Posted by Cam W. on March 5, 2000, at 23:48:00
In reply to Re: Pharmacists - Online?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 5, 2000, at 22:20:52
Dr.Bob - Speaking for most community pharmacists I know, we really don't care about mail-order pharmacies (we don't like them, but because of their nature, they really aren't a threat). We don't like it when someone gets their drugs from a mail-order company and then comes in or phones us for counseling and advise.Some Problems With Mail Order Pharmacies (off the top of my head)
1) Even if the have a counseling line the operators (presumably pharmacists) do not see the patient. I find it very tough to counsel over the phone. I need to see the patient's reaction to what I say. Does this person really understand what I am telling them? Do I have to modify my explanation? I need to see their body language when they are asking me a question (eg do they look like they have something more to ask me, but are afraid that the question may be stupid - Impossible to ask a stupid pharmacy question. All are relevant).
2) Further to being able to see my patient. I need to be able to judge whether this person will need a follow-up phone call. I can get a gut reaction or feeling (vibes) by seeing a person.
3) Usually you don't have to wait a day for your prescriptions at a community pharmacy.
4) Prescription filling errors are harder to deal with. If a pharmacist says they've never made a mistake, it is either their first day or they are lying.
5) Will a mail-order pharmacy blister pack complicated drug regimens?
6) Will mail-order pharmacies do periodic med file reviews? They can't, really. They do not know if their customer is getting prn meds (needed ASAP) from a community store. This is also why I stress to people to use one pharmacy for all their drug needs (incl. OTC & herbals)(doesn't necessarily need to be my pharamcy either.) That way drug/drug interactions can be minimized. This is especially important for people who go to 2 or more doctors for different conditions (eg psychiatrist, general practitioner and cardiac specialist). These docs will probably all be writing prescriptions and changing them periodically. These docs are not usually in contact with each other, so if the patient does not remember to tell one doctor about the medication change another doctor did, toxicity or drug interactions could result. In my pharmacy I make sure that all docs, therapists, group home operators and other relevant caregivers get a new medication regimen chart with every med change. I was surprised to see how many potential interactions and mistakes I have caught in the past couple of years since instituting the medication regimen sheets.
7) Will a mail-order pharmacy shoot the breeze with you during slow times or even acknowledge your existence apart from filling your prescription? I have caught some food/drug and herbal/drug interactions this way. Caring about your 'patient' (customers buy pop and chips) makes this job rewarding.I could go on, but this is too long now. I will ask the 3rd-year students their opinion on this. I assume that they will spew the "party line"; what they have heard their professors tell them. When was the last time a pharmacy professor filled a prescription? (Actually I don't know what the party line is - stay tuned)
Sorry Dr.Bob, I think I just spouted MY views, not pharmacists as a whole. Any other pharmacists out their want to add or subtract to this list? Any mail-order companies care to refute anything I have said? Come on Babblers, bring on your opinions as well. Your idealistic pharmacist - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:26008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26081.html