Walgreens pharmacists now turning away some customers who need pain meds (2013)

[@tntkop]

As a police officer, I watched this video out of curiosity because we often deal with forged prescription, etc. but we also deal with many people on medical calls, arrestees, etc., who deal with chronic pain. When I saw the part about the man who tried to take his prescription to another pharmacy and Walgrens refused to give it back to him, and threatened to call the police on him, that really infuriated me. If that happens, tell that pharmacist to go ahead and call the police. And when the police get there, YOU need to file a report on larceny of prescription. Walgrens has no legal right to kep your prescription. None. In Oklahoma, the theft of the prescription itself is a misdemeanor, but possession of that stolen script is a felony; it's called Receiving/ Concealing Stolen Property. I've actually responded to this exact type of call. When the pharmacist faced going to jail, she quickly returned the script and the patient took it to another pharmacy to get it filled. This may not be how other states/agencies will handle similar incidents, but they should. Remember, your doctor wrote that script to you. It is YOUR property. And a Walgrens pharmacist has no legal right to take your property and keep it from you. That's a crime.

[@pauld5173]

+tntkop in my state a pharmacist is not to return the script if it is found to be a fake or suspected to be used for an illegitimate purpose. so if this was found to be the case in my state, the pharmacist could get in trouble for returning such a script.

[@rochelle123ist]

Paul D if a pharmacist refused to fill my valid RX after invasive cancer surgery then refused to give it back to me. I would have called the police and pressed charges against that pharmacist

[@Acroposthion]

If a pharmacy or pharmacist refuses to fill an Rx, then also refuses to return an Rx on-request.... They better have a REAL SOLID suspicion that it's a phony. If they refuse simply because they wanna jerk around taking several days awaiting a consult with a doctor, and you, the patient can't wait that long.... The patient has every right to have their Rx(s) returned, and frequent another pharmacy. After all, how many doctors have time in their day, to answer calls from bloody pharmacists? None. If they did, they'd spend half of each day consulting charts and returning pharmacists calls. Further, as mentioned in another post.... It would be a HIPAA violation for one's doctor to disclose a patient's medical conditions and diagnoses at-will. Only in very limited cases where an insurer covers a medication for one condition, but not another, would a pharmacist have any business in asking a doctor's office (usually office staff, not the Dr. themselves) for a related diagnosis. Because the dose ranges for meds carrying multiple approved indications are distinctly different; the Rx'd dose is usually enough information for a pharmacist and insurer to approve / deny coverage.

[@dianesamp9102]

So glad you shared this info!! Most of us wouldn't know it was a crime for our script to be held, and am sure we wouldn't think to seek help from police on a pharmacy. I fell in 2006 and damaged my spinal cord. They did a cervical laminoplasty 3mo later or I could have been quadriplegic. I live in constant pain, but quit smoking, don't drink alcohol, and have taken my meds responsibly, yet, they make us feel like criminals because we don't have our health. Thank you for speaking up for us like you did. You probably are helping more people than you know. God bless!

[@justjoy7194]

Even though I am off Pain pills on my own accord It;s nice to know, We still have excellent Policemen like you out there. Blessings to you.

[@barrebabyugk4life]

I WILL NOT, WILL NOT ever fill any prescriptions at Walgreens ..I've used the same mom n pop pharmacy for 8 years and I've never waited more than 15 minutes. Walgreens just discriminates against people who are in chronic pain.

[@kevinchrisner5756]

yes, because of their own negligence

[@barrebabyugk4life]

I've never waited more than 15-20 mins for my medication and it's ALOT stronger than oxycodone.My advice is use a mom n pop pharmacy and develop a relationship with them. They actually CARE for their patients and take time to familiarize themselves w you and your conditions.No problem in 8 years! have a pain free night

[@misfitramone]

I recently moved from a small town to a city and I'm trying to find a good mom and pop place but everything is chain stores, so i drive almost two hours to fill my meds just to avoid the hassle and stares and people looking to rob the chronic pain patients like myself. it's fucked up i can't fill at the place two minutes away because i fear they'll take forever or I'll get robbed outside the store.

[@TheJer1963]

Fentanyl patches and Norco at Walgreens for the last 20 years, never once had a problem with them.

[@22jaydogg]

Barre Baby you are exactly correct! That is what people in this situation need to do. The big companies clearly violated the law! Walgreens, CVS, look it up! And now there going to make the legitimate patients for what the hell they took part in illegally

[@jefferywilliams5878]

My advice too....now!

[@angelportillo6008]

@@TheJer1963mee too..over 20 years…til a pharmacist refused…left immediately for hospital pharmacy…not a single problem over 6 years now…

[@briang8766]

It's easier in many parts of this country to buy a gun than it is to fill a stupid prescription for 30 Percocets? Insane.. glad I don't shop at Walgreens. Great job though America! Way to fight that failed drug war! Forget about drunk drivers & addicts overdosing on illicit street drugs, go after the sick, elderly, & poor folks suffering in pain! Job well done

[@angelportillo6008]

🤦‍♀️💯

[@SpookyMomma918]

not all these people are addicts ya know......my daughter is a cancer patient......... stomach/esophegeal cancer ...... and as a result of that , she lost her teeth....all of them , and had to had all of them removed....she was treated horribly, because of the pain medications she needed and was prescribed ........... she contacted Walgreens directly and told them about it,(raised hell &threatened to go public about it ) and how she was treated......... it was quickly taken care of and corrected..........

[@justjoy7194]

I;m off pain pills, but this is un human.

[@Boxerluver]

Most people on these kind of meds have gone through years and years of trying everything else first. They jump through every hoop the government puts out and each year it’s more and more. They try and develop a relationship with ONE pharmacy and stay there for years. To be treated like this is an outrage and unconscionable. I second everyone who said that the mom and pop pharmacies are the best place to go. You are treated as a valuable customer, a patient and a human being, which Walgreens and many other big pharmacies have forgotten.

[@RiEn0o]

I'm boycotting Walgreen's, especially if they refuse to even have a rep speak about it. Pompous disregard for customers.

[@irenemoran6137]

walgreens is ridiculous when it comes to getting any prescription.

[@angelportillo6008]

Went to Walgreens for over 20 years…switched the first time a pharmacist refused to fill my scheduled medication…said they didn’t have it…when I clearly saw it ordered on MyChart…switched to hospital pharmacy and haven’t had any issues…

[@laetrille]

I will never use Walgreen's again!

[@yvettefountain500]

In Walmart or Sam's club pharmacy I never had a problem that's what I always use

[@drewberning1237]

They need to stop treating patients like criminals, it's ALL the DEAs fault

[@rochelle123ist]

What about HIPAA violations? Why I am in pain is none of the pharmacists business!

[@TankAssTanner]

Pharmacists have every right and are expected to receive a reason/diagnosis from a physician if there's any question if incorrect or improper use. It's not a HIPAA violation......

