PHARMACIST STEVE

This is a email that I received today and it is similar to multiple emails that I get every week.

First of all there is no black/white definition of what “disabled” really is. If you can’t perform “normal” daily functions without your medications.. then, most likely, you are disabled… If you believe that you are disabled.. then let “the other side” prove that you are NOT DISABLED.

This particular email is from Florida and in 2015 there was a new pharmacy board regulation that was passed http://floridaspharmacy.gov/latest-news/validate-pain-medication-prescriptions/

that went into effect the last of December 2015.  How or if the FL Board of Pharmacy (BOP) is enforcing this new regulation… is still a question.

Personally, I have problems with mail order pharmacies, first of all all medications have a required temperature storage range .. normally 59F -86F and many times of the year and many sections of the country… medication is exposed to temperatures outside of these ranges.  Those requirements apply to the manufacturer, wholesaler and pharmacy ..HOWEVER… once the pharmacy turns the mail order package over to the carrier service… the storage requirement no longer applies.  Secondly, do you really know who you are talking to on the other end of the phone with a mail order service ?  If needed are you actually able to talk to someone in authority – a Pharmacist – or just someone who claims that they are a Pharmacist and whose job it is .. to just say “NO” and get the pt off the phone.  They mail order pharmacies are huge highly automated places.. filling more prescriptions EACH DAY that a community pharmacy will fill in a YEAR OR TWO…  If your paper prescription gets “lost” …  it is just one of hundreds of thousands that are stacked up in the que.  Most mail order pharmacies are “days behind” and if you get your necessary medication in a couple of days or a couple of weeks.. they are still several days behind … won’t change their day to day job… and if they lost your paper Rx… if they get it back to you in a few days or a few weeks… what are you going to do.. you are thousands of miles away.. 

You can complain to the corporate HQ, but typically they will tell you that they stand behind their Pharmacist’s decisions. They are correct they cannot force a Pharmacist to fill a prescription, the corporation only has a permit of operate a Rx dept.. if they have licensed Pharmacists operating it.  Of course, they don’t have to continue to employ Pharmacists that are refusing to fill legal prescriptions, but if they continue to employ Pharmacists that refuse to fill legit Rx…

You can complain to the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) , but the majority of BOP’s are stacked with non-practicing Pharmacists who draw their paycheck from the same chains that they are suppose to oversee.  Some of us believe that there is a lot of “conflicts of interest” among the BOP  members, but since generally the BOP members are appointed by the Governor… and we all know that contributions to political reelection campaigns often get repaid by political favors

I recommend that EVERYONE audio/video recording all their interactions with Rx dept staff.  If they will mis-represent (lie) about having your medication in stock, or that the insurance company refused the claim… who is to believe that they will tell the truth of what was said/not said… done or not done when push comes to shove.   Normally, the PIC (Pharmacist in charge) of any store can be found on the BOP’s website and/or there should be in “public view” within the store.. the pharmacy permit with the name of the PIC listed on it.

Independent pharmacies are typically ran by the Pharmacist/owner and unlike the chain Pharmacist does not get a paycheck every two weeks, regardless if he/she fills your prescriptions.  They depend on filling prescriptions to put bread/butter on their table.  Some Pharmacists when handed a prescription start looking for a reason NOT TO FILL IT… and if you start with that attitude… typically .. a reason can be found to not fill it… Generally, a independent Pharmacist will start by looking for reason to fill the Rx and/or be able to adjudicate anything that may appear to be a “red flag”.

With the existing systems and processes in place, it is normally easier for the pt to “switch than fight”.  Why would anyone patronize a store that wants you to BEG them to let them take your money, when there are 22,000 independent Pharmacists that would welcome your business ?  Here is a link to help pts find a local independent pharmacy http://www.ncpanet.org/home/find-your-local-pharmacy

I need your guidance/help with some information.

I am a chronic pain patient with valid scripts for controlled substances who lives in Florida. I am disabled however I have chosen not to go through disability and to continue working in the healthcare field for more than 10 years. I have been in 7 major car accidents over the course of 20 years. I have permanent damage to my neck, shoulder and back. I have all the appropriate documentation, have followed all the rules set forth by Florida and also by the mail-in pharmacy organization I use, CVS Caremark.

I have been having issues with CVS Caremark recently that I feel have bordered on illegal, unethical, and inappropriate in my opinion. I have a valid/on-time prescription written by a licensed medical professional with no sanctions in my state of Florida. The dosage and amount are at the recommended allowed dosages. I have been told by CVS Caremark on several occasions to “find another doctor”, “drive out of state to manually fill my prescriptions”, to fill out “this new form” or “that new form” stating that they are mandatory but not requiring them each and every time. I have had prescriptions withheld causing my body to detox unnecessarily for multiple reasons. The most recent was CVS stated my prescription in July had the wrong year on it (2001 was what they quoted) but when I reviewed copies of it from my doctor’s office, it had 2016. This month (September) it is because of a form that I have never had to fill out and they state has been required each time from the doctor’s office; yet when I call my doctor they state they have only had to fill out the form once when I first began using mail-in service. There local branches won’t fill them in my county because my doctor resides in another county. My doctor’s county won’t fill them because I live in another county. I have even been sitting with my doctor and had him call and speak with the pharmacy team in the controlled substances department and he was provided no concrete answers, and was given reasons like “I don’t know but we can’t fill it” or “I am not really sure about that, I will have to check with another pharmacist and get back to you” when he was speaking with a pharmacist. I am at my wits end.

 

• I have been reading your article and not sure how to proceed against the mail in part of this big corporation. How would I find out the permit holder/store owner, the pharmacist in charge, the pharmacist who refuses to fill a prescription, and/or the wholesaler information when they keep that information “close to the vest” whenever I have called to complain before? If I am not on disability, would that negate my ability to file a complaint with the ADA? Should I hire an attorney for the undue hardship and medical complications this poses for my life and health? Which states do I file these complaints in since I use the mail-in pharmacy service while residing in another state?

 

If you can help me at all, I would appreciate all the information you can give me. I have hit a wall and don’t know where else to turn.

 

Filed under: General Problems