Why can't I refill meds early if I pay for them? - Pain Management Message Board

CA_chris · 03-06-2009, 09:37 PM

I received a script for Ambien with three refills. I took the script in and had it filled. My insurance covered it. I then decided I was going to switch pharmacies and wanted to get my other refill earlier than what insurance would pay for it. It was like 2 weeks later. The original fill was for a month, and I had plenty left, but I wanted to get the other filled prior to moving pharmacies. I called to get it filled and they told me it was too early and insurance would not pay for it. I told them that was OK, I would pay for it. She asked me to hold (teenage phamacy assistance kill me) and she would be right back. She came back on and said they could not fill it until the month out from the first fill as it is a CII med and it would be to early to fill. I don't really get it. If the DR wants you to have 90 pills total over 3 months, why can't they trust you to buy them all and use them in the manner is was prescribed? I just think it is weird that you have to wait like a child for the time to go back and get the rest of your meds. If you are given 30 pills and 3 refills, you should be able to buy all the meds and refills at one time if you want to pay with your own money. Now I know some of you might want to beat me up, but I am possing a question. I am not an addict, just wanted to get my refill and put in in my safe with the others. I hate wasting the gas to go back each month to buy the refill. What say you?

Executor · 03-06-2009, 09:49 PM

Legally speaking, the script is valid and you should be able to pay cash. Not everyone has insurance for example. However, with that being said, a pharmacist can deny any script for any reason....Even if you offer to pay cash. Personally, if I was denied, I would ask to speak to the pharmacist and tell them why I wanted it filled and remind them that it was a valid script and I was offering to pay cash. If they wouldn't fill it, then I'd change pharmacies.

Beware however, that once you get a controlled script transferred, you cannot get it transferred again. However, if you transferred it from pharmacy A to pharmacy B, and B wouldn't fill it, then they should not accept the transfer and permit you to transfer it to somewhere else.

Best of luck with this.

Regards,

Ex

writeleft · 03-07-2009, 12:08 AM

Unfortunately many rules are made because of the abusers, and misusers.... Since there are so many other folks who choose not to follow doctors orders, it becomes the job of doctors and pharmacists to protect these type patients from themselves.

I am certainly no expert, just watching a friend killing himself popping pills, doctor shopping, pharmacy hopping, and nodding off every few minutes. He has even convinced a doctor that he needs a third back surgery just to get even more pain medication.

I wish you well...

feelbad · 03-07-2009, 09:56 AM

i am just kind of curious as to just when the drug ambien actually became a class II med?? if you can get refills on it, it is most definitely NOT an actual class II med.

the reasons i am thinking they denied this was number one, it IS at a different pharm, and # 2 you should not have run out by that time frame in their eyes, despite what you told them, you know what i mean? they simply do not 'know' you, or your overall drug usage either. i do know with my ins co, once you go past the halfway mark with anything that is not strictly overseen like class II meds, i have been able to get everything else refilled with no problems from my ins or my pharm. but i have been using this particular pharm since they opened like ten years ago too. it could be any number of actual reasons why they decided to do this. but personally,i do think that just doing this at a different pharm,is kind of a red flag to them even tho you are planning to eventually move your scripts there? and it simply being early too.

i would just accept it right now,then wait til its aroud the time for that fill and either go back to them if that is what you really need/want to do,or stay where you are and wait. but i would not make too many waves with any pharm, it just could come back to bite you later,ya know? good luck with this,Marcia

Alexa3 · 03-07-2009, 12:58 PM

Ambien isn't a class 2, like feelbad said if it was you would have to get a written prescription from your Dr every month, same as our pain medications, at least the CII ones.
It is Federal Law, I am pretty sure, that keeps you from getting certain controlled medications only once a month. You can have your refills transferred to the new pharmacy. It's what we all must do, go to the pharmacy every month, so I'm not sure what your problem is. Even non-controlled medications can only be filled when you have 5 days left. feelbad is right if you make noise about this you will get pegged as a drug seeker. you have enough medicine to last the month so just take it to the new pharmacy when you have a couple days left and the pharmacy will call and make the transfer for you.