Why do Pharmacies take as long as they do to fill prescriptions? (1 Viewer)

[Scoresman]

Took my wife to the doctor for an ear infection and he prescribed her antibiotic pills. We go down to the pharmacy which isnt that busy at all and the dude tells us it'll take an hour to fill. I see about 8-10 people behind the counter apparently putting pills in bottles for people.

Tell me why this takes an hour? I mean, it's just putting pills in a bottle right? I'm assuming the medicine is already there in a big jar and they just have to transfer it to the little brown bottle for you, or are they actually sitting in the back making the pills and that's what takes so long? If it's the latter I understand but if its the former, I'm baffled.

 

[belljr]

You're not the first in line.

 

[Jack White]

To force you to spend time in the store buying stuff.

 

[General Malaise]

You know, if you say 'pretty please' your doctor can use what's called a computer or even a fax machine to send your script into the pharmacist of your choice so it's ready for you.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Because F*** You that's why.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/619865-ask-a-pharmacist/?p=13718644

 

[Scoresman]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

 

[jon_mx]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

Most people call in ahead of time. So while you may be the first person standing in line, you are not the first person in line.

 

[cincredfan]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

Most people call in ahead of time. So while you may be the first person standing in line, you are not the first person in line.

An hour for a Rx to fill is ridiculous. I am certain there are people in front of you but if they don't look that busy they aren't.

I am a rph btw.

 

[Scoresman]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

Most people call in ahead of time. So while you may be the first person standing in line, you are not the first person in line.

I'm sure this is how it works. I just wish they were able to recognize that when someone is actually sitting there waiting (and in this case in pain waiting for pain meds) and maybe take the few minutes to fill their pill bottles first. I don't know what time all those call-in orders came to pick up their stuff, but there wasn't an hours worth of people coming in during the wait at all. First world problems I guess.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

how about pre-filled bottles? I mean seriously

 

[jon_mx]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

Most people call in ahead of time. So while you may be the first person standing in line, you are not the first person in line.

An hour for a Rx to fill is ridiculous. I am certain there are people in front of you but if they don't look that busy they aren't.

I am a rph btw.

Well, I guess that leaves they really did not like him.

 

[northern exposure]

Took my wife to the doctor for an ear infection and he prescribed her antibiotic pills. We go down to the pharmacy which isnt that busy at all and the dude tells us it'll take an hour to fill. I see about 8-10 people behind the counter apparently putting pills in bottles for people.

Tell me why this takes an hour? I mean, it's just putting pills in a bottle right? I'm assuming the medicine is already there in a big jar and they just have to transfer it to the little brown bottle for you, or are they actually sitting in the back making the pills and that's what takes so long? If it's the latter I understand but if its the former, I'm baffled.

Was this a Walgreens Pharmacy? If so, you do have to take into consideration that these are the same people that hired Eminence.

 

[Mr.Pack]

They have to call the insurance company, and make sure the meds are covered, then find out what the copay is, and a lot of times Insurance companies aren't so fast.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

 

[cincredfan]

how about pre-filled bottles? I mean seriously

Many things are available in typical size (ie 30 ct bottles etc) as well but pre-counting bottles is not very feasible (takes far longer to do as must be properly labeled which is a pain in the ###) drug/lot#/exp date etc

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/619865-ask-a-pharmacist/?p=13718644

That reply contains most of the answer, but especially true nowadays is the part about insurance claims. Most claims are submitted electronically these days, and insurance companies are paying for fewer and fewer medications. So when the insurance company rejects the claim, the patient has the choice to either pay cash for the prescription or go back to the doctor and get another med prescribed. But it also means that prescription (that was likely in line in front of yours) is kind of in limbo until the patient arrives to get the bad news and tell the pharmacy what they want to do. Multply times 15-20+ times per day and it becomes quite a bottleneck, but it is not really avoidable.

 

[NutterButter]

They always tell me 15 minutes. Your pharmacy blows.

 

[Scoresman]

They have to call the insurance company, and make sure the meds are covered, then find out what the copay is, and a lot of times Insurance companies aren't so fast.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

It's Kaiser so I dont think this can be the reason. Everything's in-house there.

 

[scoobus]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

 

[Scoresman]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

 

[cincredfan]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

 

[scoobus]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

Never heard of them so I can't really tell you much about them. You didn't mention them in the initial post but pain meds can be more of a PITA to deal with as far as potential complications with processing. But if it really did take them 50 minutes to get it ready (assuming you stayed in the store and waited), then you're probably right it's just a ####ty pharmacy.

 

[Mr.Pack]

They have to call the insurance company, and make sure the meds are covered, then find out what the copay is, and a lot of times Insurance companies aren't so fast.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

It's Kaiser so I dont think this can be the reason. Everything's in-house there.

Why would this pharmacy be any different than any other pharmacy?

