Patients say pharmacies won’t fill opioid prescriptions from Longview doctor

Dr. Richard Kirkpatrick said a drug distributor has instructed pharmacies not to honor opioid prescriptions from his office, leaving patients in pain.
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[@Mike_McP]

All this does is punish the patients who actually need this medication and don’t abuse it. People at this age with this kind of medical history should NEVER have to worry that pharmacies one day can just turn them away with a valid prescription. Let these people rest and get some relief!

[@RobSchmitz1977]

For years pharmacies handed out painkillers like candy and now they're cracking down and hurting people that actual need their medicine

[@kellycasperhanson4426]

Good point! It's a threat to people like me who would likely be dead without the relief of opioids.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Most don't " need " them ..they're addicted at this point

[@jamesklaatu9359]

Progressives and the Mexican cartel put an end to that monopoly.

[@bobroberts2371]

Apparently you don't understand that a prescription from a DOCTOR is needed to get these drugs. . . . .

[@Brian-pz3wh]

@@bobroberts2371 and MANY doctors went to prison for creating pill mills.

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

Legitimate chronic pain patients should not be denied medication due to the actions of a minority of people who abuse it. Also, you put elderly patients at risk if they are abruptly cut off from opioid medication. As a chronic pain patient myself, I live in fear of not being able to get the medication I take. As it is, it barely takes the edge off some days but I don’t want to have the dose increased or be put on a stronger medication.

[@Antney946]

How is Cardinal Health now acting like the DEA? How do they have any authority to determine whether or not a prescription is valid?

[@Literallyarealhuman]

He happens to prescribe more because his patents are that sort. This way doesn’t work, you cannot just stop filling prescriptions if the doc is still licensed

[@sandyjuntunen4088]

That's so sorry. I hope these cruel people find out soon exactly how pain feels they can't stand!

[@jamesklaatu9359]

Can't anyone in government think.

[@rootedbox]

People said the same thing when opioids were not regulated like this.

[@edwardabrams4972]

I know this too well😢 I got hit by a drunk driver and almost took my head completely off and had surgery and had my neck filled front and rear with metal plates and 30 screws into my spine. Without oxi I would not be able to get out of bed and that while having 4 kids still at home and the goverment wouldn’t give me social security so I had to live on handouts for my family to survive. It’s pain that know one living should have to endure!

[@switch1237]

Oh my goodness. It's terrible that you have had to deal with so many terrible things. 🙏 I hope that your situation improves soon.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Thats severe pain..they also got prescribed by dentists . Give me a fking break dude

[@vickiwaatti1076]

Walmart in Houghton Michigan will not fill any opiates at all. My doctor refuses to use their pharmacy.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Good

[@terrapinflyer273]

​@@karlabritfeld7104Try working as a caregiver for your mother who is disabled with deteriorating vertibrae in her spine. And all you can do some days is sit with your head in your hands while she yelps constantly and wails in pain. When you know something could be done that has worked before to alleviate at least some of that pain, but no one will do anything about it.

[@cathyburrows8162]

To one extreme to another, what ever happened to common sense?

[@HimynameisJermHicks]

I'm glad that last year I was able to get mine at Costco after I broke my shoulder and had surgery. Without it the pain would have been unbearable. So just seeing this makes me so angry, people who actually need it are being denied.

[@MThomasB]

I am currently with a healing shoulder I broke but I kept it still as heck for three weeks and avoided surgery. Hope you are all better now :)

[@bobroberts2371]

Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy after being hit with lawsuits because the sold these drugs.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Last year????

[@kellycasperhanson4426]

😱The thought of losing my pain meds is terrifying! There are soooo many people like me who live with life-altering pain. I tried everything else before ending up on opioids. Everything! Without opioids, I fear I would end my own life. It would be unending agony.

[@graceg3250]

Just be aware that over time opioid use actually increases pain and the only way to lessen it is to wean off them. There are multiple novel approaches to chronic (not necessarily short term) pain that work as well as opioids without side effects.

[@kellycasperhanson4426]

@@graceg3250 I spent YEARS chasing those supposed "alternatives" that would cure my pain... but here I am, over a decade later, on opioids. No one wants this life! At least I don't! It's just so easy to accuse me of not trying everything available (reasonable options only!) including years on anti-psychotic meds and hypnosis and acupuncture and therapy and injections and radio-frequency ablations and CBD and anti-seizure meds and antidepressants (multiple types) and in-patient detox and on and on... TELL ME THE NEXT THING TO TRY! Please 🙏🙏🙏!

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Addict.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

They definitely have a use . For ppl like you . But people got them for toothaches

[@kellycasperhanson4426]

@@karlabritfeld7104 *sigh... Have a nice day🌞

[@hailutahistan3680]

Rich Kirkpatrick is a wonderful doctor and human being. There is no way he would be handing out opiates unnecessarily.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Riiiiight

[@aidanjohnson3169]

He’s a horrible man who doesn’t care about his patients. He refused to sign my girlfriends great grandmothers death certificate whom was his patient for decades, he single handedly prevented her burial. He’s widely known in the local medical community as a complete fool who doesn’t care for his patients at all.

