Hesitant to post this. Opinions run strong on subject. My regular (+1yr) pharmacist called to tell me she was denying my regular pain med fill due to increased usage of thc. Shocked. She advised me to find another pharmacy that sells both THC and pain medication (doesn’t exist) and talk to my doctor. I had just come back from doctors office, over hour away, and meds would be out in morning. I contacted doctor, contacted another pharmacy and meds were filled there. Done, not so sure.
I let her know I wasn’t taking increased amount of thc. I have a doctor who prescribes a dosage and pharmacist who fills it at dispensary. Dispensary had sale on every product. Perfect opportunity to try other strains to see if they work better. THC is very very expensive. I purchased no where near month’s supply I could on prescription. Told her I’d be happy to bring in prescription, she could speak to any provider, I would show her products I have. Everything is monitored. She said nothing to discuss, it’s done and I should call my doctor.
A pharmacist can deny any prescription for any reason. However, if it is a legal valid one it’s a misdemeanor (even if no harm or inconvenience occurred) if denied in a MUA (medically underserved area) is for a vulnerable person or if on Medicare.
I’m all the above.
It’s also a civil rights violation issue because of disability and using medication for disability.
I let a lot of things slide. This one really makes me uncomfortable to pursue. I know I’m right but rocking the boat in a small town might leave me under water.
But then, I’m fortunate I was able to fix it quickly. What if it happened as I was leaving to visit grandson. You can’t fill it early.
I would appreciate honest opinions.
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I would fight it. I don't have any experience with pain killers, but I've certainly dealt with uncooperative pharmacies.
We dealt with a large chain grocery store that would rewrite my diabetic daughter's prescriptions to suit themselves. I complained to the store repeatedly and nothing was ever done. The last straw was when my doctor phoned in an urgent prescription for me, over and over, and they spent several days claiming they’d never received it. They finally admitted that they used a third party to vet and approve all prescriptions before they’d fill them, and someone there apparently took offense with what I was getting. Fortunately, I was able to switch pharmacies with no trouble, but none of it should have happened.
Unless you or your doctor have been flagged by your state, then the pharmacist is way out of line, particularly since she’s not willing to discuss the matter. I’d start with her supervisor (if there is one) and then work my way up the chain of command to the state and federal levels if that’s what it takes.
Thank you for replying and I shouldn’t have written I would appreciate honest opinions. Duh! I forgot I was in my safe place.
All my doctors, pharmacies (1 for thc, 1 everything else) and prescriptions/dosages have been the same for over a year.
No red flags I’m aware of. Looked all up on state boards and licensing, no problems there.
I’m not just thinking about how odd she was towards me, what about the next person she does it to but they have problems or the person she did it to before me. Why didn’t they do something? Someone should and that someone is looking more like me. I usually weigh risk/reward. I don’t know what else she is capable of doing. I wouldn’t think twice about it if I was back in Scottsdale.
She had the power to do what she did and it was her right to choose and her choice has a consequence…but only if I mention it. I’m afraid of unknown. It is amazing how scary and tight small town networks are.
I am so sorry. You are lucky you live in a state where THC is legal. I am in a state where I have to find it to use it, and if caught I will be prosecuted.
I would definitely fight it because they do not have the right to deny you your meds unless they have proof you are using multiple pharmacies to fill multiple scripts. Do they know what you have? I have been questioned at the Costco pharmacy about my pills and when I said I had MS they shut right up.
I started with a new primary Dr and when she was going through my list of medications she told me I would have to go to pain management to get my meds. I told her she doesn't write the scripts for any of them, my neurologist does and that shut her up. Why are there different standards for different Drs.
I am glad you were able to get your meds, but you shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get it.
In my opinion, your pharmacist has a personal issue with THC. I think she just doesn’t like thinking. Marijuana is something beneficial so don’t take her arrogance or ignorance personal. Just find another pharmacist.
Not sure if there are legal ramifications for pharmacists if they fill a prescription that leads to a person's death. That is the only reason I can see to make their stance valid. If that is the case, you should have been told. Glad you were able to get it filled elsewhere.Not sure if pursuing this would just cause you more stress than moving on and wondering if you should have pursued it. You will have to decide. However, given the climate around opioids currently, you may not get far if you did pursue.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. The stress is definitely not good. Your reply gave me pause for concern. Wonder what actually happens to her after I file a complaint with pharmacy board or for civil rights violation.
