topic Re: Ugh some people! in Community Chat

Ugh some people!

Shorty2U — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:02:34 GMT

I cant believe this, trying not to be mad but I am. Follow me here please.

I went to my pain Dr today for my back check up. I then went for my meds.

I handed in my NEW script, AND was nice and told the girl at the pharmacy (where Ive been going for years!) to tell them to be careful counting pills. I was shorted pills by 2 days worth LAST TIME but its OK because I hadn't started them till 2 days after I got the script so I did NOT run out. That's ALL I said.

She never answered me and got the big wig at the pharmacy who came out with a paper showing me their inventory is right and they NEVER mess up counting.

Then she said we can NOT give you Extra pills. I Said I WASNT ASKING FOR EXTRA PILLS I am getting my new script and thought id be nice and tell you there was a mistake last time.

She stood there making a jerk out of me embarrassing me in front of 4 customers like I Was trying to get extra pills. while I kept saying I was just trying to be nice to tell you there was a mistake PERIOD.

OMG I was SO mad. I FELT like saying, well maybe you gave someone ELSE my 2 days of pills I was shorted. BUT I let it GO and will never ever tell them about mistakes again!

Then she says IF I want to watch her count my new script I can. I Said no that is UNNECESSARY. (Ugh unbelievable!)

So then I come home with my new script which is good for 30 days and realize my pain Dr said to come BACK in 30 days BUT his secretary made my appointment in 42 days from now meaning I will be OUT of meds 12 days early.

You can NOT call in my medicine. So Now I have to call the Dr office Monday and tell them my meds will run out 12 days before my appointment.

Does ANYONE do their job right anymore? I have to keep fixing peoples mistakes OR watch everything they do every time I deal with people in offices ETC.

Im so sick of it! And people think I have it made sitting home and not working, even though I deal with back pain and all of this. Well id trade anything not to deal with all of this baloney and go to WORK and dance again!.

End of rant.

Re: Ugh some people!

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:14:37 GMT

First of all I have had pain meds and other meds shorted several times. It absolutely does happen but I have made a point of counting out pain meds right there because once you leave, it is your word against theirs. Especially with controlled substances.

I also would have said in a very loud tone "I wasn't asking for more pills, I was merely making sure you didn't short me like you did last time, and YOU DID INDEED SHORT ME, I know how to count". Then I would have asked to speak to the pharmacy manager and told how I was treated.

Just last week I went to go pick a new medicine for my mom that her GI doctor called in. She has been having pain in her stomach and they prescribed an antidepressant which helps with nerve pain. I didn't count it or even look at it but when I dropped it off to my mom she opened it up to take one. There should have been 30 pills but there were only 4. I mean that was a huge mistake. I called right away and they just gave them to me with no questions but had it been a controlled substance, it wouldn't have been that easy. You should ALWAYS count pain pills before you leave because they are a much bigger deal.

Also, didn't you realize right away that your apt with the pain doctor was way over the time that you had actual meds? Most pain clinics make appts for 30 days or less because most of those meds can't be phoned in anymore. Call right away and let them know.

I know what you mean though. It always seems a hassle to do anything now. People seem so inept at the simplest of tasks. I do get annoyed that people don't try to do their jobs well. I always do my best and it makes me mad when others don't have that same work ethic.

Re: Ugh some people!

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:16:27 GMT

As for their inventory. If someone is taking those pills instead of giving them to you, there inventory would be right. DUH. What a stupid answer. There was just a pharmacy tech arrested at a CVS here a couple of weeks ago for stealing pain meds. They were shorting customers and selling them.

Re: Ugh some people!

KYToby — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:19:08 GMT

I am sorry you are having such issues. I had chronic back pain for several years which, fortunately, has cleared up on its own (although I have the occasional pain "spell" for a few days if I twist it or sleep on it wrong). I went through radiofrequency lesioning to help with pain, but I was on pain medicine for the entire time period, so I understand how frustrating it can be.

I can see how the errors could occur, and I think it was rude an inexcusable to embarrass you in front of others. While the pharmacy may believe that no error was made, there was no reason to call you out in front of others.

In regards to the secretary, she may not have known your prescription ran out and that you needed to be back in 30 days or less. In many cases, they try to fit you in to something open around that time, and maybe a call on Monday can get it sorted and get you in (even if it means going in a day or two early).

While frustrating, I think the only way to deal with issues such as this is by being proactive and taking control. For instance, I always check my medication as soon as I get it home, and I am on the phone with the pharmacy if there is a mistake (which has happened more than once). If I know I need to be back in the doctor's office by a certain time, I bring it up while still there. Ultimately, I do not think it is the situation where people do not care. I think, for the most part, .many are overworked and spread too thin.

