Hi,
I'm interested to know whether anyone else has nightmares getting their repeat prescriptions and how they go about it. Below is a rough transcript of a converstaion I had with my local pharmacy last week when collecting my repeat.
PHarmacist: we have everything here for you encept the hypertonic saline (HS) which is being ordered specially.
Me: Thanks, when will it be in?
PH: not sure. anywhere between 3-10 days
Me: Right, can you ring me when its in?
PH: of course, but we can't leave a message due to patient confidentiality.
Me: OK, but I work full time so won't be able to answer
PH: right well how about you ring every day
(does anyone have the time to do this??)
Me: (battling to stay polite) Fine. will you be able to order some in for me for next month??
PH: oh no. because its a 'special order' we need the prescription first.
Me: Right, and it'll take 3-10 days then too.
PH: Yes
Me: But i'll run out, even if I put the prescription in as early as possible if its going to take up to another 14 days from the date I order it from my (very good) GP.
PH: I suppose you will.
ME: well what do you suggest I do?
PH: to be honest it would probably be easier if you could get it from the hospital. It is very expensive to order.
ME: so is an ITU bed!
PH: yes but you see its a special delivery cost rather than the actual cost of the medicine. maybe your hospital have other patients on it and it could arrive together?
At this point I walked off in a huff.
I can't help feeling that they are making things as difficult as possible to try and avoid paying the delivery cost. I plan to see if my GP can give me a prescription for a couple of months at a time to try and prevent this pantomine happening on a monthly basis.
Am I being unreasonable??
a grumpy,
STX