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Anyone with experience with getting a refill 3 days early?

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Posted 6/2/2013 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all. I am going out of town next week on the 5th first thing in the morning, and my fentanyl patches are due to be filled on the 7th (that is 30 days). I had my follow up appt with my doctor this past thursday and she gave me a script that could be filled anytime after today. I dropped it off at the pharmacy within the same hospital and one person told me that I could get it filled at the 27 day mark and another tech told me it was 28 days. They took the script and put it in the bin to be filled on the 5th (2 days early), but thats when I am leaving and will not be able to pick it up myself. The tech told me that someone else could pick it up for me and mail it to me to where I will be staying for the next week.

I have no problem with that other than the fact that I don't really have anyone that I trust that much to pick up my pain meds and I think that mailing them to another state seems too risky for meds that I depend on to function on a daily basis.

So my question is this: Has anyone had problems having a refill 3 days early from a pharmacy? I can only use this particular pharmacy, and one of the techs told me to call on the 4th and ask to speak to a pharmacist and ask if they can fill it on the 4th instead of the 5th since I was leaving on the 5th, and that they may be able to do it for me. I understand how pharmacists are weary of giving out early refills but is one day really going to be that big of deal for them? My doctor knows I will be out of town and had no problem giving me my script early, but I still worry that the pharmacy may not fill it until the 5th when I will not be able to pick it up personally.

Thanks for any info or advice/comments.
Posted 6/2/2013 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would have the pharmacist call the doctor and confirm that he is allowing an early fill. I had to fill two days early once and I simply took my plane ticket to the pharmacy with a letter from my doctor and had no issues. Have a safe trip! Good luck!

Also, keep in mind it may be an insurance issue. smilewinkgrin
Posted 6/2/2013 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Well the doctor works at the same hospital as the pharmacy and they have said they would fill it 2 days early no problem. I know its not an insurance issue, as I have had a 3 day fill before but at a different pharmacy. The doctor is literally 5 floors above the pharmacy, and the script is printed on (not hand written), and it says DO NOT FILL BEFORE 6/1/13, so I doubt that is an issue. Its just that I really want to have it in my hands by the time that I leave, and that is 3 days early not 2 days that they have said.

I'm sure I will just have to find someone I trust to pick it up for me 2 days early and hope that it gets to me in the mail w/o any problems, otherwise I will be in some serious pain (not to mention W/Ds).
Posted 6/2/2013 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Can you show them proof you will be out of town? Like a ticket? I would feel the same way you do about someone else picking up my scripts.
Posted 6/2/2013 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Nothing that I can think of. We are driving as a group and staying with family there. Its about a 10 hour drive. Actually we are taking my SUV and my friend's car. I will just call on the 4th and see what they say. If I have to wait I guess I have no choice. Thanks.
Posted 6/2/2013 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Brett,

I routinely have my scripts filled on either Day 27, 28 or 29. When I go to my doctor's office - I head over to the pharmacy. Because my pharmacist knows me well, he knows I have many health issues and that I don't drive all that often -- so he coordinates filling my scripts for the day I go to the doctor. I go to a big chain pharm (Walgreen's).

Does this pharmacy know you? I would make a point to speak w/ the pharmacist, not the techs.

You are right - most insurances will fill at 27 days. So, this is the pharmacy making the decision when to release the meds.

What I would do is call and speak to the pharmacist..... ask them if you can pick it up 10 minutes before closing on the 4th.... as you are leaving the next morning on vacation at 5am. This is a very reasonable request.

If they protest - I would again plead my situation - and ask (politely, of course) - how it matters if you get the meds at closing vs. when they first open in the morning?

I would encourage you not to mail your scripts. I moved to another state..... and for a few months, had to have my pain meds sent to me via Fed-Ex..... even with all the "right things" in place... there was a glitch one month - and a 4 day delay in getting my meds. Not worth the chance.

Once again, your request is reasonable..... I would just call and speak to the pharmacist.
Posted 6/2/2013 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Can only speak for myself, with my Fentanyl patches, they are filled only exactly on the 30 day mark, never a single day early, was told they couldn't by law. Some of my lesser meds, they have been known to allow a couple days early re-fills. I am here in S.C.

david
Posted 6/2/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
There is no actual law that says it has to be on the 30 day mark.....

But it *can* be a policy of that pharmacy, pharmacist, etc.

Will post a link when I find it in a moment.
Posted 6/2/2013 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I routinely use this pharmacy, but since its such a large pharmacy (University of Colorado Hospital), I don't know anyone there "personally". I know some of them recognize me. I have picked up on the 28th or 29th day before, simply because I switch on my last patch of the month on the 28th day, and by day 30, I will need to switch to my next month's patch and I always switch first thing in the morning. Because of this, I always have to be at the pharmacy right when they open in order to get my patches early enough so I can safely get home and put on my new patch. That always causes me anxiety.

