OMG, that is just ridiculous! So now your pharmacist can diagnose you and tell you about more options for your care? Is there anyone higher in command that you can report him to, maybe the CVS corporate offices? This is just so wrong! Like you don't already have enough to deal with you have to put up with someone overstepping his credentials.

I hope you can get the meds that you need and are supposed to have.

Take care,
Lynn

That is insane!!! You have every right to be angry! I would love to throw a fit about this for you...

The pharmacist pulling that would piss your doctor off, I would think. The pharmacist, in fact, was trying to cancel the prescription the doctor wrote!

Doctors write the RX. The only job for the pharmacist is to fill that RX and counsel you for side effects, interactions with your meds, etc.

I feel so sad for those having to jump through hoops to get the only medication that allows us to halfway function. I am so sorry.

I would report him to the state pharmacology dept....that is just wrong...

Call cvs and ask for the supervising pharmacist. Pharmacists are individually licensed so he does have a valid concern. But that does not allow him to diagnose or prescribe. They need to know what is going on in their stores.

i am so sorry this happened. In Florida it is very hard to get pain scripts filled. If you are not a pre-existing customer they will not fill the prescription. If you call they will say they do not have the meds. If you go in and they know you they will fill it even though on the phone they said it was not in stock. Our pharmacies are given a limited amount, once that is sold that is it for the month. It really is a bunch of crap.

Wishing you the best on getting your meds as you need them.

Hugs-RJ

I would report that Pharmacist for impersonating a medical doctor. The pharmacists do have a valid concern for wanting to protect their licenses. In Florida they are being targeted by the DEA. They are scared. I think this particular pharmacist should have told you the truth; that he is scared of the DEA. I don't think he should have been questioning what treatments you've had, and what diagnosis you have. Also, I did read that they are limiting the amount of certain drugs to pharmacies in order to limit the supply of the drugs. I think they tell you they don't have these meds in stock over the phone, because they don't want to be robbed. If they pretend that they don't have such meds, then maybe they will not become the target of a strong arm robbery.

There are a lot of pharmacies being knocked over since they started limiting the supply of these drugs. I know drug like Opana are really hard to find. Methadone is another drug that is hard to find, even though it is very effective at treating pain. It is for this reason that I will not go any higher than Norco. I will try and explore the pain patch, the pain pump, and a wide assortment of other pain control options. I might even try the Marijuana card in the future. Look at what they did to Norco, they made it a schedule 2 drug; when in reality it is not. Any how, I'm so sorry you had a hard time finding a pharmacy to fill your script, and that you were treated in a demeaning and inhumane manner by a so called medical professional! I hope you feel better and that this new pharmacy will continue to fill your scripts for you in the future. Hugs.

So sorry that happened to you. That is so wrong.Between the pharmacies and the insurance companies the doctors have their hands tied which eventually screws the pain sufferer.
They do the same thing here in Delaware were the will not tell you on phone that they have them but will fill for regular customers.

That's a bunch of bull. That pharmacist is making excuses b/c the DEA and FL lawmakers have him terrified.

Last month I started using a new, family owned pharmacy next to my doc. Before that I had to go across to the hospital & at least once ever other month they'd be out of one of my meds.- either long-acting or quick acting MS. The new pharmacy was out of it, too, and said the same thing that my hospital pharmacist said- they only get so many schedule narcotics and it's leaving them short.

The hospital told me that it's new laws and the new one said that they need to get up & running & b/c they're near a Pain Clinic, they're not getting as many non-opiods or non-narcotic scrips, so that somehow affects their stock of pain meds. But they were great to me and even delivered to my home what they didn't have that day.

Another idea is to see a family owned pharmacy. When this last happened, I pulled over at the 1st pharmacy I saw. They didn't have the MSContin but after speaking to them awhile, they called another pharmacy (also family-owned/small business) and THEY had it. The lady told me that she wouldn't have called for someone she felt was abusing the drugs and the new pharmacy told me they'd be happy to take over my meds. I was open & honest and they were very kind. But if I had tried to call pharmacies looking for MSContin or MSIR, they would've all said they didn't have it.

I know it is different by state. Perhaps my records showing me taking the same amount & dose for 17 years made a difference? But now that there's a pharmacy right next to my doc's office, I've switched to them. They know some of the docs and know that we're required to see a pain shrink before being taken on and urine tests, etc. But they can't even help us all unless they get some non-pain patients. They need more inhalers and antibiotics filled.

Your pharmacy had NO right to play Doctor. I pray you found one that will take care of you. Our doc requires us to use the same one each month unless there's a shortage, and even then we report that to him. I'm glad he's tough b/c I get my meds each month.

But your pharmacist is battling the DEA and state laws and a bad rep due to a certain film made years ago. I think your best bet is to ask your doctor where you should go. I'd bet he or she recommends a mom&pop type pharmacy where they get to know you well. I won't use CVS or any big chains for my pain meds.

Hang in there! You'll find the right pharmacist- it just takes time. Hopefully your pain doc will help!

God Bless!

I wonder now that Norco Is a schedule 2 drug, if they are now going to limit the amount that pharmacies can get each month; just like they do for the current schedule 2 drugs. It's going to be interesting to see what happens with Norco over the coming months.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I was dealing with Walgreens for 20 years and never had so much as a blink of an eye when filling my prescriptions. About 3 years ago my insurance co changed providers and made me transfer to CVS. When that happened this same pharmacist read me the riot act and was very condescending. Fool that I was I reported him to his Supervisor who completely disregarded my position and said that it's his license and he has the option to fill or not fill a prescription. To make a long story short he finally settled down and ordered my prescriptions. Until now.
Bill thank you for your info on the State Pharmacology Dept. I will do that but I just think this is getting out of hand and I feel powerless to stop it.
Again thank you to all of you.

Pardon me while my jaw is on the floor! I wouldn't think a pharmacist could go against drs writtern orders without first calling them and discussing it with them!

I am appalled at this. I would love to give that pharmacist a piece of my mind. I am so sorry. I have never in my life heard of a pharmacist not following Drs. orders. You shouldn't have to deal with this crap. I am glad you will report this!

I'm just wondering why no one has filed lawsuits against the DEA.

Did we have this much trouble before obama took over 6 years ago?

Seems like Prohibition all over again. Makes me sick.

Is your doctor on the CVS blacklist? Please read these two articles about CVS blacklisting doctors who they feel are over-prescribing dangerous narcotics. This is some messed up business practices.

Here is the first story:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-21/health/os-cvs-blacklisted-doctors-20120114_1_cvs-oxycodone-purchasing-doctors-pharmacy-chain

Here is the second story:

http://pharmacylawblog.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/cvs-blacklists-second-set-of-doctors-accused-of-overprescribing-painkillers/