Filling Prescriptions.

kneemos

This may or may not be a stupid question but one that bugs me every time I get a prescription filled.Why does it take so long?The other day it took at least ten minutes,she even asked me "are you going to wait"so obviously it's normal practice.How does it take so long to put a few pills in a bag?

wazky

Maybe because they don't keep the Anal Itch Cream right beside them and need to go look for it?

Buzz Killington the third

First they have to work out how gullible you look, then they work some magic maths to calculate how much to charge for a placebo.

Menas

If they rushed and put the wrong pills in the bag, or the wrong dosage on the label they would get their ass sued and lose the right to practice thus losing their livelihood.

Best to take the right amount of time to get it right first time every time.

Alf. A. Male

You can get them filled much quicker elsewhere. Walk down Marlborough St, nod at someone who doesn't look like an undercover copper, job done.

Aglomerado

kneemos wrote: »

This may or may not be a stupid question but one that bugs me every time I get a prescription filled.Why does it take so long?The other day it took at least ten minutes,she even asked me "are you going to wait"so obviously it's normal practice.How does it take so long to put a few pills in a bag?

My local pharmacy has an online repeat prescription request form. Handy because it's ready when I go in and I don't have to stand there staring at the counter with all the other people.

The One Doctor

Trigger Happy wrote: »

If they rushed and put the wrong pills in the bag, or the wrong dosage on the label they would get their ass sued and lose the right to practice thus losing their livelihood.

Best to take the right amount of time to get it right first time every time.

Yup, better to wait and make sure it's right. I don't wan't to be prescribed one thing and end up with something else. I'd rather they take their time and get it right. I know you really need that Viagra OP, but isn't leaving your girlfriend waiting on the bed for ten more minutes worth staying alive for?

I'm joking of course! But get the double strength stuff to be sure.

kneemos

The One Doctor wrote: »

Yup, better to wait and make sure it's right. I don't wan't to be prescribed one thing and end up with something else. I'd rather they take their time and get it right. I know you really need that Viagra OP, but isn't leaving your girlfriend waiting on the bed for ten more minutes worth staying alive for?

I'm joking of course! But get the double strength stuff to be sure.

Don't know what they have to do but ten minutes plus seems an inordinate amount of time to do it...particularly when the voices are telling you to burn the place.

Hotale.com

I just assumed it took so long because they had to make them up or test them of something before giving them out.. Surely it isn't just a case of taking them off a shelf and giving them to you if it takes ten minutes?

mrsbyrne

kneemos wrote: »

This may or may not be a stupid question but one that bugs me every time I get a prescription filled.Why does it take so long?The other day it took at least ten minutes,she even asked me "are you going to wait"so obviously it's normal practice.How does it take so long to put a few pills in a bag?

You would think with the pharmacy staff just standing behind the counter all day with nothing else to do but wait for kneemos to come in with his prescription that they would be handing it to you in oh, say, 3 minutes.
Its terrible of them not to race around randomly dropping tablets into boxes while you stand there with your hands in your pockets for a whole 10 minutes,especially when your so speedy and super efficient at your own job.

Awkward Badger

I'd assume they have to check the authenticity of the prescription then get, count and package the pills. They may also be doing stuff or filling others that they cant just leave. Add to that the fact they all move extraordinarily slow in pharmacies and it take a while.

kneemos

mrsbyrne wrote: »

You would think with the pharmacy staff just standing behind the counter all day with nothing else to do but wait for kneemos to come in with his prescription that they would be handing it to you in oh, say, 3 minutes.
Its terrible of them not to race around randomly dropping tablets into boxes while you stand there with your hands in your pockets for a whole 10 minutes,especially when your so speedy and super efficient at your own job.

Seriously like.

Sauve

Right.
It's not Centra you're in for a start. It's not 'pulling tablets off a shelf'

Here's the process-

Take in script, verify patient name, address, and age. Pull up patient file. Check their history for other medication, interactions, allergies etc. Enter new prescription into system. Print off labels and receipts. Gather items, count, package and label them. Get the pharmacist to do a clinical and accuracy check and bag the stuff. Counsel patient and take money.

And that's just a one-item bog standard anti-biotic prescription where nothing has to be checked up with the prescriber, or possible interactions are flagged.

