![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
To all - I am giving a couple of presentations next year.
In February, I am involved in an all day workshop for community pharmacists who work for a major Canadian chain. I will be presenting with the chief psychiatrist for Mental Health Services. We will be focusing on the care of patients with psychiatric concerns living in the community. We will discussing mainly those patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, reactive and endogenous depressions, and anxiety disorders who are obtaining their medication from a community pharmacy. Topics will include combatting stigma, compliance management, relapse awareness, the off-label use of medication, and the community pharmacist's role in the treatment team.
In March, I am presenting to 2 third year pharmacy classes on the community pharmacist's role in the proper management of patients with psychiatric concerns. The topics I cover are similar to those above, with more emphasis on stigma, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and about offering aids to compliance. This will be my fourth year giving this presentation.
What I would like from you is anecdotes about your experiences with community pharmacists. What do you look for in choosing a community pharmacist? Has a community pharmacist ever helped you in understanding your medication; done anything that has pleasantly surprized you; or has gone above and beyond what you consider to be their "job".
Also, I would like community pharmacy "horror stories". Those times when a community pharmacist has been an absolute, uncaring pinhead, without a modicum of common sense.
Basically, I am looking for "darts" and "roses". I want to be able to relate to these two groups of pharmacists (and future pharmacists) real life stories of the do's and don'ts; things that they should be cognizant of, when filling prescriptions for psychiatric medications.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am on both sides of this fence. My pharmacist is a real dickhead, who thinks that because I take 225mg of Effexor, I must be dangerous, and because I take Dexedrine, I must be a junky. The only reason I go to her is because I get Airmiles on the total prescription price (before insurance), and I know that I am never going to have to ask a question of her.
Thanks in advance. - Cam
Posted by christophrejmc on December 6, 2001, at 1:48:42
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
Maybe you should try going to a U.S. pharmacy for a list of "don'ts." They (or atleast, the ones I've seen) simply ask "Do you have any questions about this medication?" in a tone that implies that you are to say "no," and ask you to step aside so they can deal with the next druggie.
I have had several prescriptions filled in Canada and have been quite impressed by the pharmacists. I guess they are required to go over side effects, interactions, etc.; but they actually managed to seem to care about whether I had any questions/comments. Once, I filled an antibiotic in ca and I ended up talking to the pharmacist about Nardil (which I was on at the time) and some of the other medications I had taken in the past (not just the basic stuff I could've learned from an insert, but observations from his practice, etc.) (oh, and I am quite social phobic, so this whole conversation was initiated by him.) Of course, this was small town, canada so people there are like that anyway...
Posted by IsoM on December 6, 2001, at 2:11:21
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
I'm pretty knowledgable about meds myself plus have the CPS to help me but I've found only 'roses' with the different pharmacists I've dealt with.
It was a pharmacist who first told me about discontinuation symptoms when coming off SSRIs & explained how he'd read that Paxil was one of the worse ones. My family doctor didn't even know there'd be problems. He dug up extra info that wasn't available to me at the time.
The two pharmacists I deal with now (the super store where I work now - cheaper prescription costs so I use it) are really great. I know them a fair amount from working at the same store, but they'll do extras for me. Because they do know me well, when I've run out of meds due to doctor being out of town or some other reason, they'll give me a week's worth of meds to tide me over - no questions asked. They won't do this for most, but if they know the person, & that they're stable, they'll help.
I've also seen them gently handle very irrate people who come in expecting them to work miracles about lost prescriptions, no prescriptions, no refills, etc. While the customer is ranting & raving at them, yelling up a storm, they've remained calm & helpful. I marvel at their ability to do so.
These two will also look up any interactions between drugs & whatever in a book that I don't have - it's just about interactions between meds & other things. And they'll try & answer any questions I keep bringing up.
