"Why is everyone out" Oxycodone Issue

[shaq786]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Do you guys also tell every patient asking for C-II's(like oxycodone) over the phone that you dont have any in stock even though you have plenty?

Both of my pharmacist arent doing any more C-II's for people that ask for them over the phone...and the guy I spoke to on the phone today was wondering why every one is out.

 

[confettiflyer]

Self-preservation issue. We never disclosed how many C-II's we had in stock to protect overnight staff from robberies. This isn't some irrational fear, that store had been held up multiple times.

 

[ucrx]

Do you guys also tell every patient asking for C-II's(like oxycodone) over the phone that you dont have any in stock even though you have plenty?

Both of my pharmacist arent doing any more C-II's for people that ask for them over the phone...and the guy I spoke to on the phone today was wondering why every one is out.

We would ask how many their prescription was for, and it we had enough we just told them we could fill their prescription.

 

[Tenor CS]

Of course, being in Florida, I tell everyone we're out. We get ~20 calls/day asking for oxycodone 30mg.

The few patients we fill for know to stop in and not call. If you tell one person on the phone you have it, your store will be swarmed with pain clinic scripts within the hour.

Quoted for truth.

I'm in FL too. My PIC has the same logic, and in 15+ years of experience, he's seen exactly the situation you describe happen plenty of times.

My RPh's are also picky about WHO they fill for.

Established patients with reasonable strength, reasonable sig, rx from a known legit doctor or from the hospital: no problem.

Brand new patients, whose home address is a town 3 hours away from us, with a script for 300 oxycontin 30 mg as a 30 days' supply, from a "pain clinic" in a strip mall = "Sorry, we're all out."

 

[owlegrad]

Do you guys also tell every patient asking for C-II's(like oxycodone) over the phone that you dont have any in stock even though you have plenty?

Both of my pharmacist arent doing any more C-II's for people that ask for them over the phone...and the guy I spoke to on the phone today was wondering why every one is out.

Yeah I used to hate when people ask that. It's tough, because you probably don't enjoy lying (I know I didn't), but what can you do? I tried to tell people we don't give out that info over the phone but then they actually do come into the store. So instead of just telling them you are out, you have made them waste a trip to the store.

I was amazed at how many calls/day we used to get about this. My advise: "Sorry we are out." Why the shortage? "Sorry I don't know." When will we have more in? "Sorry I don't know."

Some people will get pretty upset/say some pretty nasty things, but what are you gonna do? The alternative is making them come into the store, and that just makes it worse.

Does anyone out there actually tell people over the phone they have these? I have to think that all those phonecalls are a waste of everone's time. I would think after the 50th call the caller would would get the idea.

 

[Sparda29]

Depends. Random person who has never been to the pharmacy before, either:

A - We don't have it.
B - How much is it for?

Person who is a known patient at the pharmacy. "Yeah, we have it, bring down your script." And by known, they learn to first say their name/DOB/address and then ask about the quantity.

 

[mustang sally]

We would ask how many their prescription was for, and it we had enough we just told them we could fill their prescription.

This is what we did, too and the pharmacy was in kind of a rough neighborhood. Granted, this is in the midwest and not FL.

 

[Tenor CS]

If they ask why "everyone is out," I tell them that there is a statewide shortage and we have no idea when we'll be getting any in.

Like others have said, I can generally tell in the first 5 seconds from the way the person on the other end speaks if the conversation is going to go well.

BAD: Y'all got any Roxi 30's?

GOOD: Hi, this is Firstname Lastname, DOB Jan 1 1980 ... etc.

At my pharmacy, I, as a tech, always have the power to blow off what I think is a drug seeker. I NEVER have the power to confirm stock on C-II's. If it's the name of a patient I recognize, I put them on hold and let the RPh check the safe and confirm stock.

