Retail rant

[iloveclementine]

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Ok so I had to transfer in, and I usually repeat at the end of the transfer, so that I make sure I get it right, and that’s our policy. It takes like 5 seconds if not less.
I had a pharmacist who got annoyed at this and stopped me out from repeating saying “you can’t repeat me. I already moved out of the screen so Im not going back. Whatever you got, IF YOU HEAR IT RIGHT, should be it.”

I said “how do I know what was supposed to be in your screen?” And how do i know YOU said it right? Lol that part I didn’t say but I was close to say it. She must have had a bad day (had a little attitude from the start) And boy, she was about to fight over this. Fortunately I already had a label from that Pharmacy from my patient so the transfer was basically for the technicality, but man, did I do something wrong here? Am I missing something? She was from a chain Pharmacy but every Pharmacist repeats at the end of transfer so that’s kind of my habit too. My coworker told me to report her to the board for refusing to provide correct information for prescription during transfer because “she doesn’t want to go back to screen” but I think that’s too extreme lol just needed to rant real quick.

 

[Apotheker2015]

Ok so I had to transfer in, and I usually repeat at the end of the transfer, so that I make sure I get it right, and that’s our policy. It takes like 5 seconds if not less.
I had a pharmacist who got annoyed at this and stopped me out from repeating saying “you can’t repeat me. I already moved out of the screen so Im not going back. Whatever you got, IF YOU HEAR IT RIGHT, should be it.”

I said “how do I know what was supposed to be in your screen?” And how do i know YOU said it right? Lol that part I didn’t say but I was close to say it. She must have had a bad day (had a little attitude from the start) And boy, she was about to fight over this. Fortunately I already had a label from that Pharmacy from my patient so the transfer was basically for the technicality, but man, did I do something wrong here? Am I missing something? She was from a chain Pharmacy but every Pharmacist repeats at the end of transfer so that’s kind of my habit too. My coworker told me to report her to the board for refusing to provide correct information for prescription during transfer because “she doesn’t want to go back to screen” but I think that’s too extreme lol just needed to rant real quick.

That's just standard safety for transfers. You always repeat. She was probably having a bad day. I would have flat out just said "no read back = no transfer. call us back when you're ready to allow me to do my job". Done.

 

[Dr Wario]

Perhaps you called on the doctor's line the everyone pharmacist from Walgreens seems trained to do thinking you are more important than her customers? Barring that, don't really know why she didn't want to repeat.

 

[zelman]

I don’t repeat unless something was rushed or unclear. When other pharmacists do, I correct them from memory or just agree with whatever they said if I don’t remember and it sounds reasonable. They need to learn some manners more than they need to improve their practice.

 

[Apotheker2015]

Perhaps you called on the doctor's line the everyone pharmacist from Walgreens seems trained to do thinking you are more important than her customers? Barring that, don't really know why she didn't want to repeat.

I used to find that irritating but at the end of the day, if you are too busy to take the call right away, you're too busy - whether the call comes through the main line or the Dr line. I don't mind it.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

Ok so I had to transfer in, and I usually repeat at the end of the transfer, so that I make sure I get it right, and that’s our policy. It takes like 5 seconds if not less.
I had a pharmacist who got annoyed at this and stopped me out from repeating saying “you can’t repeat me. I already moved out of the screen so Im not going back. Whatever you got, IF YOU HEAR IT RIGHT, should be it.”

I said “how do I know what was supposed to be in your screen?” And how do i know YOU said it right? Lol that part I didn’t say but I was close to say it. She must have had a bad day (had a little attitude from the start) And boy, she was about to fight over this. Fortunately I already had a label from that Pharmacy from my patient so the transfer was basically for the technicality, but man, did I do something wrong here? Am I missing something? She was from a chain Pharmacy but every Pharmacist repeats at the end of transfer so that’s kind of my habit too. My coworker told me to report her to the board for refusing to provide correct information for prescription during transfer because “she doesn’t want to go back to screen” but I think that’s too extreme lol just needed to rant real quick.

