Will I get fired from my PM dr over this?

[amberleytrei91]

Hi all! Was wondering what would happen in my situation. Last month I went to Walgreen's with my sister to run an errand and while I was there, I wanted to ask which day my Norco script was due to be refilled (I wasn't sure if it was Friday or Saturday). I go to a PM doctor for degenerative disc & have been taking Norco since December. I asked the girl if she could check which day I was eligible for refill although this wasn't my normal Walgreen's but I figured since Walgreen's has a computer system, they can look up exactly when my script is ready. (I wasn't planning on filling it there because according to my PM contract I must fill at one pharmacy. I just wanted the date checked.) She asked me randomly if I was taking the medication as scheduled, not really paying attention I said yes. I also didn't want to get into detail about the fact that my doctor doesn't really have me on a specific schedule. He originally did, and then I told him that I was more comfortable taking the meds as needed ie some days I take 1, 2 or 0 and he didn't mind. I just didn't want to go into all of that. Then later, the pharmacist asked me if I had run out of the medication, I told her yes since I'm not really on a specific schedule. She told me that I could fill on Saturday & that I need to get the specific directions correct & then I left. I was going on a short vacation Thursday and returning that Friday, so I decided just to drop my script off at my actual Walgreen's & told them I knew it was early, but I just wanted them to file it for me and I would pick it up on Saturday. About 30 minutes-an hour later, I got a text from Walgreen's saying my script was ready. I called Walgreen's knowing this had to be a mistake & the girl on the phone said that they tried to fill it (instead of file it like I had asked!) and it was rejected because it was too early. I guess the computer system rejected it. So I said, okay, no problem, see you on the 3rd (sat) when it's ready. I am worried that they will report me to my doctor & will they view this as "drug-seeking behavior"? I just wanted to get one trip to the pharmacy out of my hair so that I would only have to make one trip total on Saturday when it is ready. I also read online that someone was "flagged" by a Walgreen's pharmacist. I worry that I could have been flagged since I ran out of my medication early (according to the directions, not really according to the agreement I have with my doctor) I truly didn't think the directions mattered until now, as long as you and your doctor knew what you were doing. Also, my doctor does know that I don't take my meds on a particular schedule, but I fear that if a pharmacist were to call & "express concerns" about how I don't follow a schedule with him, that my doctor would take me off my meds or fire me (people have been fired for less after all!) Does anyone have any advice? Does anyone think I will be "fired" over this situation? Please help! -Amberley

[philnoir]

Good for you... Amber.

Now that this is over, maybe you can forgive and lose your anger over this -- it doesn't help, and it can hurt you.

Peace.

[amberleytrei91]

Hey guys! Went to the doc today & all was well! Thanks for the kind words! :D

[Gail3053]

Hi-I did the same thing, because Krogers doesn't stock Fentanyl patches.  I'd take the script in early and tell them I know it's not time to fill it yet, but please order it.  Months earlier I took in a script and they had to order it, they came in the very day I need a new patch.  So, that scared me--from then on I told my dr about what happened and he'd just write it a little early-with no problems (pcp dr).  I'm off the patches now, but it certainly is frustrating when you're doing all the right things and people question you.

[amberleytrei91]

Hi there guys!

Yes, I did end up getting the refill! And yes I posted a similar topic about a month ago, I will keep it to the same thread next time. My main question was asking about whether my doctor would fire me if the pharmacist called, not so much about the refill. Same question different angle I guess haha! I just definitely don't want to be without my meds!

Thanks all,
Amberley

[Weathergirl21]

You posted this back on April 30th and got quite a few responses....

Here is the link as it's best to continue on the same thread if it's on the same subject matter...

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pain-Management/What-happens-if-you-refill-your-norco-early-/show/2164037#post_10344302

[philnoir]

Did you get your refill on that Saturday?

I've had many controlled scripts rejected for filling too soon for various reasons. In this case, the pharmacy holds them until they can be filled, and then I pick them up when ready.

If you've presented a valid Rx, there's no reason why the pharmacy needs to call your doc -- they're just following pharmacy rules on how often you can fill a controlled script, which are based on the directions of your last Rx.