 

[ttopping]

Speaking of oxy, I stumbled across this great video while browsing through the med forums. I know most people have probably already seen it, but for those who haven't it's an eye opener to watch.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/100279/vanguard-the-oxycontin-express

One thing they never talk about it the pharmacist role in any of this. They have their eyes on the doc, but never mention any pharmacies in detail who could be in on it. Not that there's a ton we could do beside the "we're out of stock" deal because they're all technically legal scripts. I'm doing a rotation in NC at rite aid and we aren't accepting florida CII scripts for this reason. Any thoughts?

 

[JordanP]

This video is not a surprise. Unfortunately that is what we are dealing with out there. I am newly licensed and will be starting work this week in South Florida, broward county. I do not even know how I will begin to analyze these prescriptions and what I am going to do with them once I get there.

How do you even decide? It is so hard.

 

[owlegrad]

This video is not a surprise. Unfortunately that is what we are dealing with out there. I am newly licensed and will be starting work this week in South Florida, broward county. I do not even know how I will begin to analyze these prescriptions and what I am going to do with them once I get there.

How do you even decide? It is so hard.

At the CVS I worked at it was:

Had to be from a local doctor
Patient had to be a local resident
Every patient's profile was checked for suspicious behaviour. (like multiple pain med prescriptions from multiple doctors, multiple prescriptions picked up from say 20 different CVS', etc.)

Doesn't broward county have stricter regulations than the rest of the state? I seem to recall someone telling me that, but I can't quite recall exactly what they told me. Now that I think about it, maybe it was brevard county...

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

These druggies and their Oxys :/

 

[rph3664]

When I was in retail, I had some customers who took Oxycontin legitimately for chronic pain, usually 10mg bid, and they would come in and ask if they were going to become junkies. 🙁 We once asked one elderly woman, who was a regular customer, if she crushed them and snorted them or shot them up, and she said, "Heavens, no! I swallow them!" Those people made me very sad.

Later, when I worked at the hospital, a woman who sounded middle-aged called me one weekend evening and asked if I knew of any doctors who could write a prescription for her teenage son, who she said was addicted to them. I'm guessing she wanted them for herself, but you never know.

 

[SHC1984]

I am only at my IPPE site once a week and we always get people from OUT OF STATE calling and asking if we had oxycodone in stock...they always ask for a high amount too...like 240+. The pharmacist told me he will never fill for anyone from out of state. He aslo told me to never tell how much CII we have in stock over the phone...I didn't think it was a big deal but he did...I mean as long as the prescription is LEGIT and not forged, the pharmacist can't get in trouble for filling it right?

 

[Sparda29]

I am only at my IPPE site once a week and we always get people from OUT OF STATE calling and asking if we had oxycodone in stock...they always ask for a high amount too...like 240+. The pharmacist told me he will never fill for anyone from out of state. He aslo told me to never tell how much CII we have in stock over the phone...I didn't think it was a big deal but he did...I mean as long as the prescription is LEGIT and not forged, the pharmacist can't get in trouble for filling it right?

The pharmacist can get in trouble for refusing to fill a legit prescription because of a blanket policy about CIIs. If you fill a forged or doctor shopping prescription, and got duped, you probably won't get in trouble. IMO, just fill it if you have it in stock, and let nature have its way when they OD and go into respiratory depression.

 

[SHC1984]

The pharmacist can get in trouble for refusing to fill a legit prescription because of a blanket policy about CIIs. If you fill a forged or doctor shopping prescription, and got duped, you probably won't get in trouble. IMO, just fill it if you have it in stock, and let nature have its way when they OD and go into respiratory depression.

I totally agree on this. I mean why should I care if someone wants to kill themselves? Not my business. However, I will not fill a forged prescription. I will only fill legit prescriptions. I thought a pharmacist would get into big trouble for filling a forged prescription.

 

[owlegrad]

I am only at my IPPE site once a week and we always get people from OUT OF STATE calling and asking if we had oxycodone in stock...they always ask for a high amount too...like 240+. The pharmacist told me he will never fill for anyone from out of state. He aslo told me to never tell how much CII we have in stock over the phone...I didn't think it was a big deal but he did...I mean as long as the prescription is LEGIT and not forged, the pharmacist can't get in trouble for filling it right?