If all that takes any less than ten minutes, you should be worried

TOMP

Prescriptions have to filled by person A then checked by person B

somuj

mrsbyrne wrote: »

You would think with the pharmacy staff just standing behind the counter all day with nothing else to do but wait for kneemos to come in with his prescription that they would be handing it to you in oh, say, 3 minutes.
Its terrible of them not to race around randomly dropping tablets into boxes while you stand there with your hands in your pockets for a whole 10 minutes,especially when your so speedy and super efficient at your own job.

Go away

jamesbere

Christ it's only ten minutes, I'd say something if you said an hour.

somuj

Sauve wrote: »

Right.
It's not Centra you're in for a start. It's not 'pulling tablets off a shelf'

Here's the process-

Take in script, verify patient name, address, and age. Pull up patient file. Check their history for other medication, interactions, allergies etc. Enter new prescription into system. Print off labels and receipts. Gather items, count, package and label them. Get the pharmacist to do a clinical and accuracy check and bag the stuff. Counsel patient and take money.

And that's just a one-item bog standard anti-biotic prescription where nothing has to be checked up with the prescriber, or possible interactions are flagged.

If all that takes any less than ten minutes, you should be worried

Where do these patient files come from and what information is in them?

Sauve

somuj wrote: »

Where do these patient files come from and what information is in them?

They're a medication history created within the pharmacy. The only info we get outside of that is what a patient expressly gives us, or permits their doctor to send to us and only if it's relevant to their medication.

In some cases where a lot of medication is involved (oncology, cardiac problems etc.) the patient will give permission to the hospital pharmacy to liase directly with the community pharmacy. That's all is ever exchanged though, they'd contact us with changes to a patients meds rather than the patient having to do that legwork.

As far as medical records etc., we'd never see anything like that.

kneemos

somuj wrote: »

Where do these patient files come from and what information is in them?

News to me also.Surely the doctor would know what to prescribe.

I don't think they take that long
They had to call the doc to check could they subs something for me yesterday as they didn't have the particular brand as well
The one I usually use are lovely

kneemos

Sauve wrote: »

They're a medication history created within the pharmacy. The only info we get outside of that is what a patient expressly gives us, or permits their doctor to send to us and only if it's relevant to their medication.

In some cases where a lot of medication is involved (oncology, cardiac problems etc.) the patient will give permission to the hospital pharmacy to liase directly with the community pharmacy. That's all is ever exchanged though, they'd contact us with changes to a patients meds rather than the patient having to do that legwork.

As far as medical records etc., we'd never see anything like that.

Hardly ever use the same pharmacy.

Sauve

kneemos wrote: »

News to me also.Surely the doctor would know what to prescribe.

I don't get what you mean by this? See my above post for clarification on 'files'.

anncoates

Of all the things I'd choose to moan about the service time, waiting for skilled professionals to make sure I'm getting the right medication to put into my body is not one of them.

Sauve

kneemos wrote: »

Hardly ever use the same pharmacy.

If you ever have a specfic condition that's being treated over a long period of time, it's useful to stick to one place.
They'll pick up on errors, allergies, even little things like "he had this three years ago and it made him nauseous"

Also if you come in with a prescription for X, but you're taking Y already from another pharmacy, these might cause an interaction that neither you nor either pharmacy will know about.

mrsbyrne

Sauve wrote: »

Right.
It's not Centra you're in for a start. It's not 'pulling tablets off a shelf'

Here's the process-

Take in script, verify patient name, address, and age. Pull up patient file. Check their history for other medication, interactions, allergies etc. Enter new prescription into system. Print off labels and receipts. Gather items, count, package and label them. Get the pharmacist to do a clinical and accuracy check and bag the stuff. Counsel patient and take money.

And that's just a one-item bog standard anti-biotic prescription where nothing has to be checked up with the prescriber, or possible interactions are flagged.

If all that takes any less than ten minutes, you should be worried

Also customers don't appreciate that although there may be 4 or 5 staff behind the counter, its possible that only 1 or 2 are qualified to dispense prescription drugs.
Peoples sense of entitlement completely overwhelms them . It won't be long until someone who feels they've been kept waiting too long by someone they perceive is not working hard enough, flips and attacks counter staff. I see it in GP waiting room, chemists, SW offices all the time.

mrsbyrne

somuj wrote: »

Go away

Calm down bud.

quadrifoglio verde

kneemos wrote: »

News to me also.Surely the doctor would know what to prescribe.

