1. Don't try to get anything past us. Prescriptions for painkillers or sleeping aids always get extra scrutiny.
2. We're not serving fries in here. I'd think twice about using a drive-through pharmacy. Working there distracts us-not a good thing when it comes to pharmaceuticals.
3. We're human … and we make mistakes (about two million a year). Ask if we use a bar-code system to help keep us from pulling the wrong drug off the shelf or giving the wrong strength of the right drug.
4. Sometimes we can't read the doctor's handwriting either. E-prescribing can help, but as of 2006, fewer than 20 percent of prescriptions were being electronically transmitted.
5. I hate your insurance company as much as you do. "Even if something's working for you, the insurance company may insist you switch to something else," says pharmacy owner Stuart Feldman."I'm stuck in the middle trying to explain this to customers."
6. We can give flu shots in most states.
7. A less-qualified pharmacy technician may have actually filled your prescription. Currently, there is no national standard for their training and responsibilities.
8. Generics are a close match for most brand names. But I'd be careful with blood thinners and thyroid drugs, since small differences can have big effects.
9. I can give you a generic refill that's different from the one you started with. When in doubt, ask. Online resources like cvs.com let you double-check your pill.
10. We're not mind readers, and there's not some big computer database that tracks your drugs and flags interactions for pharmacists everywhere. Use one pharmacy. If you start using a new one, make sure we know what you're taking.
11. Avoid the lines. It gets busy Monday and Tuesday evenings, since many new prescriptions and refills come in after the weekend.
12. Look into the $4 generics offered by chains like Target, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. And it can't hurt to ask your pharmacy if it will match the price.
13. Yelling at me won't help. If I can't reach your doctor and/or insurance company to approve a refill, there's nothing I can do about it. “It's frustrating,” says pharmacist Daniel Zlott, “but I'd be breaking the law in some states if I gave it to you.”
Sources:
Dr. Daniel Zlott, oncology pharmacist, National Institutes of Health; Cindy Coffey, PharmD; Greg Collins, pharmacy supervisor, CVS/pharmacy, California; Stuart Feldman, owner, Cross River Pharmacy, New York
See 9 More Things Your Pharmacist Isn't Telling You
Print | Close X
13 Things Your Pharmacist Won't Tell You
What to bear in mind the next time you visit the pharmacy counter.
From Reader's Digest
I would also like to add that I agree that communicating to customers is essential. That is why a quality retail pharmacy values every member of the pharmacy team and appreciates their contribution. That said, WE ARE HERE TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS and it is highly inappropriate to suggest how a customer should behave toward the pharmacist. Pharmacists and techs must respect that most of our customers do not feel well. Stop spreading ill will! I have served in the retail setting for 20 years.
Please consider describing pharmacy techs in a more positive manner. Indeed, techs are "less qualified" because they do not have the same level of education. However, I would like to remind all pharmacists that techs in a retail pharmacy are qualified to take in prescriptions, process prescriptions, process insurance for the prescriptions, take the medication from the pharmacy shelf, count or mix the medication, label the bottle that will be dispensed to the patient, and ring it up!
Wonderful article...a MUST read!
Pay attention to the pharmacy hours. If you come in at 5 mins after closing on a Saturday or Sunday with a rx to fill, it will not get filled. We will take it and have it ready the next day. If we are ringing people up at 5 mins after closing that means they were there before closing time. The pharmacy hours are clearly posted and it's not our fault if you waiting until we closed to come in and get your rx filled or refilled.
We don't price the drugs, we just sell them. We have no clue what your insurance or discount plan will pay for until the prescription is processed. If you have questions about your coverage or co-pay, call your insurance company and yell at them. Yelling at us won't do anything. If you talk to any of my pharmacy staff in a condescending manner or harrass any of them you will be asked to take your business elsewhere and your refills canceled.