I should've gone into pharmacy when I was younger. There's a real need for pharmacists now in Canada & they're hard to find & keep for long, I've noticed. Both Jack & Benton (my pharmacists) say the money's pretty good too. :)
Posted by mgrueni on December 6, 2001, at 3:53:50
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
Hm, if that`s of any interest, let me talk about my boss. Who`s obviously a pharmacist as I am a pharmacy assistant. You remember, I am german, so this might be not really helpful for your research, but anyway....
I have to say that I am really puzzled about his behaviour. He sells Antidepressants, but has no idea why people take them. Yes, of course he knows about the pharmaceutical aspect, how these drugs work etc. But it seems he thinks it`s not necessary for anyone to take them. If people would just try and pull themselves together they were not depressed.
On the other hand he`s administering Polamidon to recovering Heroin-junkies. (In germany almost every pharmacy does that, as part of the Polamidon programme). He uses to listen to their personal problems, lend them money (yes, really!) and is quite understanding and friendly.
Also many of our customers are *grannies* who are obviously addicted to sleeping pills. He doesn´t have a problem with that, either. He says they might be addicted but at old age they come to get bored with life and therefor need something to sleep properly at least.But he thinks depression isn`t a real disease and people are *overreacting* if they take anti-depressants. He just can`t understand it.
Micha
Posted by fi on December 6, 2001, at 6:33:37
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
I think it would help if they realise how difficult it is to do ordinary things- including interacting with a community pharmacist!
I once got given too few ADS, and went back to the pharmacy when I realised. They were very formal and acted on the basis I would be in the wrong. I could hear them discussing if they could possibly have made a mistake (obviously thinking not), until one of them realised that the bottle was too small to have ever held the prescribed number of tablets....
It was a huge torment to go back to the pharmacist at all, when I was feeling absolutely dreadful, but I had to do it as I knew the ADs were crucial. Sitting through their discussion was grim.
I'm not saying that they shouldnt have checked carefully if there was a mistake, but that they need to be gentler with people even tho we may seem reasonably OK.
Fi
Posted by Phil on December 6, 2001, at 7:00:07
In reply to Re: Input Requested » Cam W., posted by mgrueni on December 6, 2001, at 3:53:50
> I have to say that I am really puzzled about his behaviour. He sells Antidepressants, but has no idea why people take them. Yes, of course he knows about the pharmaceutical aspect, how these drugs work etc. But it seems he thinks it`s not necessary for anyone to take them. If people would just try and pull themselves together they were not depressed.
> >I find that most pharmacist's here are so busy you can't get a question in or you need to talk real fast. Most of the time, I do my own research and ask my pdoc.
The pharmacy I go to now is in a very busy major grocery chain store..they usually have 1 RPH on duty, 1 drug tech and one clerk.
About 10 patients are usually watching the mayhem while they try to get everything done.
Also, when I called the FDA(I think)a few years ago to see what was happening with Reboxetine, the guy said,"You know those anti-dep. don't do much more than placebo." He was referring to all AD's. Did I mention this was the FDA?
Phil
Hope something in there helped Cam.
Posted by akc on December 6, 2001, at 8:17:38
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
This sounds like a stupid question to me, but what do you mean by a "community pharmacist"?
Thanks,
akc
Posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 10:24:24
In reply to Re: Input Requested - Question » Cam W., posted by akc on December 6, 2001, at 8:17:38
> This sounds like a stupid question to me, but what do you mean by a "community pharmacist"?
>
> Thanks,
> akcAKC - A pharmacist that works in a retail store and fills prescriptions, in the community. As opposed to a hospital pharmacist, forensic pharmacist, consultant pharmacist, etc. - Cam
Posted by susan C on December 6, 2001, at 13:02:55
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
Hi,
I followed P. from the larger grocery pharm to a smaller one,closer to home, that had just opened a pharm. I had gotten irritated at the larger place, because there were often either 1. a young guy (hey girrrls where are you??) who didn't couldn;t hadn't gotten to the point of being able to interact with customers...like ask the right questions and understand and listen to problems with out being overwhelmed or 2. Had the OLD OLD OLD pharm, who ALWAYS got my prescription wrong.
