upset with pharmacy need suggestions - Pain Management Message Board

mike j · 01-22-2008, 09:28 PM

I went and got my prescriptions filled today. I was very surprised when they ask me for $600. I usually pay $30 co-pay for each. The pharmacist said the insurance would make me pay the difference. This is not the case before. I told her I could not afford the OxyContin brand name. She changed it. I am now stuck with TEVA OxyContin. I am so disappointed. I called the insurance company. They told me that I could have brand-name if my doctor specified and I would have the regular co-pay price. I am very upset with my pharmacy. My doctor would have rewritten for brand name with no problem. I cannot take them back. I don't want to be miserable for a month. I was thinking about calling my doctor and asking him to ride out 50 Percocet 15, S

o I can make it through the day without any problems. I'm very upset with my pharmacist.

Fabrashamx · 01-23-2008, 11:56 AM

Hi Mike,

I am so sorry that happened to you! yuck, of all the things, that was like the last thing you needed right now!

I dont know about taking them back, but maybe if you called and got an emergency appointment with your doctor, you can take the unwanted oxy's with you, and suggest he dispose of them in exchange for a new prescription, you can still get your regulars, just make sure he writes (DAW (dispense as written) on the script, then point it out to the pharmacy, they they have no choice but to give you name brand, and a quick call from your doctors office to the insurance and the pharmacy to let them know you had turned it your other script to be destroyed, should put you on track.

The one thing I am not sure of is federal laws on returning class II controlled substances, they may not allow even your doctor to take it back from you, I'm not sure.

Worst case senerio, would it be a horrble month, or just a bad one? Even the bad ones are someone effective, arent they? I hope so.

Anyone else know federal law on returning class II's??

HTH, Fabby

ozzybug · 01-23-2008, 01:31 PM

Hey guys-
I'm not up on the laws, but I do agree with Fabby's suggestions (Hye Fabby!) about trying to get in to see your doctor and return the unused meds for a totally new prescription. If it's not against the law, and he writes DAW for name brand and also lets the pharmacy know you turned in the unused meds, it seems like that would be the way to go. But again, it all depends on the laws in your state about this class of opiates.

I'm really sorry you had to face such a suprise. How awful to be told that when you weren't expecting it. I know my insurance company (BCBS) has changed the prescription plan co-pay "Tier", and my meds are much more expensive even though my doctor writes "Brand name medically necessary" on the scrip.

Good luck & let us know how this goes. It's a crying shame that something we truly need has to cost so much, isn't it?