My boss is a lunatic!! (rant)

[chloejane]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Okay, I just left work after putting in my two week's notice and I really need to vent this to some people that will probably understand at least some of my issues with the pharmacy manager...
The manager is an older man that breaks every rule in the book and makes me crazy! If someone calls in an rx that has no refills remaining or is expired, he will fill it in whole and MIGHT call the prescribing MD after the fact to see if that was okay. Recently, we had a pt. who has been recieving combivent for about 6 months via this pharmacist. The staff pharmacist took the request from the pt the other day and called the MD (like one would normally do) to request an additional refill. The MD office calls back and demands to know why she has been getting combivent as they switched her to another drug 6 months previously... The manager will do this for controls as well... I have a problem with this entire practice!
Next problem- he will fill ANYTHING-- even if he suspects that its a fake rx. Why? Oh, the rationale for that is that the MD cannot press charges if we don't fill the rx and a transaction actually takes place. I have yet to see or hear of one of these physicians pressing charges. The only exception to this "rule" is if he suspects that the pt is selling the drug to children. Then, and only then, will he refuse to fill it. He offers everyone he suspects is a drug addict the option of having him put them in rehab. He needs no proof of this, but will just offer to call the rehab place and get them into it that evening.
He will leave in the middle of a shift to drive a customer home if they don't have a car. While that is a sweet sentiment, he leaves me (a tech- I don't start pharmacy school until the fall) there alone with no other pharmacist to deal with everyone else that comes in while he's gone.
Today I got yelled at for asking for a customer's ID when running a check through the register. The register prompted that ID was required. Well, I wasn't supposed to do this because he knew the person. Well, I didn't know him from Adam and store rules state that is what is supposed to be done. According to the pharmacist, I should make up a number for the ID or use my own and force the check though. Also, I am not supposed to touch pills with my hands. I understand that normally that shouldn't be done, but I was splitting Avandia 4mg with a pill cutter per md instructions and the only way I could get the pills as symmetrically as possible into the pill cutter was to arrange it with my fingers. I asked him how I should have done it and he said "I don't know, but not with your fingers". Okay then...

anyway, enough for now, but I am so aggravated that I had to vent somewhere!! Thanks for listening.

 

[ZpackSux]

Why do you have to tell the whole SDN people about the way I run my drug store.. huh?

j/k

 

[SomeGuy]

Presumably you have a state licensing body that investigates these types of matters and can take away their license to practice and make it difficult to gain licensure anywhere else?

Plus with all the recent media attention on prescription drug abuse, the police would probably love the positive media attention for helping out on the never-ending war on drugs. They'd probably call in the DEA in a snap.

 

[chloejane]

Presumably you have a state licensing body that investigates these types of matters and can take away their license to practice and make it difficult to gain licensure anywhere else?

Plus with all the recent media attention on prescription drug abuse, the police would probably love the positive media attention for helping out on the never-ending war on drugs. They'd probably call in the DEA in a snap.

Probably... at this point I'm not sure what to do. Its not that I want to get him in trouble, although I do strongly disagree with what he does, but I'm really at a loss. I think about the legal aspect to what he does and it makes me crazy! I just can't understand how he is okay with breaking all of these laws yet he can't "upset" a person by telling them that we have to call the md for refills!

 

[JTD1972]

Also, I am not supposed to touch pills with my hands.

If that was the case at the pharmacy I work at, there'd be 100 pills all over the countertop and floor at the end of the day. Doesn't the 5 second rule apply to dropped pills? I'm busting out the rubber gloves tomorrow.

 

[OSURxgirl]

I am almost certain it would be illegal for a pharmacist to leave the pharmacy and leave techs unattended, especially with controlled substances being in the pharmacy. Is this a chain store? If so, I'm sure this behavior would definitely violate company policy (not to mention state and federal policy). You say you're not sure what to do...I think the answer is clear. This person is clearly a loose cannon and a potential harm to patients, not to mention a poor representative for the profession of pharmacy. I say get some proof of his behavior (ie names of patients he gave additional refills to, dates he left the pharmacy to drive someone home) and go to the board of pharmacy. I know you may feel loyalty to your boss, but your greatest loyalty needs to lie with the patients.

