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Author Topic: Frustrated with my pharmacy!  (Read 7594 times)

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Offline momoftwo

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Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« on: August 09, 2007, 04:31:31 pm »
So two days ago I noticed that my meds were getting low. I called the regional pharmacy line for my clinic and they assured me that my meds would be ready at 9:30 am today. So today I go to my pharmacy and they do not have my Kaletra which I take at 10 am or my Truvada which I take at 10 pm. I was completely out of the medicine so I had the pharm tech call around to see who had my meds. She sent me to the Specialty Clinic where my HIV dr is but they did not have it either. I was told that the stock they had was given out by the time I got there. It took me two hours to get there because I had to wake up my infant and feed her before we went to that pharmacy.
I was informed by them that since my meds were so expensive they only order so much at a time. Long story short I had to load my two children in a car with no air and muggy weather three times to two different pharmacies and finally took my 10 am dose at 1 p.m.

I would think that ordering my meds two days in advance would give them enough time to make it ready. I realize that my meds are expensive but you would think the pharmacy at the ID clinic would have a decent stock available. I actually ended up going to the hospital to get my meds.

Offline Jerry71

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2007, 05:09:29 pm »
Word of advice order a week before you run out that way they are already at your pharmacy. Missing one day will not hurt you.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2007, 05:15:19 pm »
I stockpile every month with the 5-day "window" for obtaining refills just so I can avoid such potential nonsense.  I have at least a month buffer on most of my meds right now.  Everyone REALLY needs to do this.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Bucko

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2007, 06:55:24 pm »
I stockpile every month with the 5-day "window" for obtaining refills just so I can avoid such potential nonsense.  I have at least a month buffer on most of my meds right now.  Everyone REALLY needs to do this.

Not every pharmacy allows this, unfortunately. When I had private insurance I could easily refill up to 10-15 days ahead of time and it didn't take long to develop a stockpile.

But the county pharmacy down here won't release the meds until a few days before they are due to run out. With 31-day months it cuts it REALLY close.

Brent
(Who loathes this topic but shakes his head at its necessity)
Blessed with brains, talent and gorgeous tits.

Blathering on AIDSmeds since 2005, provocative from birth

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2007, 08:11:24 pm »
Yeah, I know.  ADAP here only allows 5-days but I do it like clockwork with that restraint and in 6 months you have an extra month's supply.  It's not that hard to do if you do it consistently.  Guess I'm a bit OCD with it though, but only because I've had many close calls over the years.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline RICKY77531

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2007, 09:18:20 pm »
I ordered 4 months supply already on line....but at the pharmacy they would only give me a months prescription.....weird...
06/2007   CD4 266  Vl 62000
06/2007   CD4 200  Vl 13495
07/2007   ATRIPLA
09/2007   CD4 323  VL Undetectable
11/2007   CD4 428  VL Undetectable
01/2008   CD4 357  VL Undetectable
04/2008   CD4 357  VL UNDETECTABLE
08/2008   CD4 402  VL UNDETECTABLE
11/2008   CD4 421  79 DETECTABLE..
2/2009     CD4 450  VL UNDETECTABLE

Offline aztecan

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2007, 09:39:01 pm »
Hey Momoftwo,

I understand your frustration, but I understand what the pharmacist was saying as well. I don't remember what meds you are on, but in the case of, say, Atripla, the cost is about $1,500 for a month's supply.

The pharmacy has to pay for the meds it orders. That is why pharmacists usually don't keep a large supply of really expensive drugs on hand unless they are widely used.

Problems arise when production doesn't keep up with demand. I have seen this happen in the past with Crixivan. I remember panicking when I had to wait an extra two days to get my supply.

It was then I started to plan ahead, rather like Jerry and Philly have stated above.

Do you use a pill box? They can be a lifesaver if sometimes you don't realize you are running low.

Sunday mornings, I have a ritual. I make coffee, then sit down and put out the week's meds into my pill box.

When I see i have only a week's supply left in the bottles, I order new meds. That way, I have a week's grace period in case there is a problem getting one in, which has happened in the past.

It works pretty well for me.

HUGS,

Mark
« Last Edit: August 09, 2007, 09:50:34 pm by aztecan »
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline blondbeauty

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2007, 09:42:54 pm »
Here in Spain the procedure is different. You pick your meds at the hospital´s pharmacy. They only give you for one month. But in July I said: "I am going out on holidays in August, may I have a two month supply?". They didn´t even blink an eye and gave me meds for two months...The same happened last Xmas but it was them who offered me a two month supply without even asking for it.
Once they were out of Sustiva 600 mg and gave me  Sustiva 200 x 90 capsules... >:(
If they only had a good parking area...
The only member in these forums approved by WINBA: World International Nail and Beauty Association.
Epstein Barr +; CMV +; Toxoplasmosis +; HIV-1 +.
Counts when starting treatment:
V.L.:80.200 copies. CD4: 25%=503
Started Sustiva-Truvada 14/August/2006
Last V.L.count (Oct 2013): Undetectable
Last CD4 count (OCT 2013): 52%= 933

Offline Life

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2007, 09:47:21 pm »
I have 8 pill boxes now and I load em all.... OCD?  ;D

Eric

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2007, 09:47:43 pm »
blondbeauty, if one is on private insurance here in the States one can request a waiver for whatever rule they have about this issue if it is due to vacation, or such was the case when I was on private insurance.  However, the public programs like ADAP are not flexible with this issue or so I have found.  It's yet another reason that I am steadfast in building up a month buffer so I'm not ever tied down in my freedom of movement.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline MOONLIGHT1114

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2007, 09:50:58 pm »
OCD = obsessive-compulsive disorder

I, too, agree with you Philly, plan ahead.  I just started on ADAP, so I wonder what thrills lay down the road for me.  I hate it when I can't plan ahead!

