Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Opioids and the Clerk and Walmart

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
RandyJoe
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2015
Posts : 511
Posted 11/21/2019 10:55 AM (GMT -6)
Tuesday morning, Randy had the AUS procedure. All went well. Yesterday, we went home with prescriptions in hand for antibiotics and Oxycontin. After getting Randy settled, I went to our pharmacy at a local Walmart to get the prescriptions filled. We've been getting Randy's prescriptions filled there forever, so they have all his information. After dropping off the written prescriptions, I was wondering around in the pharmacy area looking for Neosporin and gauze, when to my surprise, I was approached by the clerk, who loudly asked why Randy was being prescribed opioids. Excuse me?!? I replied that he was prescribed the meds for post-operative pain. And then, to add shock to my surprise, he loudly asked what kind of surgery he'd had. Without thinking I told him it was AUS surgery. He then turned around, and shouted to the pharmacist, "Hey, do you know what AUS surgery is?" The pharmacist replied, "No, but I'll just put that down."

I wondered around Walmart for the next 20 or so minutes waiting for the prescription to be filled, and stewing over the rude and invasive questions, which were asked openly in a Walmart, with no regard for privacy. When I picked up the meds, I asked to speak to the pharmacist. I expressed my concern about their lack of regard for our privacy and about their right to require an explanation in order to fill a doctor-prescribed medicine. Per the pharmacist, Walmart now requires the pharmacist to enter the reason opioids are prescribed before they can be filled.

At this point, I don't know if I'm angrier about the clueless clerk who shouted our private business across the Walmart Pharmacy, or about a company policy that requires a customer to hand over private information (read none of their business), before filling a prescription.

Does anyone know if other pharmacies require you to tell them why a med is prescribed before filling? I'm really thinking we need to change our pharmacy.

Donna.
profile picture
Pratoman
Forum Moderator
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 8565
Posted 11/21/2019 11:03 AM (GMT -6)
I recently put in an order with Express scripts for my wife, for Xanax, and they required a DIAGNOSIS CODE from the prescribing doctor, which i understand. I've never though been asked by a pharmacist what the reason for the prescription was. In your case i would have told him none of your business. Because unless its required by law, its not. No matter what the company policy is. If necessary i would just find another pharmacy.

I would be MORE pissed off at the way it was handled, and i would go above the pharmacist to the store manager, maybe even the regional manager. Let them know your rights have been violated. HIPPA laws have to be obeyed
profile picture
mattam
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2015
Posts : 3095
Posted 11/21/2019 11:13 AM (GMT -6)
I happen to have a prescription for a controlled substance, which isn't even an opioid , and I've been treated like a criminal by some pharmacists. One time a pharmacist wouldn't fill it - she said she doesn't fill such prescriptions and recommended I have it filled at another one the stores from their chain. I was boiling mad and wrote a complaint to the chain's HQ, but got no response. I looked it up online - the law says a pharmacist is not legally bound to fill ANY valid prescription.
profile picture
81GyGuy
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 3137
Posted 11/21/2019 11:41 AM (GMT -6)
Walmart has implemented a special policy re opioid medications:

https://corporate.walmart.com/media-library/document/opioid-fact-sheet/_proxydocument?id=00000163-3abc-ded8-ab7f-3ffe314e0000

It's likely to be controversial.

There's definitely pushback to this out there, and well beyond Walmart. An example:

https://www.statnews.com/2018/12/06/overzealous-use-cdc-opioid-prescribing-guideline/
profile picture
halbert
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2014
Posts : 5188
Posted 11/21/2019 3:21 PM (GMT -6)
The laws making it legal for a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription came about directly from some well-publicized cases involving "Plan B"--you may remember that.

wow. again.
profile picture
alephnull
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2013
Posts : 2047
Posted 11/21/2019 3:31 PM (GMT -6)
At a minimum I'd think the fact that they asked in such a PUBLIC fashion violated HIPAA.
I mean, it is about privacy.
profile picture
Tudpock18
Forum Moderator
Joined : Sep 2008
Posts : 4992
Posted 11/21/2019 3:40 PM (GMT -6)
RJ, I understand the issues with the opioid epidemic but the way you were treated is inexcusable. Find another pharmacy and let the store manager of the Walmart know why you are changing.

