Opioids and the Clerk and Walmart

Tuesday morning, Randy had the AUS procedure. All went well. Yesterday, we went home with prescriptions in hand for antibiotics and Oxycontin. After getting Randy settled, I went to our pharmacy at a local Walmart to get the prescriptions filled. We've been getting Randy's prescriptions filled there forever, so they have all his information. After dropping off the written prescriptions, I was wondering around in the pharmacy area looking for Neosporin and gauze, when to my surprise, I was approached by the clerk, who loudly asked why Randy was being prescribed opioids. Excuse me?!? I replied that he was prescribed the meds for post-operative pain. And then, to add shock to my surprise, he loudly asked what kind of surgery he'd had. Without thinking I told him it was AUS surgery. He then turned around, and shouted to the pharmacist, "Hey, do you know what AUS surgery is?" The pharmacist replied, "No, but I'll just put that down."

I wondered around Walmart for the next 20 or so minutes waiting for the prescription to be filled, and stewing over the rude and invasive questions, which were asked openly in a Walmart, with no regard for privacy. When I picked up the meds, I asked to speak to the pharmacist. I expressed my concern about their lack of regard for our privacy and about their right to require an explanation in order to fill a doctor-prescribed medicine. Per the pharmacist, Walmart now requires the pharmacist to enter the reason opioids are prescribed before they can be filled.

At this point, I don't know if I'm angrier about the clueless clerk who shouted our private business across the Walmart Pharmacy, or about a company policy that requires a customer to hand over private information (read none of their business), before filling a prescription.

Does anyone know if other pharmacies require you to tell them why a med is prescribed before filling? I'm really thinking we need to change our pharmacy.

Donna.

I happen to have a prescription for a controlled substance, which isn't even an opioid , and I've been treated like a criminal by some pharmacists. One time a pharmacist wouldn't fill it - she said she doesn't fill such prescriptions and recommended I have it filled at another one the stores from their chain. I was boiling mad and wrote a complaint to the chain's HQ, but got no response. I looked it up online - the law says a pharmacist is not legally bound to fill ANY valid prescription.

The laws making it legal for a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription came about directly from some well-publicized cases involving "Plan B"--you may remember that.

wow. again.

RJ, I understand the issues with the opioid epidemic but the way you were treated is inexcusable. Find another pharmacy and let the store manager of the Walmart know why you are changing.

JIm

I agree the way they handled it was way out of line and, even if not a violation of HIPPA, it was clearly a violation of common curtesy and common sense. I would take my future business elsewhere and tell the store manager why.

It is a shame that rampant opioid abuse has made it increasingly difficult for legitimate pain patients to get needed medication. I had a broken rib several years ago - snapped clean through and bone moving around -- an 11 on the 1-10 pain scale when I needed to get from lying or sitting to standing. I called my primary care doc because the script the ER gave me was due to run out in a couple of days. The primary care doc told me I had to come in person to get a new script. I told him that if I was able to come in person I wouldn't need the script. Fortunately the pain ramped down to just an 8 or 9 and I was able to go on just Ibuprofen -- I ended up not even finishing the last couple of Oxy pills. But I don't know how people who have to deal with that level of pain day after day can be expected to suffer without legitimately needed medication.

I could see that happening in a walmart

Randy Joe, I would definitely go have a talk with the store manager. But hey guys before we knock down Walmart, and any of the few big box stores that are left let's consider the environment. Pharmacist's suicide is on the rise not only do they have to deal with the public but the store wants them to make a profit doesn't matter which one around our area Target is the worst. Our best pharmacy use to be the one at Kmart which no longer exists. Watching the UPS and FED EX truck drivers out the window delivering our mail order prescriptions required by Insurance Co's while we are ordering our Christmas Presents online then we wonder why there are no local drug stores left? Larry

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0424-advises-misapplication-guideline-prescribing-opioids.html

Others have spoken about the violation of privacy you went through...truly a mistake.
As far as knowing your diagnosis, that is simply a CYA. Lawyers are suing all involved with the opioid crisis and those companies with deep pockets are high on the list.

Reply to 142. My Walmart was unable to honor a Goodrx price for one of my scripts. I called Goodrx at 855.268.2822 (7 days 8am to 7pm CST) and they called the pharmacy number and then they were able to honor the price. It took about 30 minutes, but now I have no further probs with this refill.

Earlier this year, my wife and I had a problem at our local Walmart regarding misleading pricing on a particular product (not pharmaceutical). When we came home, I sent an email to corporate via the Walmart web page. First thing next morning, I went back to the store to discuss the problem with a store manager and was greeted with, "Oh, you're the guy who had the problem last night. Corporate contacted us and told us to make it right with you." My takeaway was that Walmart takes customer satisfaction seriously...if not at the local store, then certainly at the corporate level. If I were you, I would go to their website and send them an email about the rude and unprofessional way you were treated.

As with most things in life, help...helps.

My pharmacist answers to no one. He’s the boss. Unafraid of losing his job. (He owns the joint)

Finding local, family owned...anything...is key. The challenge is finding them...the ones who take a personal interest. And care for you as a person.

“Like minded” is where it’s at.

They’re still out there.