laws regarding pain medicine refills?

[GreyScale]

Does anyone have any idea where I can find out whether it is legal or illegal to ask a pharmacist to bypass insurance and allow me to pay cash for controlled substance? They are schedule III and some schedule IV. My prescription has valid refills on it. The pharmacist keeps saying it's illegal to allow me to pick it up earlier than usual. Yes, I'm running out sooner than usual, and my pain isn't controlled. I have an appoitment in april to fix this issue. I'm just curious what the law is in MIchigan regarding this subject? I googled it, but can't find a straightforward answer. I only get this medicine from one prescriber so it is not like I have multiple scripts floating around by different doctors. Thanks!

[philnoir]

All of us maintained on COT understand your frustation and your problem.

Best bet -- visit your local big-box pharmacies, or another independent pharmacy.

Talk with the pharmacist about your needs. Bring in a few months' worth of empty bottles.

Ask the pharmacist to order your medication -- but do this so that you have a couple of reliable pharmacies in your area that you can use.

Only then can you be sure that someone in town will have them when needed.

In the mean time, tell your prescriber of the problems you're having. Perhaps he has a suggestion?

When you've found one or two reliable pharmacies, make sure to let your doctor know -- most controlled substance agreements require the use of one or two pharmacies.

Finally, every pain patient on COT needs to build a small reserve of opioid pain medications. I like to have 2 weeks worth of meds that I keep in my safe. Others get by on a weekend, while some aren't happy without a month's supply.

This is all very much against the rules. However, since the DEA and state regulatory agencies are pulling strings to limit the distribution of opioids at the wholesale level, we need to protect ourselves from the misery and danger of opioid withdrawal.

Smart pain patients build a "stash" so that if needed, they can get through a week while an Rx is on order.

[koaladog]

listening regulation and all the drugs that have been added to the class 2 any medications field on time is becoming a big problem. The pharmacies are no longer keeping large stock  of class 2 medication. in December of 2014 the pharmacy I have used for almost 6 years told me they would no longer be carrying my pain medication because I was the only one using that type. this was a privately owned pharmacy and I never had problems with refills,I switched to a national chain pharmacy in February. the first time I feel my prescription at this pharmacy the new one I asked them since I was now a member if they will always have my medication at the beginning of each month that they would automatically order it if by chance somebody else brought them a prescription for it. always told him that I was a member my medication would automatically go into the computer as a refill when it got below the amount that I was prescribed each month, because I have been taking this medication since 2007. On February 3rd 2015 was the 30 day refill on the prescription as I drop it off today February 2nd 2015 they told me they do not have it in stock and that they'd have to order it which will take 3 to 5 days. I reminded them but they told me that my medication was on automatic refill, so as this was the 29th dayI stay in the next 6 hours wasting a tank of gas to find a pharmacy who had my medication in the correct amount. It being a class 2 narcotic I could not call a different pharmacy to ask if they had it. I was told I would have to bring the prescription in then they would check, as I said earlier I spent 6 hours and a tank of gasgoing to 17 different pharmacies until I found one who could refill my prescription on the 30th day.the problem is now is that the pharmacies are not ordering like they used to, my  doctors wont write a prescription more than 2 or 3 days before it to be  filled. so the delima is now if if the doctor won't write a script early enough so that is the pharmacy has to order it, you won't run out of pain medication.

[Nicoblue126]

CVS in Effort PA has the same type of pharmacist, total smirky B working there! She eye balls you behind the counter, waits  for you to get there then says, NOPE, you can't have it, your dr, closed their doors. *this was a refill mind you* It's like all the pharmacists and their minions take it personally that you have some problems that tylenol won't fix from years of trauma. I shutter knowing they are out there supposedly "helping" the public!

[Nicole_Cpht]

I practice in Michigan. There is no particular amount of days that are governed by pharmacy law in which to fill a refill. It is up to the individual Pharmacists' discretion. The law tells pharmacist to use their discretion and not to fill controlled substances early if a patient is exhibiting "pill seeking behavior", such as wanting refills earlier and earlier every month. Usually we will fill our patients' pain medication refills from 3 to 5 days early.

[trixy71]

That depends on what kind of insurance you have. Most regular insurance companies (not medicare) charge you a flat co-pay. For example mine is $10 for generic, $20 for formulary brand, and $30 for non-formulary brand. So it really depends on your insurance. Now on another note, my thyroid med, I pay out of pocket because its part of the $4 prescription deal. But my pharmacy will usually charge the one that is cheaper. Some pharmacies might try to milk more money out of you, but I've never been to one that did this.

[truthseekr539]

What MOST people do not realize:  You can often pay less for your prescription by paying "out of pocket" and not using your insurance.  Ask the pharmacist what the out of pocket cost is vs. the insurance co-pay cost.

Sounded very strange when I first caught wind of this little unknown fact, but the truth is, pharmacies will charge your insurance company as much as humanly possible for Rx, and then the insurance company turns around and tells the pharmacist how much they can charge you to pick up your Rx.

Pharmacy makes big money, insurance company makes big money, you get the shaft...

Always ask what the out of pocket cost is...........