help it. I think what about the time it was in the delivery van to the store. What about prior to the van-well it really is endless how many times along the way it could be mishandled.
I think you are fortunate they had another cold one there and didn't give you hassle about it. At my pharmacy , you can't open until it is rung up. Then I wonder what they would say if I said no-it's not cold.
At a local pharmacy here I had spoken with the pharmacist when I thought I would be prescribed forteo. I asked her about what they did when it came in and how sure she was that they would refrigerate it on arrival. She seemed very honest and sincere when she said they would take care of it well. She also told me that she had worked at other places where it wouldn't have been so well taken care of. She wasn't dissing really-just seemed to be stating a fact. She is the pharmacy manager and she said they always staff adequately and she trains her staff well. They do seem to staff very well. It is a busy pharmacy, but they are all on the ball. I have to say over the past 7 pick ups that her words were true. It's always in the fridge. I open it right after paying for it at the counter.. I check that it is cold and nothing floating in it. I read somewhere to check that the liquid is clear. Yet, there are doubts-I can't help it. I think what about the time it was in the delivery van to the store. What about prior to the van-well it really is endless how many times along the way it could be mishandled.
I think you are fortunate they had another cold one there and didn't give you hassle about it. At my pharmacy , you can't open until it is rung up. Then I wonder what they would say if I said no-it's not cold.
taape
04-03-2007, 10:06 PM
This was one of my early concerns when I used Forteo. Would the pharmacy refrigerate it properly, not just when I went to pick it up but when they received it from their delivery truck. You really don't know how it was handled after leaving the factory. Eventually my insurance only paid for Caremark to deliver it to my door (in ice packs) which worked out fine rather than picking it up each time. I always took an ice chest in the car for the way home since it was 95-100 and figured it can't be out of the refrigerator in those temperatures.
Interestingly enough when I had to travel for work and before I figured out about using the cooler/icepacks from Caremark, my employer insisted that it was ok to travel with the pen in the Eli Lilly bag for up to 3 hours which didn't seem to me to keep it cold enough. When my employer contacted Eli Lilly to discuss what type of refirgeration I needed (yes, very invasive emlpoyer), the customer service for providers told them that the pen could be out in 70 degrees room temperature for up to 14 hours per pen and not go bad! I was totally shocked and even called Eli Lilly myself and pretended to be a medical provider. I was told the same thing more or less.
So if that's true and the pharmacy leaves the pen out for 5-10 minutes when your picking it up your probably ok. Your lucky that your local pharmacy even had extra pens, I would have to order 2 days in advance.
Interestingly enough when I had to travel for work and before I figured out about using the cooler/icepacks from Caremark, my employer insisted that it was ok to travel with the pen in the Eli Lilly bag for up to 3 hours which didn't seem to me to keep it cold enough. When my employer contacted Eli Lilly to discuss what type of refirgeration I needed (yes, very invasive emlpoyer), the customer service for providers told them that the pen could be out in 70 degrees room temperature for up to 14 hours per pen and not go bad! I was totally shocked and even called Eli Lilly myself and pretended to be a medical provider. I was told the same thing more or less.
So if that's true and the pharmacy leaves the pen out for 5-10 minutes when your picking it up your probably ok. Your lucky that your local pharmacy even had extra pens, I would have to order 2 days in advance.
PikaB
04-04-2007, 09:54 AM
Many of us have had episodes of "warm Forteo paranoia", worrying that the Forteo has not been constantly refrigerated from the time it leaves Lilly to the time it is handed to us. (This is a particular concern where I live, because the temperature gets so hot during the summer.) Mostly, we just have to trust the system.
At first, I would never telephone (or use the web) to have my prescription renewed; I would go and ask for the renewal in person, and wait for it there, to be sure that it wasn't put in the bins with the other prescriptions awaiting pickup.
But now I do call for my renewal in advance, paying close attention to where the Forteo is coming from, and whether the box is cool. Every time, the pharmacy clerk will go to the bin, and find my empty envelope, which instructs her to go to the refrigerator to get the medication for me.
Of course, I always take my cold Lilly travel pack into the pharmacy with me, and immediately insert the Forteo as soon as I get it.
At first, I would never telephone (or use the web) to have my prescription renewed; I would go and ask for the renewal in person, and wait for it there, to be sure that it wasn't put in the bins with the other prescriptions awaiting pickup.
But now I do call for my renewal in advance, paying close attention to where the Forteo is coming from, and whether the box is cool. Every time, the pharmacy clerk will go to the bin, and find my empty envelope, which instructs her to go to the refrigerator to get the medication for me.