~Cindy 
HIV+ since '93, 1/12 - CD4 785 and undet.   WOO-HOO!!

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2007, 10:11:36 pm »
Like I got a call today from PharaCare about my meds and told when they would arrive. I've so far had very good luck with them. They will even overnite meds if for some reason your meds are changed.

Offline David_CA

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2007, 10:35:08 pm »
I stockpile every month with the 5-day "window" for obtaining refills just so I can avoid such potential nonsense.  I have at least a month buffer on most of my meds right now.  Everyone REALLY needs to do this.

I agree 100%.  If nothing else, it's always nice to be able to help somebody else out.  Regardless, I hate that they didn't actually have your Rx filled and in the little bag waiting for you.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
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Offline thunter34

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2007, 10:43:39 pm »
Yeah, I know.  ADAP here only allows 5-days but I do it like clockwork with that restraint and in 6 months you have an extra month's supply.  It's not that hard to do if you do it consistently.  Guess I'm a bit OCD with it though, but only because I've had many close calls over the years.


Yep.  I was doing this for several months and it paid off.  I got hit with one of those "oops- no meds" moments last year.  And by the time they got the meds in, it was time to "renew" for ADAP- and they then wouldn't let me have them for that reason until I got my fresh 6 month papers in...even though I was "legal" when I first tried to get the refill.  All told, it was about 2.5 weeks past refill time when I actually got the new batch.  I've been working at trying to build up another back stock.  It's not easy.  If you aren't able to get in ahead every month (and "the system" won't let me get them more than a few days ahead), it takes awhile to build up a stash.
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline edfu

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2007, 09:27:35 am »
I agree with Philly--always try to get refills as early as possible and build up a little stockpile.  I find it helps by avoiding worrying about all sorts of sudden, unknown possibilities:  insurance-company ineptitude, pharmacy screwups, getting stuck out of town, flood, etc.   
« Last Edit: August 10, 2007, 09:32:25 am by edfu »
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

Offline cjc

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2007, 11:03:21 am »
Hello sweetie. sorry you had to go through all that especially with  the heat and having to drag your kids out in it.                                        I take Atripla and my Pharmacy asks that i call them a week ahead so they can order my meds. Even that doesn't always work and I might have to wait a couple days. I have Medicaid and it's very hard to get a stockpile even though I try.     I get real anxious when I get close to  running out. Hope you don't have to go through that mess again.  Cristy       PS, I have found using a pill box helps me keep up with  how many I have left.  C

Offline blondbeauty

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2007, 12:43:20 pm »
Philly, Unfortunately HIV is not treated by private insurance here is Spain and you can not buy your meds even if you want to.  :-\
So driving monthly to your local hospital is somethig you can not avoid. Well you can have your meds sent home or to your vacation place but you have to pay for the delivery...
« Last Edit: August 10, 2007, 12:45:21 pm by blondbeauty »
The only member in these forums approved by WINBA: World International Nail and Beauty Association.
Epstein Barr +; CMV +; Toxoplasmosis +; HIV-1 +.
Counts when starting treatment:
V.L.:80.200 copies. CD4: 25%=503
Started Sustiva-Truvada 14/August/2006
Last V.L.count (Oct 2013): Undetectable
Last CD4 count (OCT 2013): 52%= 933

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2007, 01:03:59 pm »
Interesting.  I get my fuzeon delivered by FedEx every month... and I have no clue who pays for it.  I certainly don't pay for it. :)  I could actually get all of my meds delivered by the same pharmacy but I'm on so many different things that, by now, all the scripts run out at 3 different times monthly.  Sometimes it's like a part time job just to effectively manage all of my pharmacy issues.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Steven

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #18 on: August 10, 2007, 01:17:33 pm »
I suggest you may want to look into changing your pharmacy if they are not willing to work with you or treat you right.
I had one person at the pharmacy I used to go to short my meds and then claim I had to wait till a certain date to get the refills.
Well that is when I found out that in PA you actually have a  10 day period before your out of meds to reorder them.
(Philly, if the pharmacy told you 5 days they are incorrect)
If you deal with one person each month at the pharmacy they should be savvy enough to reorder for you automatically without anyone going thru the extra hassles.
This is nothing more than another area we need to be on top of and not get pushed around with.

I agree with anyone trying to get enough of a stash so if anything unexpected happens they have a bit of a buffer for themselves

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #19 on: August 10, 2007, 01:19:29 pm »
Well that is when I found out that in PA you actually have a  10 day period before your out of meds to reorder them.
(Philly, if the pharmacy told you 5 days they are incorrect)
Are you on ADAP?  Or rather SPB as it's called here?
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Steven

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #20 on: August 10, 2007, 01:28:47 pm »
The SPB is the ADAP in my area.
Are you different in the Philly region?

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #21 on: August 10, 2007, 01:35:14 pm »
The SPB is the ADAP in my area.
Are you different in the Philly region?


No, sorry for the confusion.  I was just calling it by it's real name that's all.  When I lived in NYC it was just called ADAP as it is in most other states.  I've only lived in PA for 2 years.

Anyway, when I first moved here I'm quite sure Pharmacare told me that with SPBP you only had a 5-day "grace period" for refills.  Is it really 10?  I guess I could ask again, or even call SPBP in Harrisburg.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline edfu

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Re: Frustrated with my pharmacy!
« Reply #22 on: August 10, 2007, 07:40:04 pm »
My pharmacy in New York City told me the same thing:  5 days before a full month goes by--so basically, 25 days later.     
"No one will ever be free so long as there are pestilences."--Albert Camus, "The Plague"

"Mankind can never be free until the last brick in the last church falls on the head of the last priest."--Voltaire

 


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