Problem Pharmacist - aka The Snit! - Pain Management Message Board

Mobity · 03-09-2004, 03:24 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

tchair · 03-10-2004, 02:16 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'.

03-10-2004, 02:38 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!

Good for you.

There are times when it is necessary to "assert" your rights and that was definitely appropriate given the situation.

-MJ

PsychLea · 03-10-2004, 10:54 PM

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

Mobity · 03-14-2004, 04:36 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.

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 ***** doctor

Hugs
Mo