Many specialty national pharmacies prefer to call the doctor themselves. This is probably what caused Joe's latest fiasco. When they told us that they would handle the renewal in-house and contact the doctor, I took them at their word. They did NOT do this at the time they told us they would and when they finally did it, they called the doctor and the doctor's coordinator called them back with the renewal. The pharmacy did nothing about it.
When I called to complain, the first thing out of their mouths was it's the doctor's fault.
Very fortunately, we have a good relationship with the doctor and I told the coordinator what was said. She looked into her telephone log book, and wrote back to me with the phone number and extension she contacted and when it was done, at least a week ago. So I had my ammunition ready and when they told me that again, I hammered them with the information, and told them that they had told me a lie. From then on, it was all apologies and cooperation. From now on, I will track each and every medication myself.
We also use another long term pharmacy and they also contact the doctor for renewals. I actually prefer this. They have lost some of the written prescriptions we have sent in. The last time was a real beaut. The doctor had to write the same script about 4 times. They just kept losing it, and then said they couldn't read it. I saw it myself, and it was written perfectly. I have major differences with them similar to the above. I am in the process of writing a letter of complaint about them to the company who provides the insurance. I have the whole nine yards, times, dates, the people we spoke with and what was promised and what transpired.
I have also had problems with the local pharmacy. One lulu was right before one of Joe's heart surgeries when they failed to order his Lovenox, and he had to start it that day. As a lot of us know, this medication is according to your weight, and they only had the very small dosage. Their solution was that he be injected many times with the small dosage. Can you imagine! He would have looked like an eggplant. They told me that the surgeon had not called with the script, but guess what? I know it was called in. I found out that one of the cashiers had taken the call and forgot about it. That's illegal. Only the pharmacist is supposed to answer the doctor line. My broom was in action that day. Joe got his lovenox and also got the right dose from somewhere, probably from another pharmacy.
Joe has so many medications, and I have to chase them all down. It can be a nightmare.
But for all, even those doctors who visit here. Keep track of everything that goes on with your prescriptions, and keep a detailed log of your calls. The pharmacies are ready to place the blame on the doctors every chance they can. I suspect they think that the patient is too afraid of the doctor to question the veracity of what they (the pharmacy)are saying. Another reason to have a very good relationship with your doctor. Then you can get the ammunition you need to make sure you get your prescriptions on time and in the right dose.
It's a big problem for patients and doctors and there are too many hands involved with the dispensing of medications and too much opportunity for mistakes.
I know I sound like a nasty person, but I'm not really. I just won't accept poor quality work. And I follow things carefully.
Just do your job, and the best you can do.