our techs are running around as fast as they can trying to count out your prescription while dealing with technical issues, and the phone will not stop ringing. Don't ask us when your doctor will call us back or when the computer will be back up again, we don't have a crystal ball. We don't want to hear your sob story about how your drug addict brother stole your oxycontin, get a police report and the dr to write a new rx. Some people should not be allowed access to drug references. Continued
cussing and/or beligerent behavior. None of us get paid enough to take that. Don't gripe if there's 10 cars lined up in the drive thru, you can always come inside. Most people will wait in line at a McDonald's drive-thru, oh wait... WE'RE NOT MCDONALD'S!!! We can fill your prescriptions fast or we can fill it right, which is it? Don't complain that we're too slow when you can clearly see that there's 20 other people that came in the same time you did with 3 scripts each, continued
I want to print this out and hand it out to all of our customers, but I think my large drugstore chain company would frown on that. I just want to tell people "if you think you can do our jobs faster and better, then get the necessary training and come work back here!" I've been working in retail pharmacy for 11 years now (4 as a tech, 5 as a pharmacy student intern, and 3.5 as a pharmacist) and have been made to tolerate alot of things but decided that some I will not such as.... continued
I have been a retail, clinical, pharmacist for 26 years and I sincerely like it. I get to know my patients and custom fit the product (packaged drug) to their needs. My patients respect and appreciate me. Yes, I work for a chain. I refuse to work with a drive in window. I pay attention to you. How you walk in, if you are limping, everything about you. I could NOT do it without highly qualified technicians doing the grunt work. I am the only one responsible for the final product. continue
What I sincerely don’t understand is non-Rx customers Yelling into the pharmacy while I am clearly engaged in something else. We are NOT Flipping hamburgers! Yes, I see you. Yes you will have to wait until I’m finished what ever I’m doing. Why? Because it’s someone’s life I’m working on. I don’t care if you said “excuse me”. It’s incredibly rude, dangerous, and just plain wrong. Continued.
Regarding the comment on cussing, yelling, and generally causing a scene. My pharmacy is a MEDICAL OFFICE inside of a store. I simply will not tolerate those behaviors. If you don’t leave when requested. I will call security. You will conduct yourself accordingly or you will leave. I simply will not wait on you. Respect cuts both ways. I will not allow your disturbance to disrupt my work flow or the other patients well being. PERIOD. Continued
About waiting. I will not work at an unsafe speed. If you have to wait, so be it. Would you rather me rush and miss something important? I think not. You won’t remember if you had to wait. You will remember me if I screw up your prescription. Lunch breaks are important. I work 12 hours at a clip. 30 minutes of down time is not a lot to ask. The article was correct. Find a pharmacist that meets your needs and stay there. Would you bounce from doctor to doctor to save $5.00. Prob.not
First, many states (Oregon is one) now require not only state licensure, but national certification. We are required as Certified Pharmacy Technicians to undergo continuing education and work within stringent guidelines set out by our state's Board of Pharmacy. Second, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for your prescriptions! It's amazing what people will do- refuse counseling, wait too late for refills, not know the name of their drugs- scary! And you wait 1 hour for photos but not rxs without being angry??
You forgot a biggie - " Yes I do need to ask you a few questions so YES You WILL NEED TO GET OFF YOUR CELL PHONE then I will proceed to treat you like a customer!" and YES we need to speak to an adult DO NOT send in your 8 year old to drop off or pick up a script-its not the least bit cute or responsible. CPHT (nationally certified pharmacy tech) 25yrs! Ohio PS i have trained far less "responsible" new pharmacy interns and new grads!! We see them come and go techs last longer!
pay for. Please stop whining and start reading your policy. If you need help, ask for it. And, for every tech posted by RPh's and CPhT's prior to mine, AMEN. Thanks for working as hard as most RPh's for so much less pay! Let's keep it up. We rely on the RPh's to check our work. And we all agree drive thru-pharmacies--well if you have worked one, you know! RD, research your next article, please before you insult some hard working people again! Thanks y'all!
I've been CERTIFIED and STATE REGISTERED pharmacy tech for over 10 years. Texas requires that. Additionally, PTCB, will soon begin requiring all want-to-be techs to take a college class. I am disappointed Reader's Digest did not do more research for this article. Fortunately for me, I now work at an insurance company, no more retail (yeah). By the way, for all of you upset wiht your insurance...no one is telling you want you can and can't take, they are just sayng what they will or won't pa
Apparently whoever agrees with #7 has no idea what the PTCB is. Texas (where I'm from) also requires state licensure and a background check. it takes weeks and maybe even months sometimes to become a pharmacy tech.
unfortunately most states don't require much more than being a breathing adult to be a pharmacy technician, but the prescription STILL has to be checked by a pharmacist. I'm a tech in Washington--where education is REQUIRED!
been filling rxs for more than 30 years and all i have to say is "kudos"..many patients feel "entitled" to special treatment and are not aware that ALL patients need special treatment...it is healthcare after all.....please be patient and please let the pharmacist know when your insurance has changed, preferably BEFORE we fill your rxs...we just "LOVE" to do things twice!!!!
I was disappointed to see at #1 another inference to this nations narcophobia. As a patient with chronic pain I take a lot of narcotics and often am singled out at a pharmacy . I have even had some demand to know why I needed these meds and that my Dr was prescribing to much. I have used the same pharmacy for years and if there is a different Pharmacist I get that knowing look. I would like for you to do an article on pain and it's under treatment in the United States. Thank you