P. is sharp, to the point, modest, honest, generally is able to get assistants that do a good job. His partner pharm is his opposite, funny, extrovert, younger and reaches out beyond what you would expect. But then they know me for almost 13 years.
The only complaint, if it could be called that, is the print out they give me with the meds is next to worthless. I think it may be just a disclosure/lawsuit protector type thing
I think the person who chooses and stays to choose a career in community or retail Pharmacy are a rare breed. Retail is a tough business anyway and to combine that with critical thinking, scientific, medical, math, inside a windowless room filled with bottles and being asked questions in person and by phone all day...
mouse shaking her head
Posted by Phil on December 6, 2001, at 15:26:57
In reply to Re: Input Requested, posted by susan C on December 6, 2001, at 13:02:55
Plus! They never sit down or at least, all of them I worked with. I swear I could be around a phamacist for a year and hardly ever see them sitting down to eat. One joked w/ me, her dad was a RPH too, that at seminars or whatever, there are no chairs!
I had a lot of admiration for about 85% of pharmacists that I worked with. They really take a LOT OF SHIT from patients who haven't got a clue bout nothing.
Their clerks call in sick on a real regular basis and aren't worth a shit while they are there, by and large.
The DM screws up the schedule and the store that should have 3 RPH's gets one for the day.
And worst of all!!!! When people are waiting for their script, they are all watching the back of the pharmacist's head. It's like everyone is watching TV hoping that things will move along faster.
Sorry to ramble but 7 years at Eckerd gives one a lot of baggage. :-)P
> I think the person who chooses and stays to choose a career in community or retail Pharmacy are a rare breed. Retail is a tough business anyway and to combine that with critical thinking, scientific, medical, math, inside a windowless room filled with bottles and being asked questions in person and by phone all day...
>
> mouse shaking her head
Posted by akc on December 6, 2001, at 16:00:56
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
I have been using the same pharmacy for about two years -- part of the grocery store I frequent. It is run by a young man (probably my age, but he seems younger than me). Throughout these two years, another man has also worked there. I really enjoy these two. They know me by sight (how pharmacists do that is beyond me). They are always pleasant. In the two years, the pharmacy has made one error -- and they caught it by the time I had walked in my door at home, calling me to come back to the store. I don't know how they caught it, but whatever process they use worked in that instance (they had given me the wrong drug). I would have caught it because it is one of my standard meds, but it made me feel more confident that even on something I don't regular have a script for, I will be taken care of.
Now the other pharmacist at this store - I don't really care for. She just doesn't seem as together as the rest. But one weekend I had screwed up and ran out of topamax, and of course that was her weekend on duty. Because I had avoided her, I was in the awkward situation of needing her help -- she of course was a total professional and took care of me. Since then, I take whoever is there and know that I will benefit in the long run.
"My" two guys -- they are always helpful -- I've never asked a question that they couldn't help me on. But they don't just gush with information (something that would annoy me). However, I have seen them with others were they do seem to be a little more forthright with information -- I think they do a good job at judging the audience.
The big thing I have learned is that it is important to establish a relationship. I did this back in college with the pharmacist on campus -- who helped me in getting paperwork into the pharmaceutical companies for free/discount meds. So personality is a key component. If I didn't like "my" guys, it would be important for me to go a block or two farther and find someone I could develop a relationship with.
This pharmacy has recently acquired an independent neighborhood pharmacy -- so it has grown, adding a pharmacist and more techs -- but I have to credit the guy who is running it. So far the new people are doing a great job of learning who I am -- and continuing to make me feel important.