JIm
profile picture
Fairwind
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2010
Posts : 4107
Posted 11/21/2019 4:29 PM (GMT -6)
Few patients are issued written paper prescriptions anymore. 90% of the time, the doctors office just phones them in to the pharmacy with all the necessary coding in place. You just walk up to the counter and ask for your script.. Walmart has the lowest prices by cutting their costs to the bone. That includes employee payroll expense.. Turnover in their pharmacies is very high..
profile picture
Bohemond
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2012
Posts : 1360
Posted 11/21/2019 5:27 PM (GMT -6)
I agree the way they handled it was way out of line and, even if not a violation of HIPPA, it was clearly a violation of common curtesy and common sense. I would take my future business elsewhere and tell the store manager why.

It is a shame that rampant opioid abuse has made it increasingly difficult for legitimate pain patients to get needed medication. I had a broken rib several years ago - snapped clean through and bone moving around -- an 11 on the 1-10 pain scale when I needed to get from lying or sitting to standing. I called my primary care doc because the script the ER gave me was due to run out in a couple of days. The primary care doc told me I had to come in person to get a new script. I told him that if I was able to come in person I wouldn't need the script. Fortunately the pain ramped down to just an 8 or 9 and I was able to go on just Ibuprofen -- I ended up not even finishing the last couple of Oxy pills. But I don't know how people who have to deal with that level of pain day after day can be expected to suffer without legitimately needed medication.
profile picture
halbert
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2014
Posts : 5188
Posted 11/21/2019 5:31 PM (GMT -6)
In some states, narcotics cannot be prescribed over the phone--a paper scrip is required. But, yeah, that was inexcusable.
profile picture
F8
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 5269
Posted 11/21/2019 5:52 PM (GMT -6)
I could see that happening in a walmart
profile picture
142
Forum Moderator
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 7298
Posted 11/21/2019 11:04 PM (GMT -6)
And on top of that, WalMart is no longer honoring GoodRx for discount prices.

I'll have my own issues Monday with my oncology clinic pharmacy. I've been warned
profile picture
Skypilot56
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2017
Posts : 1431
Posted 11/22/2019 5:32 AM (GMT -6)
Randy Joe, I would definitely go have a talk with the store manager. But hey guys before we knock down Walmart, and any of the few big box stores that are left let's consider the environment. Pharmacist's suicide is on the rise not only do they have to deal with the public but the store wants them to make a profit doesn't matter which one around our area Target is the worst. Our best pharmacy use to be the one at Kmart which no longer exists. Watching the UPS and FED EX truck drivers out the window delivering our mail order prescriptions required by Insurance Co's while we are ordering our Christmas Presents online then we wonder why there are no local drug stores left? Larry
profile picture
Union98
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2017
Posts : 107
Posted 11/22/2019 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
This is the battle we're all going to have to be aware of:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0424-advises-misapplication-guideline-prescribing-opioids.html

CDC is raising awareness about the following issues that could put patients at risk:

Misapplication of recommendations to populations outside of the Guideline’s scope. The Guideline is intended for primary care clinicians treating chronic pain for patients 18 and older. Examples of misapplication include applying the Guideline to patients in active cancer treatment, patients experiencing acute sickle cell crises, or patients experiencing post-surgical pain.

