Posted by Cam W. on January 13, 2001, at 16:37:01
In reply to Re: More Phrustrations--and a BIG ERROR!!, posted by Noa on January 13, 2001, at 13:14:29
Noa - Report this to the manager of the store, the Pharmacy's head office, the Better Business Bureau, AND (most importantly) the pharmacy licencing body of the state. The last one IS A MUST! Shit like this CANNOT happen!
I realize that there is a shortage of pharmacists in North America, but that is no excuse for a narcotic to be mislabeled. Pharmacies is Alberta must implement a double-check (I use triple-check) system, but even then I do make mistakes (human nature - usually mistakes are in the strength or placement of the medication in the blister pack). This situation is a lttle different, involving controlled drugs. The narcotics inspector of the state would also probably be very interested in this situation.
The back-talk from the tech is also inexcuseable. A letter to the editor of your local paper may be in order. Especially if the store does not contact you with an explanation of the behavior (misleading waiting period AND the technicians's attitude). People need to be warned of the "service" that this particular store provides, especially before they kill someone.
I am visiting the US in a few weeks and I will tell you that I will not be buying any shampoo or shave cream from a CVS. I know that any CVS store that I would be visiting would have little to do with the one where you had your problems, but your store does represent the company, as a whole, and in doing so reduces the reputation of the chain, as a whole. I am sure the CEO (and major shareholders) would lbe extremely interested to hear the entire story that you have related to us. If you don't help to bring to light the problems with one of their stores, it will be business as usual.
This pharmacist shortage is going to result in pharmacy wages increasing dramatically and will allow imcompetent pharmacists the ablility to have full time jobs (instead of being run off, as they should be). As wages rise, "mom & pop" pharmacies will not be able to compete and this will leave these large, impersonal chains as the only choice, thus resulting in an oligopolgy(?) or monopoly of pharmacy services. The pharmacists at these stores will not have time to spend with their patients (customers buy shampoos) and more mistakes and problems, like you have faced, will become commonplace (especially when they are doing 400 - 500 prescriptions per day).
Noa - Find yourself a pharmacist that cares about his patients. Go into several stores (nighttime is the best) and talk to the pharmacist on duty. Bluntly ask what he/she will offer and what kind of service you can expect (this will catch them off guard, and you should be able to tell from their reaction the kind of service that you can expect). Ask if there are times in the day when you could make an appointment to talk about medication concerns, allowing perhaps a day for them to reseach your problems. This sounds idealistic, but it shouldn't be. It should be standard practice. Unfortunately, most pharmacists aren't mindreaders (except me) and you will have to state your questions or concerns directly and succinctly, but after this the pharmacist should provide you with answers with which you are satisfied.
I hope this helps - Cam
P.S. - Anyone know of a community mental health pharmacy job. My boss (store boss, not MHS COO, is starting to really get on my nerves). I feel he thinks that because I spend too much time counseling and not enough time soliciting prescriptions (which makes me feel like a whore), that other stores, who bring in more money, have priority when it come to relief pharmacists. I will have a relief pharmacist yanked from my store, to fill in at another store, because I am only sitting at a desk at mental health listening to CDs. It makes me think that the lives that I have saved (one more yesterday) are not that important to him. Also, he has never told me what he gets for my consulting services; but I did see a cheque 3 years ago and there was a $10/hr gap (they have had raises since then and are allowed to bill for 3 extra days for questions that I answer while working in the store). I am definitely no businessman, but I do think that they are taking advantage of me. Sorry for that rant, but you started it Noa ;^) - C.
poster:Cam W.
thread:51605
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010111/msgs/51627.html