[@rochelle123ist]

+2legit2sh!t so you want the pharmacist to know why you are taking pain medication? When does it stop? Why I am in pain is none of anyone else's business! But mine and my doctor.

[@TankAssTanner]

rochelle123ist Pharmacists are considered part of the healthcare team. They have doctorates in their field and are highly trained, despite the fast food looking environment of retail. It is no different than a nurse knowing someone's chart so they know how to tailor administering medications to a patient. In this case, it is sometimes necessary to get the diagnosis of the patient to determine if the dosage and medication is correct. Medication combinations and doses are often different, depending on the diagnosis, and pharmacists are the final check that the medication prescribed is appropriate and wont harm the patient. Pharmacists aren't just store clerks that are nosy. You have the right to your opinion, but it is based off ignorance. Also, be mad at the DEA for making pharmacists liable if something wrong happens to a patient and they can't prove they did their due diligence (for example, asking for a diagnosis to record on highly dosed narcotics).

[@rochelle123ist]

+2legit2sh!t i hope you never get cancer, then go to a pharmacy really needing your opiate pain medication then the pharmacist tells you that they always have to call to verify your prescription. Delaying you getting the pain relief you so desperately need. I work in retail pharmacy. The I understand that pharmacists need to follow the law. I am not stupid I work in a pharmacy and I see the shit patients have to go through their pain medication. There are valid reasons why people are prescribed opiate pain medications.

[@TankAssTanner]

+rochelle123ist You don't work in a pharmacy, but nice story.

[@mit26chell]

These patients should have all called the police while still inside the store and reported theft of their prescriptions by the pharmacists. Pharmacists are not allowed to withhold physical prescriptions so that people are unable to go to a different pharmacy!

[@scientist3149]

Mitch Kramb if the prescription was written by the patient and NOT the doctor- that is a crime.

[@scientist3149]

If the prescription is deemed a forgery by the provider whose name is printed on the prescription the pharmacist absolutely has the right to confiscate the phony prescription. It IS a crime to forge a prescription.

[@mcalvert54]

Cyranoonline. How ignorant your comment is. I was once a person who never beleived in anyone having pain. Until one day at work I had pain all the way up my arm.vi was told everything from I was going to lose my arm. After 14 doctors I had degenerative disc disease and three disc in my neck that had to be removed. After the surgery I wanted to get off the meds. As I was decreasing them I was getting bad pain in my lower back. Severe rheumatoid arthritis and herniated disc to whet I couldn't walk. I had already lost tgevleft side of my body before my neck surgery I was almost a quadriplegic and the surgery gave me my left side back. I've had so many injections in my spine just to be able to walk. Yes they have had to increase my meds and I don't take them if I can tolerate the pain. I find anyone that can't see that some of us are in pain and it exists. I've had a doctor treat me like all I wanted was drugs even with clear evidence on my mri that I'm in pain. I've left crying and have wanted to take my life because the pain is so bad. I have times I want to throw away all my meds and just commit suicide. I've had onecdocyor just play with my money to fill his pocket and change meds that finally got me to the point my pain was controlled and he wanted to throw out a pill that worked and give me one that didn't work and take numerous more of the pill that doesn't work. Imvon Medicare and they cut a medicine that stopped spasms I have in my spine to one that doesn't take them away but they want me to take more. I don't want more. I don't need someone to fix what's not broken now. I've never been a person that likes pills. Now I'm trapped and can't travel for months and report to a doctor that is rude and treats everyone like a drug addict. I'm not in denial I'm human with numerous illnesses that are related to my immune system and spine. I can't function without the meds because they take away the pain long enough so I can take care of my own grooming and clean some of my home. Yet I can't mop or sweep. Until you go through what we go through you will never know what 24/7 pain is like. God taught me a lesson because I didn't believe. Now I live in my own Hell and trapped in my home on my bed. Take off your blinders because people get sick and it's very real and I hope you never have to go through it. It will open your eyes when you get it and feel the ugliness of being insulted because you happen to be choosen by God to becill and on pain meds.

[@BillKinsman]

I am sick of the pharmacies trying to be police and arbitrarily interfering with patient/doctor relationship! Really sick of it! Pain patients need advocates to combat this criminality that it represents!

[@JayJay-tw6yg]

Yeah it sucks. Blame the system. They shut down pharmacies for dispensing too much narcotics that caused people to be addicted. If they didn't want to keep the pharmacy open then they will fill it and then shut down and you have no place to fill your prescription. What a world to live in

[@ParticularlyBaptist]

You're truly an idiot

[@shadygurl187]

It's a checks and balance system. Doctors aren't always correct in their prescribing choices. I haven't worked with a pharmacist that dictates to a doctor what to prescribe but when a patient that has never been on a pain pill comes in with a dilaudid script from a non-pain doctor the pharmacist has ever right to red flag that for the patients safety.

[@roseblake5803]

Jane Doe : That’s an entirely different situation and has nothing to do with the issue at hand.

[@scientist3149]

Bill Kinsman cretinous

[@a.walters123]

When you have a serious chronic or terminal illness, you don't have 5 days, let alone 5 hours. Without medicine you experience the original pain, PLUS opiate withdrawal. It's so hellish there are no words or experiences in the English language to describe it unless someone has experienced it first hand. It's torturous enough that people commit suicide.

[@michaelszatmari584]

Can't wait for the day that those people denying people there pain meds need them themselves and can't get it.

[@mozarth]

You can sue pharmacists. I did, it's still an ongoing suit but it's pretty bright. Companies like walgreens opt out immediately and leave the pharmacists as preys when there's a lawsuit so don't be scared that you'll be dealing with a corporate level lawyer. Just get one decent lawyer and if he thinks you are being discriminated against, targeted, profiled or even the pharmacists is trying to practice medicine without a license, or trying to break into your patient - doctor privilege you will most likely to be compensated but most importantly, you will eliminate one bad apple from their evil doing if you can succeed on license suspension. It's very hard for them to re-gain their license once it's suspended due to patient abandonment or denial of care and patient abuse. Not so much for discrimination but they will still be convicted and behave well for the next person. Please, do it if you can afford a lawyer and if you think there's a wrong doing occured. You win, pharmacist pays your lawyer. Please protect your rights and fight with whoever invades them...