Ha, you'd be surprised how many times doctors have accidentally tried to kill their patients.

kneemos

Sauve wrote: »

I don't get what you mean by this? See my above post for clarification on 'files'.

The doctor will know what meds you're on having prescribed it.
I don't know where these files come from the most interaction
I've ever had with a pharmacist is when they're telling me the dosage.

meoklmrk91

If its a repeat perscription ring about an hour before you go in and they should have it ready for you. If not drop it in while you and do something else and then come back and get it. My pharmacy is seriously busy, so you could easily be waiting a half an hour for a perscription to be filled.

shopaholic01

I always use a pharmacy near a supermarket - drop in prescription, buy groceries, collect medication. It's not really something I'd get worked up over.

Sauve

kneemos wrote: »

The doctor will know what meds you're on having prescribed it.
I don't know where these files come from the most interaction
I've ever had with a pharmacist is when they're telling me the dosage.

I've explained above where the files come from. They're created and stored within the pharmacy.
What I mean by 'interaction' is the interaction between two drugs that may have an adverse affect on your body when taken together (this is the pharmacists' area of expertise moreso than the doctors').

kneemos

Sauve wrote: »

I've explained above where the files come from. They're created and stored within the pharmacy.
What I mean by 'interaction' is the interaction between two drugs that may have an adverse affect on your body when taken together (this is the pharmacists' area of expertise moreso than the doctors').

Yeah I know.What I mean by interaction is swapping information.

Muise...

Sauve wrote: »

If you ever have a specfic condition that's being treated over a long period of time, it's useful to stick to one place.
They'll pick up on errors, allergies, even little things like "he had this three years ago and it made him nauseous"

Also if you come in with a prescription for X, but you're taking Y already from another pharmacy, these might cause an interaction that neither you nor either pharmacy will know about.

They'll also get to know you and your condition and how you're handling it - I've heard my local pharmacist offer to drop the pills round to an old dear's house when they were ready because she wasn't too steady on her feet that day. Away from the busy chains that sell more toiletries than prescription drugs, you do get more discretion and decency, even if you have to wait a bit.

Sauve

kneemos wrote: »

Yeah I know.What I mean by interaction is swapping information.

Ok

mrsbyrne

shopaholic01 wrote: »

I always use a pharmacy near a supermarket - drop in prescription, buy groceries, collect medication. It's not really something I'd get worked up over.

But you are clearly a sane rational person . Staff in public service offices are increasingly encountering customers who are so acutely aware of their rights that they feel outraged and offended if asked to queue or wait. I see customers storm out of the public waiting area where I work even though the service is free and a lot of the staff are volunteers. The same people are quite happy to stand and queue in the Bank for a 1/2 hour to be screwed.

Teyla Emmagan

I have all my prescriptions in my local chemist. Only ever takes me about 2 mins to be served (clearly, because they value my massive business so much). They will also give me an extra month when I've run out without realising I need a new prescription, and replace lost tablets (which has only happened once). Anyway, worth getting to know your local pharmacist is the moral of my exciting tale.

Hotale.com

mrsbyrne wrote: »

But you are clearly a sane rational person . Staff in public service offices are increasingly encountering customers who are so acutely aware of their rights that they feel outraged and offended if asked to queue or wait. I see customers storm out of the public waiting area where I work even though the service is free and a lot of the staff are volunteers. The same people are quite happy to stand and queue in the Bank for a 1/2 hour to be screwed.

I wouldn't go that far now in fairness :rolleyes:

mrsbyrne

Hotale.com wrote: »

I wouldn't go that far now in fairness :rolleyes:

Maybe not! No, its clear to me that folk who have structure to their lives, eg. I get up, I get washed ,I eat brekkie, I go to work/school, or I get up, I feed my kids, I clean house, I run errands, etc understand that others do the same and some queueing and waiting is necessary. For example, customers have to queue to get served in my office, so I'm not surprised when I have to queue for my turn in the PO.
Folk who live totally random lives , nothing is expected of them, there are no deadlines, I go where I please ,when I please, nobody can tell me what to do kind of thing, feel totally frustrated when their "randomness" is disturbed by having to wait while someone else's needs are being met.Its not fair. Its outrageous. I'm being discriminated against.
Our office closes at 4. The people who hammer on the door at 4.15 demanding admittance are absolutely 100% of the time customers who could actually come at any time during opening hours. They just expect us to be open when they want to use the service. Its never the customers who simply couldn't come because they were at work, or committed elsewhere.

shopaholic01

Hotale.com wrote: »

I wouldn't go that far now in fairness :rolleyes:

It's clearly a step too far, I'll give you that.

