CVS Pharmacist is refusing to fill my full prescription

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Honestly, I think it all has to do with attitude. If there's a question on medications, and the pharmacist brings it up, consults with the doctor to be sure the doctor understands the manufacturers instructions and that the treatment is prescribed with the knowledge of that, it's great service. If the OP walked up to the window and the pharmacist dictates that this one time they'll allow it to go through, but not any more, doesn't consult with the doctor and just determines that they're going to change the treatment plan because they don't think that it's right, then that isn't OK. Any more than the doctor blowing off the pharmacist when they bring up potential issue would be OK.

 

[badblackpug]

I have a question for the pharmacists out there...

If a prescription is incorrectly or questionably written, is the pharmacist under any obligation to call the doctor and clarify it, or this just a customer courtesy?

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

It's nice to discuss this with someone who is being reasonable. I obviously don't know every state's rules but if your state doesn't have a rule against early fills I would bet it is addressed in the ethical practice guidelines. It is pretty intimidating to be asked by your state board inspector, "were you not aware that over filling of narcotics is unethical?" Believe me they watch everything we do!

Is your husband just needing it early this one time or is it over and over? The very most important thing I have found in being this profession for over 25 years is communication. Prior to my state's 28 day narcotic rule being enacted, I had more flexibility in dispensing. I still tried not to enable addiction/overdose/reselling/ etc. but if I had a regular customer who needed an early refill due to vacation or whatever I would certainly do it for them. Now I try to find out where they will be, call the pharmacy in that area and see if it the prescription can be filled there when due and talk to the pharmacist to ask them to fill it for our patient. This is more work for me than just filling it early myself but I have like a gazillion laws to follow. lol

The early fill problem, like I said earlier, is that early every month adds up. Just last week a family member accused us contributing to her relative's death due to overdose. She said we should have quit filling his prescriptions. He was addicted. I was also cussed, just yesterday, because someone's medication was not covered on her insurance and was going to cost $8.00. She said "I was pulling a scam" and trying to get her money and that she would never be back. Please don't kill the messenger. The pharmacy doesn't determine your insurance coverage or your insurance copay!

It is a fine line between taking care of patients and "first doing no harm". Talk to your pharmacist. If he/she isn't nice or can't make you understand what is going on in the situation try another location.

Some people are just hateful and unhappy and take it out on others, even some pharmacists!

My DH takes a large quantity of Oxy every month but instead of larger dosage pills, the Dr goes with 20s in a higher quantity with the hopes that DH keeps it at a lower level. This actually does work as it's kept his dosage fairly low over the years. Even the dr. mentioned that he was surprised that DH doesn't need to increase the dosage at all. Anyway, DH tries to start filling it on day 25 or 26. It takes the pharmacy a couple of days to get the pills in stock. So he ends up getting filled around day 28. I know I call to get the refill written every 4 weeks so I really don't think it's early. And it was only one pharmacist in the entire group. And the guy wasn't even the lead pharmacist. DH spoke to the lead pharmacist and he told DH to just come in when he was in the store. I really think it was the one guy with an attitude. Guess we have those type of people in all professions.

And trust me, I do appreciate everything that the pharmacist does. Many years back I went to a dr on call on a Saturday. I mentioned that I was also being treated for high blood pressure. She gave me a script and informed me that it wouldn't interfere with my bp meds. I went to fill it and the pharmacist told me that a large flashing red warning signal was citing a drug interaction. He gave me the paper off the bottle. I called the dr the next day pissed as hell. Mistakes happen but when I purposely ask I expect the dr to know (or at least look it up). So I do appreciate the position the pharmacist is in. Thanks for your helpful responses.

 

[Kerrio929]

I have a question for the pharmacists out there...

If a prescription is incorrectly or questionably written, is the pharmacist under any obligation to call the doctor and clarify it, or this just a customer courtesy?

If a doctor writes for something that is clearly in error and the pharmacist doesn't question it, it is almost always the pharmacists fault if it were ever brought into legal action. That is why many pharmacists are so strict and/or cautious. If your doctor wrote a prescription that was harmful and I, the pharmacist, didn't question it and something happened to you...I would be found liable in court. So you can bet your bottom that I triple check everything, verify anything questionable and document any conversations had with physicians or patients. Let's say I question something and the md says to fill it anyway. If I am uncomfortable doing so, I have the right to refuse to fill it. Harsh? Possibly..but I didn't bust my *** in school to risk jeopardizing my license. Without my license, my livelihood is gone. No more WDW.