I always do that.

Next time just call her back later in her shift, tell her you double checked with the doctor and that they'd misfilled it.

LOL

 

[a student]

I always ask for fax, unless the other rph insists on giving it verbally.

 

[minzi]

Pharmacists from target are the worst. They leave voicemail for me to fax them copies. If you are too busy to wait on the phone like everyone else, you should fax the requests.

 

[wagrxm2000]

There's really no point in repeating unless you didn't hear something. Just like verifying the address with a patient, no matter what you say, they will agree with you.

 

[quickpic007]

Perhaps you called on the doctor's line the everyone pharmacist from Walgreens seems trained to do thinking you are more important than her customers? Barring that, don't really know why she didn't want to repeat.

Been wondering about this. In my region it is standard practice to complete transfers on DR. lines. I generally go DR line so I dont have to hold and always get calls on DR line for transfers... I reckon you're out west or maybe New England?

 

[Dr Wario]

Been wondering about this. In my region it is standard practice to complete transfers on DR. lines. I generally go DR line so I dont have to hold and always get calls on DR line for transfers... I reckon you're out west or maybe New England?

Why exactly do pharmacists feel it necessary to consider themselves important when take a taking away business from another pharmacy and wasting their time to boot? I am all for professional courtesy, and I will do my best to get to your request as quickly as possible, but you are not any more important than my customers. Simply put, you call on the prescriber's line for a transfer, you will be put on the absolute bottom of my to-do list, right under scratching my arse.

(I am so glad our phones now have caller id)

 

[Wickett]

I always ask for fax, unless the other rph insists on giving it verbally.

For some reason, I have issues with some Walmart pharmacists when I ask for them to fax them over when they have time. Half of them will do it, and the other half will claim they're incapable and/or it's illegal to fax over a transfer. This will vary even by a specific location.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Why exactly do pharmacists feel it necessary to consider themselves important when take a taking away business from another pharmacy and wasting their time to boot? I am all for professional courtesy, and I will do my best to get to your request as quickly as possible, but you are not any more important than my customers. Simply put, you call on the prescriber's line for a transfer, you will be put on the absolute bottom of my to-do list, right under scratching my arse.

(I am so glad our phones now have caller id)

Not this argument again. Everyone in my area calls the pharmacist line, if you don't like it just tell each store and I'm sure they will stop. Well they will probably just ask to fax it. There's a store I call and just tell the tech since the pharmacist is the laziest person I've ever had to deal with.

 

[wagrxm2000]

For some reason, I have issues with some Walmart pharmacists when I ask for them to fax them over when they have time. Half of them will do it, and the other half will claim they're incapable and/or it's illegal to fax over a transfer. This will vary even by a specific location.

I think it's because they don't have an easy way to do it. Walgreens system is easy, I think CVS might print and manually fax which is what I was told Walmart does but only if it's a new prescription.

 

[ifillrxs]

Why exactly do pharmacists feel it necessary to consider themselves important when take a taking away business from another pharmacy and wasting their time to boot? I am all for professional courtesy, and I will do my best to get to your request as quickly as possible, but you are not any more important than my customers. Simply put, you call on the prescriber's line for a transfer, you will be put on the absolute bottom of my to-do list, right under scratching my arse.

(I am so glad our phones now have caller id)

I work for a chain and I enthusiastically execute all the programs that are rolled out. Immunizations, phone calls, MTM services, management responsibilities. I am proud of the quality of my work. I also know that I am just an employee number. If my employee number is not close enough to 100% perfection, then my employee number is crossed off the list and I'm done. I get it. Brutal reality. I believe every chain is the same. If a fellow pharmacist calls me for a transfer, I feel that person is going through the same overall struggle as me.

Here's a self serving reason that came to mind. Pharmacy is a small world. I have probably talked to almost every pharmacist in my area. Over the years I know of some that went up the ladder to other management positions and some that came back down and are now pharmacy manager or staff. I take two seconds during a transfer to be cordial and MAYBE have a short conversation about something we can both relate to. My point is, should you need to find a new job, think of all the contacts that think favorably of you. How much easier would it be since you already have a large network of support?

