I WANT MY PRESCRIPTION BACK!

For the third time in about 2 years I recently had a patient for whom I wrote a prescription call me, very anxiously, complaining that his pharmacist (CVS Lamey Bridge Rd.) would not return his written prescription after informing him that they didn't have the medication in stock to dispense and that it was on backorder, and that they had "already put it in the system". In such a situation, know that you have the right to retain your hard copy prescription and take it to another pharmacy. In this situation, demand you have the prescription returned; to request to speak to the manager of the store; demand to be shown a copy of the State Pharmacy Regulations that allow a pharmacist to do this.  If they are persistent, ask to speak or call another pharmacy if it is a chain pharmacy like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and ask that pharmacist if this is allowed. Or, if necessary, call your physician and tell them the issue. He/she can call the pharmacy and correct the problem.

This is not a common problem but it does happen. I'm not sure why, other than to perhaps attempt to keep the business there. Depending on the type of medication, this can create a lot of anxiety for the patient especially if it is heart medicine, anxiety or depression medicine. Most pharmacists will return the prescription and perhaps tell you an approximate time to expect the medication to arrive in the pharmacy. Fortunately, this is an uncommon situation. And interestingly, I've never seen it happen at an independent pharmacy.

Meantime, eat your broccoli, walk a little, and relax.
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​Take care.