[boogiesmash]

Do you ever think your pharmacist is judging you? Do you think they gossip oh here is crazy boogie getting his refills or ADHD Nancy needing to slowdown?

[MusicLover82]

I had one young pharmacist who smirked at me when I asked her a question about my meds. She is no longer working at the pharmacy, though, so I wonder if she was fired. Everyone else is nice. The pharmacy techs know me by name and they are very respectful and kind.

[Nova567]

I actually have been working as a part time pharmacy tech and now have a job as a lab tech (the field I wanted to go into). My boss (pharmacist) does not judge people based on meds, he is more worried about people refilling control drugs too soon because they abuse them or cash payers who doctor shop. He himself went through depression at one point, so understands why people seek help and use these meds. He is never condescending to people on psych meds, and NEVER talks bad about any customer for the fact they are on them.
He was actually filling my psych meds when I was on them, after I saw he did not judge people for such things, and never questioned me about why I was on them.
As for me, a bipolar pharmacy technician, I do not judge anyone for any prescription they fill. I am pleased my boss is the same way.

[boogiesmash]

Originally Posted by Nova567

I actually have been working as a part time pharmacy tech and now have a job as a lab tech (the field I wanted to go into). My boss (pharmacist) does not judge people based on meds, he is more worried about people refilling control drugs too soon because they abuse them or cash payers who doctor shop. He himself went through depression at one point, so understands why people seek help and use these meds. He is never condescending to people on psych meds, and NEVER talks bad about any customer for the fact they are on them.
He was actually filling my psych meds when I was on them, after I saw he did not judge people for such things, and never questioned me about why I was on them.
As for me, a bipolar pharmacy technician, I do not judge anyone for any prescription they fill. I am pleased my boss is the same way.

Thanks for that. Puts me more at ease. What do you mean by doctor shop?

[Nova567]

Originally Posted by boogiesmash

Thanks for that. Puts me more at ease. What do you mean by doctor shop?

Doctor shopping is where people will get a prescription for a drug, usually a controlled substance like narcotics or benzos and stuff of that sort and use their insurance. Then, they will see another doctor, get the same prescription, go to a different pharmacy and pay cash when that medication is not due for a refill. Some people will do this multiple times in a month, seeking different doctors and pharmacies to pay cash for prescriptions that should not be filled because they are not due. Very illegal because people do this when selling medications or abusing them.

But we have our ways of tracking where people get their prescriptions filled and what the day supply is so pharmacies can keep an eye on when medications are actually due or if patients are receiving multiple of the same prescription(s) from different doctors.

Another thing pharmacists look out for is harmful drug-on-drug interactions that doctors may miss when prescribing, so this is one of the only reasons they pay close attention to what your doctor sends in! That, and to make sure it is in stock for you to pick up Pharmacists take their job seriously! They are the last line of defense for you in case the doctor made a mistake, missed an allergy, or there is a harmful drug-on-drug interaction. They are more worried about these things than why you are taking a certain medication!

[boogiesmash]

Originally Posted by Nova567

Doctor shopping is where people will get a prescription for a drug, usually a controlled substance like narcotics or benzos and stuff of that sort and use their insurance. Then, they will see another doctor, get the same prescription, go to a different pharmacy and pay cash when that medication is not due for a refill. Some people will do this multiple times in a month, seeking different doctors and pharmacies to pay cash for prescriptions that should not be filled because they are not due. Very illegal because people do this when selling medications or abusing them.

But we have our ways of tracking where people get their prescriptions filled and what the day supply is so pharmacies can keep an eye on when medications are actually due or if patients are receiving multiple of the same prescription(s) from different doctors.

Another thing pharmacists look out for is harmful drug-on-drug interactions that doctors may miss when prescribing, so this is one of the only reasons they pay close attention to what your doctor sends in! That, and to make sure it is in stock for you to pick up Pharmacists take their job seriously! They are the last line of defense for you in case the doctor made a mistake, missed an allergy, or there is a harmful drug-on-drug interaction. They are more worried about these things than why you are taking a certain medication!

