CVS/Pharmacy Complaint - CVS IS HORRIBLE!!! - Prescriptions

Posted by goduke on 2010-07-25:

You might want to bring the issue to the attention of the field management person responsible for the store. You can do it by calling their customer service.

Posted by madconsumer on 2010-07-25:

substitutions are regulated by your insurance provider. mine, the doctor has to call the insurance provider and speak with them before 'no substitutions' can be done.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-07-25:

If my doctor writes "dispense as written" on the script form, substitutions are never made, and my insurance always covers the item.

Posted by PepperElf on 2010-07-25:

I've never head of a doctor writing "no substitutions" on a script. They write "dispense as written"


Did the pharmacist contact your doctor to verify the script?
I know I would have called if I'd seen that... just to verify that's what the doctor's official orders were.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-07-25:

There was a box on the script slip marked "No Substitutions" In my state, interchange is mandated unless an M.D. checks the box, which he DID!!

Posted by PepperElf on 2010-07-25:

hmm.
only thing i can say is... if they disobey the script contact your doctor.


not sure i like the idea of a check box though
cos you can't really tell who checks it

Posted by jrlbc06 on 2010-07-25:

Here in Massachusetts there are checkboxes that read 'No Substitution' but these are not valid according to state law. Unless the Dr handwrites Dispense as Written in the allocated space, according to state law, the prescription MUST be filled generically. Ideally, the pharmacist would notice the checked box, call the prescriber and have them mail/fax a corrected hard copy, but they are not under any obligation to do so, it's more of a customer service. If you want brand name, have the Dr handwrite 'Dispense as Written', otherwise you'll be at the discretion of whatever pharmacist ends up filling the prescription.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-07-25:

He actually circled it, no checkbox. Sorry, that was my error. Point is, I don't care if he drew fluffy clouds or hearts around it. No Substitutions means No Substitutions!!!

Posted by PepperElf on 2010-07-25:

the thing is... the pharmacist cannot tell if he or someone else circled it
which may be where the problem lies

that is why many places may require "dispense as written" for then they may see that the doctor's handwriting matches that of the rest of the script.

Posted by Skye on 2010-07-25:

All the pharmacist has to do, if he has any doubts regarding prescriptions, as to whether the doctor checked off the DAW box, is to actually call and speak to the doctor himself/herself. Doctors keep a copy of every single prescription that is written.

Posted by Skye on 2010-07-25:

That's why a call could come in very handy if the pharmacist has any doubts or questions. Of course anyone can circle it, but the doctor's office has a copy of what he wrote and whether he circled it or not. He would be able to tell just from looking at his copy if he had circled it or not. We cannot expect a doctor to go on memory alone, after all, they have many patients and write many prescriptions. Copies keep things in order, so that anyone in the doctors office can pull the patients records, find the RX copy, and fax it to the phamacist, if necessary, to show exactly what had been written and if anything had been checked off or not, in regards to special instructions. How many times have we had an RX written, and the refills was left blank? Anyone could also give themselves a few refills, but again, the actual copy would have the exact instructions.

Good for you OP, you weren't happy, so you take your business elsewhere. We use King Soopers pharmacy, as well as the rest of my family. My dad had some outpatient surgery the other day. The doctor gave me the RX to fill for my dad, which was for Norco (pain meds). The pharmacist who was on duty knows my dad, and was considerate enough, to ask me if generic would be ok, even though the doctor did not check off DAW. He gave me a choice. It's good to establish yourself at a pharmacy.

Posted by jrlbc06 on 2010-07-29:

Skye, in most states it is now illegal to give the patient a choice between brand and generic. The vast majority of states have passed laws requiring generic substitution when a generic is available.

As for the checkbox/circle you are correct. Pharmacists seeing that should call the Dr. to clarify. It is easy to miss the box and it does happen. In that case, I would encourage the patient to mention at drop off and/or pick up just in case. Ideally the pharmacist will notice and follow-up appropriately but it doesn't always happen.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-07-30:

jrlbc06----do you have a source for your claim? I did some digging and found nothing of the sort.