[@yennyku5240]

lol.. you'd be surprised...

[@samanthacrump1976]

This is terrifying.

[@jeremyhaliski1104]

Haha salmon creek post accute and rehab refuses to give options my mom was in pain the entire time claiming she doesn't need them.

[@Antney946]

1:57 Pharmacies do not prescribe medication to anyone, they fill prescriptions.

[@jessitaran763]

The result of this is going to be that patients are going to start heading to the streets for pain killing medications. This is not going to prevent people from becoming addicted and/or overdosing. It's going to make things even worse.

[@wyldezyde]

pharmcies need to stop fiving out posion shots too.

[@MrsJWife]

Chronic pain patients do not need to deal with too.

[@underthetornado]

They won't do it in Ridgecrest, CA either. Only Walmart. No one else will. It seems illegal.

[@bonniejeanrussell2028]

Its crazy like a big conspiracy. Its like someone is enjoying people's suffering 😡

[@dickgreen1895]

Fentynal from China is O.K., legal, but you can not fill a prescription for legitimate pain.

[@Antney946]

What is? Do you mean fentanyl?

[@Sparklfoot]

Sorry state of affairs. My sympathies to those suffering from pain.

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Give people their medicine! People are offing themselves because it’s the only way out!

[@oceania2385]

This reminds me of the "pain clinic" days

[@110311DONTWANTCHANNE]

it shouldn't be hard to transfer. I went with a mom and pop pharmacy because the chains kept screwing up. there was no problem with the transfer.

[@BlueSparkshine]

This is outrageous!

[@switch1237]

This is a hot mess

[@user-mr4sj9qf3s]

This is unacceptable. 😢

[@johnevans1969]

Disgusting, people going to a physician, a specialist no less, receives treatment but cannot follow that doctors orders? I was forced to play this game years ago as well. I was offered an option of switching from traditional opiates to antagonist opiates, never looked back! My doctor saved my life by getting me off of traditional therapeutic opiates, to this new class of opiates called antagonist! Buprenorphine is a game changer for chronic pain patients! Does away with "traditional" withdrawal scenarios. Please ask your doctors about it, living on old school pain killers is not living at all!

[@armageddonready4071]

Hundreds of junkies will need to find a new fix. If your in serious need, most cases will find a way to get your medicine. Sad that the junkies have ruined it for those that truly need medicine. I’m lucky the VA will send me mine when I need it. Granted, I don’t use them as much as they will prescribe, which makes me suffer in pain half the time. Fortunately that seems to keep me off of whatever list they put heavy users on. That street stuff, is really scary. I hope those that actually need medication can find it legitimately. Good luck out there, stay safe

[@isocarboxazid]

Other people are "junkies," but, oh, not you! You're DIFFERENT.

[@carolkjelland2877]

​@@isocarboxazid I guess you have never had any long term serious pain! I hope you never do!!!

[@carolkjelland2877]

Yes, they are talking about a drug program here, one there. But they say nothing about where the illegal stuff is coming from, and they know. Can we please! close the doors down South now!!!

[@isocarboxazid]

@@carolkjelland2877 Man, you're not good with this whole sarcasm thing, are you? FYI, I have a genetic disorder that causes my bones to dislocate. My criticism is that the person who posted this comment walks around calling people he doesn't know "junkies" which is incredibly disrespectful and self-centered. Get it now?

[@justiceforall007]

It's sad to see these elderly people being denied their meds and suffering with pain. Why not file a class action lawsuit against the pharmacy for age discrimination and witholding treatment? If a licensed doctor is prescribing them, why isn't that pharmacy filling them??? Getting pain meds or drugs on the street is extremely dangerous- we should be doing better for our senior citizens!

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

It’s partly because of the DEA. These pharmacies don’t want to get in trouble for filling “too many” opioid prescriptions.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Go to another pharmacy. There's plenty of them.

[@underthetornado]

​@@karlabritfeld7104not in small rural towns

[@JBoo]

What about getting it from the pharmacies in nearby towns?

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Maybe; but its definitely a hit and miss prospect . Wanna know sometime funny ? The only time I got opiods was after wisdom teeth . At 50. Now , 4 years ago I looked for TRT , to see if I qualify. It was harder than getting to the moon . I had to beg for a blood test . I have naturally really high testosterone. So I don't qualify. But they didn't even want to test . Btw , they give test to " trans women " ..no test needed. Isnt the Oregon great!

[@isocarboxazid]

@@terenceflanagan1225 What a stupid comment, lol. Deeply ignorant.

[@carolkjelland2877]

That's possible. But when someone has chronic pain, it's just not what you want to do once a month for your Medication. Plus, most of the time there's a problem, it's not written the right way or something! Then you have to wait 1,2,3 hours or longer. You would go to another town, yes, but why should you have too???

[@bobroberts2371]

Many pharmacies were hit with $$$$ lawsuits FOR SELLING these meds, do a bit of research. Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy after losing one of those suits.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Oregon sucks A and is run by leftist thieves but OP was confused in that my point was the overperscription of opioids..