Especially when most of my meds are psych meds. I've never felt treated differently even though I'm crazy.
akc
Posted by gilbert on December 6, 2001, at 16:24:18
Cam,
I will throw a gentle dart towards the pharmacy I go to. It seems that the staff phamacists should be more up to date on the products they fill. I would venture to bet that alot of board members on this web site are more informed about the drugs we take than the pill fillers themselves. I have had to get most of my vital data from people like you and others on this board who seem to have more than A PDR on line to answer questions. So first and foremost if you are going to a phamacist....love your job so much that you update yourself especially all the littel biochemical idiosyncracies that we get from people on this web site. Also don't tell me statistical data about how well the generic performs vs the brand....if the patient is noticing a difference get involved don't wash your hands of it by thinking it impossible. I find all my phamacists to be friendly and caring it just seems that anything outside the book PDR is not a part of their vocabulary.
Gil
Posted by Greg on December 6, 2001, at 19:05:26
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
Cam,
Ive had two completely opposite experiences with local pharmacies, Longs Drugs and Rite-Aid.
At Longs, It was a very cold, impersonal atmosphere. The lines were generally long due to a shortage of help, the cashiers and pharmacists always seemed put out by being asked questions. I often had to wait 30 minutes or longer for a prescription to be filled regardless of the amount of people waiting and would get snapped at if I dared to ask how much longer it would be. I was shorted several times on my prescriptions, and on one occasion was given the wrong med altogether. When I took it back, the pharmacist simply said, "People make mistakes, thanks for bringing this to our attention" Duh. Everytime I picked something up the cashier would yell "Consult! without even asking me if I had taken the med before. When I did need a consult they were generally useless. I took my business to Longs for about four months before switching to Rite-Aid.
Rite-Aid on the other hand was very friend and personable from the very first day. They always tell me exactly how long my prescriptions will take to fill and do I want to wait. When they are ready, I'm called to the front of the line to be checked out instead of having to wait. They always have enough cashiers, techs, and pharmacists so that the wait to the customer is minimal. I have come to know almost all of them, and when I walk in they all greet me by name, ask me how my day is, etc. I'm always asked if I need a consult, it isn't assumed. If I need one, the explanation is clear and concise. There is rarely a mistake made, and if one happens, they are very apologetic. Recently I was shorted 20 tabs of Topamax on an rx. I called to let them know. 20 minutes later one of the techs called to say that she would be passing thru my area later that evening and would be glad to drop them off so I wouldn't have to make the trip. I am often called when one of my refills is due to give a reminder just in case I've forgotten. This store exemplifies customer service.
A jekyll and hyde story huh?
Greg
Posted by sar on December 6, 2001, at 19:47:58
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
Cam,
i go to a free clinic associated with Walgreens. i have always dealt with clerks, never a pharmacist.
what i am hoping the pharmacist will do tonight--and i highly doubt he will--is ask why my neurontin is no longer on the scrip. no taper-down, no nothing.
the standard procedure at Walgreen's seems to be, if your dosage changes in any way, the pharmacist will come out.
but i have never really seen a pharmacist.
Posted by Mair on December 6, 2001, at 20:24:29
In reply to Re: Input Requested, posted by sar on December 6, 2001, at 19:47:58
I frequent a small local pharmacy. The pharmacist I was most familiar with came to know me by sight and name which seemed rather reassuring. I just never felt uncomfortable about picking up psych medications. I think what impressed me the most was this: one day my pdoc called in a prescription for me when I was in his office. The prescription was a little inconsistent with the prescription that i had most recently filled and I could tell from listening to my pdoc's side of the conversation that the pharmacist was questioning him about that - challenging him. It made me feel like i was being looked after. I walked in one day and he wasn't there and they wouldn't tell me where he went. It hasn't seemed like quite the same.
Mair
Posted by Marie1 on December 7, 2001, at 6:13:13
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
When my mother unexpectantly died, we rushed to the city where she lived, and I didn't get the chance to refill my script for Prozac. I ended up staying way longer than anticipated. The local Rite Aid pharmacist went out of his way to dispense enough meds (w/o a prescription) so I wouldn't have too long of a lapse. This man was so compassionate, it really touched me. (Gee, this sounds like an for Rite Aid - I swear I have no affiliation with them whatsoever!):-)
Marie
> To all - I am giving a couple of presentations next year.