I do know some insurance companies require generics to be supplied unless the doctor writes the script for a brand name and writes DAW.

However, I found NOTHING indicating even one state requires generics. Maybe my googling skills arent up to par?

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-07-30:

For the record, there's NO WAY there could've been a mistake! The doctor not only signed his name on the script slip, but also circled his name on the list of physicians in that department

Posted by PepperElf on 2010-07-30:

skye - yeah ... i've read complaints here where the patient was very offended that the pharmacist called the physician to verify the script

Posted by jrlbc06 on 2010-07-30:

Raven, this link is somewhat outdated (2007) but still has some good info.

It indicates that 14 states (not the vast majority as I indicated before) require generic substitution. I know that more have added the law since this chart was made, as New Hampshire now requires generic substitution as well. I'm not sure how many other states have implemented similar rules.

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/statutes_by_pharmacists.html

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-07-31:

Thank you! I looked and looked and couldnt find anything. I find that very intriguing!

Posted by PepperElf on 2010-07-31:

in NY they will substitute unless the doctor specifies "dispense as written" on the script.

mom's had to remind the doctor at times. but she gets her scripts filled at the same building the doctor works from - makes it easier that way, especially since the pharmacist knows who the doctor is.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-09-02:

Another thing is, I picked up a medication yesterday @ this same CVS. My doctor had ordered the brand-name since I had issues on the generic. When I opened the pamphlet that came with it-the pamphlet that has all the dire side effects-I saw the name of the GENERIC on the top page! I swung back around to the window. The tech confirmed it was the brand-name. My mom called the CVS yesterday to talk to the pharmacist that filled the script. He wasn't available. She talked to another pharmacist that gave her some explanation that I can't remember. Any and all thoughts welcome.

Posted by goduke on 2010-09-02:

I thought you had switched everything over to Walgreens.....

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-09-03:

I actually only swapped one script. If anyone has any feedback about Walgreens, it is welcome.

Posted by goduke on 2010-09-03:

You can't make generalizations about any pharmacy....CVS, Walgreen's, or even Rite Aid. It's all about your comfort level and relationship with the local pharmacy team. When you find one you really like and trust, stick with 'em.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-09-04:

I'm not making generalizations. All I'm saying is that after experiencing the aforementioned CVS errors, I preferred Walgreen's. Any and all input is welcome.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-09-19:

I'm not making generalizations here. I'm just saying that after all these errors, I'm fed up with CVS. Any and all input welcome

Posted by Skye on 2010-09-19:

cvshater,

The last place on earth to use, would be WALGREENS. Have you considered trying a pharmacy in your grocery store? I use King Soopers pharmacy, and they are great. I don't know where you are located, so I can't say if you have King Soopers or not in your area.

Posted by ript on 2010-09-19:

As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-09-20:

Skye,
I actually went to Walgreens once and was very pleased. The staff were nice, no issues. Any and all feedback welcome

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-18:

Actually, any and all general feedback re this issue is welcome. Any other issues with the pharmacy chain in question-see initial post-is welcome as well. I'll check this as often as I can.
Thanks!

Posted by ript on 2010-10-18:

Hmm... Beginning to see the light here.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-19:

Ript2010,
You've had issues with the pharmacy chain being complained about? I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by ript on 2010-10-19:

Pharmacies are not one of my issues, lol.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-19:

Actually I wasn't clear enough. Pharmacy issues ONLY. Specifically, the above mentioned chain being griped about. I'll check this as often as I can

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-10-24:

every pharmacy is different, even if they belong to the same chain. The target pharm near my home is great, the one near my work is always slow, messy, etc.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-27:

On Monday, I saw my PCP for acne treatment. He gave me something stronger than what I had been on. Anyway, Mom picks it up @ the pharmacy. The label says take one pill by mouth once a day. To confirm that, she called my MDs office. They had it in as one by mouth TWICE a day. Mom chewed the pharmacy manager out pretty good. We got a call from the district manager last night saying they were launching an investigation. He also said a note would be placed in the file of the pharmacist that filled the script, which to me is a slap on the wrist. He said he'd call today. Waiting on that callback. Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by Ytropious on 2010-10-27:

"which to me is a slap on the wrist"...so what, do you want this pharmacist to lose his license or something? What do YOU think should happen?