 

[Sine Cura]

What makes people think that by Dr. Call line they will be attended to promptly? Techs still triage those calls especially for ******* pts

To avoid unnecessary or gratuitous clarification I state "generic for ..." and repeat prescriber office phone # and DEA twice

 

[wagrxm2000]

What makes people think that by Dr. Call line they will be attended to promptly? Techs still triage those calls especially for ******* pts

To avoid unnecessary or gratuitous clarification I state "generic for ..." and repeat prescriber office phone # and DEA twice

Am I the only person who answers all phone calls?

I guess I just like chatting with customers.

 

[owlegrad]

Am I the only person who answers all phone calls?

I guess I just like chatting with customers.

Dear god do you fill 50 scripts a day? Even the slowest store I ever worked at it would have been physically impossible for me to answer every call.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Dear god do you fill 50 scripts a day? Even the slowest store I ever worked at it would have been physically impossible for me to answer every call.

I multitask, it's actually easier at higher script count stores. The ones I chat with is usually when im verifying bottles. I've never had the wrong drug in a bottle get to the customer (that I know of) and the techs are wrong maybe once every few months. Haven't had the wrong drug yet this year in a bottle. The techs always scan and if they don't, they send the bottle or vial that they used.

The problem with techs is they stop everything they are doing when they get those 5 minute calls from the 80 year old customer who tells you about their day. I just wait for the RX number and keep busy while they go on their rant. Hopefully that doesn't come off horribly.

 

[Rouelle]

Pharmacists from target are the worst. They leave voicemail for me to fax them copies. If you are too busy to wait on the phone like everyone else, you should fax the requests.

I didn’t know Target pharmacists still existed. Are there some Target pharmacies not managed by CVS?

 

[minzi]

I didn’t know Target pharmacists still existed. Are there some Target pharmacies not managed by CVS?

No it’s a target/cvs. Other cvs pharmacists don’t do that. Only that one target/cvs always left voicemails on dr line to tell me to fax them copies.

 

[Wickett]

I think it's because they don't have an easy way to do it. Walgreens system is easy, I think CVS might print and manually fax which is what I was told Walmart does but only if it's a new prescription.

Yea...my system has a transfer out print off that I then have to manually fax if they ask. I have no issue doing it by phone, but when I'm asking for a whole profile transfer of 10 scripts and one pharmacist will fax no prob while another will claim they can't and have me stuck on the phone 15 mins, it's annoying.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

I multitask, it's actually easier at higher script count stores. The ones I chat with is usually when im verifying bottles. I've never had the wrong drug in a bottle get to the customer (that I know of) and the techs are wrong maybe once every few months. Haven't had the wrong drug yet this year in a bottle. The techs always scan and if they don't, they send the bottle or vial that they used.

The problem with techs is they stop everything they are doing when they get those 5 minute calls from the 80 year old customer who tells you about their day. I just wait for the RX number and keep busy while they go on their rant. Hopefully that doesn't come off horribly.

When I get those certain old ladies, I will sometimes put the phone on mute, walk away for a minute or two, then come back and they'll still be talking.

If not, they'll yell "HEHLLOW? HHHHEEELLLOOOOWWW?" twice into the phone then immediately hang up and call the pharmacy again.

I just say, "I'm terribly sorry, we must've gotten disconnected" and take it from there when they call back.

 

[iloveclementine]

I’m guessing she just had a bad day. To make it clear, I was calling in for a copy. We don’t leave messages to doctors line.. never heard of it! Maybe regional thing.

 

[BidingMyTime]

TORB is standard in hospitals, it should be in retail as well. Why would anyone object to a 2nd check?

 

[ifillrxs]

I've been out of school for some time but I was taught to read it back for accuracy. I remember a faculty member would pose as a prescriber and we would take turns in the computer lab answering him on the phone. We had to transcribe the rx and type a label correctly.