[@pauld5173]

+Mozart the pharmacist has a doctorate degree and can ask the doctor any information he feels is necessary, you can't sue for that. your insurance company can ask the doctor what the med is for as well. the pharmacist is usually playing a role as the last barrier to protect patients from med errors and inappropriate rx's

[@mozarth]

Paul D let alone everything else, if they only cause a delay in your treatment while keeping your prescription as hostage, I assure you, you can sue them. It usually doesn't come to that point but the prescription is yours. You are free to take your "business" elsewhere. The pharmacist can even have a tenure track not only a PhD, this does not change the statement AMA made: "D-35.981 AMA Response to Pharmacy Intrusion Into Medical Practice 1. Our AMA deems inappropriate inquiries from pharmacies to verify the medical rationale behind prescriptions, diagnoses and treatment plans to be an interference with the practice of medicine and unwarranted. 2. Our AMA will work with pharmacy associations such as the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to engage with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the federal Department of Justice, and other involved federal regulators and stakeholders, for the benefit of patients, to develop appropriate policy for pharmacists to work with physicians in order to reduce the incidence of drug diversion and inappropriate dispensing. 3. If the inappropriate pharmacist prescription verification requirements and inquiry issues are not resolved promptly, our AMA will advocate for legislative and regulatory solutions to prohibit pharmacies and pharmacists from denying medically necessary and legitimate therapeutic treatments to patients.(Res. 218, A-13)" There's no law endorsing or allowing pharmacists to do verification on their own. and, PHD DOES NOT MEAN MD. PhD in economics does NOT mean an economic medical doctor. PhD in engineering does NOT mean your doctor is an engineer. Anyway...

[@TankAssTanner]

+Mozart Major chains provide liability insurance on all their pharmacists....if you try to sue them you will incur the weight of the corporation. Pharmacists are also healthcare providers and are allowed to discuss with your physician your health information to determine if your medications are all appropriately prescribed and dosed. So overall, your whole post is entirely incorrect.....good luck with that lawsuit. Oh and pharmacists have doctorates in pharmacy (PharmD).....you know, a doctorate studying solely medications. The fact that you think that means an MD is fully qualified to evaluate prescriptions but a person receiving a doctorate dedicated solely to that field is not is pretty confusing. And while the AMA may not like pharmacists calling them, there opinion does not mean that the practice of calling them is illegal....solely that they don't like it (mainly because they would just rather be left alone/dont want to have more work/calls to deal with, not because it is some danger to patients). Simply put, you have no earthly idea what you are talking about.

[@mozarth]

2legit2sh!t Oh my god, such ignorance is too heavy to fathom... It does not matter if they're getting their doctorates in Pharma or on economics. Pharma-D not endorsing you for diagnosis is not a topic that's open to debate. Even though pharmacists take place in the healthcare chain of the patient, they are not qualified for diagnosis and treatment. They can NOT discuss the necessity of medication. That's the problem we had. What they can do is that they CAN verify if the doctor intended to prescribe that particular medication in that specified dose & amount. They CAN contact with DEA upon a probability of pony script or suspicious patient. (The duty part of the pharmacists is another thing. Pharmacies need to warn the patients for allergies, and warn the doctors if they have prescribed medications that has adverse reactions to each-other.) Main reason for mandatory Pharm-d for pharma license is actually a lawsuit (Keffer v. Lorenz, 140 DWLR 1673.) That's all. Or, they can decline the customer for a reasonable suspicion of a pony script. They need to be able to return the prescription to the patient upon request except CA. When they fail to do so, patient has the right to file a law suit for negligence and even for discrimination unless they're living in California where the pharmacists can hold the prescription until DEA steps in. Pharmacy chains do have liability on their pharm-techs and pharmacists. However, liability is not for any law-suit that's related to pharmacist's malfunctioning behavior that has caused delay in patient's treatment and have negative impact on their lives. Other issues are mostly covered by the doctrine from McKee v. Am. Home Prods., Corp., 782 P.2d 1045 So, a pharmacist can verify the prescription, can warn the doctor about adverse effects of medications but CAN NOT determine weather or not that particular prescription should be given or not. The moment they act on it, they get out of the coverage area of corporate liability. My case is being dropped on a mutual agreement. For the sole reason that it gets extremely expensive to keep up. But don't forget, my case was a harder one because it's quite difficult to prove you had financial impact on your life because your pharmacist delayed your ambien prescription on purpose and refused to transfer your prescription to another pharmacy :) But if it was any pain medication, anti depressant or so, the case would already been closed as victory. My case is against a walgreens pharmacist and corporate did not step in. And from what I heard from my lawyer, they usually don't step in as they hire pharmacists in a different employment setup. I honestly forgot what it was but that's what it is.

[@TankAssTanner]

Mozart You are terribly misinformed, but good luck with all of that. Pharmacists are trained in and expected to make sure any medication order they receive is appropriate. They are expected to contact a prescriber if something they have any concerns, and if the physician does not provide adequate reasoning for a particular medication, strength, etc., a pharmacist is legally and professionally obligated to refuse the fill and inform the patient why. You can lose your license if you suspect something is inappropriate and you fill it anyway. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals too, not just physicians/MDs. Pharmacists aren't just fill monkeys that are there just to read that the script and the bottle match up.

[@loriadams1588]

I don't like Walgreens, just for these resins.

[@cayogator]

Unlawful, they can not take your Rx !!! and keep it, unless MD says it is a fake !!

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

Instead of policing the customers and violating the privacy of a Doctor patient relationships Walgreens needs to just fill the script and try to make it easier on the sick or injured customer I bet after a few descimination suits they will change their socialists policy.

[@alsipes7432]

will never use Walgreen's in fact they should be boycotted

[@MelsLife570]

This has happened to me. I herniated 3 discs, had 3 surgeries. I live in chronic pain every day! I get judged by family too! I've had pharmacists tell me they're too scared to fill.

[@Boredchinchilla]

To get it filled with no problem in Walgreens, it has to say "chronic intractable pain", which is tough to get a doctor to put on the rx

[@rochelle123ist]

Cancer pain is no fucking joke!

[@kayleaanderson1154]

my dad committed suicide because of the pain ..

[@rochelle123ist]

I am so sorry for your loss. Pharmacists aren't doctors they shouldn't be allowed to dictate what your doctor prescribes to you. They don't go to medical school.

[@mwolfman321]

Yeah Walgreens is something else. I remember back when they quit taking express scripts and I moved all my meds to another pharmacy, they literally called me 5 times including the pharmacist himself at the location I went to just to ask why I don't use their services anymore. Well they started taking express scripts again and I moved them back over to Walgreens because of them keeping everything in stock and having a drive thru(Although more expensive). They are acting like they don't have 60 tabs of Oxycontin anymore. They will have 58 or another one will have 56 tabs, why would they have under 60 tabs in stock when most of the time they are RX twice daily. F Walgreens, I have even try to turn in my script 2 days prior to put on hold so they could order and have them in stock ready to go on day 30, but they won't do that either. Nothing like getting down to the last pill, then have to scavenge for a pharmacy that stocks your medication. I don't get why Walgreens DEA or anybody gives a Dam what you take in the first place much less when it's for a for a painful condition written by a pain management office opposed to a PCP office. I mean Doctors get scrutinized too these day's and don't just hand out schedule 2 narcotics for nothing. Some may have in the past, but not anymore. Oh well, a couple got burned here in the Ferguson, MO area, I won't care if it happens again now.