>
> In February, I am involved in an all day workshop for community pharmacists who work for a major Canadian chain. I will be presenting with the chief psychiatrist for Mental Health Services. We will be focusing on the care of patients with psychiatric concerns living in the community. We will discussing mainly those patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, reactive and endogenous depressions, and anxiety disorders who are obtaining their medication from a community pharmacy. Topics will include combatting stigma, compliance management, relapse awareness, the off-label use of medication, and the community pharmacist's role in the treatment team.
>
> In March, I am presenting to 2 third year pharmacy classes on the community pharmacist's role in the proper management of patients with psychiatric concerns. The topics I cover are similar to those above, with more emphasis on stigma, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and about offering aids to compliance. This will be my fourth year giving this presentation.
>
> What I would like from you is anecdotes about your experiences with community pharmacists. What do you look for in choosing a community pharmacist? Has a community pharmacist ever helped you in understanding your medication; done anything that has pleasantly surprized you; or has gone above and beyond what you consider to be their "job".
>
> Also, I would like community pharmacy "horror stories". Those times when a community pharmacist has been an absolute, uncaring pinhead, without a modicum of common sense.
>
> Basically, I am looking for "darts" and "roses". I want to be able to relate to these two groups of pharmacists (and future pharmacists) real life stories of the do's and don'ts; things that they should be cognizant of, when filling prescriptions for psychiatric medications.
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am on both sides of this fence. My pharmacist is a real dickhead, who thinks that because I take 225mg of Effexor, I must be dangerous, and because I take Dexedrine, I must be a junky. The only reason I go to her is because I get Airmiles on the total prescription price (before insurance), and I know that I am never going to have to ask a question of her.
>
> Thanks in advance. - Cam
Posted by Shar on December 7, 2001, at 11:31:11
In reply to Re: Input Requested » Cam W., posted by Greg on December 6, 2001, at 19:05:26
I've had more of the cold, impersonal types experiences, like Greg described with Longs. Two things that have stuck with me:
Parmacists routinely call in for refills for me. None has ever called me back to tell me if they couldn't reach my doctor, or a refill was not approved. They wait until I get there, stand in line for 20 minutes, then tell me about it. This occurs even though I have filled out one of their forms that includes my phone numbers, email addys, mom's maiden name, sister's SSN, son's length at birth, etc. (well, maybe not ALL of that.)
The second thing is at every pharmacy I have ever used, I have been given either the wrong drug, or the wrong dosage. Sometimes I have to argue with the pharmacists so he or she will look up the Rx and check it.
I routinely check my meds now BEFORE I leave the store.
The best pharmacist I ever had was a mom and pop store. The pharmacist had been in business for many years, and if he was giving me something he wasn't too familiar with, he always read up on it and we would talk about it. His store was bought by Eckerds Drugs. It was awful seeing him work in Eckerds, and his assistant there with no time to provide any service to their clients.
Shar
Posted by wendy b. on December 8, 2001, at 13:16:52
In reply to Input Requested, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 1:26:43
Hi Cam,
I guess I'm going to be the 3rd person to give kudos to Rite Aid. My local branch in central NY has been consistently good to me for 10 years. I may get one-off scrips like Xanax filled by whomever else when I'm in town, but my regular, everyday psych meds I get filled at a Rite Aid.
There's an older gentleman who's been there for several years, and a younger guy who I have a crush on... Now, I'm not going to praise him because he's cute, but, he did a VERY nice thing for me when my pdoc messed up my Neurontin scrip. I was out of town (in Rochester) last summer and had run out of the medicine. I called my pdoc at home, who was able to call the Rite Aid nearest to where I was staying. The pdoc mis-remembered the dosage, however, and I only got 300s when the real scrip is for 600s. So it only lasted 3 1/2 days when it should have lasted a week. I was annoyed, but I had enough for awhile.