😆 That is not a high amount, at least by "Oxy capital of the world" standards. Anything less than 300 hardly seems worth filling.

Didn't we just have a post about this issue?

 

[SHC1984]

😆 That is not a high amount, at least by "Oxy capital of the world" standards. Anything less than 300 hardly seems worth filling.

Didn't we just have a post about this issue?

Wow I must be really inexperience then...😳 I am use to filling 30 tablets and sometimes 60 or 90 tablets per prescription...anything greater than those numbers is a high amount to me!

 

[Sparda29]

I totally agree on this. I mean why should I care if someone wants to kill themselves? Not my business. However, I will not fill a forged prescription. I will only fill legit prescriptions. I thought a pharmacist would get into big trouble for filling a forged prescription.

Knowingly or if they're in on it, then yeah they get in trouble. If it gets past them, then no they shouldn't get in trouble.

 

[owlegrad]

Wow I must be really inexperience then...😳 I am use to filling 30 tablets and sometimes 60 or 90 tablets per prescription...anything greater than those numbers is a high amount to me!

Take 1-2 tab every 4-6 hours prn pain.

90 tabs is what a one week supply? Yeah that's nothing.

 

[SomeGuy]

Dumb question from a foreigner: What's the big deal with the 30mg doses? Easiest to IV, since it's essentially the most concentrated?

 

[ttopping]

I am only at my IPPE site once a week and we always get people from OUT OF STATE calling and asking if we had oxycodone in stock...they always ask for a high amount too...like 240+. The pharmacist told me he will never fill for anyone from out of state. He aslo told me to never tell how much CII we have in stock over the phone...I didn't think it was a big deal but he did...I mean as long as the prescription is LEGIT and not forged, the pharmacist can't get in trouble for filling it right?

Actually if you take a look at the thread regarding the biloxi pharmacist who was sentenced to 10 years in prison due to someone overdosing on lortab, it's difficult to say what we can or can't get in trouble for. Yes he did fill stuff early, but they were all legit prescriptions nonetheless. He's being sentenced for not using professional judgment to verify the need for such large amounts of narcotics (pretty much). It's also hard to tell whether or not he had a deal with the docs office that also got in trouble, but still. So really, there's a professional obligation to not blindly fill every legal prescription that comes our way. Obviously it's not practical to question everything because who has that kind of time in retail, but something regarding large quantities of narcotics, it seems better to verify they need it for hospice, serious chronic pain, etc. just to cover your ass.

edit: not to mention, if they keep needing it early (from poor pain control), the med/dose/frequency should be changed regardless, and you wouldn't have the early problem

 

[SHC1984]

Take 1-2 tab every 4-6 hours prn pain.

90 tabs is what a one week supply? Yeah that's nothing.

😳

Although I really can't imagine taking that many pain medications. I once had a script for 15 Lortabs and I could take 1-2 tab po q 4-6 hrs prn pain but I only ended up taking like one or two of those...I can't imagine taking more than one tablet a day.

 

[SHC1984]

Actually if you take a look at the thread regarding the biloxi pharmacist who was sentenced to 10 years in prison due to someone overdosing on lortab, it's difficult to say what we can or can't get in trouble for. Yes he did fill stuff early, but they were all legit prescriptions nonetheless. He's being sentenced for not using professional judgment to verify the need for such large amounts of narcotics (pretty much). It's also hard to tell whether or not he had a deal with the docs office that also got in trouble, but still. So really, there's a professional obligation to not blindly fill every legal prescription that comes our way. Obviously it's not practical to question everything because who has that kind of time in retail, but something regarding large quantities of narcotics, it seems better to verify they need it for hospice, serious chronic pain, etc. just to cover your ass.

edit: not to mention, if they keep needing it early (from poor pain control), the med/dose/frequency should be changed regardless, and you wouldn't have the early problem

I am guessing he got in trouble because he filled stuff early. I would never fill anything early and I will never fill a forged prescription. Question: if a pharmacist filled a LEGIT prescription that's a high quantity controlled substance and the patient died of an overdose would the pharmacist be in trouble? Assuming that the script is 100% legit, there were NO drug drug interaction, and the script was NOT filled early. Would the pharmacist be in trouble then?

