Everyday I get a report of things that people do a web search for that causes my website/blog end up showing up in their search
Here is a list of searches for the last 7 days and their frequency
| pharmacist steve | 53 |
| walgreens good faith dispensing policy | 22 |
| good faith dispensing walgreens | 9 |
| pharmacist work survey | 4 |
| walgreens goodfaith dispensing | 2 |
| pharmacy metrics | 2 |
| rico health lawsuit | 2 |
| walgreens good faith dispensing policy april 2013 | 2 |
| pharmacy chains push into health care | 2 |
| pharmacist steve blog | 2 |
| good faith dispensing checklist walgreens | 2 |
| walgreens new policy good faith dispensing | 2 |
| pharmacy errors drive through | 2 |
| walgreens good faith dispensing check up | 2 |
| liberty medical financial | 1 |
| cvs 2 weeks notice | 1 |
| how soon can i refill my pain medication | 1 |
| dur check rxconnect sdn | 1 |
| walgreens good faith policy | 1 |
| drug monkey | 1 |
| why is walgreens demanding icd-9 codes with pain medication prescriptions? | 1 |
| state the newton law related to pharmacy | 1 |
| healthblog pharmacist steve | 1 |
| cvs pharmacy sued | 1 |
| good faith sispensing policy walgreens | 1 |
| pharmacist profession going down hill | 1 |
| pharmacist role in psychiatry | 1 |
| good faith dispensing walgreens 2013 | 1 |
| walgreens requiring icd-9 | 1 |
| costco and controlled substances | 1 |
| walgreens good faith dispensing | 1 |
| pharmacist can’t find job | 1 |
| fired from rite aid | 1 |
| conversation pharmacist | 1 |
| walgreens florida pain pill woes mounting | 1 |
| pharmacist fired for errors | 1 |
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It would appear that Walgreens new “good faith policy” is causing a fairly sizable number of pts/prescribers/non-WAGS RPh’s… to seek out answers over this issue of insisting that the doctor provide ICD9’s …basically, in order to make any/all C-II’s Rxs “valid” in at least in Walgreen’s eyes.
Maybe it is just me, but it would seem like Walgreens has decided at a corporate level, that their RPH’s don’t have enough sense or intuitive enough to have/use their professional discretion to know if/when a C-II is valid… and that for some reasons.. the presences of a ICD9 code on the Rx and/or provided by the prescriber has some sort of magically ability to turn a Rx into a much more legit prescription.
Of course, how long do you think that it is going to take for prescribers and/or those who will attempt to pass a forged Rx to come up with the ICD9 code 780.96 .. which means generalize pain NOS ( Not otherwise classified)… in regards to treating chronic pain… I would find it hard to believe that this particular ICD9 code would not technically meet the “letter of the law” as laid down by Walgreens. And what would it accomplish… DAMN NOTHING !
What interest me.. It is considered unethical/illegal for a prescriber to write a Rx for a patient which they have not physically examined. Why is it ethical/legal for a health care professional or even a non-healthcare professional to determine if a pt is entitled or not entitled to have a C-II Rx filled… based on some arbitrary need for a ICD9.
What is next… Walgreens will have a selective list of ICD9’s for each C-II drug and unless the prescriber has dx’ed according to Walgreen’s parameters… they will not honor the Rx?
It also seems like a fair number are looking for answers about the profession of pharmacy from various angles… these searches don’t share the “mindset” of the person behind the web search.
What seems amazing to me… Walgreen’s stock is sitting at a 5 year high… but.. maybe their “boat” is just being raised with the overall stock market… since most of the major indexes are sitting at/near all time highs…
Filed under: General Problems
I think it is absurd that the pharmacist is able to play the role as “doctor”. I have a friend that has been using walgreens, getting the same prescription, for 3+ yrs and since walgreens has the “good faith” policy in affect, he is not able to get his class b prescriptions that have been prescribed to him. It is at “their discretion” to fill them. He has had 4 back surgeries, hip replacement, and knee replacements, he is in chronic pain without relief from them. Apparently it is no use going to see your doctor if the pharmacy is just going to tell you they won’t fill the script that the “doctor” prescribed.
I really think this policy is being exaggerated in its implementation. I work in a pharmacy, a very busy one at that, and know that most pharmacists use the better judgment to make these calls. People who are outraged at this policy aren’t aware at how many people go to different doctors attempting to “prescription shop.” A pharmacy is the only way they are prevented from filling all those scripts. CII’s, already required extra paperwork as part of DEA requirements, this basically extends on that. You make a good point though, people will always find a way around laws and policies. This policy is just an extra step to protect Walgreens’ employees and interests.
The ICD-9 issue is being pushed, I assume, to protect Walgreens from the accusation of being part of the pill-mill problem. Someone supposedly came up with this plan and expects that having an ICD-9 magically protects them from such shady practices. I haven’t researched it…so these are just my guesses.
If so, it is typical. The end result is more work on the pharmacy team and further breakdown of the relationship between physicians and pharmacists. This, ultimately, is part of the plan. The stronger the relationship between physician, pharmacist & patient…the weaker the chain becomes.
Thanks Steve for bringing this…and many other important issues…into the light!