I read back when I get new phone rxs but I have to admit I don't regularly do it when transferring rxs to other pharmacists. It is always good practice to read it back.

 

[CardinalGirl210]

For some reason, I have issues with some Walmart pharmacists when I ask for them to fax them over when they have time. Half of them will do it, and the other half will claim they're incapable and/or it's illegal to fax over a transfer. This will vary even by a specific location.

Walmart system doesn't allow it; some people probably know a work-around and other's don't. I myself don't know how.

 

[Wickett]

Walmart system doesn't allow it; some people probably know a work-around and other's don't. I myself don't know how.

You can't print an image of the Rx and fax it?

 

[trailerpark]

You can't print an image of the Rx and fax it?

I work for Walmart. I always prefer to fax transfers. First so I don't have to waste time on the phone and second for accuracy. I just print a refill request and just write the number of tablets remaining on the script. The refill request has all the other info on it plus more for the other pharmacy. I also cross off the top of the page that says "refill request" and write transfer. Then when I put all the pages in the fax it lets you type a message to appear on top of the fax for each page sent so I just write transfer from me to whatever pharmacy then both of the pharmacists name and then off it goes. Easy.

 

[Deja]

Are you guys really that anal about which line the call came from? lol

I only get annoyed when I see I have a voice mail because I hate taking scripts from a voice mail

 

[CardinalGirl210]

I work for Walmart. I always prefer to fax transfers. First so I don't have to waste time on the phone and second for accuracy. I just print a refill request and just write the number of tablets remaining on the script. The refill request has all the other info on it plus more for the other pharmacy. I also cross off the top of the page that says "refill request" and write transfer. Then when I put all the pages in the fax it lets you type a message to appear on top of the fax for each page sent so I just write transfer from me to whatever pharmacy then both of the pharmacists name and then off it goes. Easy.

There's one way. By the time I've done all that, I could've been done with the phone transfer though. Glad it works for you though!

 

[Wickett]

There's one way. By the time I've done all that, I could've been done with the phone transfer though. Glad it works for you though!

I don't mind over the phone, but when it's whole profile transfers, Id rather get a faxed image. The chances of getting something wrong rushing through 10 scripts over the phone makes me nervous.

 

[iloveclementine]

I have something to rant about, but instead of creating a new thread I’m going to whine here.

Had a patient who believes immunization causes autism and is now anti vaccine. Please get away from my child 🙂

 

[Sine Cura]

If your two recent examples are the worst of your recent experience I wouldn't mind having your job

 

[ldiot]

I never call the doctor's line for transfers because nobody else does, but why is it considered rude? What is the benefit of having a tech put me on hold when I could just have the pharmacist answer?

 

[owlegrad]

I never call the doctor's line for transfers because nobody else does, but why is it considered rude? What is the benefit of having a tech put me on hold when I could just have the pharmacist answer?

It hurts their ego.

 

[Dr Wario]

I never call the doctor's line for transfers because nobody else does, but why is it considered rude? What is the benefit of having a tech put me on hold when I could just have the pharmacist answer?

It is simply the notion that you think you are more important than our customers, the purpose of the prescriber line is that it triages phone calls that are most likely bringing business to the pharmacy (and not an old lady that just wants to talk for 20 minutes about her fecal habits). You are taking business from our pharmacy and thus are as important on the priority list as any customer, now if you would like to call on the prescriber line to give me a script, you are always welcome to do that.

Wanted to add that I take many customer calls also to keep techs free for the register, my question is why does any pharmacist that would like to take business from me, think they should jump in the que?

 

[wagrxm2000]

It is simply the notion that you think you are more important than our customers, the purpose of the prescriber line is that it triages phone calls that are most likely bringing business to the pharmacy (and not an old lady that just wants to talk for 20 minutes about her fecal habits). You are taking business from our pharmacy and thus are as important on the priority list as any customer, now if you would like to call on the prescriber line to give me a script, you are always welcome to do that.

