Process for Pharmacy Refills from Dr's. Office

[Jolie, BSN]

I had an appointment with my family doc today for a minor health concern, and while I was there, asked about receiving the second Hepatitis A vaccine and getting a refill of my headache rx, which is a narcotic.

No problem accomplishing those items, but the process for refilling the prescription seemed strange to me.

Even though I was there and could have taken a written script to the pharmacy, I was asked to go to the drug store and have them fax the office to request the refill. When I stopped by the pharmacy, they said that was no problem, and took care of it right away. I was told to check back later this evening, and they expected to have my rx ready.

The reason given by the doctor's staff was simply to avoid confusion with paperwork. But that doesn't ring quite true to me. I realize that narcotic prescriptions must be handled with care, but I have a good rapport and long-standing relationship with the doc, and think she would talk to me if she suspected that I was overusing or abusing the rx.

Any insight as to why they handle refills this way?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

My pharmacy operates the same way, and I know you and I are in different areas of the country so this might be becoming SOP. Maybe to streamline things?? Maybe to keep MD offices from being inundated with phone calls from patients?

[leslie :-D]

it's my understanding that many facilities have gone to a paperless system.

it may just be as simple as that?

leslie

[morte, LPN, LVN]

no possibility of altering the script....prob. done uniformly, so as not to look like they are discriminating....

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Why then couldn't the doc just fax it to the pharmacy? Seems like a wasted trip if you need to go to the pharm twice??

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

it's my understanding that many facilities have gone to a paperless system.

it may just be as simple as that?

leslie

One of my docs does this. My psyciatrist. For the type of drug he perscribes I guess it makes sence. I dont get anything THAT good from him (Welbutrin and Strattera) It is good to me, but taking in excess would not do me that much more good. lol.

[Ahhphoey]

Why then couldn't the doc just fax it to the pharmacy? Seems like a wasted trip if you need to go to the pharm twice??

I was thinking the same thing. Seems like an inconvenience to go to the pharmacy twice, especially for those who have a hard time getting around and no one to do these errands for them.

[BSN75]

In my office the only reason we ever do it that way is to double check with the pharmacy to see when your last refill was and to make sure you aren't getting narcs from other docs as well. That's not to say they don't trust you, it's just covering their own butt. But it seems they could have just called the pharmacy and saved you a trip. Or as you said just fax the Rx in. That would have made more sense to me.:wink2:

[taxifolia]

HI

"call you pharmacy first", is standard practice for this clinic I work in, it has nothing to do with concerns of any type, it is faster and more efficient for everyone concerned. If there are no changes, the old script is faxed from the pharmacy, reviewed, only needs the practicioner sig and entered on the chart faxed back and filed. and no handwriting to decipher!!!

The script and all the info connected to it is already in the pharmacy system, even if there were no refills initially authorized. the pharmacies insist it is faster on their end to where we rarely will write a new script unless it is truly "new" to that pharmacy. we are not yet on electronic prescribing, not sure what that will mean.

sue

[leslie :-D]

Why then couldn't the doc just fax it to the pharmacy? Seems like a wasted trip if you need to go to the pharm twice??

ah...

i just reread jolie's post.

i gave a really stupid answer.:imbar

i do think that jolie could have called her pharmacy and requested they fax the refill to the doctor.

no reason to go in twice.

don't know why they (md's office) do it this way.

i'm thinking it protects everyone from any potential liability...

leslie

[Jolie, BSN]

ah...

i just reread jolie's post.

i gave a really stupid answer.:imbar

i do think that jolie could have called her pharmacy and requested they fax the refill to the doctor.

no reason to go in twice.

don't know why they (md's office) do it this way.

i'm thinking it protects everyone from any potential liability...

leslie

Leslie, you're right. I probably could have just called the pharmacy, but I passed it on my way home, so I stopped in. I was kind of curious to see their reaction to my request, since it seemed strange to me. But they didn't seem surprised at all.

[nursemate19]

We also follow the same policy in our office. My doctor goes through paperwork twice daily, once over lunch (yes that means we don't get a lunch!), and once after clinic. This helps cut down on incoming calls and repeated calls from the same patient asking if their rx has been filled. He addresses all refill requests at that time, no matter what type of med it's for. All info he needs is contained on the fax from the pharmacy. We then automatically fax straight from our computer to the pharmacy. It does seem out of line to ask you to go to or call your pharmacy if you were actually in the office. We don't carry the policy that far. Sounds like you just got unlucky with the staff person you had to deal with and they were probably just not in the mood, or too "busy" to write down the request!!!! Depending on the doc-they might not be too happy to hear their staff is causing such an incovenience to his patients- I know mine wouldn't!