[@jenniferrojas7024]

Dea must be abolished and your right it isnt anyones bizz what another person takes or how much they take, its our body simple as that, i honestly really hope that all these people who restricte , look down , and support drug prohibition all find themselves in agonizing pain 24 hours non stop and denied opiates or i hope they find themselves horribly addicted to some drug that carries terrible withdrawls and are denied what ever it is they require to feel well.

[@gutchie14]

I stopped using Walgreen's a little over a year ago because of the way the treat chronic pain patients.

[@DJPETE281]

On one hand I can understand the patients point of view, but working at Walgreens, I can tell you that a lot of information was left off from these customers. We don't deny prescriptions unless we suspect, through prescription history, date of last full, proximity of the doctors office from the pharmacy and hopping from one Dr to the next. I don't agree that we should have to play narcotic detectives, but when a company strongholds you to the point where your job and title are on the line, you have no choice but to comply.

[@justarandomgal2683]

Tyler Wahell That's not how the system works though, If a pharmacist fills a bad prescription, their license is on the line.

[@kevinchrisner5756]

Then why work for them? I heard the salary for pharmacist is below average, i dont personally know

[@scientist3149]

You are correct- I’m a pharmacist as well- it’s a darn shame that the media often doesn’t present this issue from the pharmacists’ perspective- which is (and must be) in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations and state statutes as well.

[@scientist3149]

@Rebecca Cravey if a pharmacist denies a valid prescription there are ways to legally deal with that. But I’ve been in this profession for over 30 years and if you are of the unfortunate mindset that “pharmacists are just like that “ I’m will not waste your time and my time trying to enlighten you. Pharmacists throughout the country are required by law to do “ISTOP” checks on every patients needing not just narcotics for pain but any other controlled substances as well . So are we clear? Crystal clear?? Pharmacists have to check EVERY patient- it’s the LAW

[@kellydriskill6639]

bye Walgreens

[@jmaedl027]

Looks like I will be changing Pharmacys

[@dianesamp9102]

I noticed something at my local Walgreens that now makes sense after finding out this has been going on. They sell cigarettes, usually at the front register when you enter their stores. Now all of a sudden, the beer, wine & liquor area EXPANDED!!! But they are trying to hold back vital medications given on a script by a medical Dr??? I'm all for checking to see if something's fake, but I draw the line at getting into my medical business with my Dr's staff!!!! Then yes, what's Hippa for?!!! I also get it if they caught a rx that might give us a reaction to other meds, or on it's own, but it's just getting ridiculous!!!! We should NOT feel humiliated or like criminals because we don't have our health!!!! It's gotten way outta hand!!!

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

This is so upsetting. I had to stop using Walmart because they kept saying they were “out of stock” when I would take my prescription for pain meds In. I have chronic pain and take an opioid daily. I don’t abuse them (I actually try to take less than what is prescribed) nor do I ask for refills early. This medication makes my day more bearable. It doesn’t make me pain free but it helps. I live in fear of my doctor retiring or some other change happening that will cause me to not be able to continue on this medication.

[@alfredsalinas86]

Wow.... I have been in these peoples situations... And its embarrassing.... My pain is 100% real I have been diagnosed with cancer in July of this year 2014 and cancer pain where the cancer is at is a pain I can't explain.... I wish I didn't have to take pain meds but it's what helps and some people just DONT understand... I do understand the people that do abuse pain meds and use it to get high I understand there extra caution... But when a pharmacy knows you and knows what the meds r for like cancer or ms or any type of serious illness they have no right to say that we are addicted or doing other things with them because that makes us feel like its our fault that we got sick and we brought this pain on ourselves. I'm a 28 yr old male and had cancer since I was 19 and been thru hell with cancer and was in remission and cancer came back so trust me I know pain and still going thru it.. It sucks that people that abuse the meds is making it harder for people like us to get our meds without feeling bad about it or like some type of druggy... Pain sux especially when you have a serious illness so DONT anyone dare sit there and say we are just taking them for fun or because of a addiction because that is not the case at all until you have been in our shoes do t accuse or treat us like we are drug addicts cause were not. It pisses me off that I hear about this a lot and these are people that really need pain medication like me and can't be comfortable picking up our medication or getting a refill without being treated like a criminal.... If a pharmacy feels the need to call my doctor to ask why I'm on them or whatever they need to ask go right ahead I have nothing to hide let my doctor tell u I have cancer so u can feel like shit because you were treating me like a drug addict along with other patients that are going thru the same thing...trust me if we all had the choice not to be in pain and not to take pain meds to get thru our day with no pain we will take that opportunity in a quickness.... But it what helps us for now until there is a cure for what we have If there isn't one or if there is one until they are better.. But the people abusing pain meds please understand that you are making it hard for sick in pain patients who really need them very difficult to have pharmacy's fill our medications.... I do respect pharmacy's being extra carful now and following the new law but if you know is and we have been a customer for years of yours and you know the situation with us DONT treat us like we are drug addicts...

[@iVVaffle360]

First off, when a doctor writes a prescription for a class 2 drug, it is both the doctor AND the pharmacist's job to ensure the authenticity of the script. If a pharmacist fills a prescription that the doctor shouldn't have written, BOTH of their licenses are on the line. As for the delay in getting controlled drugs, It is ridiculous they should have to confirm diagnosis especially for someone who fills regularly. There is a fine line between someone who is taking the drug for real reasons and someone who is abusing it, it is not hard to see. Making the argument that a pharmacist should not get involved is a very uneducated statement. They have a doctorate specifically in the field of medicine, many doctors screw up dosages, I see it every day. They are the last line of defense against errors and that same error could be the one that kills your child due to lack of attention to dosage.

[@rochelle123ist]

Jeremiah Olson I see it all the time, checking and verifying class 2 medications is nothing new. Pharmacists call for diagnosis codes, and document why people are using the medication all the time. It's not actually a bad thing, but when the verification process takes as long as it does, delaying pain medication to those whom really need it it is truly unacceptable.

[@iVVaffle360]

I know they don't, and I never said that. When patients ask for a rx back and there is a serious issue such as it being too early or something we will write a note on it stating that it is refill too soon so the next pharmacist can see that and know that we rejected it. We always give it back, but we have the right to deny filling it or notify other pharmacies of issues with the script.

[@rochelle123ist]

Jeremiah Olson if a pharmacist writes on a prescription why they did not fill my prescription I would have called the police and pressed charges. They altered a valid prescription that should be a crime.

[@iVVaffle360]

If it were a valid prescription, what reason would a pharmacist have to deny it. We write on them if the prescription is too early to be filled LEGALLY to let the next pharmacist know. That way you don't break the law, and the pharmacist doesn't lose their licence for dispensing a drug they shouldn't have. So the root of the problem really is this: Don't abuse drugs/prescriptions.