So I get back home and go to my regular Rite Aid, and ask for a refill (there were a few months left on the 600s). I wait for 10 minutes, pay for the bottle, Young Dude Pharmacist steps out from behind the counter to go take his break. Meanwhile, I've checked the bag, and find it's another bottle of 300s. I am really upset and annoyed. I accost him and say, "I'm on the 600s of Neurontin, I needed that one refilled." He sits next to me on some chairs to check my bottle (I liked that part). Young Dude says he'll go back and look it up for me, which he does, types my name in, and says, the last one was for 300s. I ask how they know about the mistake one from Rochester, and he says they're linked to all the other Rite Aid stores, including the Rochester one. Duh, I should have known they share databases. Young Dude then looks up my previous scip from before that, and finds it for the 600s, doesn't even call my pdoc, just takes back the 300s and fills it for my regular, 600mg scrip. No problem, no hassle, the guy trusts me, besides, he knows I'm not trying to get high by doubling my Neurontin scrip. I pledge my eternal thanks, etc.
Sorry this is long.
Young Dude is always smiling and friendly. So is the Older Gentleman. With either, you ALWAYS get your meds within 15 minutes if it's something you are dropping off. It has never taken more time than that. The other day, I dropped off a xanax scrip, and told the assistant I'd pick it up in a few days. Young Dude calls over, "I can fill it for you right now if you want, so you don't have to make an extra trip." It was done in 2 minutes.
Most refills I do over the online ordering system, Drugstore.com (it's quite simple). Or I use the voice-mail answering system on the phone, which is also simple and quick.
The first time I had a psycho-type drug scrip to get filled, about 10 years ago, it was for xanax, written by my family dr. I was in a bad marriage, having the worst time, the doc prescribed it so I could just handle all the stress and anxiety. I remember walking in, wearing my biggest Jackie Onassis-type sunglasses to hide my swollen eyes, I'd been crying hard at the doctor's. I thought, here goes, I'm now entering the land of the living dead, I'm starting down the slippery slope, I'm on psycho-drugs, I'm going to become a zombie, etc, etc. Handed the Older Gentleman the scrip, he doesn't blink of course, he's a professional, seen a lot in his day, I'm sure. Even insane people like me, I think to myself. So I sit next to the blood-pressure machine, the only chairs are right there, I'm exhausted from the stress and the tears. Two people who look like they've ridden into the strip mall from the back of beyond, get their BP taken as I sit there. And I go even more berserk, because the computer-generated voice coming from the machine is SO freakin' annoying... ("Put your arm in the cuff, be relaxed, but hold still, etc.") Older Gentleman calls my name and I go up to pay. I can hardly speak. He asks if I've ever taken xanax before, I say no, almost in tears. He says, well, it may make you tired, so just experiment with it, etc. The dr says take it as needed, he says, so try taking it *before* you get into a situation where you know you'll be anxious, like busy traffic or whatever (but now that I think of it, the bottles have the warning about operating machinery, but I was on such a low dose, 0.25s, he probably knew it would be fine). In any case, I felt so grateful to him for talking to me in such a kind manner, and so matter-of-factly, like it was going to be ok if I took the stuff. Very professional and reassuring, no judgement.
The pharm assistants who've been there for awhile all know my name. When they see me coming, they go straight to the "B" bin to get the refill. And it's always friendly and familiar.
Sorry this is so long... I hope this has been useful, Cam, you're always so helpful to everyone else. We owe you a lot...
Take it easy,
Wendy
Posted by Noa on December 9, 2001, at 13:12:08
In reply to Re: Input Requested, posted by christophrejmc on December 6, 2001, at 1:48:42
I don't know about Canada but here in the US, pharmacies make you sign whether you want to talk to the pharmacist about the med or not. I have worked with some pharmacists who will take the time and respond respectfully and patiently to my questions. But more often than not, the pharmacist is overwhelmed and not very available. They have to spend SO much time on the computer with the insurance companies that they are not really spending time doing what they probably went into the biz to do. Often, the body language says--don't bother me. It seems that the insurance companies have enslaved these professionals!
