Pharmacy refuse

[Belly12345]

I've been taking norco for about 4 yrs and have gone to the same dr and the same 2 phatmacies. I went today and my dr office called to say my pharmacy won't refill it anymore because its been too long. Is that common? Is my dr being irresponsible? Is that a sign I'm flagged? Don't people take that stuff for maintenance?

I figured I'd ask here I'm just worried something is wrong.

[Belly12345]

Wow so many good comments! Yes it was CVS. So now you CAN deny a script? I just took it to another pharmacy. They filled it.

Do pharmacies have contact with each other? Or are different pharmacies separate from each other. I guess if they think I was abusing then they can make that call. Btw, I live in CA. Anyone know the laws?

[LeaAnn807]

I know for a fact that pharmacists CAN make the call if they want to fill the script or not, so no......it's not unusual.  

A LOOOOOONG time ago, I had a pharmacist at a small pharmacy tell me that he would no longer fill ANYTHING controlled for me no matter what the doctor said or what condition they were treating.  End of discussion!  He said that basically he knew that I was abusing and addicted and filling scripts at multiple pharmacies from multiple doctors and that he wouldn't be part of my problem anymore.  Sounds like my case was slightly different than what you're talking about, but they do have the right to make that call if they want to.  I about DIED of embarrassment!!

[BarbRTR]

When I lost my insurance, I called around to check pricing at several pharamcies. My meds were all BP/stomach and one narcotic.

At several pharmacies, before I could even finish the sentence "I was calling to check medication prices" I was interrupted by them saying if these are from **** clinic we won't fill them.

I had never heard of it, but later saw an article in the paper about it being a pain clinic under investigation for basically being a pill factory. It was pretty hard evidence.

I think in that case, the pharmacies are doing the right thing.

But the pharamcies are just that. Pharmacies. They don't have assess to a persons medical records, and aren't trained to diagnosis and treat a patient based on their judgement. They should be backup for drug interactions, but this is overreaching.

[Lynne53]

Was the drug chain CVS? A few pharmacies have lost the right to dispense narcotics in Florida due to DEA investigations and could not even supply some of their pharmacies for awhile. There are still major investigations going on against some of the chains and i think internally they are giving guidelines to pharmacists to avoid problems with the DEA. Soon all narcotics will be schedule 2 patients will have to see their physicians much more often no refills and limits on amounts. When it will go through I do not know but I know a few weeks ago the vote was 19 t0 10 for Vicodin depite poeple with legitimate chronic pain saying it would make access harder for them. Rarely when something is voted on that overwhelming do they go against it. Lynne 53

[OpenMind24hours]

I think Lynne53 has something there. Google it. The FDA is cracking down on pain meds. People in pain have access but they're making them harder to get with much more scrutiny involved. I bet they're not only looking at the patient, but at the prescribing doctors also. Too many scammers, and as always, too much sales value on the street. This ruins it for people who really need them.

After finally stopping and getting out of the squirrel cage, I thank God I no longer need to worry about where my next bucket of pain pills are coming from. When I had to ask for a refill from my doctor my blood pressure and anxiety level would go up and I'd be filled with the fear that I would get turned down.  

[T2112]

A similiar thing happen to me about 8 years ago.  The Rx called for 2 Fiorcet w/ Codine every 4 hours (12 per day) and although the pharmacy had been filling the prescription for a couple of years, a new pharmacist, who recently began working there, simply said NO!  She said it was too much medication in a single day and she wasn't going to fill it.  Rather than fight with her I took the Rx to another branch about 5 miles down the road - same pharmacy chain. They have been filling it for years.  However, last year they did say that they thought it was time I found a way to take only 6 or 8 per day due to the acitomeniphen that is in the pill. In hindsight, although irritated at the time - I think the pharmacist was right. I just question the authority.

[Quki73]

Would you give us a hint at what chain pharmacy you went to? Was it in California ?

[overopiates]

They have an experation date but I looked at just ur posts.The pharmacist cant well they shouldnt be able to decide whether u have been taking anything too long thats the doctors call.Pharmacists n general throw the power they have around sometimes as n this case too much and cross a line.Is ur doctor gonna call ur meds n to a different pharmacy?I know people who have been getting the same meds for a lot longer from the same pharmacy(my moms gotten them for18yrs@the same place).Ur pharmacist has no clue whats wrong and why u get them either.Im mad for u thats not fair.Ive read a couple states who have made it a law(I believe its a law now n NY)u can only get opiates a certain amount of time in a row dnt know for sure but its months like3or6months then u cnt get em for a while).Dnt think thats fair

[nursegirl6572]

I just did some searching, and apparently a Pharmacist CAN refuse to fill a script based on their own judgement call, if they feel it is harmful to a patient, or unnecessary or innapropriate treatment.  I was actually a bit shocked to read that.

