Well, Taff, that would be tantamount to blaming a drug company because a crime was committed as a result of some guy quitting his medicine.

My chief complaint is that I don't consider them a care provider and that my medical choices are between my doctors and me, not some dollars-per-hour phone lackey. It's an invasion of my privacy, plain and simple.

I am in total agreement with you, Cindy. This goes along with a discussion some of had not too long ago about pharmacists and insurance company claim processors wanting to be our doctors. Who gave them that right?

I certainly didn't! I don't ever remember signing anything that says the person on the other end of the phone processing my claim has the right to tell me what medications I can and cannot have. That is just about the same as SS calling your doctor and tattling on you for not taking your C any longer.

Why are pharmacists counseling patients about medications in lieu of patients seeking medical advice from their doctors? Is this because the patients are afraid to ask the doctor? TV Commercials?

A topic of discussion at a recent conference I attended was whether or not pharmacists are part of the medical team or had wandered off onto their own advising patients on what meds to take against their doctor's advice. Several of us were appalled at this idea. (One pharmacist commented he wanted to be "your" doctor ) It's bad enough that the insurance companies feel that they are qualified to dispense medical advice and decide our medications, but now the pharmacists want a piece of the pie as well.

Now we have miniminum wage telephone receptionists at a help line calling our doctors informing them that we are not following orders. What business is it of theirs?

It's just not right.

It's all about money.

SS didn't call my doctor when I quit Copaxone. And 3 years later, I am still getting information from MSPathways. I haven't been on Betaseron since December of '04. You think they know? I know my doctor does! LOL!

I am done now. *can you tell I am on steroids?*

Oh geez...to think that I perhaps thought a drug company would be worried about a person. (slap, slap,...come back to the real world)

Sorry, forgot which planet I live on!

Just know that I worry about you Cin!

FG, I agree with you that Pharmacist should not consider themselves a Doc, but I more often than not, call my favorite Pharmacist to ask about side effects and medicine combos. They keep up on that stuff and can most likely tell you more about a Med than a Doc can.

But I do not consult them on what Meds I should be taking. Sometimes they can warn you about a possible med's cointra-indication.

ROFLAMO!!!!! CHRIS! You just made my whole day! Still lol!!!!

Chris

You just made my day! What religion are you? I cannot believe the idiot on the phone would actually ask that question!! Isn't there some sort of law or regulation against that? Besides, IT'S NONE OF THEIR BLOODY BUSINESS!! LOL!

Sally - asking a pharmacist for information about drug interactions is not what I am referring to - it's taking it one step further. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I depend on my pharmacist to make sure that I don't take any meds that are contra indicated. When a pharmacist oversteps and wants to be an MD, then I take issue with that! That's just my personal opinion!

OMG, Chris, that's the best one I've heard yet...

Cheryl, I knew what you meant. That's why I agreed with you.

Awwwwwww.........just sue the bloody little blabber-mouthed bastidos!!!!!!!!1