Re: Ugh some people!

scotttie — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:21:29 GMT

This is unbelievable! I am very suspicious someone is stealing pills. A pill here and there from every script adds up quickly.

I suggest you contact the Corporate office of this pharmacy and let them know what is going on there and how you were treated.

Also, if this is a pharmacy in a grocery store or something let the store manager know.

Do this in WRITING. Corporate does not like to get these letters I promise you.

Oh and the obvious...get a new pharmacy.

Re: Ugh some people!

croemer — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:24:06 GMT

On 4/18/2014 scotttie said:
This is unbelievable! I am very suspicious someone is stealing pills. A pill here and there from every script adds up quickly.

I suggest you contact the Corporate office of this pharmacy and let them know what is going on there and how you were treated.

Also, if this is a pharmacy in a grocery store or something let the store manager know.

Do this in WRITING. Corporate does not like to get these letters I promise you.

Oh and the obvious...get a new pharmacy.

CVS was caught doing this, it was an epidemic there several years ago.

Re: Ugh some people!

gazelle77 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:24:53 GMT

It is even worse after having major double knee replacement. I would only get enough pain meds for 7 days. ( They were very strong)...then I would have to call my doctor, ask for more....husband would have to go pick up the paper with subscription written out from Doctor office and then drive to the pharmacy and wait quite a while to have it filled... Washington state law, they can not call prescription in....had to go through this circus for 8 weeks when I was able to stop them. I got to the point a couple times where I was so desperate not to run out, I would cut my dose in half and have to suffer... So I could make it to the next week. That part of surgery is the worst part now. They do not want to give you enough pain pills!

Re: Ugh some people!

stilltamn8r — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:28:11 GMT

Oh, Shorty, like you don't already put up with enough! Yes, call the Dr on Monday and see if they can reschedule you-

Does your pharmacy have any type of online "review" process? Like Yelp or something? I think it would help if you could write this down and get it off your chest-

Lastly, can you switch pharmacies? It sounds to me, by how defensive they became, that this isn't the first time they have been informed of a "shortage" and something, may indeed be going on that is not legal..

Re: Ugh some people!

esmerelda — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 03:50:22 GMT

You're right about having to watch people when they do their jobs. Sometimes I'll have a day like that...I want to go home and stay there! Just not deal with anyone! Have to say...I wish you'd taken her up on her offer to watch her count.

Re: Ugh some people!

nunya — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 04:04:44 GMT

I drove to a neighboring town to get my husband's script, our store was out. I called twice ahead of time to make sure they had it. I picked it up, paid, drove home. The bag was stapled and I assumed it was right. The bag said the right script but inside was not. They refilled the wrong script. They gave me a 90 day supply of pills I just had refilled 3 weeks prior. I called and they said oh, we shouldn't have refilled that. Ya think! They aren't even allowed to refill it.

Re: Ugh some people!

foundinlv — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 04:21:10 GMT

On 4/18/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
As for their inventory. If someone is taking those pills instead of giving them to you, there inventory would be right. DUH. What a stupid answer. There was just a pharmacy tech arrested at a CVS here a couple of weeks ago for stealing pain meds. They were shorting customers and selling them.

I hope shorty reads your excellent posts Irshgirl and I too think they should be counted out in her presence from now on.

Re: Ugh some people!

Rainbows and Roses — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 04:29:45 GMT

THEY DO MAKE MISTAKES all the time. One month I got 4 extra Prozac tablets.......but I did not tell them because I did not want to make someone upset. I now count the pills when I get home.....really from now on I am going to count in the parking lot and if I am short I will take it back in..........usually for most meds they have two people check it.

Re: Ugh some people!

151949 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 04:57:30 GMT

On 4/18/2014 gazelle77 said: It is even worse after having major double knee replacement. I would only get enough pain meds for 7 days. ( They were very strong)...then I would have to call my doctor, ask for more....husband would have to go pick up the paper with subscription written out from Doctor office and then drive to the pharmacy and wait quite a while to have it filled... Washington state law, they can not call prescription in....had to go through this circus for 8 weeks when I was able to stop them. I got to the point a couple times where I was so desperate not to run out, I would cut my dose in half and have to suffer... So I could make it to the next week. That part of surgery is the worst part now. They do not want to give you enough pain pills!

You were taking them for 8 weeks ? Holy cow!

Re: Ugh some people!

