Our patient has been receiving a generic medication since 1996. Recently, a "Dispense as Written" prescription was submitted to Express Scripts for this patient. The patient received the name brand medication at a cost of $165 whereas the generic would have cost $10.50. Upon calling the pharmacy, the patient was told that they would not accept a return of the medicine. When the patient asked why the DAW prescrition was not questioned, given the 15 year history of receiving the generic, the pharmacy replied that we, the Doctor`s office, was sent a letter of inquiry.
Had wereceived any such a letter, we would have requested the generic medicine. I politely asked a representative of Express Scripts if our patient could have a courtesy voucher in order to defray the cost of future refills. The request was denied. I further stated that our patient was on a low fixed income and could not afford the name brand. Again, the request was denied. I believe Express Scripts could have been more compassionate and extended a one year courtesy voucher. It would have amounted to only $42.00. This episode is a prime example of indifference and is very poor customer relations.
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