Exactly what the pharmacists can and can't do varies from state to state.

I still would contact the pharmacy, as I've never heard of a script being refused if it's legit.  I would think the pharmacy would need to take that up with the doctor, and make suggestions about maybe trying a different med...not to just deny the script.  Seems like that's not right, and while pharmacists shoulder some of the responsibility for narc diversion, the majority of the liabilty lies with the MD.

On the other hand, this may be a Godsend for you as you sound like maybe you've had enough of this?

[Belly12345]

Well the dr called it in to another pharmacy no problem. The girl at the dr office said " the pharmacy is playing dr" so it's not my dr but its just weird.
This is a big national chain pharmacy so I'm wondering if its the same one as the last comment.
Ill need to ask my dr what the pharmacy said exactly because why, like you all have said, would they stop filling.

[sweetnsassy75]

Just wanted to comment on this topic... I have been a pain mgmt pt for 4 yrs now and 2 months ago my md forewarned me that pharmacies are now requiring that PMP provide more detailed information ( re: other treatment modalities) that a pt is using instead of opiate medication ( in specific short acting opiates) before filling rx's of short acting meds.  He also stated that the pharmacy is of the opinion that if medication is needed in the treatment of  chronic pain it should be consists of a long acting opioid vs. short acting. I also go to the same pharm that questioned my PMP about his orders and called the cooperate office and was informed that "company policies regarding the dispensing of short acting opioids in the treatment of chronic pain are under review". And this pharmacy is a national chain pharmacy. Just wanted to share this bit of info

[nursegirl6572]

Either you misunderstood, or the pharmacy is clueless.  A pharmacy cannot question why or how long a person has been on medication that is being Rxed.  They can refuse to fill it early, they can demand a new written script...they can even call and clarify the details with the doctor, but they are NOT permitted by law to say, "we think you've been on this too long, so we're not going to fill it".  That's basically practicing medicine without a license.  Unless the script was fradulent, or there was some other issue with the script (or with the doctor), or timing of it, they would be obligated to fill it.  I'm really wondering if perhaps the DOCTOR doesn't want to fill it for some reason, and they gave you a BS line?  That's why you need to call the pharmacy.

I would strongly urge you to call the pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist and ask exactly what the problem is.  

[Belly12345]

I appreciate all your answers. Yes I think it is odd too. I am dependent on them... As much as I want to blame them I can't. However, I have taken the same amount for yrs.

I went to my dr yesterday to get a refill and they usually just call it in. The dr office called about an hour later and said that they won't refill anymore because I've been on it too long....

So what is the deal with the new laws? I should start tapering now huh?

[SueT845]

My Dr has lowered my dose from 4 pills to 2 pills a day after being on Vicodin for 6 years, there are new laws regarding vicodin that Dr's need to follow I don't think we can blame the doctors or pharmacys on this one.

[Lynne53]

Vicodin is going to become a class 2 schedule as voted on 19 to 10 in favor at the last FDA meeting. This means you will nget a limited number of pills and no refills must have a hard copy every time you go to fill it from the doctor. Lynne

[nursegirl6572]

A pharmacy cannot make that judgement call, you have to have misunderstood something.

I would call your doctor and ask what's going on...or call and ask to speak to the pharmacy manager.   Why are you using two pharmacies incidentally?

[selfinduced]

I've never heard of that. You sure your Doc didn't explain it right to you? The pharmasist doesn't normally dictate the length of time a customer can continue meds. Sounds like your insurance company notified the pharmasist and informed them that your current diagnosis doesn't warrant the length of time used. Do you feel you still need these meds and are you dependent on them now? Have you phoned your insurance company?

[Belly12345]

Thanks but these were just the dr office calling in to refill it every time. The pharmacy told the dr office that they think I've been on it too long and will no loger refill it. They are making a judgement call. They just won't refill it

[dominosarah]

Refills have an expiration date.  Is that what you meant?  If so your dr has to write a new script.