Prescriptions
 

Without getting into the whole Medicare/Drug Company debate, I have to say the American way of filling prescriptions is wonderful. I just touch toned my refills through to my Pharmacy, 5 minutes later the Pharmacist calls and asks if I have enough tablets left, as it wouldn't be ready until Tomorrow and would I like them to make up a part order for today.

Compared to the UK, where you had to ask for a Prescription refill 3 days in advance and then go and pick it up from the Surgery. And God forbid you left it too late and had to explain to the surly receptionist that you'd almost run out, to be told the Doctor is too busy to write one out and it's really all my fault for being a stupid halfwit patient.

Anyway Positive rant over :)

Living life through Chemistry, the American way.

Re: Prescriptions
 

Lucky you gruffbrown! My experience is not as idyllic! My US husband and I are senior citizens :( and have partaken of the new Part D Medicare Plan .

The first time we went to our local pharmacy for a prescription covered by the new Plan the bossy pharmacist informed us that we can have only one month's worth at a time, and cannot get a refill until 6 days before the tablets (or whatever) are used up.

"What if we are going away for a month?" we said "What if we need extra tablets to take with us ?"

"You must make special arrangements with the pharmacist".

Cue for US husband to have a hissy fit. "I will not ask permission from a pharmacist to go on vacation!!!" :scared: I took several steps back!!

Anyway, we get by on a month at a time for now, but when the next presecription is due we shall probably go mail-order or something, then I think it's possible to get 3 months at a time. Wonderful American organisation.... :mad:

Re: Prescriptions
 

Actually our doctor in the Uk had a linkup with Lloyds pharmacies and they would send them through electronically to them who would them call you to say they were ready or deliver if you couldnt get in to pick them up. For free.

Re: Prescriptions
 

After surgery in England, I was diagnosed with endometriosis (something that I needed medication for everyday), my surgeon wrote me a 3 month prescription & I took it to the hospital pharmacy (the hospital I worked in, so I knew some of the staff in there). The pharmacist came out & told me I could only have a 2 week prescription, so I asked her when I should come back for the rest, thinking they were low on supply. She said I should go to see my GP for another prescription, I said why should I, my surgeon has asked for a 3 month supply (I'm skilled in the art of reading doctor's scrawl!), so that's what you need to give me, this isn't a debate, he's the doctor that's handling my case, so I think he knows best. She again insisted that I would need to get another prescription from my GP, but wouldn't directly say why, I asked her over & over again, but still no real reason.

So I said, don't bother, I'll get it elsewhere, when she seemed reluctant to give me my prescription back, I got my phone out to dial my surgeon, she looked miffed & handed it back over. Off I went next door to Sainsburys, I got it there no problem! I saw that bitch everyday after that happened & she would never make eye contact with me, she used to spot me & then look at the ground until after we'd passed!!! :rolleyes: :confused:

That's the only problem I ever had in England, I just can't believe I used to get pissed off about paying a measly £6, oh well, I guess I didn't really know how lucky I was! The only problem I've ever had here with prescriptions is the cost when the doctor prescribes a brand name drug! :scared: :eek:

Re: Prescriptions
 

OK, OK, so I had a positive experience, I'll stick to moaning next time :rolleyes:
(I posted this before I read yours Partystar)

Re: Prescriptions
 

Always ask for Generic, if they have it...

Re: Prescriptions
 

Tell me about it. I am responsible for a senior who does not have any medical insurance. It was a very difficult decision bringing her to the USA, but she is a lot happier with me even though visits to the doctor to get prescriptions are very costly, as is filling the prescriptions.

Re: Prescriptions
 

Yep, really glad I preempted my post with "Without getting into the whole Medicare/Drug Company debate".

Re: Prescriptions
 

Hmmmm - sorry if I spoke out of turn!! :o

chunter chunter.

Re: Prescriptions
 

I like the fact that my doctor will give up to 3 refills on one prescription. That way I just call the pharmacy before I want to collect, instead of having to call the doctor first.

Re: Prescriptions
 

Hospital pharmacies don't give out long prescriptions because it would come from hospital budget rather than from the GP's budget.

Re: Prescriptions
 

No worries Dimsie, it was more of a receiving nice service thread than a Health insurance thread. Maybe it's my Pharmacy, but I always get good service, happy, smiley in a genuine non plastic 'Have a nice day' type way.

Re: Prescriptions
 

Was this a prescription for Viagra by any chance? :D


NC Penguin

Re: Prescriptions
 

90 days worth of Cyalis, "Run it up the Flag pole and see what flies" :D

Re: Prescriptions
 

And don't make me say one got stuck in my throat and now I've got a stiff neck :D

Re: Prescriptions
 

And I like the fact that I can walk into the pharmacy without a prescription, and just say, "Hey, call Dr. <so-and-so> and ask him if I can have a prescription for <insert drug here>." Usually get what I want within ~15 min. Unless of course it needs to be pre-approved by the insurance, in which case tack on about two weeks or so...

Re: Prescriptions
 

If a doctor prescribes something to a patient, the pharmacist shouldn't second guess it, unless it's something like a dosage mistake.

Thinking back now (although I'm not sure if this had anything to do with it), I was 'in between' GP's, as I had been misdiagnosed by my GP for the very problem that the medication was for. I was actually very very lucky to get in to see a surgeon, no thanx to the stupid GP, luckily for her (& me!), I didn't die!!!

Re: Prescriptions
 

I keep some Allegra around. Used to pay $30 for a month's supply of the brand name.

Then the generic came out. :) Yay! "I'll take the generic!"

"That'll be $30."

:confused: "Well, how much is the brand name Allegra?"

"$45."

:mad: :rolleyes:

Re: Prescriptions
 

Utter Bastards!

Re: Prescriptions
 

Wow..... takes hours here to get approval, the doctor won't approve it unless they have seen you (read: you've paid them) recently, and then you have the joy of waiting a minimum of 45 minutes to get the thing filled! :eek:

One of my doctors has gone to handheld devices that link up to their office network and when he asked me if I wanted them to send the script to the pharmacy (so it'd be ready on ONE trip to the pharmacy) I nearly cried with gratitude.

On the other hand, if one has refills.... I can call up any hour of the night (say, now!) so long as I'm willing to give them their required hour's notice, then drive through and pick up the prescriptions.

To be fair, if I lived closer to an independent pharmacy (one not affiliated with a supermarket or the big chains like Walgreens) I would go there and service would be much much better with a chance of home delivery. I remember the good old days when I was a kid: my parents had an account at the pharmacy; when we got a prescription filled it would just go on a monthly account statement and was usually delivered to our front porch!