I researched legalities for my situation in my state. I didn’t know about any of this before because I didn’t need to. If I report it, it’s an automatic misdemeanor. It would have been a felony if she refused to fill it resulting in any harm/inconvenience.
I try to put myself in the other person’s situation. I want to ask her again, in person, and see how she responds before proceeding. Probably not a good idea.
Now that I've calmed down, taken my own emotions out of the mix, and listened to my wise and irritating mother (lol), I think Mark1499 and Ahrogers gave you the best advice.
I would love to see someone fight this, but it wouldn't be me and it probably shouldn't be you, either. Small town, MS, drugs that aren't legal everywhere....You don't need the hassles.
Rather than asking her in person why she did it, I might write a letter explaining why I'm no longer using her services. Don't include anything that could be considered a threat, just clarify the legality of your prescriptions, how closely your doctor(s) work with you, and that you've researched the penalties for her actions. "I do X because my doctor feels that it's in my best interest. I've learned that in our state, a pharmacist who doesn't do Y can be charged with Z. I have never abused any drugs and am sorry that you've refused my business. Have a nice day."
wow so sorry but they do have the right just like a bar that doesn't serve someone for what ever reason that they feel is justifided ...good luck and i bet the dispenseries will always fill them ...
I would write the pharmacy board. And it was an inconvenience, you had to go somewhere else to get your script, not to mention the stress it is causing. If she has done it to you she has done it to others. Who knows if someone else has complained to the pharmacy board or how many other complaints she has had lodged against her. Please think if you write to the pharmacy board, you may make her think twice before doing it to someone else. Plus if she was worried about you overdosing, no one will overdose on THC, so that has nothing to do with her.
Interesting you’d say that. Only spoke to her that once. I was in a state of shock. Never happened and truly couldn’t foresee or prepare for it happening. I literally have to be out before it’s filled. I don’t mind jumping through hoops as long as it really is saving lives (statistically it’s not) preventing overdoses (again not) and knowing what the hoops are.
I remember her saying “What if you were to stop breathing?” I responded with “If I did, it would certainly have nothing to do with prescription. My dosage has been the same for over a year, monitored by health insurance, doctors, pharmacy, dispensary, DHS, etc., sleep study was done and I won’t stop breathing from thc, in any amount. Assured her I have naloxone in known area in case of emergency. My moms an RN, I’m a respiratory therapist.
Nope. Evaluated. Declined.
We are prepared for most things, not prepared for that pharmacist and her arbitrary arrogant behavior.
I think it's so stupid that we have to fight to get prescribed medicine. My son went for a month without one of his meds as his insurance only covered this one and the manufacturer stopped making it. It took a full month to get that straightened out. So stupid.
If you need this medicine then fight for it! It pisses me off that you have to worry about what people will think. When their bodies fall apart then then they can be reasonable about it. But they have not walked in your shoes!
Amen! Cringe when they tell me I don’t look sick enough to need the meds. Hope your son is doing well. Maybe I need to make some pharmacy friends so I can understand their reasoning better. Worked with police officers. They can make personal decisions they may have to face later too.
Don't even start me about police officers! I've always really respected them but the last time I called them as my other son was suicidal. He has a unique hand on one side and none on the other. One of the officers told him that wherever he purchases a gun, they will be able to help him get something to hold the gun for him. What an idiot!!!
Well, shortly after that there was an article in the paper about the training they had gotten and how great they were. I wrote a letter to the editor and let them know that nothing had changed.
After over 30 years in pharmacy as a tech, I’ve several scenarios in my head. First is she the pharmacy manager? Is she a new Rph? New Rph’s can start working with over $200,000 in college debt. Some are terrified of making a mistake. Especially if it’s a high volume store. Did her store fill the naloxone? Had it been over a year since filled? In TX every controlled rx has to be run thru PMP Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. It shows every controlled rx the patient has received, when, where, Md that prescribed it & what pharmacy. This program then scores the patient. The higher the score, the higher the risk. Now if a Rph dispenses a rx that leads to death, they are liable. They have malpractice insurance as any other Dr. Also the pharmacy board is NOT a friend. When they walk in they are ardently looking for violations. Only contact the board if necessary (please don’t come at me with your version of necessary. It’s vastly different per person). All Rph’s & Cpht’s have to watch everything. We are all liable these days. This Rph should have spoken with you, the Md or other members of the pharmacy to get the whole picture. It’s at the Rph’s discretion what rx’s are filled. They are personally responsible for each one. These days that can be scary. We’re definitely not going into the rx’s that come through that are not obtained legally or for diversion. I don’t mean to sound like Debby Downer or Nancy know it all, just showing part of the flip side of the coin.
