My first blog...what the deuce?
I have done this pharmacy thing for the better part of ten years. Given that, I have a lot to say and contribute to the field. I have read several "professional" blogs (some of my favorites being the Angry and the *Angriest* Pharmacists) and have laughed and nodded my head in agreeance and knowledge of the every day bullshit of retail. I have also read some blogs that I wanted to smack the douche that wrote it (like Dr. Dino's blog...ass.)
Needless to say, and sorry if I scare those who have never worked in retail pharmacy before, but it's Hell on Earth, most of the time. I currently work for a great company (have for almost 5 years now) but in previous years, I've worked for Uber-Pharmacies like Walgreens and Eckerd (currently CVS or Rite-Aid, depending on the location) and it's something only an insane person can appreciate.
We have this woman, we (the pharmacy staff) call her "Voldemort" (thank you J.K. Rowling; do I need to put a copyright symbol?) She transferred her scripts from another pharmacy, giving us this whole story that they did this and that against her will, so on and so forth, and that she was looking for a better, more understanding pharmacy to come to. Ok, we thought, decent patient, so far, right? DEAD WRONG! Why do people who no longer work find time to annoy their pharmacy personnel 16-20 times per day, believing that we have NO other patients to tend to? And why do they ALWAYS get narcs?! She's on a pain contract, which is great, except if you're trying to rid your pharmacy of the "CII Seekers", but it prevents them from pharmacy/doctor hopping. Voldemort is on said pain contract. Unfortunately for us, we are the stated pharmacy on said contract! Boo! SO, back to she who's name shall not be spoken...she calls us about 15 times/day and we have learned to expect that. She is on state Medicaid (of course!) and only so many scripts a month will be paid by the plan. She "desperately" needed her Zaleplon, which was requiring a P.A., so she had her "driver" (a.k.a. The Jamaican Cab Driver, whose cell phone number is probably on her speed dial, now) use his OWN money to pay for it (187 bucks!) Now she's bugging us every day trying to get it to go through the insurance, probably so she can pay her driver back! This is a daily occurence and, like I said, we can usually expect at least 10 calls/day from her. FYI, to all you bored patients, please do not feel the need to call your pharmacy non-stop, all day, as we have many things we have to do, all day long.
I have so much more I could say, but I'll save it for future blogs.
Why?
First of all, why are people so dumb when it comes to their medications? Somebody was trying to use the computer service and messed up (God knows how) and was transferred to me. I said, do you have the number? He said, is it the NDC number or the RX number? DUH, dumbass! You just answered your own question! And why is it that 90% of patients don't even know what they're putting into their body? I couldn't tell you how many times I've been asked, "And what is this medication for?" Weren't you JUST AT the doctors office 2.5 seconds ago, talking to him about your ever-growing list of dysfunctions? I appreciate that 10% of you who write on your bottle what medication does what...it makes everyone's life a little easier!
Why do doctors explain one thing to the patient, write something different on the prescription, and then tell the pharmacy something completely different than the first two things he/she said/wrote? And doctors wonder why pharmacies have to call to verify stuff! Because, asshole, you and your multiple personalities need to get on the same page with this shit, that's why! Or how about you stop writing like a 2 year old and PRINT the name of the patient, medication, quantity, SIG, and your name? It's not that fuckin' hard! I didn't learn how to read jibberish in school, sorry! Thankfully, I've been doing this long enough to be able to read 99% of the scripts that come in, but not everyone is so talented.
Voldemort rang today, ALREADY (we opened at 9, she called at 10:45!) She has a secret crush on Pharmacist J; she likes to slobber into the phone every single time she calls, like she's ready for some serious tongue action. That or she's sloshing around her dentures! It's disgusting, either way you look at it. She's in the hospital and still manages to bother us, about her Zaleplon, of course. Her "driver" must be getting on her tail.
Anyway, I'm here 'til 6, so I'm sure many more stupid and interesting things will happen. Oh, I'll also be out of town all next week, so my posts may be scarce for that time-frame! Hope you enjoy the reads!
My first day back from vacation...
...and already it's been a tough day! Voldemort called, along with one of our other "lovely" guests. I actually answered the Voldemort ring-back and she was conversating with someone else, so I hung up on her. Look, I don't have all damn day to sit around and wait for you to finish your oh-so-important conversation, probably with your Jamaican cab driver, so call back when you actually have a valid reason to do so.
Anyway, vacation was ok. I was so damn tired, probably from this hell-hole, I practically slept the whole time. How much of a drag was I, huh?
So, I've been wondering, why do pharmacies (and other types of stores) have to be open on holidays? Hospitals HAVE pharmacies IN THEM. If you're badly injured or on your way to the Pearly Gates, go to the ER! And for all of you who like to call in your refills at the last minute, I shouldn't have to go to work because you procrastinate on "unimportant" shit like medication refills! MOST insurance companies allow a minimum of 3 days before you run out of meds. MINIMUM! Some let you refill up to a week ahead! Stop being a dillweed, get off your ass, call in your refill in ADVANCE and pick it up before the upcoming holiday (or weekend!) Like I said, I shouldn't have to drag myself out of bed on a NATIONAL holiday to deal with you lazy idiots!
And stop whining when a pharmacy closes for a whole HALF HOUR for a lunch. Why don't you bitch at your doctor when he and his staff close for lunch for 1.5 - 2 hours? I would love to actually be able to enjoy my meal, instead of wolfing it down, barely even tasting it, before I have to go back and deal with those that are waiting (impatiently, might I add) for us to reopen from our speed eating. Do you realize we work a minimum of 10 hrs/day? A lot of pharmacists work 13 hrs/day and don't get a moment to pee, much less get a lunch! Thankfully, the pharmacy I work for now mandates a closed lunch time, but I've worked for companies where I would NEVER get a lunch. EVER! So stop your bitching and let us have our half hour to eat!
Please...spare us the every-minute details of your life! You don't need to call us to let us know you'll be writing a check for your scripts instead of bringing cash, or that you can buy a larger bottle of shampoo at Sam's Club for less than you can here. And doctor's don't go calling in scripts for people to any pharmacy they feel like! You know damn well you told them to call it in at another place, yet you come here and bitch when we tell you it's too early! You knew it was called in somewhere else, asshole!
Ok...I'm calming down now...I've ranted. Talk to you again, soon. Byebye for now.