You know that song by Jonny Lang? If the pharmacy had Muzak (and thank God it does not), this would have been great background music for one entire morning last week.
(I've changed a few minor details here to protect the untruthful)...
#1 was a regular customer and a nice guy. He gets a prescription for codeine-like pain medication, and for as long as I can remember the prescriber has specified it "must last 30 days." He came in to pick up his refills and we told him that one was 4 days early, and we would be glad to fill it on day #30, which was after the weekend. He looked somewhat perplexed, like this had never happened before (it kinda had, I'd let it go if it was one day early), and then said he was going out of town and would need it.....then said something like, "well, maybe I'll have to change my plans till I can get it filled," and left without further protest.
Later that day, doctor's office calls in and says not only to go ahead and fill it, but gives it more refills. The nurse says, "He's flying to Hawaii, and needs to get it before he goes."
Whoa. Nobody said anything about flying to HAWAII. I mean, I could have worked with him on that --- true or not, I would never know the difference I guess. And y'know, this doesn't sound like the kind of travel plan you could just postpone for a couple of days. So, are we just trying to get it today, or are we flying to Hawaii?
I don't know which is the real story. Like I say, I don't think this particular customer is a bad person or anything. No previous bad interactions at all. In fact, I think he would have told me about his trip to Hawaii if he was actually going there. Why you gotta lie to me?
#2 was a person whose purse was stolen. As we all know, when a purse is stolen it invariably contains someone's ENTIRE prescription of a controlled drug, as though it's a good idea to carry around a bottle of 240 Percocet (or similar med) in your purse. We had received a new prescription, insurance rejects it as too soon, and customer phones in to check on it. She assures us she talked to her insurance, and they will cover a stolen med. So, do people think we're not going to know when that's not true?
We call the insurance, they say nope, not for a controlled substance. Customer calls back and is aghast ( "Well, they covered it LAST TIME!!")
Oy.
Lie to me, and tell me everything's aw-rightttt....................
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I gotta say I think #1 is legit. I don't know why he would have mentioned his travel plans to you, but I can see how if one time before it had been refilled early then he might have thought it could be refilled early this time. When it didn't he did the logical think and talked to his physician who had written the instructions/order for it lasting 30 days.
Was it really the doctor's office that called to say "fill it, and put on refills?" or was it the patient's brother (or whatever).
I've had some of my (former) patients pull that stunt. Call claiming to be from my office, and okaying refills. Most local pharmacists know my policies, and call us to verify.
I have gotten so tired for the lies that I make them prove any story they tell..going on a trip? show me your travel itinerary...purse stollen? show me a detailed police report that lists the contents of said purse...I hate to be that way, but then again I don't owe anyone an early fill. It's my license and in my state the board is cracking down on any early fills. They say it shows a lack of proper DUR performance. Besides, why is it always a controlled substance involved and not the blood pressure or diabetes medication?
I definitely verified the call-back on #1, but (in answer to Mark) that was the puzzling part -- a regular patient who we often chat with would most certainly mention those kind of travel plans, as people often do when it impacts their prescription refills being early.
Being in the field for such a long time, I have pretty much heard every lie that can be told. You missed several, the medication fell in the bathroom sink or the toilet. I agree with lovingmyjob, I need to see proof you do want your medication, if you have documentation prove it.
I guess that's the Aspie in me then because I wouldn't think of discussing my travel plans with anyone even the pharmacists and techs at the pharmacy I've been going to for a couple of years.
Post a Comment