Should it be the doctor's fault for writing the prescription? The pharmacist could only get in trouble for 1) filling a forge prescription 2) filling early 3) not catching drug/drug interactions or 4) not catching some sort of error while filling right?

 

[rph3664]

I am guessing he got in trouble because he filled stuff early. I would never fill anything early and I will never fill a forged prescription. Question: if a pharmacist filled a LEGIT prescription that's a high quantity controlled substance and the patient died of an overdose would the pharmacist be in trouble? Assuming that the script is 100% legit, there were NO drug drug interaction, and the script was NOT filled early. Would the pharmacist be in trouble then?

I've filled forged prescriptions, although not knowingly. Everyone will at some time, and as long as you didn't know it was forged or altered, you won't get in trouble. You'll be questioned, believe me, but no, you won't get in trouble.

As for, say, a person getting a controlled substance refilled and then going home and OD'ing on it, you won't get in any more trouble for that than you would if they OD'd on, say, digoxin (a very common drug used for suicide) or whatever. AFAIK, this has never happened to me but it is not unusual among the elderly and/or terminally ill. 🙁

 

[ttopping]

I am guessing he got in trouble because he filled stuff early. I would never fill anything early and I will never fill a forged prescription. Question: if a pharmacist filled a LEGIT prescription that's a high quantity controlled substance and the patient died of an overdose would the pharmacist be in trouble? Assuming that the script is 100% legit, there were NO drug drug interaction, and the script was NOT filled early. Would the pharmacist be in trouble then?

Should it be the doctor's fault for writing the prescription? The pharmacist could only get in trouble for 1) filling a forge prescription 2) filling early 3) not catching drug/drug interactions or 4) not catching some sort of error while filling right?

You really haven't worked much if you think you'd never fill anything early and never fill a forged prescription. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying fill something 2 weeks ahead of time, but (depending on the state) you wouldn't fill someone's chronic pain med 3 days ahead of schedule if they needed it or couldn't come in on the exact day they ran out? And i'm assuming you meant you wouldn't intentionally fill a forged prescription (obviosuly), because I guarantee it happens where a good forgery slips by a pharmacist (even a careful one) at least once. Not everyone applies, but it does happen. I'm pretty sure you only get in trouble for an intentional forged fill.

Also, the doctors fault for writing a legal prescription? Yes I think it should be if it's an intentional pill mill docs office, but what about in a state where you can't get refills on controls and a doc writes a second script for a patient who needs it? Just trying to bring up questions, not attacking you by the way

 

[SHC1984]

You really haven't worked much if you think you'd never fill anything early and never fill a forged prescription. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying fill something 2 weeks ahead of time, but (depending on the state) you wouldn't fill someone's chronic pain med 3 days ahead of schedule if they needed it or couldn't come in on the exact day they ran out? And i'm assuming you meant you wouldn't intentionally fill a forged prescription (obviosuly), because I guarantee it happens where a good forgery slips by a pharmacist (even a careful one) at least once. Not everyone applies, but it does happen. I'm pretty sure you only get in trouble for an intentional forged fill.

Also, the doctors fault for writing a legal prescription? Yes I think it should be if it's an intentional pill mill docs office, but what about in a state where you can't get refills on controls and a doc writes a second script for a patient who needs it? Just trying to bring up questions, not attacking you by the way

No I haven't worked much at all. And yeah, I meant intentionally filling a forged prescription. I would fill 2 days early but anymore than that I would call the doctor and ask for his permission first.