[@lisamestiza8546]

Jeremiah Olson you stated that perfectly! with your knowledge you must work in the medical field 😉 I guess some folks expect pharmacists to put their license on the line risking their livelihoods and just fill it, which goes against the law. pharmacies are told to crack down on fake and illigetimate scripts. especially the CII's

[@inertia4040]

How dare a pharmacist call and question a Medical Doctor! If the pharmacist wants to understand a doctor prescribing medications he/she should go to medical school and try to become a doctor!

[@mozarth]

+g fava Apparently since they become PharmD licensed, they tend to think Doctor means Medical Doctor... Poor guys...

[@pauld5173]

+g fava haha the only reason they do is to clarify a script or verify the validity of a rx. some doctors forget to put some important info on there like the strength, quantity, etc or just write like shit. a pharmacists computer will also tell if the pt has a drug interaction so they have to call for that too. as part of a pharmD you do learn to diagnose and recognize illnesses about as much as doctors learn about how medications work. doctors learn just the correct dosings mostly and for what diseases as far as meds go

[@gmoneyb5559]

glenn fava pharmacists are doctors too dumbass

[@JayJay-tw6yg]

Why did the they question the antibiotic the patient almost died from a allergy to that the ER doctor did not know of. How dare they save the patient. Should have let the ER doctor get a malpractice lawsuit like what Mozarto would do, after dying first.

[@jameysummers1577]

My God, don't you just love the DEA? You know, if you can't get your pain meds, you can always go to the streets. The heroin dealer doesn't ask question or discriminate. The DEA is creating this Opioid problem.

[@jenniferrojas7024]

Jamey Summers They only exist to keep people going to the unregulated stuff on the street, imagin if the really did fix the drug problem the be out of bizz.

[@Emeraldeize]

this is happening now in Aug 2016. I am a Walgreen's customer..they know my script is legit. I have cancer. mine was upped and I was refused. pharmacy manager even refused to call another Walgreen's to check if they have the med they SAY they didn't have.

[@rochelle123ist]

If a pharmacist refused to fill my OxyContin prescription, after cancer surgery I would have gone ape shit at them! Did you report them?

[@susanjohnson787]

This is just awful. Something needs to be done for the legit patients!

[@cherylpemberton1676]

Seems strange, but I'm grateful for my terminal Dx; when it was 'just' fibro & no Dx (went to 15-20 E.R.'s from King City to S.F. Bay Area, Stanford & UCSF), finally they diagnosed me: Chronic Pancreatitis & doctors told me, "You have six months to live, one year if you're lucky." That was 2011, I'm truly Blessed!

[@HPPalmtopTube]

no problem. if they don't want your business just go to another non-wallgreens pharmacy. i have had to change pharmacies twice for similar issues. Don't worry, you will find one that values you as a pain patient, without getting treated as a junky.

[@JamesWilson-sb9iq]

Easy. Don't no longer shop at Walgreens.

[@jiwbink]

THE SCRIPT IS HIS PROPERTY!!I WISH THAT THEY HAD THREATENED TO CALL COPS ON ME!BASTARDS!!

[@rachelsierra612]

OMG its not just walgreens with those policies....this report is biased. yes pharmacies verify diagnosis to prevent fraud and to confirm patient is getting right med. i love how people are saying pharmacists are playing doctor when doctors will flat out ask the pharmacy staff what they should prescribe. So they may seem as they play doctor but only because doctors offices ask them too

[@TankAssTanner]

+Rachel Sierra There is also the fact that pharmacists are ALSO doctors (they have pharmacy doctorates/PharmDs, as opposed to medical doctorates/MDs for physicians).

[@asapnickybars4693]

BOYCOTT WALGREENS I did and have never had a problem since

[@asapnickybars4693]

PREACH! Fuck Walgreens bro we need to collectively boycott. Even if people boycotted for a week it would hurt them immensely.

[@asapnickybars4693]

We can only hope. With social media now a boycott would be incredibly easy to organize.

[@asapnickybars4693]

Good for you man. One man can make a difference. The more people that stand up to these conglomerate monstrosities the better.

[@janthepooh]

I was asked for my diagnoses in front of other customers. They basically threw the HIPPA laws right out the window. Then another time They made me go without my meds for several days because they had to verify the prescription. The pharmacist was very rude and called me a drug addict really loud where other customers could hear. I am a retired school teacher. I have always had a good reputation in our small town. Now people are whispering about me. I have since moved all of my prescriptions from Walgreens to another pharmacy due to these issues.

[@raymondshaw2038]

Maybe liqour stores should stop selling alcohol. It kills more people.

[@ten8goa]

If they kept my scrip, I would immediately call my doctor have that scrip cancelled and go pick up new scrips.

[@woodstock7052]

innocent people who just need their pain medication and we have to go through hell every month and sometimes don't even get their medicine, we shouldn't have to pay for the people who abuse it, we go through Enough! I've had to Go to 7 different Walgreens, yes GO to 7, because if u call like I just did and they can't even tell me over the phone if they have it in Stock and most of the time they don't even have it, so being disabled and in Exstrem chronic pain, I have to personally go in Every single store until I find one instead of just giving me a yes or no answer! Also they say they can't even call other branches from their pharmacy to see which one has it or not so I don't have to go to each one just to be turned down because they don't have it in Stock, it puts sooooo much stress every month, rarely when we do find a place that just so happens we are stressed about how when or IF we will be lucky enough to find one that fills it after that month is up, it's so so so wrong and sad, we go through enough WAYYYY more than Enough and have so many heath problems, we certainly don't need the Added stress by pharmacies that claim to care about the patient, on the corner of happy and wellness My Ass!!!! This feels like abuse, of we have a script and our Id plus have went to them and been a customer for a good while, why r we being treated like criminals for wanting our much need PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR, It's so wrong to make us pay for other people's abuse, this makes us powerless when we r trying not to give up, trying to live in a little less painful so at least we can try to live as normal as possible with at Least Some Little bit of Pain Relief!

[@leonardbriere2736]

They have tore apart the whole system and just walked away . I'd be willing to bet that most of the people invoking these new laws on persciption have never had the need to eat pain meds to get on through their day ,

[@randy1ization]

the customers should have filed suit

[@christinemccarty3409]

What happened to the hip pa law preventing doctors from giving out your medical info?

[@rondadoolin7084]

Walmart will only fill 4 pain pills a day so u now have to go back daily

[@CaseyMcots]

Same thing happened to me when I went to get my wife's script refilled for her. They told me I had to wait 2 days to come pick it up because they needed some sort of verification regarding the date. I couldn't take it to CVS because they were unable to order any more of this particular medicine for the next 3 months. Ridiculous on all accounts.