Of course, I always take my cold Lilly travel pack into the pharmacy with me, and immediately insert the Forteo as soon as I get it.
petal*pusher
04-04-2007, 12:44 PM
Hmmm....interesting, and good information! I was worried about the temperature of my pen recently during my trip from Mi. to Az. The Lily travel bag (that I kept with me at all times) worked great! The ice in the frozen bags lasted for 10 hours...my sister had a little cooler that we simply inserted the entire bag into for the few hour drive from Phoenix. Funny, though, how the temp of that pen was so much on my mind during the entire drive!
My pharmacy sends a reminder letter a week before the 28 days are up. So far, I have noticed it being retrieved from a fridge when I pick it up. When I balked about paying 30-some dollars for the pack of needles needed to inject, the gal made a perscription for me just for them so I didn't have to pay for them. The Dr. mentioned a "support group" meeting for Forteo, but it is held during work hours, so I have not attended.
taape....thanks so much for "researching" this for us! Good info!.....p;)
My pharmacy sends a reminder letter a week before the 28 days are up. So far, I have noticed it being retrieved from a fridge when I pick it up. When I balked about paying 30-some dollars for the pack of needles needed to inject, the gal made a perscription for me just for them so I didn't have to pay for them. The Dr. mentioned a "support group" meeting for Forteo, but it is held during work hours, so I have not attended.
taape....thanks so much for "researching" this for us! Good info!.....p;)
shewolf75
04-04-2007, 03:43 PM
Yesterday I got my Forteo script filled for the first time, as I've been using the free one from Lilly. I left the script there, went to Walmart, and when I came back, they had everything (I had gotten other scripts plus the needles and alcohol pads), ready and took out what I thought was a pack of 3 Forteo needles from the refrigerator. (My copay is less when a 3 month supply is ordered). I hurried home, and imagine my dismay when I saw only the one pen, although they'd billed for 3 ($80). I called them, and first they tried to tell me that the pen will hold a 37-day supply, so that they will get me another one, which would be for 74 days. But my copay was for 90 days. And anyhow, I told them the instructions are to discard any solution remaining after 28 days WHICH WAS ALSO ON THE TYPED INFO THAT THEY PUT WITH THE SCRIPT! Supposedly they'll have the other two tomorrow, but suppose I hadn't noticed that in the first place? Having been charged a 3 month copay, my insurance company wouldn't have allowed me any more for 2 months! It would've cost me at least $1200. And the pharmacy would've been $1200 ahead! Yes, you have to watch those folks like a hawk, and I hope they honor what they told me over the phone, too.
DesertBloom
04-04-2007, 03:51 PM
Hi All: I've always wondered about the potential for mishandling this med, but so far I haven't had a problem that I'm aware of. :confused: I get mine from Caremark and they ship via FedEx in the refrigerated cooler, but who knows what happens to it before it reaches that point. It's sent 24 hr delivery, and I have to sign for it.
I recently read an article that Eli Lily was suing DHL for mishandling a shipment of Forteo and some other med. They caught the error at the airport when someone found the Forteo sitting on a palate outside on the tarmac. I don't remember how long they said the shipment sat outside in the sun, but somehow they caught it. DHL was aware of the refrigeration conditions plus the boxes had warning labels all over, but it still sat outside. I think the suit was for close to a million in losses, but I'm not sure about the total amount.
Thyme: If I were going to switch pharmacies, I would find out how they get their shipment (is it refrigerated and how) and also if the pharmacy gaurantees to refrigerate it from the date it receives it till it leaves the store. Beyond keeping your eye on them, I don't know what else you could do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just read about this again, and it was Lufthansa and DHL Air Express that was sued by Lily for breach of contract, in allowing a large medical shipment to go unrefrigerated. The case was filed in Miami District Court and Lily's attorney claims it's a multimillion dollar suit, with the exact amount unspecified.
I recently read an article that Eli Lily was suing DHL for mishandling a shipment of Forteo and some other med. They caught the error at the airport when someone found the Forteo sitting on a palate outside on the tarmac. I don't remember how long they said the shipment sat outside in the sun, but somehow they caught it. DHL was aware of the refrigeration conditions plus the boxes had warning labels all over, but it still sat outside. I think the suit was for close to a million in losses, but I'm not sure about the total amount.
Thyme: If I were going to switch pharmacies, I would find out how they get their shipment (is it refrigerated and how) and also if the pharmacy gaurantees to refrigerate it from the date it receives it till it leaves the store. Beyond keeping your eye on them, I don't know what else you could do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just read about this again, and it was Lufthansa and DHL Air Express that was sued by Lily for breach of contract, in allowing a large medical shipment to go unrefrigerated. The case was filed in Miami District Court and Lily's attorney claims it's a multimillion dollar suit, with the exact amount unspecified.