I will call on Monday and talk with them again. Thanks.
Posted 6/2/2013 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Brett,

I have not had a problem when I when I've had to fill my prescription 3 days early. I believe that the date in which you can refill your prescription (ie. 27 vs 30 days, etc) varies from state to state. Insurance providers may also vary in terms of how early they will approve a refill (sometimes they won't pay for something if you try to fill a (any) prescription too early), but I'm pretty sure that the date in which you can refill a prescription for a controlled substances is determined by state law. I remember reading something about this in my state, but I don't recall if it was an actual law, or if it was just a "policy." It is certainly frustrating in situations like this that such restrictions exist, but I understand and respect why they have such rules.

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 6/1/2013 9:38:12 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/2/2013 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
www.medscape.com/resource/opioid/opioid-washington

This is the link I was looking for. It's the "Guide to Opiod Prescribing Policies" by state.....

From my reading and understanding, there doesn't seem to be a state by state consensus on "early" refills.

I think it's dictated more by when the insurance will pay for it; what the policy of the particular pharmacy is; the judgment of the pharmacist; and so forth.

While I understand the need for such laws -- I also don't think it's a practicality to make people wait until they are completely out of meds (the 30 day mark).

Also, there are situations - such as traveling, etc - where I think accommodations should be made. Just my opinion, though!

Good luck, Brett.... Let us know what happens :) -Tina
Posted 6/2/2013 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I never had an issue as long as it is 25 days since the last refill. Others have made good suggestions as to what to do.
Posted 6/2/2013 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
My CVS here in SC, absolutely says, its by state regulations, that the Fentanyl can not be re-filled until the 30 day mark, period. And they always hold me to it. Since they are opened 7 days per week, it hasn't caused me any problems. On My Lortabs and Ambien, they are less strict, and have varied as much as 2-3 days before the 30 day mark.

david
Posted 6/2/2013 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Brett. I've actually had this problem a time or two and more so since Walgreens implemented their fill only during open office hours for the Dr.

I called my Dr and explained why I was needing it then and she said "have them call me". I gave the RPH her name and he called and she gave the Drs permission to fill early.

That made everyone happy since the Dr was taking responsibility for it they filled it and the insurance covered it.

Maybe call your Dr office and ask if the pharmacy has a problem can they call and make sure you get one person for them to talk to as getting just anyone and them not knowing what's going on might say no.

Good luck and I don't think I would trust anyone to pick up the meds and I darn sure wouldn't trust the postal service. Anything could happen in transit. I know if you read the what and what not to mail posters at my post office narcotics are on the Dont side?
Posted 6/2/2013 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Could you leave a feded ex envelope with the pharmacy? Have it pre paid and self addressed. Most pharmacies and dr offices have fed ex pick uos so it wouldnt be inconeenient for yhe pharmacist At that point ther is no third party involved and fed ex will deliver next day.
Lesley
Posted 6/2/2013 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Another thought: does your pharmacy have a branch near your destination? I have found that you can pick up at any branch. I picked up my opana at the Walgraans near my sister's house in Georgia last summer. I usually get it in North Carolina where I live and there was no problem. They didn't even have to call anyone:)
Posted 6/2/2013 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Lesley, that's a great idea! Once my pharmacy didn't have enough of my oxycontin so they sent it overnight via fedex and they sent it to my aunt's house since I work and she doesn't. I hope he's able to get them early so he doesn't have to wait around for delivery but that's a great alternative!
Posted 6/2/2013 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Only speaking for myself, but after 25+ years of being on various pain medications, I have never had a problem with filling a CII script 3 days early, when needed. I've learned that the issue is usually with the insurance. Pharmacies (if they know you) will usually work with you as much as possible - it's the insurance that has the hard/fast 'fill date' requirements. And of course, each state has THEIR own rules/regs! Good luck - I hope they work with you on this. And have a nice vacation!
Posted 6/2/2013 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
I do not have any branches of the pharmacy where I get my patches filled, since its the University of Colorado Hospital pharmacy. I can only use this pharmacy because I am on CICP, which allows me to get free scripts (after I hit their required cap of paying on my own). The tech I talked to yesterday said that its an issue with CICP not allowing it to be filled more than 2 days early but she said a pharmacist could maybe "override" the CICP issue and fill it 3 days early instead of the 2. I have had the patches filled early one other time when I went on vacation before and they had no problem filling it 3 days early then (about 5 months ago or so).

I will call them tomorrow and talk with a pharmacist and just ask politely if they would be willing to work with me and if there is any way to get it filled on the 4th instead of the 5th, as I do not trust anyone to pick up my patches and I don't trust the postal service or Fed-Ex or any delivery service with such a controlled substance. I am sure the pharmacist will understand, and they can gladly call my doctor to verify if they want, as the doctor works at the same hospital as the pharmacy is located.

I will let you all know what happens tomorrow morning when I call. Thanks again.
Posted 6/4/2013 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
So, update time. I talked with a pharmacist and they said there is nothing they can do to fill it by tomorrow and it can only be filled on the 5th and no earlier. She was sorry but said if it was any help, they fill items that are waiting (like my patches) first thing in the morning so it should be ready to be picked up when they first open at 9am.

So, it kind of sucks but I will just have to find a way around it. Thanks again for the answers all.
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