[@sian8260]

They need some wacky backy gummies 😂

[@Bruce_Quin]

We do what it takes.

[@tombaja4.9]

Alcohol and every chocolate brand still available. Far from a pharmacy's true mission. Need precrip for stomach?

[@williiamrogers7366]

I see. Removing these stories.

[@cubsfan5734]

follow claudia merandi dont punish pain

[@NateTaber]

My body my choice

[@warbluedragon]

Saw a drugged out man at the park today. He was smoking a pipe in front of the only bathroom area available for the entire trail. They always hang around that spot to the point a car and tent were set 30 ft away. The mess of their encampment was left behind and dangerous behavior is still there.

[@claire5399]

How is this related to the article ?

[@user-ov4wr5yu4r]

Acupuncture is proven to work for knee pain. People should exhaust all options before turning to opioids. Be serious about delaying dependance as long as possible, because something could happen like this. Try to take the smallest effective dose at all times. These patients need to try another doctor. He got red flagged because he indeed prescribes a lot. I don't believe there's no other doctor who will treat them at all.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Cbg and CBD work. You don't get high . That's why people won't use them..they work ..I know..I turn down stuff even when its offered. Cannabis isn't physically addictive . Cbd isn't even Cannabis its just a component ( a cannabinoid )

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

Did you hear what he said? He takes the patients other doctors either have given up on or refused to treat. I tried many things to try and alleviate my chronic pain - acupuncture, physical therapy, steroid injections, you name it. Most of us older chronic pain patients have tried everything. Opioids were the last resort. We deserve to be treated.

[@steve293]

It just shows....it never was, never is, and never will be about the patient. They handed them out like candy bc they benefited, now they wont because they rather 'play it safe' and assume everyones a pill popper. F this country

[@seanlinne8383]

Somebody needs to sue the Cardinal Health. It`s not their job to second guess doctors!

[@bobroberts2371]

And when a pharmacy or drug maker sells these drugs, they are sued for selling them. Do some research.

[@seanlinne8383]

That`s a stupid law if it`s true. @@bobroberts2371

[@M.T.B.462]

It's literally part of pharmacists' (Doctors of Pharmacy, FYI) job to scrutinize EVERY prescription that they fill.

[@SDune]

Sounds like bull....

[@FlatTireForHire]

Opioids do not stop pain. Opioids suppress your response to pain. They also reduce your capacity for pain so the longer you depend on them, the more you need them and the more you WILL hurt. They are terrible for long term pain management. I would only ever recommend them for end of life comfort care or for very short term use such as during surgery. Chronic pain sufferer myself and former medication technician here. It was my job to administer medication and to monitor and document its effects on my residents. Talk to your doctors about REAL pain management, which requires lifestyle adjustments, movement, and nutrition.

[@ameliaweights]

I can never figure out how people get addicted to them. I've had them two or three times for broken bones, wisdom teeth etc and all they ever did was make me sleepy. I fell asleep in pain and woke up in pain. I was never sure if they did anything for the pain or just knocked me out.

[@ameliaweights]

I'm amazed that these people can even find a doctor to still write an Rx for pain meds. I was hospitalized with sepsis and they would not give me any pain meds. They have me Valium because I was "hysterical" but wouldn't give me anything for pain.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

People still perscribe opiods ? Wow

[@monikajohnson8236]

Why not? There are legitimate people who have need for pain medication. People who don’t misuse it. People who follow directions. People who are Not druggies .

[@terenceflanagan1225]

I'm aware . I personally didn't like them due to that potential. I have pain and spinal problems. I use an alternative ..I don't think people shouldn't get their medications. But it was abused far too much so that's why I'm surprised. Thc works better imo . No addiction . No fked up bowels, no police , no overdoses

[@cmthomas07]

⁠@@terenceflanagan1225 I’m trying RSO and Kratom, I was on a Fentanyl patch with Norco for breakthrough pain for many years. Every month there was a "problem" filling my scripts, my doctor lost his mind over covid 💵💵💵, so this past May I stopped all my prescribed medications and have been trying alternative treatments. It’s a struggle to keep the pain out of my head, but being free from the "medical community" is a glorious experience. Best wishes.

[@ameliaweights]

That was my first thought! I can't get my doctor to give me muscle relaxers. In this day and age all he would have to do is look at my records to see that I've been milking the same bottle of 30 flexeril for 8 years. I have to go 3 or more days with a spinal headache before I'll take one because they're so precious.

[@garylittleton3150]

Life is painful.you don’t need that stuff

[@americangirl8970]

Joe Biden's new arrivals need customers. That's why.

[@diegomontoya796]

My grandmother had rheumatoid arthritis. She lived in pain for 40 years instead of being a junkie. She was a kind and happy person.

[@sandyjuntunen4088]

It's NOT being a junkie. Big difference between dependence & a drug addict. People are dependent on insulin, blood pressure meds, thyroid meds- die without it. Not addicts- see? Try living with a inoperable spinal tumor- no therapy or Tylenol helps people living & suffering like they expect. It's cruel & insane.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Well, the precedent was set. Now we are a nation of addicts.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Well you're an old troll on a commie hat......