[@harperharp6836]

Sue them,I'll never use them Again

[@jeanledoux3793]

I had trouble with Walgreens over pain medication. They made it hard for me to get my medication. I am 72 years old and should not have to go through embarrassment or harassment to get pain medication. We need to get together everyone on this page and fight. I am a medical person and know this is terribly wrong. A pharmacist should not question a doctors order unless the new prescription can kill a person. The prescription is under the Dr. license.

[@ConelliaMable]

The thing that hurt me the most was, I was waiting to get a text from Walgreens, as to when I could pick up my prescription, waited and waited

[@NobleKnowledgeofphilly]

These pharmacist have sick control issues

[@_DrDrakeRamoray]

The guy who had to wait 3 days was probably going through withdrawal and that's why he was in pain. Most of these patients probably take way too much than needed.

[@wendifox6631]

dr. drake ramoramit - You don't sound like a legit dr. If you ARE a real dr., what are you a real dr. of? scientology? voo doo? I know ... you are a dr. of: "lets pretend"

[@wendifox6631]

"dr." ramoramit: you should hope that you never wake up to find yourself in the category of "most of these patients"

[@Acroposthion]

Doctor of Trollology....

[@_DrDrakeRamoray]

Doctor of neurology, drug addict.

[@jerry69nolan]

Dr. Drake Ramoray You sit behind your white coat and make your guess as to what you think the problem is with no information about the person. You are the type of person who I wish would have an accident that requires meds for pain relief and not be able to get anything. You deserve it if anyone does.

[@christy76840]

My pharmacist was great. After 17 years Walgreens just did this to me Getting an attorney now

[@jiwbink]

WAL-GREEN'S HAS ALWAYS SUCKED...I WOULDN'T BUY A PACK OF GUM FROM THEM!!!WALMART EITHER!!

[@cayogator]

+Jiwbink w nope

[@karlswaringim3332]

It's not Walgreens business to know why or how long a person takes any medicine. That's Dr/ patient privilege

[@helenjellen5666]

what about the hippa law? i thought noone but you and your doc can decuss your med problems

[@lesliebordeaux8909]

No, that is not HIPAA by a long shot. All healthcare workers, not just doctors, involved in the care of the patient has a right to the information if the information is being used to perform duties in providing health care to that patient.

[@dazedconfuzed6]

helen jellen Sorry, but a pharmacist is technically a doctor, most do not refer themselves as doctors, but they do have a doctorate. If a healthcare professional is treating you, which a pharmacist is if you go to them to fill a prescription, they are in the "need to know". Despite what you may think, pharmacist prevent many med errors that a MD didnt catch, just by knowing your medical history and the other medications you are on.

[@dazedconfuzed6]

Leslie Bordeaux Right on, funny how so many people know the word "HIPAA", but have no idea what it is. Also funny, how most spell it wrong.

[@brinalea7778]

it's none of their business. just full the script!!!

[@cool3929]

I use Walgreens. Have no complaints. Im 35. I have been on the ssme meds for years cause od Thyroid cancer as well as bone on bone in my neck. Of course, my insurance won't pay so i have to pay cash which is fine. I've been with the same Walgreens for 20 years. I'm sure it will change one day but i feel terrible for these people.

[@cathybenadaro]

And they wonder why there is an epidemic of street drug addictions.I had stage 3 colon cancer,and the chemo and radiation left me horrible muscle damage and nerve pain. I cry everyday because i have now been waiting 4 days to get my meds filled. I have been considering, ending my life at 62 yrs old,because the pain is unbearable.

[@pondartinc4002]

+Cathy Bena Cathy. I'm sorry. I am also disabled with pain in my right neck, shoulder and right torso so bad I can't walk sometimes. I have had thoughts lately. I am loosing my house this month., I want to not wake up many nights. Hold on for me? I need to see you here again so I know you are ok.

[@jenniferrojas7024]

This is sad and inhumane , but how do we take back our freedom to medication when those filthy dea agents are going around bullying everyone?.

[@richardrybinski2320]

I've boycotted Walgreens for over 5 years now. I take my prescriptions to the locally owned "mom and pop" pharmacy....better service....no humiliation or embarrassment.

[@henryjacobsen8576]

Since when is it a pharmacist business to question your doctors treatments?

[@rectbosun]

Walgreens gave my Dr a hard time as well, to the point of the Dr. almost stop writing scripts for pain medication for his vast number of patients. The solution was for ALL his patients to take their scripts to Franciscan(didn;t spell it right) where he's office is affiliated. Where I am from that means I have to go to the hospital to fill the script. Who does Wallgreens think they are dictating what Drs can do or not?

[@caraalisa]

+Naut Important If you think that all pharmacist do is fill up bottles then you are highly mistaken. Pharmacists have doctorate degrees and study many more years of pharmacology than your doctor. They are highly educated as well on the medication and the proper usage, even more than doctors. I cant tell you how many mistakes from doctors we have had to fix that could harm someone or even kill them. Shame on you for dumbing them down like that. They do not dictate anything they have the right to turn down any prescription if they would like even if it is a z-pak. Let pharmacists be pharmacists not customer service reps.

[@curtismcdonald6461]

It’s very noble minded, but these are just words… Weak words, in fact. Walgreens is targeting friends and family of mine with discriminating intent to ensure that they don’t receive critically needed medication. - Walgreens is horrible with answering phone calls. Will you call the pharmacy, the pharmacy staff lets the phone ring and ring and ring. A “return phone call“ is highly impersonal and apathetic call because it is a pre-recorded, computerized phone call stating why they will not fill your prescription. - So this forces, the patient to drive to the Walgreens , Wait in line to ask the question, “why are you refusing to fill my prescription“. I use the word refuse carefully, because Walgreens is categorically refusing to fill prescriptions. Actions speak louder: so when a patient drives to the Walgreens pharmacy counter, day after day, and is told the same pre-fabricated monologues which state they will not fill your script, that IS a Refusal. - Walgreens pharmacy knows that eventually you will cave and stop trying to get your meds. That way they can’t be faulted for violating any rules or laws from Florida Department of health. - I challenge you to get on the phone or online and file an official complaint against WALGREENS for not filling your prescription. Please don’t give up by saying “filing a complaint is not gonna solve my prescription problem today”….Maybe not immediately but you will be locking arms with other patients who are also suffering. You will be an advocate for the widow who’s 85 who desperately needing medication and it’s she’s not being issued that Med. You’ll be advocating for a person who is traumatized by anxiety or ADHD and receiving the same refusal treatment. You will be helping someone else not just yourself. - There’s a growing theory: you, the patient, are on a discrimination list. You have been earmarked because of your age, your medical background, the types of medication that you are ordering, etc. - answer this question… are you hearing the same fabricated monologues at the Walgreens pharmacy counter? - Do these prescription refusal monologues sound like this?… - “there’s a hold up with your insurance”, - “your doctor ordered the wrong prescription”, - “i’m sorry Mr/Mrs patient, I can only read to you the words that are on my computer screen, and it says we can’t fill your prescription until you…” - “Mr/Mrs patient, this sounds like something you’ll have to take up with your health insurance or your health agent“ - “your doctor should’ve clearly stated on the prescription order that this is generic, only“ - “it’s not our fault mr/Mrs patient…..there are dozens of patients on the same medication and we’re still waiting on those deliveries” - “yeah, I’m so sorry mr/Mrs patient, this is happening in every Walgreens. Corporate said prescription delays would be over and done with last fall, but it looks like it’s gonna keep going through the summer. Patients are waiting weeks maybe months for the prescription to come in… So sorry“

