September 30
With prescription coverage decreasing and having to pay more out of pocket expense, I've been checking pharmacies near my home to see if prices fluctuate from store to store in order to find the pharmacy that will save me the most money. I take multiple prescribed meds due to many debilitating conditions of which I suffer.
On September 30, I was issued a prescription by my Rheumatologist which I fill on a monthly basis. Upon arrival at Walgreens located @ 162 Richmond St Painesville Ohio, I gave the pharmacist my prescription, which is a narcotic. The last time I filled this medication was September 9 at another pharmacy in my area. Since Walgreens pharmacy was somewhat busy, I said I'd be back to pick it up sometime over the next few days. Before I made it to the front entrance of the store, my last name was called over ther loud speaker, telling me to return to the pharmacy. Without hesitation, I returned to the pharmacy and waited for the pharmacist to approach me.in front of multiple patrons and staff, the female pharmacist announced she would not fill my "NARCOTICS" because it was too early from the last date it was filled, which was September 9. Humiliated and shocked, I asked her to give me the prescription back (as I was thinking I'd never return to this store again because of the embarrassment of 30 people looking at me like I was a "druggie")! As I stood there waiting for her to give me the written prescription back, I wondered what was taking so long.
I peeked around the corner and noticed this female writing IN HUGE BLACK LETTERS that the prescription should not be filled until October 8, a day before I run out of the medication. Then she proceeds to stamp an imprint on the back of the prescription that says WALGREENS PHARMACY 162 Richmond Street Painesville OH along with their phone number! Because I was mortified, it never occurred to me that this was the same pharmacist who stated a few months ago, that I was filling my prescription a week after the date it was written, and I should "be out of pain" by then! Again, loud enough for staff and multiple customers to hear.in addition to that, she stated she would have to call my doctor to make sure it was a "valid" prescription. This happend on a Friday after 6:00 pm; my doctors office was closed until Monday at 8:00 am. Since I waited until the last minute to fill it, I would've been completely out of meds until it was verified by my physician, whenever he had the availablility to speak with her. I guarantee, the pharmacist would've held on to it as long as possible just to infuriate me! I was extremely angry and demanded my prescription be given back to me (only that time she did not write anything on the prescription, so I was able to fill it at another pharmacy).
My doctor monitors me extremely close. I see him, at minimum, every other month. Often, I see him several months in a row in order to address the problems from my progressive disease (s). His care also includes print-outs from multiple pharmacies to verify his patients are not trying to abuse the medications by running to different pharmacys to fill too early. He also demands unannounced drug screens by blood and urine taken in his office @ time of visit to see if any narcotics are being used that he doesnt prescribe (legal or illegal). I have been his patient since and have been on the same medication (s) since that point in time. He writes my prescriptions to be filled up to a week prior to running out of medication just in case any problems should arise from the drug store. On top of his faith in me, my insurance company allows refills up to 1 week prior to running out of medication. Somehow, the Walgreens Pharmacist seems to make her own rules and assumes the role of God while filling or not filling legally written prescriptions. And now that I've had time to digest the incident, she has been nasty to me, in general, on several other occasions. I must be a slow learner, but I guarantee, after she fills this medication that she has decorated with her magic markers, I will never return to that store for any reason!
Just in case anyone reading this has their prescriptions filled at this Walgreens, again located @ 162 Richmond St Painesville Oh, allow me to describe her physically in hopes you will recognize her if you choose to continue being their customer. She's caucasion between the ages of 32-38, approx 5'7 and 160 lbs, with dark red/auburn long hair which ends slightly beyond her breasts. If you cant recognize her by that description, you'll certaintly recognize her by her deplorable attitude and unprofessionalism. Your best bet is to take your prescription to another pharmacy (THATS NOT A WALGREENS) before you encounter her pathetic existence!
I cant wait to return to this pharmacy to have my prescription filled (since she defaced it with her coloring, I feel obligated to return to this store). However, prior to walking to the pharmacy, I will be sure to have her supervisor escort me to the pharmacy counter after I've given him an earfull regarding her deplorable respresentation of their store! And also showing him the bottle of pills I have from last months refill that's still halfway full!
Not everybody who's prescribed a narcotic is a junkie! Some of us actually are a contributing part of society trying to manage the best we can. T
Thank you (if you read this entire report)!
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