I am just asking questions myself b/c I am curious as to what can pharmacist do to actually get themselves into trouble. Some of the stuff are obvious like filling a script very early or filling a forged prescription intentionally or taking bribes from pill mill docs etc. But some of the things doesn't seem obvious to me. For example the pharmacist above that you were talking about that got in trouble for " not using professional judgment to verify the need for such large amounts of narcotics "...if the script wasn't filled early and is legit and there were no drug/drug interactions...I really do not see how it can possibly be the pharmacist's fault...should be the doctor's fault...the doctor should know what amount is the right amount to prescribe.

(but since the pharmacist did fill early like you mentioned, assuming more than 2-3 days early, he should have been in trouble)

 

[ttopping]

No I haven't worked much at all. And yeah, I meant intentionally filling a forged prescription. I would fill 2 days early but anymore than that I would call the doctor and ask for his permission first.

I am just asking questions myself b/c I am curious as to what can pharmacist do to actually get themselves into trouble. Some of the stuff are obvious like filling a script very early or filling a forged prescription intentionally or taking bribes from pill mill docs etc. But some of the things doesn't seem obvious to me. For example the pharmacist above that you were talking about that got in trouble for " not using professional judgment to verify the need for such large amounts of narcotics "...if the script wasn't filled early and is legit and there were no drug/drug interactions...I really do not see how it can possibly be the pharmacist's fault...should be the doctor's fault...the doctor should know what amount is the right amount to prescribe.

(but since the pharmacist did fill early like you mentioned, assuming more than 2-3 days early, he should have been in trouble)

What I meant was judgment with how early he filled them, not that it was a large amount to begin with, I re-read that and wasn't clear, my apologies. Yes you're right that if all of what you said had happened then no he shouldn't have gotten in trouble. It's hard to tell what his motives really were just from reading the story.

Pain management is such a tricky subject because there are those who lie and try to get fills early every month and go to pill mills etc. On the other side there really are people who need large doses and large amounts of narcotics to keep pain under control. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between who legit needs the stuff and who's just abusing the system. My first rotation was in hospice, and narcotic pain control is a necessity. The stuff I saw that people needed was mind blowing sometimes, and being on the other side at a dispensing pharmacy without any knowledge of the patient or diagnosis etc would lead you to believe one thing over another based on the meds alone.

 

[SHC1984]

What I meant was judgment with how early he filled them, not that it was a large amount to begin with, I re-read that and wasn't clear, my apologies. Yes you're right that if all of what you said had happened then no he shouldn't have gotten in trouble. It's hard to tell what his motives really were just from reading the story.

Pain management is such a tricky subject because there are those who lie and try to get fills early every month and go to pill mills etc. On the other side there really are people who need large doses and large amounts of narcotics to keep pain under control. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between who legit needs the stuff and who's just abusing the system. My first rotation was in hospice, and narcotic pain control is a necessity. The stuff I saw that people needed was mind blowing sometimes, and being on the other side at a dispensing pharmacy without any knowledge of the patient or diagnosis etc would lead you to believe one thing over another based on the meds alone.

No problem, I guess the question now is should a pharmacist just fill all legit scripts that come their way (no early fills of course) or should a pharmacist look at every script and deny fill on some that they think are a problem?

My preceptor would NOT fill any controlled drugs from out of state. We had a patient that was high (completely STONED) and he came in with a script for a CII drug and my pharmacist told him we were out. The script was legit though. So what should we do in those situations?

This is a very confusing topic....and it is very scary to know that we never know what we can get in trouble for as a pharmacist!

It is hard not to judge people base on what they take too....

 

[All4MyDaughter]

It is hard not to judge people base on what they take too....

Lovely...

 

[ttopping]

That's where the professional judgment comes in. Really every pharmacist is going to have a different style and deal with certain situations differently. It's all about what you can/can't do legally, and beyond that it's really your call and what you feel comfortable doing in the gray areas.

 

[kbv]

SORRY, but you aren't the police /law enforcement /DEA. It isn't your business to decide this. Also, isn't this discrimination if you ok to fill let say norvasc or asa early but not ok on the C's?