Rosegarden
04-04-2007, 09:25 PM
Thanks for posting this topic. I just started Forteo today! I was thinking of getting it through the mail, but if the price is the same, I might get it from my local pharmacy after talking with them about the care of the medication.
I hate to say this, but I bet they put your warm Forteo in the refrig and sold it to someone else.
Thousands, maybe millions, of people take refrigerated medication, and I bet most of the time it is properly handled. But I sure can understand your concern. Warm Forteo does you no good, and maybe it even might be bad, I don't know.
I had my Forteo training class today, and it worried me that the stuff was in my refrigerated pack for 3 hours. Those gel packs lost heat pretty fast, and I really doubt that the medication was 36-46 degrees.
I hate to say this, but I bet they put your warm Forteo in the refrig and sold it to someone else.
Thousands, maybe millions, of people take refrigerated medication, and I bet most of the time it is properly handled. But I sure can understand your concern. Warm Forteo does you no good, and maybe it even might be bad, I don't know.
I had my Forteo training class today, and it worried me that the stuff was in my refrigerated pack for 3 hours. Those gel packs lost heat pretty fast, and I really doubt that the medication was 36-46 degrees.
thyme2b
04-04-2007, 09:33 PM
It's good to hear from everyone. I have thought about the shipping issues, and it is daunting to hear about that DHL issue, DesertBloom. Although this lawsuit may make things better it may also cause some coverups as well. I may call Lilly tomorrow and see who I can talk to about this.
I stopped by the same pharmacy today to pick up my needles which I wasn't able to get yesterday. The woman there certainly remembered me! I think they knew they'd made a big mistake. So, I'm calling Lilly tomorrow to see if I can get some guidance. I wish there were an online site to check how well these pharmacies do at things like this. The pharmacy I used was Walgreen. I avoided CVS because they'd had a complaint against them a while back from something I'd read online.
I'm wondering about going with a small local pharmacy. I'm just wondering if they will have the refrigeration equipment needed and especially if there's a power problem.
I did ask a friend who has diabetes about this and he said that he uses Rite-Aid and they always keep it refrigerated until he picks it up and then take it out. He checked with the pharmacist about this in advance.
I'm just going to do a lot of checking for now then transfer my prescription.
I was getting the forteo in a 3 month supply initially, but thought that maybe having it sit in my refrig for 3 months wasn't the best thing either. They left it on my porch, though the cool packing kept it cool with no problems. I keep mine in the refrig with a refrig thermometer next to it and can see if the temp's ok when I take it out.
This is making me nuts! Right now I'm trying to do a gluten free diet which is very, very damanding. I have to check every single item of food for gluten before I eat it, every ingredient for hidden gluten, call the drug companies to make sure that the meds I take are gluten free, ditto vitamins, etc. To have this Forteo thing happen on top of it just made me feel rotten! I'm normally pretty happy, but not yesterday and today.
Venting helps. I reflect that the gluten free diet does seem to be making a difference so far. I think my acid reflux is better than it was. It will be worth it if I can get well.
I stopped by the same pharmacy today to pick up my needles which I wasn't able to get yesterday. The woman there certainly remembered me! I think they knew they'd made a big mistake. So, I'm calling Lilly tomorrow to see if I can get some guidance. I wish there were an online site to check how well these pharmacies do at things like this. The pharmacy I used was Walgreen. I avoided CVS because they'd had a complaint against them a while back from something I'd read online.
I'm wondering about going with a small local pharmacy. I'm just wondering if they will have the refrigeration equipment needed and especially if there's a power problem.
I did ask a friend who has diabetes about this and he said that he uses Rite-Aid and they always keep it refrigerated until he picks it up and then take it out. He checked with the pharmacist about this in advance.
I'm just going to do a lot of checking for now then transfer my prescription.
I was getting the forteo in a 3 month supply initially, but thought that maybe having it sit in my refrig for 3 months wasn't the best thing either. They left it on my porch, though the cool packing kept it cool with no problems. I keep mine in the refrig with a refrig thermometer next to it and can see if the temp's ok when I take it out.
This is making me nuts! Right now I'm trying to do a gluten free diet which is very, very damanding. I have to check every single item of food for gluten before I eat it, every ingredient for hidden gluten, call the drug companies to make sure that the meds I take are gluten free, ditto vitamins, etc. To have this Forteo thing happen on top of it just made me feel rotten! I'm normally pretty happy, but not yesterday and today.
Venting helps. I reflect that the gluten free diet does seem to be making a difference so far. I think my acid reflux is better than it was. It will be worth it if I can get well.