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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on October 23, 2003, at 8:53:50
Here in So.Cal we are having a strike of the major grocery chains (something to the effect that the workers get their health insurance free and management wants them to pay a portion of it- what a novel idea!) Anyway I really don't care about the food, but I have been getting my meds from the same pharmacy inside the grocery store for 10 years and the pharmacy is closed with the pharmacist on strike. I have known 2 of these pharmacists for 10 years, they have always tried to help me and have basically been wonderful. But having a script called in 10 days ago by my shrink, and spending the last week trying 3 different pharmacies to get it filled and calling my shrink on a Sunday because I was out has led me to wonder if it is ethical for a pharmacist to go on strike? I know drs. and nurses are held to certain standards and as a health care provider I think pharmacists should be also. I saw my pharmacist walking with a picket sign and blew up. I feel like he stabbed me in the back. Am I being unreasonable? thanks, judy
Posted by Dinah on October 23, 2003, at 10:13:51
In reply to absolutely furious, posted by judy1 on October 23, 2003, at 8:53:50
I think you have every right to be angry that your basic healthcare needs are not being met. I know your pharmacist didn't intend his actions to hurt you, but others should be stepping up to the plate here. The chain owners, the doctors, should be doing something to ensure that patients still get the medications they need. It *is* a public health concern and should be addressed.
Posted by Susan J on October 23, 2003, at 10:52:00
In reply to absolutely furious, posted by judy1 on October 23, 2003, at 8:53:50
Judy,
>>different pharmacies to get it filled and calling my shrink on a Sunday because I was out has led me to wonder if it is ethical for a pharmacist to go on strike?
<<Wow! That's exactly what I was thinking when I read your post. I cannot believe the *pharmacists* who *know* how much health insurance costs would actually go on strike, too!We had a grocery store chain here called A&P, and their employees struck for so long, it put the company out of business.
If the business had to pay for health insurance in its entirety, it could seriously damage the financial stability of the company. I work in the health insurance area, and I don't know many businesses that pay the whole thing. The outrageous increases in health care coverage is one of the things leading to higher uninsured rates in the U.S. Businesses end up dropping coverage entirely because they can't afford it.
I wonder about the ethical standards that pharmacists are held to, that's interesting. Attorneys have their *ethics* written in code. I wonder if pharmacists do. Either way, it's just plain wrong.
That would be enough for me *not* to return to that pharmacy. Ever.
Good luck with everything. I hope it works out for you. I know how horribly frustrating (and for me it would be scary) it is to not have access to meds when needed.
Susan
Posted by noa on October 23, 2003, at 12:29:03
In reply to absolutely furious, posted by judy1 on October 23, 2003, at 8:53:50
ACK!!
You'd think that they would notify customers of how to transfer the scrips and get them filled. And at least finish the work in progress--ie scrips called in and being filled (they could have the strike affect taking new orders in, but still finish the ones that are already in the pipeline).
On the other hand, is it possible that even if the pharmacists wanted to do more to help the customers at this time, union rules etc. might tie their hands? Is the food store open--ie, run by the managers? But managers aren't replacing the pharmacists?
Either way it stinks royally and leaves you unserved. I'd be very upset, too.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on October 23, 2003, at 12:33:08
In reply to absolutely furious, posted by judy1 on October 23, 2003, at 8:53:50
Judy,
You should be able to get your prescriptions filled. I would be furious as well.
From what I've read of pharmacists, the average salary just out of school is better than $60,000 per year. Admittedly, that's not what a CEO makes, but it's not bad for someone just starting out. I also would have thought that such a person was not a direct employee of the store, but rather an independent professional brought in to handle a portion of the business that is there to attract patrons to the grocery store. I would think that the pharmacy technicians would not necessarily be employees of the store, as I don't see them running a cash register when the pharmacy is closed.
I believe the employees should be receiving their benefits, but the pharmacy should have made alternate arrangements and had your prescription at least transferred.
Good luck,
Dee.
Posted by Tabitha on October 23, 2003, at 19:25:18
In reply to absolutely furious, posted by judy1 on October 23, 2003, at 8:53:50
that is truly cruddy. I'm also in the strike zone. I avoided buying groceries for a while, but now I've lost patience with it. Fortunately my rx is at a drugstore chain instead of a grocery-- so the worst I've had to deal with is the poorly stocked shelves and confused check-people.
Posted by judy1 on October 24, 2003, at 10:29:43
In reply to Re: absolutely furious, posted by Tabitha on October 23, 2003, at 19:25:18
thank you so much for the support. I agree Dinah that this wasn't focused at me, when I'm angry I tend to make it about me. The people I'm most concerned about are the elderly folks in the area, this market/pharmacy is across the street from some homes for the elderly and since they can't drive I really worry about them. The other day a couple of the strikers chased down a temp worker and beat him with a baseball bat- and these are the people that professional pharmacists choose to side with? I agree the pay of a pharmacist for 5 years of college isn't that great, but again the strike wasn't about salary, but rather having to pay part of their health care (like the rest of the world does).
I finally moved my scripts to a 24 hour pharmacy, but it was a lot of work getting my insurance company, doctors and pharmacy on the same page and additional costs for getting extra scripts, etc.
To the poster who said she would never return to the original pharmacy, I couldn't agree more.
take care, judy
This is the end of the thread.
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