 

[SHC1984]

Lovely...

We all do it. My preceptor calls a woman we filled for trash b/c she takes a million different kinds of pain medications and she is on medicaid...and I really can't say he is wrong for that...

 

[SHC1984]

That's where the professional judgment comes in. Really every pharmacist is going to have a different style and deal with certain situations differently. It's all about what you can/can't do legally, and beyond that it's really your call and what you feel comfortable doing in the gray areas.

agreed

 

[SHC1984]

SORRY, but you aren't the police /law enforcement /DEA. It isn't your business to decide this. Also, isn't this discrimination if you ok to fill let say norvasc or asa early but not ok on the C's?

I totally agree with this, but what we are talking about is what can a pharmacist do to get themselves into trouble. Personally I do not care what someone takes and if they want to kill themselves go ahead.

But I need to watch my own back b/c I do NOT want to fill something and then get into trouble for it. Especially if it's something legit and I didn't do anything wrong.

 

[owlegrad]

SORRY, but you aren't the police /law enforcement /DEA. It isn't your business to decide this. Also, isn't this discrimination if you ok to fill let say norvasc or asa early but not ok on the C's?

You mean discrimination against C's? That's the worst kind of discrimination...

 

[owlegrad]

SORRY, but you aren't the police /law enforcement /DEA. It isn't your business to decide this. Also, isn't this discrimination if you ok to fill let say norvasc or asa early but not ok on the C's?

I believe the DEA disagrees with you about this.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

We all do it. My preceptor calls a woman we filled for trash b/c she takes a million different kinds of pain medications and she is on medicaid...and I really can't say he is wrong for that...

I'm not at all surprised that you think that it's ok to judge patients. But if you were a shade more mature, you might realize that it's possible that this "trash" patient might have legitimate severe, chronic pain. She may be disabled and unable to work. Maybe she has untreatable cancer. Point is, neither you nor your preceptor know everything about her situation and even if you did I think it's still 100% despicable to be so contemptuous and derisive about your patients.

 

[kbv]

I believe the DEA disagrees with you about this.

let's continue when you can show me you're representing the DEA.

 

[ttopping]

SORRY, but you aren't the police /law enforcement /DEA. It isn't your business to decide this. Also, isn't this discrimination if you ok to fill let say norvasc or asa early but not ok on the C's?

It isn't our business to decide what exactly? It's a safety thing, not a discrimination thing. If someone needs to fill their norvasc early because they're going out of town vs. someone who tries to fill their oxys early because they "go out of town" every other month, I'd be a little more worried about the narcotic over a CCB. Not to mention filling narcotics early, and in general, has much stricter laws for a reason. It's best to have a policy and stick with it. The store I'm at now has a "no earlier than 3 days" for narcotic refills for everyone.

 

[kbv]

It isn't our business to decide what exactly? It's a safety thing, not a discrimination thing. If someone needs to fill their norvasc early because they're going out of town vs. someone who tries to fill they're oxys early because they "go out of town" every other month, I'd be a little more worried about the narcotic over a CCB. Not to mention filling narcotics early, and in general, has much stricter laws for a reason. It's best to have a policy and stick with it. The store I'm at now has a "no earlier than 3 days" for narcotic refills for everyone.

Ths is what I meant "business": The store I'm at now has a "no earlier than 3 days" for narcotic refills for everyone
People can get OD almost on everything, can't they?
Not to mention filling narcotics early, and in general, has much stricter laws for a reason. It's best to have a policy and stick with it. Pls elaborate with evidence(s).
This is where your professional judgement plays the role If someone needs to fill their norvasc early because they're going out of town vs. someone who tries to fill they're oxys early because they "go out of town" every other month

 

[owlegrad]

let's continue when you can show me you're representing the DEA.

Fair enough.

You don't think the DEA believes that pharmacists should do more than blindly dispense CII's? I wouldn't even know where to cite something like this.