Back in April this was easy to find on the CDC website, now it's buried. I'm going to bookmark this page and print off a copy to have with me. Right now, my husband doesn't require any pain meds - but I've already told him if the doctors offer a prescription for pain meds, take it, get it filled and we'll put them in a medicine safe. I've got the feeling we're going to have to start hoarding in order to have enough when he does need them.
profile picture
mattam
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2015
Posts : 3095
Posted 11/22/2019 8:07 AM (GMT -6)
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0424-advises-misapplication-guideline-prescribing-opioids.html
profile picture
BlackTara
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2019
Posts : 95
Posted 11/22/2019 8:52 AM (GMT -6)
Our local walmart pharmacy is not only loudly embarrassing/chastising legitimate patients, who present opioid prescriptions but refusing to fill them at all. I know, several folks who stopped using walhole pharmacy for buying any pharmaceutical drugs. They don't mind losing customers.
profile picture
Kauaiboy
New Member
Joined : Nov 2019
Posts : 9
Posted 11/22/2019 3:43 PM (GMT -6)
Others have spoken about the violation of privacy you went through...truly a mistake.
As far as knowing your diagnosis, that is simply a CYA. Lawyers are suing all involved with the opioid crisis and those companies with deep pockets are high on the list.
profile picture
gmoose2
Regular Member
Joined : May 2015
Posts : 153
Posted 12/1/2019 11:08 AM (GMT -6)
The cancer center I use, Siteman, has its own pharmacy and I use it for my opioid needs. They make it so much easier. My MO nurse can just walk the paperwork (required) over to them based on my phone call or email and it will be ready for me whenever. They don't have as many customers as big stores do so they know me very well and treat me great. I would suspect most cancer centers like mine have similar setups, but I am not sure.
profile picture
Startech
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2011
Posts : 1138
Posted 12/1/2019 2:28 PM (GMT -6)
Reply to 142. My Walmart was unable to honor a Goodrx price for one of my scripts. I called Goodrx at 855.268.2822 (7 days 8am to 7pm CST) and they called the pharmacy number and then they were able to honor the price. It took about 30 minutes, but now I have no further probs with this refill.
profile picture
mspt98
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 458
Posted 12/1/2019 9:41 PM (GMT -6)
What can I say? As a physical therapist for 35 years I’ve seen patients getting gobs of medicines for pain many years ago to current patients with back surgery, hip and knee surgeries getting almost nothing for pain. We’ve done a complete 180 on pain medication dispensing due to the years of abuse by practitioners and patients. And now that it is our time as old geezers with joint replacements or arthritis or other chronic painful conditions nobody wants to give us jack s—-.
Certainly the HIPPA law was violated by calling you out like that.
profile picture
clocknut
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2010
Posts : 2802
Posted 12/2/2019 4:58 PM (GMT -6)
Earlier this year, my wife and I had a problem at our local Walmart regarding misleading pricing on a particular product (not pharmaceutical). When we came home, I sent an email to corporate via the Walmart web page. First thing next morning, I went back to the store to discuss the problem with a store manager and was greeted with, "Oh, you're the guy who had the problem last night. Corporate contacted us and told us to make it right with you." My takeaway was that Walmart takes customer satisfaction seriously...if not at the local store, then certainly at the corporate level. If I were you, I would go to their website and send them an email about the rude and unprofessional way you were treated.
profile picture
logoslidat
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2009
Posts : 7292
Posted 12/3/2019 10:49 AM (GMT -6)
It's the paradigm...Jake...its the paradigm...look what happens every time you leave Costco...rudeness and we ALL do it to each other...as we universally blame the same
profile picture
island time
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2014
Posts : 2139
Posted 12/3/2019 1:00 PM (GMT -6)
As with most things in life, help...helps.

My pharmacist answers to no one. He’s the boss. Unafraid of losing his job. (He owns the joint)

Finding local, family owned...anything...is key. The challenge is finding them...the ones who take a personal interest. And care for you as a person.

“Like minded” is where it’s at.

They’re still out there.
profile picture
island time
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2014
Posts : 2139
Posted 12/3/2019 1:08 PM (GMT -6)
Come to think of it, I’d be nothing we’re it not for people taking a personal interest in my well-being.

Banks and pharmacies must be locally owned. Or...frustration will rule.

(Not that I’m anything special, but they do care about keeping my business. So, they do treat me “as if” )

Few things are more difficult than dealing with bureaucracies, public or private...

At least, that’s been my experience.

Post Edited (island time) : 12/3/2019 12:50:06 PM (GMT-7)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply

More On Prostate Cancer

Side Effects Of Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment

Side Effects Of Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment

Positive For Prostate Cancer

Positive For Prostate Cancer


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2021 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.