Thank you for replying. Truly value your point of view. Dosage of pain medication hasn’t changed. Naloxone in my purse and with meds. She was manager that day. She has known me over a year. Nothing changed. It has taken so long to be as stable as I am. I have a great health care team. They monitor me, evaluate me, test me (random) very closely. I want to be. I’m an open book.
Just the shock and stress of what she did was enough to alter my cognitive abilities. I shudder thinking about if it wouldn’t have been filled in a timely matter. That is the harm.
By the way, I have permanent heart damage from tapering years. What a colossal failure. Went from mild stage 1 to stage 3 left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, from hypertension. B/P was 175/115 for months. Was taking 3 b/p meds. Pain excruciating. Really don’t know how I survived. Over time, tapered back up to therapeutic dose, prescribed by my doctor, my b/p stabilized on 1 med at lowest dose. Pain isn’t gone but it’s manageable.
The ripple effect of her action, or inaction, is obvious. I don’t want anything from her. I actually would love the opportunity to educate her about thc. I don’t think she’d be receptive.
I would appreciate any further advice or information you have. Hope your day is a good one! ☀️🫧
No. I don’t think she would be receptive at all. If this is a chain pharmacy they should have the names of the regional & district manager on the wall. Once again depending on her performance they may or may not do anything. I worked at a high volume chain for 6 years. The Rph was making $$$ hand over fist. No manager at any level would cross him. Anytime something came up and he was confronted by anyone he lied. He was the best liar I’ve ever heard. Sometimes we would hear him on the phone, we would look at each other bewildered. We would not be able to tell if it was a lie or not. If the store is independent your only resource is the owner. If she’s the owner, I would contact the pharmacy board. There’s no excuse. Many times I’ve had to stand up for patients. Rph’s don’t always know what’s going on. I’m so glad you’ve actually got things under control health wise. You’ve been through a lot. You definitely don’t want to rock the boat. It’s wonderful when everybody’s working together.
She wasn’t receptive. I happened to be in that area of store (biggest chain store near every small town) and she was there. Then ours eyes locked, we both smiled. After niceties, I asked for a copy of her evaluation and denial. She said there isn’t one. Nothing exists, on file, to show why.
Not happy about it. Appreciate your replies. Everyone helped me think about how I should respond. Now, I’m going to let the sleeping dog lie. Lie or lie, both I guess. I’m done.
I know that you may feel alone on and island just know there’s someone who has been there and I applaud you for your resolve! Just my opinion but I think that you are doing everything right. I am taking hydrocodone and gabapentin for pain. I live in Alabama, so I can’t get THC until the legislator works out how the dispensary process is going to go. It’s been like a year now and they still haven’t figured it out. When I see the signs that if you test positive for THC, they will refuse any controlled substance it’s really sad. In my opinion it’s knowledge in the medical community about THC then it becomes a moral issue with them, and they have a self-righteous attitude towards anyone using it for medicinal purposes. I actually had a situation where the Adderall shortage caused me to have to get a substitute, which was Ridellan at that time. problem is they didn’t have Ridellan either, so I called a pharmacy I had not used. Even though they had the medication in stock, they refused to fill it, but I asked the pharmacist was it by law that he would not refill or was it a company policy. He said neither so I said it’s a Landon problem ,which is the pharmacist name.It basically boiled down to him being judgmental and refusing to fill much-needed medicine as you know how fatigue can be an MS patient. I wound up calling the Publix corporate office and explain to them the situation. It was resolved, but a pain in the ass so please keep doing what you’re doing and a good attitude. As far as living in a small town, just remember what my sister who also has MS told me. We were discussing how people that do not understand what you’re going through Talk about you and act as if they don’t believe when you explain some of your symptoms to them. She said it’s none of my business what someone else thinks or says about me Mark.
Thank you for taking the time to share your story and reminding me I’m not alone. I guess I’m confused by what is allowed to happen, but I’m allowing it if I don’t do anything. I’m going to a family reunion on Saturday for a week. The planning ahead with meds SUCKS! Will order be there, will it be in stock that day, will it be correct dosage, Will insurance be ok, etc..? Now I have to add “Will pharmacist be a d__k? “.
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