[@humansuzzie]

It happens. If so make sure you keep good communication with your doctor make sure you keep up with the doctors names and phone number so that you can call and have them call back to the pharmacy for you. It’s such a hassle but gotta do what we gotta do to decrease the pain. The pharmacy does make it seem personal by saying the doctor canceled the prescription although you just came from the doctor where you got your prescription.

[@lilharlemcutie]

I feel so heartbroken for these patients I know my heartbreak and apologies mean nothing compared to the crap you went threw at Walgreens but I just wanted to say I am so sorry for your heartache what I don't get is why would a pharmacist call a doctor about a prescription

[@pastorCraigHAle1]

every month its an aggravation to me when I go and get my prescriptions I get them ok but you go in and stand in line and see the co-workers not working just joking and talking its aggravation.

[@pastorCraigHAle1]

Good point, didn't realize how it can be.

[@JayJay-tw6yg]

Yeah and sometimes it sucks when people get mad because some of them have to take a lunch break. Some people demand that they don't take a lunch so they can serve them. Despite working 13 hours from 8am until 9pm. But you know what, Sorry about getting you aggravated. Those people didn't mean to aggravate you.

[@dme1016]

Walgreens - has gone from one extreme to the other with me. I've had them piss me off around the corner, & fill my order with no problem 5 miles away (on vacation once, they took care of me 300 miles away). Plus, there's always another pharmacy. I always succeed eventually, to what I'm entitled to.

[@samlyton9556]

Here in nyc they don't bother to refuse. They just pretend they don't carry it. You'll find out later on that someone else in your doctor's office gets theirs from them. It's sad really

[@frostgfx]

There is no reason for the pharmacist to withhold the prescription when they would not fill it . It is the property of the patient... I would have called the cops for theft.

[@Annasea666]

there's no where i know of to get pain meds... i live in Florida. It's worse now. All pharmacies just say no

[@ticks4ticks4]

+Anna Costello Wisniewski Thanks to the crackdown on the unregulated RIDICULOUS rogue PILL MILLS and rogue PHARMACIES that used to exist in Florida. They shifted to Georgia, I last heard.

[@rochelle123ist]

Anna Costello Wisniewski if I lived in Florida and had terminal cancer, I would move so that I could get my pain medications

[@JohnJohn-fb7ts]

so misunderstood its sad, be prepared for loved ones in pain to be fucked and for addict abuse to go absolutely no where

[@dragongrrl3]

I do understand what that is like.....I went to go fill my one time prescription, but for a different reason other than their policy change, I was told that my insurance wouldn't go through. Not good considering that I couldn't afford a $10 prescription for ibuprofen. I don't think that it was their fault, and they were nice to me about it....but just for the cost I don't think I will go there again for it...along with the hassle about my insurance. Now to refuse service to a customer because she had a prescription for a highly potent and abused drug, that is out right terrible customer service. I would've called my supervisor down to try to help her and taken myself out of the situation. However, I do also think that their hands are tied up at the corporate level by the DEA settlement....which would be why the policy was put into effect. You can't blame them for doing their job, but you can blame the company that hires them in my opinion. Again, maybe I would have offered some type of temporary alternative or have them call their doctor/ call the doctor myself and try to find any possible temporary alternatives that they can take in the meantime. I would not leave them out in the cold like they did.

[@JollyRoger4366]

When my baby sister was dying from cancer,A different pharmacy played the same bullshit game.We always had a hard time refilling her prescription pain medicine..There were times she would have to go a few days in such overwhelming pain she would shake and cry. The Hospital would have to deliver pain medication to our house to keep her pain under control ..When I asked the pharmacy about their policy on pain killers for terminal cancer patients, They said it was the Federal Government that makes them do all this to control drug addiction. So a dying cancer patient has to suffer becase they are worried she may become addicted. .Hospice finally put an end to this Bullshit and made sure she had all the medication she needed and passed pain free..

[@truthmane1018]

So Wal Greens fucked up. Now the result is treating their customers like shit? I don't get pain medicine. But it ain't none of their business what my issues are. And what a Certified Dr. Prescribes me. Just do your job and fill the prescription. Way to handle it. Boycott WalGreens. Their are many many other Pharmacies who would happily supply your legally prescribed need.

[@stephv58]

Pharmacists gave every right to look into scripts. If pharmacists weren't there, you'd be dead.

[@truthmane1018]

@@stephv58 No they dont. They are not the FDA/DEA. If a Person with a Doctrine prescribes to his or her patient. They did it for a reason. Its not a Pharmacist's decision whether to dispense it or not. If its 100% legit prescription. Follow it. Print side effects. Put in bag. And move on. It dont matter anyways. For every wanna be FED Pharmacist, their are 100 that do what they are supposed to do.

[@truthmane1018]

@@stephv58 And if you want to get real Technical. Look up the news of Pharmacists putting wrong medicines and wrong doses, killing adults, children, and even animals. So don't act like they are "So great" and "Dependable". They have killed as well.

[@RRob-pf4hp]

Walgreens should be shut down. I have run into this in the past and will only use 1 certain CVS.

[@JoeB10w]

i've read some of these comments, and i know real pain. a lot of you sound like me when i was an addicted. don't lie to yourself. if you take your script as prescribed and preferably less than prescribed then i'll respect you, but if you ever took your meds for something besides pain, then your an addict at least you probably will be. at the very least your a drug abuser, and you abuse opiates enough you'll know what true hell is when you get your script pulled. i actually told my doctor which i regretted for about a year afterwards, but now i'm happy again. i take gabapentin, diclofenac, and i'm going to a chiropractor. chronic pain is a miserable road, but there are a lot of people that are getting meds that don't need anything close to what they a prescribed. i know i was definitely over prescribed, but i kept telling my doctor it wasn't working. no i just didn't have enough meds to keep chasing the dragon. its Pharmaceutical grade heroin basically. good luck to everyone that is fighting the good fight.