Wanted to add that I take many customer calls also to keep techs free for the register, my question is why does any pharmacist that would like to take business from me, think they should jump in the que?

I say just get over yourself.

Shouldn't all customers be treated equal? Why are yours more important then mine?

 

[ldiot]

It is simply the notion that you think you are more important than our customers, the purpose of the prescriber line is that it triages phone calls that are most likely bringing business to the pharmacy (and not an old lady that just wants to talk for 20 minutes about her fecal habits). You are taking business from our pharmacy and thus are as important on the priority list as any customer, now if you would like to call on the prescriber line to give me a script, you are always welcome to do that.

Wanted to add that I take many customer calls also to keep techs free for the register, my question is why does any pharmacist that would like to take business from me, think they should jump in the que?

I understand your point but why make me jump through more hoops? It's just less efficient for everyone, yourself included. I just wasted some of your techs time, and then he has to shout across the pharmacy to tell you "transfer on line 1". Maybe in the time that he was doing that, a customer had to wait an extra 30 seconds at the register, or maybe in that extra 30 seconds your tech could have processed another eScript. 30 seconds sound like nothing, but if you walked into a gas station and had to stand at the counter for 30 seconds before someone came it actually feels like a pretty long time.

Like I said before, I understand your reasoning but when pharmacists are filling 500-600 scripts a day I just think efficiency is more important.

 

[Dr Wario]

I understand your point but why make me jump through more hoops? It's just less efficient for everyone, yourself included. I just wasted some of your techs time, and then he has to shout across the pharmacy to tell you "transfer on line 1". Maybe in the time that he was doing that, a customer had to wait an extra 30 seconds at the register, or maybe in that extra 30 seconds your tech could have processed another eScript. 30 seconds sound like nothing, but if you walked into a gas station and had to stand at the counter for 30 seconds before someone came it actually feels like a pretty long time.

Like I said before, I understand your reasoning but when pharmacists are filling 500-600 scripts a day I just think efficiency is more important.

It is always more efficient to work from the top down on the priority list, but all is well anyway since the prescriber's line displays who is calling before needing to answer, thus when I see walgreens co come up it is simply put on extended hold. Maybe the better solution to all of this is to eliminate all prescriptions transmitted via phone, I'm sure a tech can fax a paper just as well as a pharmacist.

 

[Dr Wario]

I say just get over yourself.

Shouldn't all customers be treated equal? Why are yours more important then mine?

Do you think mcdonalds treats burger king's customers the same as their own? Did that actually make sense in your head before writing it down?

 

[wagrxm2000]

Do you think mcdonalds treats burger king's customers the same as their own? Did that actually make sense in your head before writing it down?

Do you tell customers to call the pharmacy and have them call you for transfers instead of just doing it yourself?

You can say it's because it takes away from your customers if it makes you feel better but guess what, you're going to do it anyways. The real reason is you don't want to be bothered and want to do everything on your own time.

It's sad though that all you care about is making money for your chain instead of wanting to help any customer, whether it's yours or mine.

 

[Dr Wario]

Do you tell customers to call the pharmacy and have them call you for transfers instead of just doing it yourself?

YES

You can say it's because it takes away from your customers if it makes you feel better but guess what, you're going to do it anyways. The real reason is you don't want to be bothered and want to do everything on your own time.

It's sad though that all you care about is making money for your chain instead of wanting to help any customer, whether it's yours or mine.

Wrong, I just don't put your customers before mine. Out of professional respect I get to copies called in properly as fast as possible.

The entire system is annoying, antiquated and stupid, in 2018 there is no logical reason any prescription should be transferred between parties verbally (this includes prescribers).

 

[wagrxm2000]

The entire system is annoying, antiquated and stupid, in 2018 there is no logical reason any prescription should be transferred between parties verbally (this includes prescribers).

You sound like the overly stressed out pharmacist I get everytime I call CVS.

You realize you are going to do the transfer no matter what right? Why waste your techs time when you can simply answer the phone and say give me one minute, finish what you are doing then make the transfer which literally takes a minute?