I didn't say that I agree with the DEA (I don't), only that it is my understanding they hold us to a higher standard than what your post suggests. This is based on what I have heard from my preceptors, as well as what I have read here.

 

[SHC1984]

I'm not at all surprised that you think that it's ok to judge patients. But if you were a shade more mature, you might realize that it's possible that this "trash" patient might have legitimate severe, chronic pain. She may be disabled and unable to work. Maybe she has untreatable cancer. Point is, neither you nor your preceptor know everything about her situation and even if you did I think it's still 100% despicable to be so contemptuous and derisive about your patients.

She came in to pick up her prescriptions, so there is no way that she is disabled or unable to work. If you are in that much pain and is unable to work, then you would not be able to pick up your own meds...you most likely need it delivered.

Every pharmacists that I have worked with have said something about their patients that is judgemental. Saying that you never judge anyone is like saying that you are perfect and never make any mistakes...and we all know how true that is.

 

[owlegrad]

Not to mention filling narcotics early, and in general, has much stricter laws for a reason. It's best to have a policy and stick with it. Pls elaborate with evidence(s).

You want evidence that narcotics have stricter laws? Are you really a pharmacist?

 

[SHC1984]

let's continue when you can show me you're representing the DEA.

I think we all agree with you on this, but again we are only worried about what to fill and what not to fill b/c we do NOT want any trouble coming our way.

If there is something that I can do to make it impossible for me to get into any trouble, then I will fill anything for anyone!

 

[kbv]

what i try to convey here is you must have a compassion, be fair, and open-minded; easy to say, hard to do. you are hcp, not the police, judge, detective, or prosecutor. you're doing whatever /however you can to help /support people /pt positivey.

 

[ttopping]

Ths is what I meant "business": The store I'm at now has a "no earlier than 3 days" for narcotic refills for everyone
People can get OD almost on everything, can't they?
Not to mention filling narcotics early, and in general, has much stricter laws for a reason. It's best to have a policy and stick with it. Pls elaborate with evidence(s).
This is where your professional judgement plays the role If someone needs to fill their norvasc early because they're going out of town vs. someone who tries to fill they're oxys early because they "go out of town" every other month

My evidence: in NYS: CII scripts are only good for 30 days. No refills or transfers for any controls. Over a 30 day supply needs special codes and medical reasons from docs. Can't call in any controlled meds unless it's a 5 day emergency supply and then you need to send a hard copy script to the pharmacy within 72 hours. No faxing controls.

That's what I mean by stricter laws. None of that applies for a BP med
The "best to have a policy and stick with it" was referring to the store policy regarding refills of narcotics.
I realize that's where professional judgment comes in, that's what I was talking about all along

Edit: i suppose most things have a potential for ODing, but it's the overdosing, illegal distribution, abuse potential that you worry about with in narcotics not so much someone's nexium...

 

[kbv]

Fair enough.

You don't think the DEA believes that pharmacists should do more than blindly dispense CII's? I wouldn't even know where to cite something like this.

I didn't say that I agree with the DEA (I don't), only that it is my understanding they hold us to a higher standard than what your post suggests. This is based on what I have heard from my preceptors, as well as what I have read here.

Professional Judgement.

 

[owlegrad]

She came in to pick up her prescriptions, so there is no way that she is disabled or unable to work. If you are in that much pain and is unable to work, then you would not be able to pick up your own meds...you most likely need it delivered.

Every pharmacists that I have worked with have said something about their patients that is judgmental. Saying that you never judge anyone is like saying that you are perfect and never make any mistakes...and we all know how true that is.

Unless of course her pain is controlled because she is on the medication. That is the point, right?

As for your second point. I do my very, very best not to judge people. It is actually really nice, IMO, to just assume the best about everyone. Makes for a much nicer outlook. Of course I slip up sometimes, but in general I try my best to keep my negative opinions to myself. You might be surprised just how pleasant it is.

 

[kbv]

You want evidence that narcotics have stricter laws? Are you really a pharmacist?

Wrong. It's "EARLY REFILLS".

Yes, I am.