I have not posted in a very long time due to back to back health issues. I've been having some semi-better partial days... does that make sense? LOL. I've moved to a better climate and changed some medications and am hoping that these changes are making a bit of difference. Just keeping a positive attitude and trying to focus on my "To Do List" so that I can get back on my feet and less dependent on family right now. Thank GOD for several of my family members who unexpectedly stepped in and (well, it just brings tears to my eyes, Sjogren's and ALL!) showed compassion yet are pushing me to succeed and remember who I AM! It has been quite a journey.
I ran across a News Item that was posted to my FaceBook through a Fibromyalgia Awareness Support page that I belong to. This group posts positive affirmations, comments, news etc... It seems that a News Station in Indiana did an Investigation into Walgreen's Pharmacy and their new "policy" on filling pain prescriptions. This story disturbed me enough that I felt it should be shared with others who might have to get pain medications or possibly even other medications filled on any regular type of basis. I am unclear of whether this "policy" affects the entire United States or only the State of Indiana? The link is below if you are interested in watching the video or reading the article:
This is the only information that I have on this subject. I do not take the specific prescriptions mentioned in the investigation.
I hope that I can begin participating and supporting and even coming on for support more often until I'm back on a daily basis very soon! I miss everyone and I miss the connections with others in the same boat.
Ok this made me upset pain medications cannot be filled to early usually within 2 days of running out they should have sent out letters to their customers or made better arrangements to fill them within the do date they are not doctors and have no right to ask certain questions. I have never sued any body but after the way those people were treated I would find a lawyer for pain and suffering. I can see them trying to cut down on fraud but they are playing doctor accusing people of being addicts we have received pharmacy calls at work verifying the name drug and amount but they took it to far and handled it wrong their was no reason for this except poor planning by walgreens ok rant over
This is happening all over with Walgreen's and the story is entirely true. I know because we just came from IL to IN and our son in IL has gone through this very thing. He has been threatened and called a liar and a junkie, etc. It ended up that the store manager got in trouble. My DIL works for their corporate and reported this to a high official over the pharmacists and it was taken care of but it happened to him twice. He is like Robert in the story and they aren't the only ones to have this happen to them.
First of all Welcome back Ang!!!!! So happy to have you back : )
This story sounds like it is Walgreen's corporation not just Indiana. I have not experienced this at a pharmacy but the office manager at my doctor's office did this to me with my daughter's Adderal prescripton once. I was humiliated and felt like a criminal. I went to CVS and they checked to make sure someone wasn't using my insurance, and told me to check with all the other pharmacies. To make a long story short - the INSPECT report made a mistake with the records, what are the chances of two girls with the exact same name and birthday taking the same script? Pretty good when your last name is Smith or Jones..... The office manager refused to return my phone calls, and I had to find another doctor for my daughter, although the rest of us could remain with our doctor. I eventually got to speak with our doctor and explain the situation face to face and he said it happens all the time, and said he'd over rule the office manager.
There's a lot of stress involved with a controlled substance, and even though I go to the same pharmacy all the time, I've noticed they are constantly moving pharmacist around so its difficult to make a long term connection with any of them now.
I can't imagine having an experience like this at a pharmacy! I'm so sorry that some of you or people who you know have had to deal with anything like this. I am not "anti-Walgreen's", but like all of you, this scares me and I think I will be sure to fill prescriptions somewhere else. I agree with the comments saying that the pharmacist doesn't necessarily have a right to my personal medical history... Do we sign a release at some point allowing that type of information to be released to the pharmacist and the pharmacy techs? I just can't remember. Also, my doctor is the one who decides which medications I should be on and then I either agree or disagree on said treatment, I have never once consulted my pharmacist for anything except potential allergic reactions between meds or advice on OTC treatments for basic ailments.
I didn't want to upset anyone, just make them aware as I certainly don't want anyone on here to be treated that way. We deal with plenty!
Take care of yourself today and know that someone is thinking of you! :)
I live in a small town, and I have to travel 30 miles each way every month to get my prescriptions for my pain meds (which half the time they haven’t even got signed yet, despite the fact that I called a week ahead!) Then I go back to my little pharmacy in town (not a Walgreens!) - which I love, they know me and fill all my meds, but if they don’t have enough of them in stock, I have to drive the thirty miles again to another pharmacy that has them. They can never keep but a small quantity of them in stock because they are understandably afraid of being robbed. So again, we sick folks are punished over and over because some foolish people can’t behave themselves!! And this always seems to happen to me on the days when I feel my absolute worst, too. But there’s just no foolproof way to plan for it or make it painless (no pun intended) because the drs and pharmacists are so hamstrung by the rules and fears and legalities. What a mess!