 

[Scoresman]

They have to call the insurance company, and make sure the meds are covered, then find out what the copay is, and a lot of times Insurance companies aren't so fast.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

It's Kaiser so I dont think this can be the reason. Everything's in-house there.

Why would this pharmacy be any different than any other pharmacy?

Because the pharmacy is the same organization/company as the insurance. I dont know the fancy term for it. My insurance provider is kaiser and they have their own medical facilities and pharmacies.

 

[Scoresman]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

Isnt it up to the doctor doing the prescribing to determine abuser vs. non-abuser? Why does the pharmacist have to second guess this?

 

[scoobus]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

Isnt it up to the doctor doing the prescribing to determine abuser vs. non-abuser? Why does the pharmacist have to second guess this?

Prescription fraud.

 

[cincredfan]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

Isnt it up to the doctor doing the prescribing to determine abuser vs. non-abuser? Why does the pharmacist have to second guess this?

Most states have websites that MD's are required (supposed?) to check that compile all scheduled Rx's. Required in my state not sure if required in all. Pharmacists have access and check if questionable/etc

Absolutely not just the MD as could see multiple MD's in multiple states and no one knows.

There are a lot of dumb MD's by the way. Obviously all professions have this but disturbing nonetheless

 

[Scoresman]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

Isnt it up to the doctor doing the prescribing to determine abuser vs. non-abuser? Why does the pharmacist have to second guess this?

Most states have websites that MD's are required (supposed?) to check that compile all scheduled Rx's. Required in my state not sure if required in all. Pharmacists have access and check if questionable/etc

Absolutely not just the MD as could see multiple MD's in multiple states and no one knows.

There are a lot of dumb MD's by the way. Obviously all professions have this but disturbing nonetheless

OK, this makes sense. Thanks.

Thanks to all the drug addicts out there for making me waste an hour.

 

[matuski]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

She probably looks like an addict so they ran a check.

 

[Scoresman]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

She probably looks like an addict so they ran a check.

The whole left side if her face was puffed up swollen. If they couldn't see she was in pain, they were blind.

 

[cincredfan]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

Isnt it up to the doctor doing the prescribing to determine abuser vs. non-abuser? Why does the pharmacist have to second guess this?

Most states have websites that MD's are required (supposed?) to check that compile all scheduled Rx's. Required in my state not sure if required in all. Pharmacists have access and check if questionable/etc

Absolutely not just the MD as could see multiple MD's in multiple states and no one knows.

There are a lot of dumb MD's by the way. Obviously all professions have this but disturbing nonetheless

OK, this makes sense. Thanks.

Thanks to all the drug addicts out there for making me waste an hour.

This would add about 5 minutes to your time. The pharmacy you go to is less than ideal. Also Mondays are the busiest days and then right after work. Guessing this happened today so you hit the worse day for a pharmacy.

 

[NutterButter]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

She probably looks like an addict so they ran a check.

The whole left side if her face was puffed up swollen. If they couldn't see she was in pain, they were blind.

All addicts are in pain. So out of touch.

 

[mquinnjr]

To borrow from Family Guy.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Because they are all on drugs.

 

[Mad Cow]

Jim Gaffigan has a fantastic routine on pharmacists. Too bad it was removed from Youtube due to copyright crap. Ditto with Seinfeld.

 

[General Tso]

Pharmacies can't suck enough. I don't even take meds anymore unless they are absolutely necessary. It kind of forces you to eat and live well. Last time I stepped ino a CVS or Walgreen's was probably 2 years ago. I don't even go to the Doctors either unless I'm really really bad. #### clears up.

 

[Eminence]

Having worked in a pharmacy, if you're "buddy, buddy" with the pharmacy techs they will fill your things quickly. Generally speaking you have the Pharmacist and then a lead tech underneath her who is busting her ###. You put some less talented hacks underneath her.

It isn't a complicated process to get right but if you're a business you're trying to do the job by spending the least amount of money as possible.

 

[General Tso]

Having worked in a pharmacy, if you're "buddy, buddy" with the pharmacy techs they will fill your things quickly. Generally speaking you have the Pharmacist and then a lead tech underneath her who is busting her ###. You put some less talented hacks underneath her.

It isn't a complicated process to get right but if you're a business you're trying to do the job by spending the least amount of money as possible.

How much talent does it take to count pills from a big bottle and put them in a small bottle? It's not like they are making the stuff.

 

[Insein]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

Most people call in ahead of time. So while you may be the first person standing in line, you are not the first person in line.

I'm sure this is how it works. I just wish they were able to recognize that when someone is actually sitting there waiting (and in this case in pain waiting for pain meds) and maybe take the few minutes to fill their pill bottles first. I don't know what time all those call-in orders came to pick up their stuff, but there wasn't an hours worth of people coming in during the wait at all. First world problems I guess.

Next time you call ahead and they stop your order mid fill to drop everything for the ####### at the counter, you'll know why they f'd up your pills.