You are simply making everyone else's life harder but your own. That's fine though I guess.

Had a customer drop off a script at the consult window this week. They said the pharmacy told them their insurance wasn't active but wouldn't find the new one. I processed it and found the insurance. Turns out they had to go back to that pharmacy. Was I upset? No, I knew they would be back at some point since I gave good service.

You would have pointed up and said this is for consultations, move over to the drop off line.

 

[Dr. Pill]

Do you think mcdonalds treats burger king's customers the same as their own? Did that actually make sense in your head before writing it down?

This is so stupid. If you want to equate your career with that of a Burger King employee, by all means go right ahead. The issue with transfers is something called professional courtesy. Yes, in this instance someone is calling to take business away from you. Probably 15 minutes later, you will be calling a different pharmacy to take business away from them. Stop being such a drone and think for yourself instead of the corporate instituted policies of who can and cannot use a freaking “prescriber line”. What a joke.

 

[Dr Wario]

Wow this must all be in the walgreens handbook because no other pharmacy calls on the prescribers line yet all the walgreens in my area do. Anyway, not a big deal because I take 2x more scripts from walgreens than I give (and I call on the normal line out of respect).

 

[wagrxm2000]

Wow this must all be in the walgreens handbook because no other pharmacy calls on the prescribers line yet all the walgreens in my area do. Anyway, not a big deal because I take 2x more scripts from walgreens than I give (and I call on the normal line out of respect).

Thank you for slowing their techs down.

It's not in the handbook, it's out of respect that we don't waste each other's tech time.

 

[zelman]

Do you tell customers to call the pharmacy and have them call you for transfers instead of just doing it yourself?

You can say it's because it takes away from your customers if it makes you feel better but guess what, you're going to do it anyways. The real reason is you don't want to be bothered and want to do everything on your own time.

Nope. I make patients call the receiving pharmacy because when they tell me “SEND IT TO THE CVS ON MAIN ST” I can guarantee that they will be screaming at me 45 minutes later “NO, YOU IDIOT! YOU SENT IT TO THE WRONG PHARMACY! I TOLD YOU THE CVS THAT YOU CAN GET TO THE PARKING LOT FROM MAIN ST!” even though their mailing address is on Dumbcustomer Ave.

 

[zelman]

I understand your point but why make me jump through more hoops? It's just less efficient for everyone, yourself included. I just wasted some of your techs time, and then he has to shout across the pharmacy to tell you "transfer on line 1". Maybe in the time that he was doing that, a customer had to wait an extra 30 seconds at the register, or maybe in that extra 30 seconds your tech could have processed another eScript. 30 seconds sound like nothing, but if you walked into a gas station and had to stand at the counter for 30 seconds before someone came it actually feels like a pretty long time.

Like I said before, I understand your reasoning but when pharmacists are filling 500-600 scripts a day I just think efficiency is more important.

There are states where CPhT’s can give non-controlled transfers. And there are stores where interns are working as overpaid techs. Those people will answer the regular phone line and help you while letting the pharmacist do other things.

 

[Son_Goku]

I work for a chain and I enthusiastically execute all the programs that are rolled out. Immunizations, phone calls, MTM services, management responsibilities. I am proud of the quality of my work. I also know that I am just an employee number. If my employee number is not close enough to 100% perfection, then my employee number is crossed off the list and I'm done. I get it. Brutal reality. I believe every chain is the same. If a fellow pharmacist calls me for a transfer, I feel that person is going through the same overall struggle as me.

Here's a self serving reason that came to mind. Pharmacy is a small world. I have probably talked to almost every pharmacist in my area. Over the years I know of some that went up the ladder to other management positions and some that came back down and are now pharmacy manager or staff. I take two seconds during a transfer to be cordial and MAYBE have a short conversation about something we can both relate to. My point is, should you need to find a new job, think of all the contacts that think favorably of you. How much easier would it be since you already have a large network of support?

My goodness.