Fr_Dougal

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Maybe not! No, its clear to me that folk who have structure to their lives, eg. I get up, I get washed ,I eat brekkie, I go to work/school, or I get up, I feed my kids, I clean house, I run errands, etc understand that others do the same and some queueing and waiting is necessary. For example, customers have to queue to get served in my office, so I'm not surprised when I have to queue for my turn in the PO.
Folk who live totally random lives , nothing is expected of them, there are no deadlines, I go where I please ,when I please, nobody can tell me what to do kind of thing, feel totally frustrated when their "randomness" is disturbed by having to wait while someone else's needs are being met.Its not fair. Its outrageous. I'm being discriminated against.
Our office closes at 4. The people who hammer on the door at 4.15 demanding admittance are absolutely 100% of the time customers who could actually come at any time during opening hours. They just expect us to be open when they want to use the service. Its never the customers who simply couldn't come because they were at work, or committed elsewhere.

That's a bit unfair, a lot of these people lead busy lives too. You don't get much free time being a full time mad bastard.

Paramite Pie

kneemos wrote: »

Hardly ever use the same pharmacy.

In fairness that probably takes longer as they have to create a new file every time. Try going back to the same pharmacy the next time and it might help.:)

dizzymiss

Legitimacy of prescription checked, right patient, right drug, right dose, right amount for duration of use. Checked and labelled correctly/stock control etc. Bit of paper work to do and voilà...

Ten mins is pretty good, pharmacy I use always takes longer!

kneemos

Paramite Pie wrote: »

In fairness that probably takes longer as they have to create a new file every time. Try going back to the same pharmacy the next time and it might help.:)

Very much doubt a file exists anywhere.The one time I had a repeat prescription they kept it in a drawer with all the others.

mrsbyrne

TheZohan wrote: »

That's a bit unfair, a lot of these people lead busy lives too. You don't get much free time being a full time mad bastard.

Or a full time mammy/ my angles meanz the world to me

shopaholic01

kneemos wrote: »

Very much doubt a file exists anywhere.The one time I had a repeat prescription they kept it in a drawer with all the others.

Pharmacists will have all your details/previous meds on a database, not a physical file.

kowloon

I just call up the pharmacy. By the time I'm there it's ready for me. Even when I don't get to ring it in they're pretty quick at sorting my things.

Hotale.com

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Or a full time mammy/ my angles meanz the world to me

All full time mammies are mad bastards though, isn't that common knowledge? Or just a generalisation no one challenges? :rolleyes:?

Muise...

Hotale.com wrote: »

All full time mammies are mad bastards though, isn't that common knowledge? Or just a generalisation no one challenges? :rolleyes?

Back to the books you! Or do we have to go down to the late night chemist to get you some amphetamines? :pac:

Hotale.com

Muise... wrote: »

Back to the books you! Or do we have to go down to the late night chemist to get you some amphetamines? :pac:

We'd be waiting half the night for the prescription though :eek:

shopaholic01

Hotale.com wrote: »

We'd be waiting half the night for the prescription though :eek:

We'll call them before we leave, they'll have it ready for us.:pac:

Ocean Blue

kneemos wrote: »

Very much doubt a file exists anywhere.The one time I had a repeat prescription they kept it in a drawer with all the others.

A file is your personal folder on the dispensary computer. It contains your name, address, DOB, GP name etc, and also a history of all medications you have had dispensed in that pharmacy. Also info on allergies, previous interactions or adverse effects, preference for a particular brand etc etc etc. It will be set up for you when you first attend a pharmacy. It takes an extra few mins so you can save that time by using the same pharmacy regularly.

Also, rather little mention on the thread that most pharmacies are busy spots so your script is likely to be in a queue to be dispensed. If pharmacies had so many dispensary staff that there was always a staff member waiting for something to do the staff bill would drive the cost of the medication way up!!