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-27:

Well, I think she should get a talking to, heavy unpaid suspension, indefinite license revocation, or something similar that CVS may deem appropriate. Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by Skye on 2010-10-27:

OP, maybe it's time to move on, and find another pharmacy. It's quite obvious how much you hate CVS.

It will be for the best if you, and CVS, part ways. You won't have to worry about a mistake everytime you drop off a prescription, etc.

You want the pharmacist to get suspended, without pay, have her license revoked and get a verbal spanking. Would all that satisfy you? You mother sounds like she gave the pharmacist a good verbal whipping already.

If I had a pharmacy, that does nothing but mess up my prescriptions, I would find a new pharmacy. There are hundreds out there, and I'm sure you can find one that satisfies all of your needs. Nobody wants to worry every time they drop off a prescription, if it's is being filled properly, and have the instructions correct, for how to take your medication.

Posted by Ytropious on 2010-10-27:

A note placed in the file is like a blotch on her record that follows her around. I think that's bad enough OP. I know mistakes shouldn't be made by a pharmacist because it could cause huge problems, but to err is human you know.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-28:

Hey,
Look, I see where you all are coming from, and deeply appreciate it. Consider this, though: counting this error, there have been 5-6 errors over the years at this ONE LOCATION! Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by bluediamond98 on 2010-10-28:

This is getting a little odd. Sounds like you have a lousy pharmacist. I am glad you switched to Walgreens. It seems that you are satisfied there.

Posted by ript on 2010-10-28:

Not so odd incrediblee, I figured it out long ago.

Posted by Skye on 2010-10-28:

Is this new problem with the CVS pharmacist, or the Walgreens pharmacist, regarding the acne medication?

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-29:

Hey all,
Hey all,
Another thing the Dist. manager said when we talked to him unnerved me: techs are allowed to carry out tasks which by law are mandated to be done by PHARMACISTS! I.e.: filling bottles, typing/printing labels, etc. Even though Mom likes the convienence, which I understand, she still WON'T LEAVE CVS!! Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I Can

Posted by bluediamond98 on 2010-10-29:

As far as I know cvshater, that is what Pharmacy Techs do.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-29:

Another thing: I ran the pharmacist through the state pharmacy board website.........totally clean.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-10-30:

Hey all,
The Dist. manager was making it sound like it's a common practice @ this chain. He admitted that the techs aren't allowed to do that and the pharmacist is supposed to check the bottle label/contents of the bottle and make sure it jibes with the script from the M.D. This, however, obviously didn't happen. Any and all input welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-11-14:

Hey all,
Another thing is that there's a medicine I pick up @ this CVS. There's a protocol they're supposed to follow with this medicine. This wasn't followed. They straightened up after my complaint, but I'm just waiting for the next error. Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-11-30:

Hey all,
This is the second night in a row that I was shorted"on a medication. That means they gave me less than what the doctor ordered. I'm going to call the pharmacist for an explanation. Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.

Posted by cvshater17 on 2010-12-04:

Hey all,
I talked to the pharmacist last night. He's been good to us, helped out a couple times. Anyway, he said that all scripts are filled by a ROBOT!! He said a tech or someone enters on a keypad the amount the M.D. ordered. Best I can figure, they typed the amount wrong, which resulted in me being "shorted" 20 pills. Any and all feedback welcome. I'll check this as often as I can.
Happy Holidays! :-)

Posted by cvshater17 on 2011-02-25:

Hey All,
I just realized another thing with CVS: On the bottle will be the name of one on-duty pharmacist, but inside, in the side-effects pamphlet, there will be, on occasion, a TOTALLY DIFFERENT NAME! A tech said that they just pull names out of a hat, which to me is a stupid and dangerous way to do things. Any and all feedback welcome.

Posted by Skye on 2011-02-25:

Hearsay.