Have You Ever been Shorted meds at a Pharmacy?

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.

Jomar · 03-28-2012, 05:24 PM

I would call the store management also, they need to know that this person is "messing up" - it is a safety issue for the store as well as possible legal issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkitdoit7

I am so glad I found this thread even though it is old because I have been shorted 60 oxycontin on a 90 pill prescription - I immediately called the pharmacy and asked to talk to the main person in charge.

I told them that I was missing 60 pills and that this kind of mistake with a highly regulated drug concerned me and that I was calling the police because I thought they should be involved.

I didn't mean to threaten the pharmacy - it was a Walgreens and I had been doing business with them for over 10 years with my Oxycontin prescriptions and never had a mistake - so I was truly concerned about someone taking the pills who might need help etc....

The pharmacist (a new guy I had never worked with before) told me not to call the police and he would have the pills ready as soon as I wanted to pick them up.

I told him that was fine but asked about tracking and that the total count at the pharmacy for Oxycontin 10mgs should show that there are 60 pills over -

He kept telling me not to call the police and was very afraid - I could tell from his responses.....

Then I had another run in with this guy when he filled my short acting oxycodone prescription and I found several oxycontins mixed in with the 5mg oxycodones - I didn't know what to do -

I also had picked up my Oxycontin prescription on one day and three days later went to pick up different prescription and they gave another, duplicate Oxycontin prescription - I gave it back immediately and told them it was a mistake....

I also was supposed to get a prescription for flexeril and when I took the bottle out of the bag it was a prescription with my name and address etc for Exalgo 12mg tabs -

So something is going on at this pharmacy - and although I do not like to make assumptions - it seems to happen with just the one pharmacist -

So in all the years I have been getting prescriptions at Walgreens I have had no problems until last year when this new pharmacist started and since then I have had so many issues with highly regulated drugs....

In retrospect I think I should call the police and just let them know what has happened - even though I don't have proof - just to make them aware in case anyone else has had problems -

If this happens to anyone taking highly regulated medications - I think the first phone call should be to the police - even if it is only three pills - that is alot of problems for people who need these meds daily/hourly etc.

Any thoughts on this - calling the police and letting them know what has been happening?

Thank you - K from WI

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

ginnie · 03-31-2012, 03:58 PM

What if someone is truely messing around in the pharmacy? Messing with a controlled substance is a felony. Don't we have an obglitation to do the right thing to report it?. I really don't know doc, I am just throwing that idea out there. I would hate to have one of the assistants intentionally doing the shorting. I really don't know what I would do. I did get one whole script less one time, didn't count the number of scripts for the "Months" I signed for. He did trust me, and I always wondered where that script went to. Did I drop it knowing how important it was to me? or was their a printing error? Their PC said it was printed out. So in that case an office worker? I never figured it out. I was just plain lucky My doctor knows me as well as he does. I hope this does not happen to anyone. Check meds before leaving doctor with scripts, and at the pharmacy!. ginnie

mrsD · 03-31-2012, 04:39 PM

What goes on in a pharmacy behind the counter, is PRIVATE business. A pharmacy is not a public place...it is private property. When the theft LEAVES the premises, then a crime has been committed. This goes for shoplifting too. A store can choose to not press charges you know in some crimes as well.

It is up to the owner/owners to oversee its functions.

If you know of large amounts of controlled drugs LEAVING illegally the place of business...you see transactions happening in the parking lot, or see things after hours....then you can call police. Outside is a public venue. It is illegal to have unlabeled drugs on your person (without a legal prescription vial) and you can be arrested for that. Pharmacists may be excluded, if transfer paperwork is present, say moving a small item from one store to another.

Most likely for large problems the DEA would be the one to do it.
In robberies, the DEA is often one of the agencies involved in the investigation.

But if you just suspect things, with no evidence, you need to get EVIDENCE before you blow any whistles. You have to prove it was not an "error" or professional mistake. And corporate is the one to gather this evidence and decide to call the authorities. The drugs belong to corporate.

It can get pretty complex....but in 40 yrs I have NEVER seen or heard of police being involved other than in robberies at the counter (by criminals) or break ins after hours. We call the police on theft from the floor and shoplifting, or disorderly conduct. I've been the one called into problem places when the pharmacist is being removed from duty. This is usually done by surprise, so they don't know what is happening.
But many times I've been the one to come in after, and clean up so to speak. I've seen many things over the years. And it is not common or pleasant.

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