Have You Ever been Shorted meds at a Pharmacy?

Rrae · 08-22-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurting

I will count my scrips the same day that I get them.

I will get with the store manager and make it clear that this has happen to me and that the next time it happens I will be back but this time it will be will a police officer along side me.

Thanks

Dennis

ABSOLUTELY!! I don't care if there is a line of people behind you.....I'd let the pharmacist know what happened and ask to have the bottle opened and recounted right there in front of you.
You get a bulk monthly supply and it's a lot of pills so, if there is a cheat at the store, this can be pinned down more easily (this IS a form of EMBEZZLEMENT).

ginnie · 08-20-2010, 09:19 AM

Hi, and It is good you lost the weight. Sorry about CVS. I had trouble with them too. I was taking Kadian too, was short two pills, well they gave me all kinds of ______. I have always been careful to not loose count, and to take them at the right time, so I don't make a mistake. CVS treated me like I was a druggie, just for having questioned. I switched to walgreens, hands down they are the best for me anyway. Not only do they listen, they call doctors for you, and really talk to you about your medications. I also told the one who I became friends with about the other pharmacy . She had indeed heard that our particular cvs had some issues. I had meds switched by my new Neuro, to another med, when I still had all of the other controlled substance. They didn't bat an eye, and wished me good luck with the new medication. I find them to be engaged with your health care. Ginnie

lickablesword · 03-28-2012, 05:00 PM

I went to CVS to have a script filled. They told me it would be 24 hrs because it's a compound. I came back 3 days later and they hand me a cream(not a compound) I asked if it was a compound and they said no. I said it was incorrect and they said it was correct. I asked why the person said I would have to wait 24 hrs and they said they do not know. I called the doctor and she confirmed it should have been a compound. The doc called CVS to have it filled correctly. Had to wait 24 hrs again. Went in 3 days later and they charge me again even though they did it wrong at first. They claim they can't take medicine back. When I get home to apply the cream it looks noticeably different than what I'm used to seeing and it seems like it's not an ample amount of the active ingredient(steroid) I want to know if there is an agency to measure the ingredients in my script?

mrsD · 03-28-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lickablesword

I went to CVS to have a script filled. They told me it would be 24 hrs because it's a compound. I came back 3 days later and they hand me a cream(not a compound) I asked if it was a compound and they said no. I said it was incorrect and they said it was correct. I asked why the person said I would have to wait 24 hrs and they said they do not know. I called the doctor and she confirmed it should have been a compound. The doc called CVS to have it filled correctly. Had to wait 24 hrs again. Went in 3 days later and they charge me again even though they did it wrong at first. They claim they can't take medicine back. When I get home to apply the cream it looks noticeably different than what I'm used to seeing and it seems like it's not an ample amount of the active ingredient(steroid) I want to know if there is an agency to measure the ingredients in my script?

It is a very good idea to photocopy your RX before taking it in the pharmacy. Then these questions would not arise.

You can always request to have a COPY of your RX given to you from the pharmacy. Then you would know exactly what you were prescribed.

If it is a recipe with more than one ingredient, you could see that.

ginnie · 03-28-2012, 06:48 PM

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I am glad you found this site, and I hope a few people join into this dicussion. what happened to you at CVS is strange. Usually this kind of thing doesn't happen. When you pay for these expensive medications, it hurts the pocketbook when theymake a mistake. Since they would not take the medication back, and they did make the mistake, you could write to the company headquarters. I don't know anyone these days, that can afford to re-purchase medications. Please docoument all that occured.
I really am sorry this happened to you. I look at all medications before I leave the store these days and make sure it is correct. That is about the only way we can protect ourselves from errors. ginnie

mrsD · 03-29-2012, 07:31 AM

Just a note:

If you suspect someone is STEALING drugs, it is best to call corporate and the state. If you call the store management, you are tipping them off that you suspect, and they will stop for a while and be harder to catch.

Corporate for chain stores, has security and they have cameras and will watch the employees that way to gather evidence. They may send in "shoppers" who are paid to evaluate service as well.

I have worked in places where the management was the culprit stealing and in cahoots with others. So going around THEM is best. For errors in dispensing, that seem too frequent, I'd contact the state licensing and they will investigate your complaint. It is best to have evidence to show them. Dates and times of the fill and the error bottle and contents. Each pharmacist is licensed by the STATE, and if they lose this license from negligence, they can no longer work. The state has the most power in this kind of situation.

MalindaK · 03-29-2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junie

Last Month for the first time ever I looked up my meds and each night took out exactly the amount needed for the next day and I new my med count was right.....well towards the end of the month I saw I was gonna be short 3 Kadian..my Valium and percocet were right on the money so since I have used CVS for year and never complained.......I thought (I could go in and talk to pharmacist and explain situation and the laughed in my faced and said they Never make mistakes....always had a double count....so I told them they just lost a **** of a customer and was switching to Walgreen s, and she just laughed again....rude as can be!
Well yesterday it was time to fill my percocet and I was on auto pilot and dropped it off at cvs before thinking...(had a very bad weekend, fall, babysitting two girls 8-9 so I was fried) and I picked them up went home and promply counted them (supposed to be 75) and guess how many was in the never make mistakes cvs??? 78 was how many!!!! How do you recommend I do with this info?? What do you think we can do?? Count with them???
Thanks in advance!!

CVS is so big that I don't think a complaint to them would count for anything. They are partr of Caremark arent they? there is only two big games in town, CAremark and Medco.

Do you think a pill diary would help? tracking each refill with numbers? I have found documentation on anything would help support what you are trying to accomplish.

Malinda

ginnie · 03-29-2012, 08:46 AM

Yes Malinda, count the pills at the store in front of them! over what you need or under what you need, the count should be correct. I do this each refill. I did have a pill shortage, and since I documented the medication each day, I never figured it out. I do keep that journal people talk about. so it taught me to be extra careful. Two days without one of these meds. and you don't feel so good. However, no store or pharmacy should be rude. They should accept this proceedure from you and counting the pills and all. We need to protect ourselves. I also get 3 scripts, with other meds. at the same time. I didn't count the number of scripts I got, and wound up with one missing. Now I count scrips and document them too as Mrs.D stated. I still wonder what happed to that "other script" did an office worker take it?????? My house mate still thinks that is what happened. My doctor did re-write that one, only because he knows me for a long time now. he knew I didn't do anything wrong so I got lucky, and grew more carefull all at once. ginnie

mrsD · 03-29-2012, 08:51 AM

The large corporate chains have security teams for just this
sort of problem. Just because they are "large" does not mean they will not act. In fact, a complaint that has evidence and validity will be accepted IMO. But if you suspect any pilfering, or diversion at a store, you must go around the local management and instead to corporate level.

For chain negligence--incompetence, I'd do both, the State and corporate. Chains pay for shopping services to pose as customers and evaluate service delivered. "Shoppers" can be very helpful in cases like this as well.

Smaller chains, or independent pharmacies are another thing altogether. They do not have the same resources for security.
In the case of an independent, I'd go to the state licensing bureau.

Dr. Smith · 03-31-2012, 03:00 PM

I agree with MrsD on this issue, and I think contacting police would be counterproductive, and here's why:

If legal authorities are brought in, the issue becomes extremely public (they love getting press for drug busts of any kind - it helps their budgets), and could instigate an unwarranted witch-hunt that could hurt many responsible pharmacists, employees, and PATIENTS.

Corporate/state entities will most likely handle things quietly and internally, getting rid of the bad while causing the least harm to the good pharmacists and patients.

Doc

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