I had this happened. I was prescribed tramadol and it interacted with one of my psyc meds, pharmacy caught it.

As for doctor shoping wouldn't insurances catch on and say no. Or prior authorization?

[Nova567]

Originally Posted by boogiesmash

I had this happened. I was prescribed tramadol and it interacted with one of my psyc meds, pharmacy caught it.

As for doctor shoping wouldn't insurances catch on and say no. Or prior authorization?

If someone pays cash and the pharmacy is unaware they have insurance, then no. Cash claims are not reported to insurance companies.
But, pharmacies do report everything they've filled, and this can be looked up so other pharmacies know not to fill too soon, whether someone uses their insurance or pays cash. Unless the pharmacy doesn't check, which people who are trying to fill too soon with cash hope for. But the DEA monitors for things like this to prevent it from happening.

EDIT: People usually go to the doctors and pay cash too to prevent insurance companies catching onto this. I'm not sure how doctors can check if someone is doctor shopping, I've never worked a doctor's office.

I think its funny....the pharmacists knows the crazees by which drugs they are prescribed...just like they know everyones problems....lol

[Wild Coyote]

I don't feel any judgement coming from pharmacy staff.
I catch their errors when they happen. They treat me with respect and kindness.

There was a time when 3 of the local pharmacies employed pharmacists I had grown up with. That felt a little weird to me, but not because of anything they ever said or did.


WC

[Sad Mermaid]

I like the pharmacist, the pharmacy manager, and the techs. They are always super respectful.

[raspberrytorte]

They seem nice enough. They seem a little weird about my AP, but still nice. I honestly, really, don't think they care. One time he asked if I have a seizure disorder, but after that nothing.

[Smileonmyface]

the pharmacy people are always nice except for once when there was some confusion about what my pdoc was prescribing. The pharmacist came over and confronted me about it like I did something wrong.
I don't like going to pick up meds though. I guess I'm afraid of being judged. Mail order has helped with that a bit but with trying new meds lately i haven't ordered them through mail yet.

[boogiesmash]

Well went to pick a refill of klonopin up lady said I should know your name by now. Not sure how to take that.

[bioChE]

Originally Posted by boogiesmash

Well went to pick a refill of klonopin up lady said I should know your name by now. Not sure how to take that.

Take it as her being embarrassed for not remembering. I'll bet she knows next time.

For us, knowing pharmacy staff and having a relationship with them is normal.

[*Laurie*]

At my pharmacy the pharmacists and techs seem so overwhelmed and busy I don't think they have time to talk about patients. I mean, they're friendly and all...it's just, I'm more concerned about them being overworked and not getting my prescriptions straight than about what they think of me.

[Sad Mermaid]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

One time he asked if I have a seizure disorder, but after that nothing.

So many anticonvulsants are used for bipolar maintenance that it is not surprising that a pharmacist would get mixed up.

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

One time he asked if I have a seizure disorder, but after that nothing.

Originally Posted by Sad Mermaid

So many anticonvulsants are used for bipolar maintenance that it is not surprising that a pharmacist would get mixed up.

Yes, but WHY you take it isn't generally relevant. And to me, that's the problem. It's fishing. I had that happen with someone who worked the register at a pharmacy once, asking (of Lamictal) if it was helping my headaches. Not a pharmacist. Not involved in my care. Not apprised of why I was prescribed them. I just glared a "f off you nosy busybody" look at them, turned and left. Small town, inappropriate, fishing.

It's been the ONLY incident that I can think of though. My current pharmacy folks are great.

[Unrigged64072835]

The military pharmacy is always hopping so they don't really have time. And they hand out big bags of stuff to retirees.

[Faltering]

I've definitely felt judged by older women when I pick up my birth control. Not so much with bipolar meds, and I've picked up a lottt of them lol.