 

[pharmergirl]

If that was the case at the pharmacy I work at, there'd be 100 pills all over the countertop and floor at the end of the day. Doesn't the 5 second rule apply to dropped pills? I'm busting out the rubber gloves tomorrow.

What is the 5 second rule?

 

[ZpackSux]

What is the 5 second rule?

Anthying that's been picked off the floor within 5 seconds of being dropped...is good as new..including food...drugs...etc..

Haven't u played this rule as a child?

 

[JTD1972]

What is the 5 second rule?

You've never heard of the five second rule? The five second rule states that food (or pill in our case) that has fallen to the ground will not contract any germs until five seconds have passed. The rule provides a convenient rationale for eating food off the floor, and is usually invoked when a group of people are present. For example, a person might drop a jelly bean, pick it up quickly and yell "Five Second Rule" and then eat the candy.

I learned that my P1 year, it's a scientific fact 😉

 

[clevisR6]

don't even let it bother you. everywhere you end up working as a RPh, there will be people that don't do things as you would. If you let it bother you, you will just be stressed out and eventually become a manager that the techs/students/interns think is a douch. just let it ride. fukit 😀

 

[28657]

For example, a person might drop a jelly bean, pick it up quickly and yell "Five Second Rule" and then eat the candy.

I learned that my P1 year, it's a scientific fact 😉

Am I the only one that learned it as the 10 second rule?!!? 😛

 

[Katee80]

Am I the only one that learned it as the 10 second rule?!!? 😛

10 second rule only applies to those with a bad back and therefore too slow to play the so much cooler...5 second rule game. 😀



Katee

 

[baggywrinkle]

Probably... at this point I'm not sure what to do. Its not that I want to get him in trouble, although I do strongly disagree with what he does, but I'm really at a loss. I think about the legal aspect to what he does and it makes me crazy! I just can't understand how he is okay with breaking all of these laws yet he can't "upset" a person by telling them that we have to call the md for refills!

This is a public safety issue. You need to report the wanker to the board and let them sort it out. Another possibility is to confront him directly and TELL him you are going to the board over these issues then let it lie. I assure you he will spend several sleepless nights reflecting on what to do with his paper trail.

 

[bananaface]

Refills on controlled substances need to be reported. If you work for a chain, I'd recommend starting by talking to his boss. It's one thing to break state law by adding refills to a non-controlled RX, but when you dabble in controlled substances, you get into DEA territory.

Also, start doctumenting things as the occur. You have to cover your own butt. This includes documenting your converstation witht he DM.

 

[julesPharmD]

I am almost certain it would be illegal for a pharmacist to leave the pharmacy and leave techs unattended, especially with controlled substances being in the pharmacy. Is this a chain store? If so, I'm sure this behavior would definitely violate company policy (not to mention state and federal policy). You say you're not sure what to do...I think the answer is clear. This person is clearly a loose cannon and a potential harm to patients, not to mention a poor representative for the profession of pharmacy. I say get some proof of his behavior (ie names of patients he gave additional refills to, dates he left the pharmacy to drive someone home) and go to the board of pharmacy. I know you may feel loyalty to your boss, but your greatest loyalty needs to lie with the patients.

I have worked as a tech for 10 yrs. I have seen all kinds of pharmacists. I know a couple like this golden oldie. They have a different ethics policy from current practices-even though they are probably illegal. Yes, it is illegal to leave the store with you alone. I have been in situations where the store actually had to close for the day b/c the phamacist had to leave or didn't show up. Try to find a better fit workplace, it can make a major difference on many outlooks you have about the business. Good luck!

 

[vafcarrot]

If that was the case at the pharmacy I work at, there'd be 100 pills all over the countertop and floor at the end of the day. Doesn't the 5 second rule apply to dropped pills? I'm busting out the rubber gloves tomorrow.

My pharmacy unit doses pills in 7 day blisters and it's not practical to wear gloves. Your hands sweat horribly from the gloves and after five seconds they're dirty anyway. And you can't handle the pills whatsoever to get them in to the holes. So basically, we touch about 70 percent of all the pills that go out of the pharmacy.

Of course, we wash our hands constantly and go through millions of bottles of hand sanitizer. even so, it's always in the back of my mind the whole ewwww factor.

 

[bananaface]

When I dose packed, we would pour some out of the bottle, then use forceps for transport. But, if you wash your hands, there is not a problem.