[@jriesmeyer]

Well then, there's millions you need to start respecting. Many including myself, take less than "as needed," always asking my doc for lesser strength, but that's because something is occurring to make the pain less, thankfully. You could find some ahole calling you an Advil "addict" if you so much as said you took it, That's how off the cliff this whole thing is. Why are we trying to save junkies who don't care anyway, instead of ppl who would like a life?

[@chelseytyler88]

I've only seen customers turned away because of their insurance issues... But that's because I only use the best pharmacy in town

[@JayJay-tw6yg]

They can always pay out of pocket

[@cakestalker]

I recommend people to take their business elsewhere to other pharmacies and in essence boycott Walgreens. They will probably have a change of their ways once they see a severe loss in customers and their business is struggling.

[@dennyb3419]

Hows that new poop on your customers policy working out for you. There is lots of other places around that doesnt make me jump through hoops when I need to get my meds

[@dkshotwell]

Ok, good, then go to those places, that is, until they get hit with an $80,000,000 fine, then see what happens with them. Dont blame this on Walgreens, blame it on the scammers.

[@Mrmmjalldayreborn2]

+dkshotwell blame the dea not the scammers

[@cyndyznaniecki1175]

CVS and Walgreens are dropping pts they feel should not be getting.

[@dallasparty316]

The other bad side to this is for the store management. Customers such as these people will then come yelling and complaining to the managers. What customers need to know is managers can not make a pharmacist fill a script. There is nothing we can do or say to make a pharmacist fill a CII script. Pharmacist have their license on the line when filling scripts. Customers also need to educate themselves on dispensing laws in their states.

[@KOTHFanRantsandVidsisawesome]

Chris I've had no problems with the Walgreens I go to, CVS, on the other hand.

[@mozarth]

+Chris I am in process of causing a pharmacy manager lose her PD license on multiple lawsuits. If there's a pharmacy manager, he/she is being held liable for the actions of techs even if they're not taking part actively on the wrong doing. So yes, yelling at them will not resolve a problem but filing a lawsuit certainly does.

[@dallasparty316]

+Mozart well whatever your outcome, hopefully you pay to take grammar lessons. because I did not understand wtf you were talking about.

[@mozarth]

Chris Well, I'd hate to say that but me paying for grammar lessons will not make you any smarter or take away your illiteracy. Read again until you can establish a grip.

[@dallasparty316]

+Mozart I re-read your statement. it is still an unintelligible mess. please refrain from using big words.

[@susidelong8865]

Walgreens has gone downhill...something is fishy about them. I literally don't shop there anymore

[@vixspodcast848]

The repercussions of these corporations has led to those patients in immense pain, has led them to turn to the streets. Meanwhile theirs fentanyl being flooded into the streets as a solution. This is inhumane, theirs hundreds of medicines they offer as an alternative which causes more harm. This shouldn't be happening its a disgrace to their corporations and patients. I pray someone will make it easier for people to get their prescriptions instead of turning to street drugs like heroin or fentanyl. They should be ashamed of themselves, thee corporations should educate their patients instead of turning patients actually suffering instead of treating them including me...

[@PinkyakaAyannaj]

People really need to calm down. Bottom line is that the Pharmacy business is a Billion Dollar money maker, therefore, it's a billion dollar tax payer. The government will step in and they will make it easier for all who have legitimate prescriptions to get them. This is America, money money money.....think about that

[@wunndergurl911]

I take Oxycodone 20mg 5 times/day and my doctor has asked us to not use Walgreens because even though I fill the same script every month from the same doctor and they call him every month and insist on talking to him to ask the same questions.

[@JoeB10w]

as an opiate addict originating due to a long term opiate script. i agree 100% with them. this should be praised. only addicts and ignorant people would disagree. i don't see how they took the guys script. that should be illegal. i would like to know these peoples real story. theres no way you can be on opiates for years especially in high amounts without being trapped by addiction. i live with my pain which does suck bad, but it beats the hell out of being dependent on a medicine to not be sick. worst drug in the world. the whole US has become addicted due to the pez dr's. pre op and post op are the only reasons i see to get a huge quanity and high dosage of meds. i've been on hydro, oxy, morphine, methadone 5mg (for pain), fentanyl patches. i live without meds now, and it sucks but better than when i was on them.

[@rochelle123ist]

Joe Mang Esquire tell your story to a terminally ill cancer patient. Or someone with life threatening injuries that needs emergency surgery to save their lives.

[@ConelliaMable]

And waited, nothing. They could have texted me that they were no longer filling my prescription, they lied and said that they were having trouble with the insurance, now I am really upset,my blood pressure went up my heart beat went to 114 , I could have died just because they were not polite

[@ericcato8219]

same thing here. & I don't have one of these ridiculous pseudo diseases like fibromyalgia or something ridiculous like that either. I have Hodgkin's lymphoma and systemic lupus. I'll never go to Walgreens again at this point.

[@rebel8114]

Kratom. Look for it. Legal, doesn't get you high. Stops withdrawals and kills pain. Don't mix it with drugs. You will be glad to have it. Cheap and good to have for emergencies.

[@phillipstracner4932]

Some pharmacies won't fill your whole script. They will keep some of them and won't tell you till after they do it. So watch it.

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

Walgreen’s is only doing this because of their bottom line. It’s all about the money.

[@indiangiver1120]

BOYCOTT WALGREES!!! Not that tobacco use is good, but, they've banned sales of that too. Walgreens tries to control and poke their noses in everyone's business!!

[@wweandy123]

Lmao, what is this bull. I'm not a walgreens pharmacist, but I do go there to help out two or three times a week, and I have never heard of them holding onto a script. We DO call a doctor because a lot of the time a prescription won't go through, whether it's because of the prescriber *cough cough your own damn doctor* or the insurance. Do people not understand that all our job is to supply the medicine. My pharmacist does have to check medical history if, again, a pescription won't go through. We have to check all those possible reasons so we don't get sent to jail for filling a controlled substance. Also, if you need pain pills so bad, why would you wait until there's one day let's worth to try and refill.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

wweandy123 Why would you wait? Because Walgreens has a policy of not dispensing a painkiller prescription until 30 days after the previous time that medication was dispensed. If that day falls on a holiday, or the store can't fill your complete Rx, you are out of luck. I'm not even the pain patient. I'm in charge of the medical needs of my 93 year old mother, and handling the pain clinic appointments and pharmacy pickup dates is a juggling act. I live in constant worry of having to deal with withdrawel in a 93 year old dementia patient if anything goes amiss.

[@mildredbradway1790]

How can 5 states all competing for the slot space # 2 for the highest rate for drug abuse?

[@Steve-oh9tu]

This should be illegal !

[@stephv58]

Y tho?

[@theridbler3637]

I agree with a lot these people in pain it's crappy that these pharmacies are doing this to them and soon the pharmaceutical are going to be robbed at gun point and killed because of DEA. Sticking there nose in where it doesn't belong period