Question re: Using a Second Pharmacy

[Pharmacist.steve]

There are some 40+ states that have PMP's ( Prescription Monitoring Programs) ... some have been around for 20 years... but.. they are just now starting to allow a healthcare professional to have access to other states' PMP... than the one they are registered with. The new electronic program NPLEX that is monitoring Sudafed purchases.. is one central database... but.. so far.. only a couple of dozen states have signed up to this.
IMO... all of these databases are a JOKE!... healthcare professionals have no way to validate the driver's license or SSN that is provided by the patient is legit - not fake or forged - and we have no choice but to put that information in the database... IMO... that is one reason that most healthcare professionals don't use these PMP's. The diverters and abusers use multiple ID's.. so they don't show up as going to multiple pharmacies and docs...

[alex44]

Eva - my heat goes out to you. I hope you find relief soon.


Blessings
Alex44
Skypilot

[alex44]

See my post since my nightmare is still ongoing My doc is well aware that I use a 2nd. Pharmacy since the one at the clinic only has M. and I need E.
Good luck hope you are doing better.
Happy Holidays
Blessings
And just where does an insurace co. get off telling us, or the dea for that matter how much relief we can have
A.

[Eva 14]

Alex, that really was a nightmare that you went through! I hope you've gotten the whole thing resolved by now.

Steve, interesting to read that the drug abusers are using multiple ID's. They probably steal people's identities, just like the identity thieves do who use other peoples' credit cards.

I am no longer able to get ALL of my meds filled at ONE pharmacy. My pain doc understands this totally.

I currently use 2 pharmacies and soon will have to use a third pharmacy at least temporarily. My local chain store takes 10 days to get orders for C-II meds. Now that I'm switching to a new long-acting med, I'm not able to notify my local pharmacy ahead of time about dosage or quantity (I'm still titrating up on the new med). I have no stockpile of the new med, so I can't afford to wait ten days. I'm going to be forced to get the new med filled at a third pharmacy. (The second pharmacy is near my pain doc's office, 30 miles away. They won't have the full quantity, so I have to find someplace closer to home).

I certainly HOPE I don't run into any problems! I've been to pharmacy #3 once before, so they know me. I hope they understand that I need my meds quickly and therefore didn't want to go to my chain store pharmacy. I wonder if I should go into pharmacy #3 and TELL them that "W" pharmacy didn't have Exalgo in stock? Pharmacy #3 can actually get C-II meds within one or two days, but they are quite a ways away from home. I DO plan to use them until I'm stabilized on my new dose of Exalgo.

I wish this all wasn't so complicated! I'm feeling a lot of pain now because I'm on too low a dose of Exalgo. I just hope that I don't run into any pharmacy problems for getting C-II meds at more than one pharmacy.

My pain doc told me that he used to recommend that his patients use ONE pharmacy, but that he understands that is no longer possible for many people. So I know my pain doc understands the situation. Hopefully no problems will arise at the pharmacy.

Eva

[tortoisegirl]

Thats great your doctor is understanding and would allow that. I know some folks would not have that option, or at least not more than once. I have taken care in choosing a pharmacy which meets my combination of requirements. Although I'm lucky its just around the corner, I would drive out of my way to continue having a pharmacy which has never given me any troubles / attitude, seems less busy (ie. less chance of mistake and shorter wait times), can order meds in 1-2 days (even CIIs), and will even fill a small quantity of a med they had to order which I'd think they are unlikely to sell the remainder in a reasonable time.

I think even if its allowed by a doctor, it can really benefit the patient to use a single pharmacy for the relationship and double checking interactions. Even if you give each pharmacy a list of your meds, its up to you to update it over time, and up to them to enter it into the system (unlike meds that were filled there and automatically updated).

Yes it may smooth things over to explain why you are coming into the new pharmacy to fill one CII, to say that your regular pharmacy didn't have it in stock / isn't able to order it in a timely manner, and you are hoping they can help you out. Ask if they would be willing to order it, how long they estimate it would take, etc. I'd also hand them a list of your meds/doses (to have in their system to double check for interactions), including what pharmacy you last filled them at and what doctor they are from.

If you don't have this on hand already, I'd highly suggest it...I bring an updated copy of this list into every doctor appointment so I can ensure they are all on the same page. For new doctors, I also add a half page medical history summary. It can cut down a lot on new patient paperwork. Best wishes.

[Eva 14]

Thanks, Kate. All my meds are from the same doctor---my pain doc.

I went to pharmacy #3 a few months ago when my local chain store was unable to get one of my meds. This indy pharmacy is actually really busy (I think they fill scripts for nursing homes, hospice, etc.). Their pharmacist is pretty curt and blunt, but I'm sure it's because he's overworked. The pharmacist promised me that they could get ANY C-II med within one or two days. I was so amazed when they ordered my script and had it ready the very next day! A miracle, considering how long the chain store makes me wait.

The only reason I keep going to the chain store is because it's literally around the corner from me. USUALLY they have all of my meds ready, so I just put up with the occasional screw-up. In my pain, the driving just about kills me. I used to live in an area where there were several indy pharmacies to choose from---it was great! But my current location is dominated by one chain store in particular. The nearest indy is quite a long drive away. (I'd have to get on the freeway, and the traffic is crazy. Gas is also really expensive. That's why I can't use the indy for anything more than something temporary or perhaps in an emergency).

As for med interactions, I've already filled a script for Exalgo at my local chain store, so I know there aren't any interactions. My pain doc prescribes ALL my meds, so he knows there aren't any interactions. So I have no worry about interactions.

I may just go into the indy and tell then that "W" pharmacy doesn't have Exalgo in stock, I've used you guys before, and I know you can get meds within 2 days. However, I always hand my scripts to a tech instead of directly to the pharmacist. Knowing how busy the indy pharmacy is, the tech would never take the time to repeat what I told him to the pharmacist. I don't THINK I really need to explain myself, unless asked. If I were to speak directly to the pharmacist, I'd tell him the situation, but I never get that chance.

I keep hoping that since my pain doc is okay with it, AND I've been to the indy pharmacy recently, the indy pharmacist will understand. I don't know if I should try to shout out that I wasn't able to get Exalgo at my chain store; the indy pharmacist is always working way at the back of the store. And of course I don't feel comfortable shouting out anything as personal as which meds I'm taking and why I'm getting them at the indy pharmacy instead of the chain store.

I guess I'll just wait and see if the pharmacist questions me. I'm clearly not doing anything wrong---at least I hope not. When I brought in the Rx for that other med a couple of months ago, the pharmacist was glad to have my business and didn't ask me anything about where I get my other meds filled. (I had called him on the phone earlier to try to explain the situation, but like I said, this pharmacist is very busy and DOES NOT like to be disturbed).

Hopefully this will all work out. Thanks for your advice. Best Wishes.

Eva