 

[Mad Cow]

Having worked in a pharmacy, if you're "buddy, buddy" with the pharmacy techs they will fill your things quickly. Generally speaking you have the Pharmacist and then a lead tech underneath her who is busting her ###. You put some less talented hacks underneath her.

It isn't a complicated process to get right but if you're a business you're trying to do the job by spending the least amount of money as possible.

How much talent does it take to count pills from a big bottle and put them in a small bottle? It's not like they are making the stuff.

You gotta be careful, man. What if the pharmacist has a bad day, gets bad news? What if he puts poison in a kid's prescription and he dies? What if that kid might have saved a whole lot of lives one day?

 

[Christo]

They always tell me 15 minutes. Your pharmacy blows.

Yeah, I've never waited an hour. They always say 15 minutes and it's always ready sooner.

 

[Fennis]

And what's the deal with the white lab coats?

 

[snore]

They have to call the insurance company, and make sure the meds are covered, then find out what the copay is, and a lot of times Insurance companies aren't so fast.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

Most scripts don't require a phone call to the insurance company. Just key in prescription info and member data and the rest is done via software which determines eligibility, copays and other such things as defined within the prescription benefit. Its keying in the info and filling the script that takes time. Usually.

 

[Cjw_55106]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

I would highly recommend switching pharmacies.

As a general rule pharmacists hate dispensing pain meds - can't always tell abusers from non-abusers. Must be double counted and typically have perpetual inventory which takes more time as well. (Clearly in this case not an abuser as with antibiotic and guessing a small quantity 16 or 30)

Isnt it up to the doctor doing the prescribing to determine abuser vs. non-abuser? Why does the pharmacist have to second guess this?

Most states have websites that MD's are required (supposed?) to check that compile all scheduled Rx's. Required in my state not sure if required in all. Pharmacists have access and check if questionable/etc

Absolutely not just the MD as could see multiple MD's in multiple states and no one knows.

There are a lot of dumb MD's by the way. Obviously all professions have this but disturbing nonetheless

OK, this makes sense. Thanks.

Thanks to all the drug addicts out there for making me waste an hour.

In that hour, you could have easily gotten Chipotle.

 

[matuski]

1. Which pharmacy?

2. Did it actually take an hour? I doubt it.

3. Antibiotics aren't pain pills.

1. Kaiser

2. Pretty close. 50-55 minutes

3. She was prescribed both.

She probably looks like an addict so they ran a check.

The whole left side if her face was puffed up swollen.

Tends to happen ... sounds like she needs to get that under control.

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Unless you have some sort of special contract-type situation with the "in house" company, you can take your prescription anywhere and they will bill your insurance and your copay will be the same no matter where you go. Might try a mom and pop independent pharmacy if you have one available. I'd be willing to bet you'll get much friendlier service.

 

[matuski]

Having worked in a pharmacy, if you're "buddy, buddy" with the pharmacy techs they will fill your things quickly. Generally speaking you have the Pharmacist and then a lead tech underneath her who is busting her ###. You put some less talented hacks underneath her.

It isn't a complicated process to get right but if you're a business you're trying to do the job by spending the least amount of money as possible.

How much talent does it take to count pills from a big bottle and put them in a small bottle? It's not like they are making the stuff.

Imagine Eminence being responsible for getting your Rx right....

 

[Scoresman]

You're not the first in line.

I'd understand if there were a lot of people there waiting for medicine but there wasnt. There's no way an hour's worth of people came in to pick up their pills while we were waiting. They should prioritize people who are actually there waiting. This is probably just a ####ty pharmacy.

Most people call in ahead of time. So while you may be the first person standing in line, you are not the first person in line.

I'm sure this is how it works. I just wish they were able to recognize that when someone is actually sitting there waiting (and in this case in pain waiting for pain meds) and maybe take the few minutes to fill their pill bottles first. I don't know what time all those call-in orders came to pick up their stuff, but there wasn't an hours worth of people coming in during the wait at all. First world problems I guess.

Next time you call ahead and they stop your order mid fill to drop everything for the ####### at the counter, you'll know why they f'd up your pills.

First of all, multitasking is a skill I'd expect someone with a pharmacy degree to have. Second, if that really is too difficult, why cant they have some people dedicated to call-ins and some dedicated to walk-ups? When I was there they had a half dozen people frantically preparing piles and piles of prescriptions which were presumably call-ins while there were a small few of us sitting there waiting for them all to complete.

It's like if you went into a deli but they put a complete hold on walk-up sandwich orders because someone called in a large catering order. If it were my deli, I'd still have a guy or two helping the walk-ins as opposed to putting everyone on the catering order then moving on to the walk-ins when it was done.

 

[sho nuff]

And what's the deal with the white lab coats?

And scrubs for the techs?

 

[the moops]

They have to call the insurance company, and make sure the meds are covered, then find out what the copay is, and a lot of times Insurance companies aren't so fast.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

They rarely call insurance companies. They just type your insurance info into their fancy computers and it tells them what is covered and how much it's gonna cost.