Posted by Dr. Bob on March 6, 2000, at 0:34:46
In reply to Re: Cam Gets On His Soapbox, posted by Cam W. on March 5, 2000, at 23:48:00
> 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.
This is certainly an issue, whether online communication would be adequate. How's it been for you, not "seeing" the reactions of those you discuss things with here?
> 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.Those are good points. An online pharmacy would be better for medications someone's continuing on than for ones they're just starting.
> 5) Will a mail-order pharmacy blister pack complicated drug regimens?
You mean put combinations of medications into different blisters? If a community pharmacy can, why not? I suppose they might charge extra...
> 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
That's an issue, but as you point out, that's an issue even at a community pharmacy.
> 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 guess it would if it wanted to develop a relationship with its customers...
I'm not saying online pharmacies are the way to go, but I do think they're an interesting possibility...
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:26008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26087.html