Working in retail is always frustrating and the pharmacy business is no exception. Some patients seem completely unaware of their surroundings and expect us to pull some kind of voodoo magic to get their refills.
I understand working at a pharmacy means seeing people at their worst. Either they are sick or someone they care about is sick or they're chronically on medication and can't come to terms with it. But that's still no excuse to act like a jerk.
So of these things, I'm sure you've done at least one of them. And I guarantee you frustrated someone.
1. Calling the pharmacy and asking about your medications without saying your name.
Really? How are we supposed to know who you are? I count pills, not practice mind reading.
2. Requesting refills when your prescription doesn't have anymore refills.
It clearly says on the bottle how many refills you have left. You had a month to call your doctor to request a new script. What am I supposed to do now?
3. Expecting the staff to call your doctor when you have no refills.
You don't think we have better things to do? What are you doing that you can't call your own doctor for your own medication to keep your own life stable?
4. Asking the staff questions like we are doctors.
The pharmacist isn't an all-in-one doctor. I'm just a tech so I'm really not qualified to answer what I think you should put on that rash.
5. Asking us why the copay is so high.
We send the information to your insurance and they tell us what to charge you for a copay. If you have a problem, call your insurance company. Please don't yell at us.
6. Requesting certain forms of narcotics.
No you can't have the yellow ones because "the white ones upset your stomach." We have what we ordered and can't really special order multiple forms of one narcotic.
7. Complain to us about your doctor.
Chances are, we're probably friends with your doctor because you and 70 other patients see the same one, and we're constantly on the phone with his/her office. It's just awkward.
8. Request refills too early.
I see you just got it two weeks ago. Your insurance won't pay for it until the 30 days are up. Why even try?
9. Calling every half hour to see if your doctor called back yet.
We'll call you when your scripts are in. Please stop calling.
10. Asking if you can pay your copay later.
Why come into a store, expect to leave with merchandise, but not bring money?
11. Request 15 or more refills at once.
It's just overwhelming to be honest.
12. Requesting delivery and then not being home when we arrive.
I wasted time and gas coming here and now I'm going to have to do it again tomorrow.
13. Calling in for refills but not having the prescription number.
And then you can't pronounce the generic name so we're both confused.
14. Coming in with refills and saying "I'll wait."
Great. Let me drop every other task I am doing to make sure your medications get refilled in a timely manor because you're going to sit there and stare at me.
15. Coming in with brand new scripts right before we close.
It takes longer than you think to enter that stuff. We just want to go home.
16. Throwing a fit when your Viagra doesn't have any refills when you come in on a Friday night.
Now everyone is uncomfortable.