Another issue is language. Increasingly, pharmacists are not native English speakers. Which is fine, except that I'd like to see them have better communication skills--ie, continue to improve English skills as well as cultural communication awareness.
Pharmacy aides often speak nearly no English, which is also frustrating.
Perhaps the pharmacy boards of the states could offer free English/communication classes and some sort of incentive to participate and achieve increasing levels of proficiency?
Sometimes it seems the older pharmacists are better at responding and explaining--they probably had more experience with this part of the job because they worked pre-managed care.
Perhaps pharm schools could offer a degree in pharmacy information systems in order to free up the pharmacists to do their jobs better?
Worst situation? Went to a chain pharm, dropped off script, came back next day to learn they didn't have the med (Adderall). You'd think they'd have the decency to call to tell me they didn't have any med in stock. So, I went to another location of same chain. Dropped off script, checked to make sure they had it in stock, ascertained it would be ready in an hour, went to do errands for an hour, came back, waited for another hour, finally got my script. Since I hadn't had adderall in a couple of days, I opened the vial on my way out the door, to discover that instead of large blue pills, there were many tiny white pills. Went back to pharmacy, let them know this. Response from tech. was maybe it was the generic. I said, Adderall has no generic. "Well, maybe you haven't taken this medication before and don't know what it looks like." "Yes I do know. Please tell the pharmacist". Another 15 minutes of waiting and then the pharmacist brings the adderall to the counter and apologizes. I asked, just out of curiosity what the other med was--Oxycontin. I didn't recognize the name, so I asked her what kind of med it was and she told me pain killers. It was only after asking at PB that I learned that it is a powerful pain killer. And subsequently read the Newsweek article about the increase in abuse of oxycontin.
That whole experience was maddening. And the idea that a med like oxycontin could go out by mistake so easily! It seems that this pharm was not being very careful at all. But also the customer service was horrible.
My current frustration is that I have had pretty good experiences at two pharmacies, but their hours aren't very good. One pharmacy has one good pharmacist and I try to go when he is on duty, but sometimes he is not in. The other is a grocery store that I used once and found the pharmacist good but they aren't open when I am typcially in the vicinity of the grocery store. I have used a 24 hour pharm near home because of the hours but find the customer service pretty lacking. The pharmacist is pretty unavailable, and the clerks barely speak enough English to spell my name. And, I think because of the dearth of 24 hour pharms, this place can be crowded at any time of day or night---can you imagine coming in at 2 am when you are sick and finding out you have to come back to pick your scrip up 3 hours later???
Posted by Noa on December 9, 2001, at 13:22:28
In reply to Re: Input Requested, posted by wendy b. on December 8, 2001, at 13:16:52
I should say that one positive about the 24 hour place that I don't like is that I was vacationing in a very small town where the only drug store was of this chain, and I had forgotten my serzone, and they were able to transfer it, which was great. I guess it was just luck that this town had the pharm that I had brought latest scrip to.
As for errors, actually the pharmacist I like did once make an error--gave me 20 mg. adderalls instead of 10. I called in about it and he asked me to bring them back, which I did. He was very apologetic and unnerved by it.
Like Shar, Before leaving the pharmacy, I now ALWAYS check the scrip on the bottle AND I open the bottle to see if the contents match.
Posted by Noa on December 9, 2001, at 13:27:09
In reply to Re: Input Requested, posted by Noa on December 9, 2001, at 13:22:28
Another issue is just how public the typical pharm counter is, and often the names of your meds are discussed--not exactly conducive to privacy and discretion. I'm getting accustomed to it because I have heard other customers taking ADs, etc. and so it seems more commonplace, but I still think it should be more private. I wouldn't want to have it be so public if there were people I knew waiting in line, for example. I actually changed from a pharmacy a few years ago because of the aides was a woman I had worked with a number of years ago and it felt awkward.
This is the end of the thread.
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