151949 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 04:59:41 GMT

As well as 2 people counting narcs out - Nurses at the end of each shift have to have 2 nurses count the entire inventory of narcotics they have on the unit and both sign that this was done, every single pill or injectable must be accounted for.. I'm sure that pharmacies must do something similar as the state comes in regularly and reviews those counts. we even had the DEA come into our unit once when I was in charge in ICU and we had to do the count with one of the DEA agents observing and recounting every pill after us , because someone observed a nurse leaving the keys to the cupboard in a hiding place we had for them so we didn't have to chase all over the unit looking for the keys all the time. Our manager was fired over this as well. the state of pa takes this issue very seriously.

Re: Ugh some people!

skuggles — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:04:21 GMT

I've been shorted meds over the years,and sometimes by quite a bit. One time the head pharmacist told me that they had run out so they gave me what they had, I think it was a little over half the amount, and they were planning on giving me the rest at another time. Yeah OK. Don't you think you should MENTION it then ? They are basically changing it. They screw up all the time. It's good to be conscious of it. Also to make sure you know what the pills look like. You can google for pics of pills you have never taken before.

I always count when I get home. It is a pain , but I learned my lesson. I haven't had it happen recently, but I've only needed a few scripts filled in the last several years.

Re: Ugh some people!

Shorty2U — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:16:00 GMT

From the OP.

Thank you for the replies. I know people make mistakes but you cant tell any of them this no matter where it is, they always think Im wrong.

And my husband (who was in the front of the store @ the time) said I should have said maybe someone that works here is stealing pills! (like you said).

And it WAS CVS and I know they mess up because they messed up (shorted) meds before but they weren't pain meds. They also gave me a higher dose one time of my old medicine and I caught it in the car and went back in. I could have overdosed. (When that happened they were very embarrassed and apologized). But not today!

(PS I am in PA as someone mentioned and she told me that she must count the meds twice, not two different people but the pharmacist on hand counts twice).

Irishgrl- The Dr said to me a one month appointment and writes it down and hands it to them. It didn't dawn on me till I was home that she gave me an appointment 42 days away!. I have to learn to check while I am there because the pain office is always messing things up and I thought we had it all straightened out last time when I told him I was going to switch Drs due to HIS staff. That was a month ago and he told me when I call to ask for an Ann so I intend to ask for her Monday and tell her about the appointment issue.

Lastly my son said too to switch pharmacy's. He has epilepsy and he said CVS messed him around with his automatic refills so he switched last year. SO I think I will follow suit and switch too.

Re: Ugh some people!

occasionalrain — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:24:23 GMT

On 4/18/2014 happy housewife said:
On 4/18/2014 ILikeShade said:
On 4/18/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
As for their inventory. If someone is taking those pills instead of giving them to you, there inventory would be right. DUH. What a stupid answer. There was just a pharmacy tech arrested at a CVS here a couple of weeks ago for stealing pain meds. They were shorting customers and selling them.

I hope shorty reads your excellent posts Irshgirl and I too think they should be counted out in her presence from now on.

Actually narcotic pain meds have to be counted and signed out by 2 people in the pharmacy, at least in Pa where I believe the OP lives so they would either be in collusion or they both made the same mistake.

Do you really think they actually do that, follow the rules or is it more likely one counts, signs, and the other just signs.

Re: Ugh some people!

151949 — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:37:32 GMT

there is a list that is published a few times a year pa and then is sent to every licensed nurse telling everyone who lost their license and why -many are because of nurses who co sign things without actually doing them. I would never trust another nurse - no matter how good a friend who wanted me to sign that I counted narcs if I had not done it. I would also never sign as a witness on a chart unless I had actually witnessed what I was signing. IMO - there is a reason someone doesn't want to to actually do the count and instead just sign.

Re: Ugh some people!

Azcowgirl — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:47:43 GMT

I've been shorted too...and mine are just hormones. Very frustrating.

Re: Ugh some people!

sfnative — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:49:43 GMT

I would contact the corporate office and ask how to file a customer service issue/complaint. Something like this requires action, as someone got their hands on your few pills and if that's happening, it does beg the question "how often."

I say the above because I was the Head of a Dept at work, prior to retiring last year and had several occasions over the years to research corporate contacts to make a complaint. And most of my issues were with reps with egos so big they were unable to perform their jobs adequately. When they didn't perform, my staff and I had to pick up the slack.

Though I've been shorted perhaps twice by a national chain, they have always owned up to it. Was also given Lipator (white) once instead of my Lisinopril (pink). This is a huge no-no. Spoke with the pharmacist and she said they would complete the required FDA/State of CA forms and get them in. This would not look good on their record, she said.

Anyway, after most of the angst has left, do pursue this with corporate. They need to know what kind of people they have working for them and how the attitude of those people is adversely affecting their customers (as in, you may never go back there). Most importantly, you were shorted medication, which someone else clearly took home, if indeed their inventory records are across the board a perfect accounting of stock and dispensing.