Things I Learn from My Patients.

[Sparda29]

What they should do at all the drive-thru pharmacies is require the patients to hand over their driver's license and insurance card (no not the auto insurance).

That way, it makes identification much easier.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[lymmys]

I just hate the fact that they always assume we suppose to remember their names

 

[Sparda29]

I just hate the fact that they always assume we suppose to remember their names

I remember the people that I've seen every day that I work there.

But if you drop off two scripts for amoxicillin and vicodin and we fill it in 5 minutes. I won't remember your name from drop-off to pick-up.

I have good long-term memory (months-years), but pretty bad short-term memory. Like if you ask me to take a Therapeutics test 3 weeks after I learned the material, I'll probably get a 70ish. If you retest me on it, 2-3 months later, I'll get a 90ish. Probably explains why I love cumulative finals, and why I ace finals but bomb on the first test and midterm.

 

[littlerj]

I had a lady come in to the pharmacy, out of control angry because we gave her a broken inhaler. When I asked her to show me how she used her inhaler, she took a deep breath in, then puffed the inhaler as she let out all her air at once. Somehow, the fact that she had been using in the incorrect (and completely illogical) way was my fault as well.

 

[Sparda29]

I had a lady come in to the pharmacy, out of control angry because we gave her a broken inhaler. When I asked her to show me how she used her inhaler, she took a deep breath in, then puffed the inhaler as she let out all her air at once. Somehow, the fact that she had been using in the incorrect (and completely illogical) way was my fault as well.

The pharmacist should have counseled about how to use the inhaler.

 

[littlerj]

Sparda- I agree, and I left out the (important) detail that this was a woman who had been extensively counseled, and did not ask any questions.


Anyway, here's another one of my favorites-


Pt: I need my pill.
Me: OK. What's your name?
Pt: I need the one for my blood pressure.
Me: OK, I need your name.
Pt: It starts with an L... lisino-something.
Me: OK, sir, I need your name before I can get that ready for you.
Pt: Oh, sorry...my name's Jeff.

 

[alenadoma]

Sparda- I agree, and I left out the (important) detail that this was a woman who had been extensively counseled, and did not ask any questions.


Anyway, here's another one of my favorites-


Pt: I need my pill.
Me: OK. What's your name?
Pt: I need the one for my blood pressure.
Me: OK, I need your name.
Pt: It starts with an L... lisino-something.
Me: OK, sir, I need your name before I can get that ready for you.
Pt: Oh, sorry...my name's Jeff.

LOL typical

 

[littlerj]

I love when people can't get the names of their drugs even close to correct. I had someone in the other day:

Pt: <gives name> I need my meds.
Me: Ok, what can I get for you?
Pt: I need my ethanol.
Me:....?
Pt: For my blood pressure.
Me: Oh, your ATENOLOL.
Pt: Yeah, that's what I said.

Well, ethanol and atenolol are not quite the same...

 

[vtran007]

I love when people can't get the names of their drugs even close to correct. I had someone in the other day:

Pt: <gives name> I need my meds.
Me: Ok, what can I get for you?
Pt: I need my ethanol.
Me:....?
Pt: For my blood pressure.
Me: Oh, your ATENOLOL.
Pt: Yeah, that's what I said.

Well, ethanol and atenolol are not quite the same...

you can't blame them because I had a hard time pronouncing a lot of medications when I started.

 

[lymmys]

You have to understand not all of us work with chemistry on a daily basic lol

 

[fhx06]

Not knowing how to pronounce the name of the medication or working with chemistry on a daily basis does not negate the situations from being hilariously funny.

 

[lymmys]

ethanol, alcohol vs. atenolol

 

[Sparda29]

What I find odd is that House MD is such a highly watched show and no matter how much he makes fun of his stupid patients in the clinic, we still see the same typical stuff in real life.

 

[Miss Creant]

Is anybody else ready to murder the next person who asks where the masks are? And yes, YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR TAMIFLU!

 

[NaOH]

Is anybody else ready to murder the next person who asks where the masks are? And yes, YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR TAMIFLU!

Haha... I'm sorry sir, but we are sold out...

 

[LinaBeana]

is anybody else ready to murder the next person who asks where the masks are? And yes, you need a prescription for tamiflu!

thank god im not the only one!!!!!

 

[NaOH]

Today I learned that apparently I am a discriminatory bigot because I told a lady at the drive-thru that we could have her rx filled in 15 minutes and would she please come back in a bit? Apparently if I don't let her sit there in lane 1 while I personally fill her prescription (or even worse, fill/sell OTHER people's rx while she's waiting) then I am being discriminatory and am going to have a lawsuit filed against me.

She bitched about her state-subsidized copays too.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Today I learned that apparently I am a discriminatory bigot because I told a lady at the drive-thru that we could have her rx filled in 15 minutes and would she please come back in a bit? Apparently if I don't let her sit there in lane 1 while I personally fill her prescription (or even worse, fill/sell OTHER people's rx while she's waiting) then I am being discriminatory and am going to have a lawsuit filed against me.

She bitched about her state-subsidized copays too.

Hey, McDonald's asks people to pull around the front when the kitchen is backed up for whatever reason, right? I swear, Pharmacies with drive-thru windows really should just start replacing the mortar-and-pestle with golden arches, it'd put the customers in the right mindset.

Sure, I'll wait for my warm apple pie, but wait for my prescription? Oh hell no.

 

[trailrider400]

Is anybody else ready to murder the next person who asks where the masks are? And yes, YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR TAMIFLU!

haha yeah we're out of hand sanitizer too

 

[Passion4Sci]

haha yeah we're out of hand sanitizer too

I love giving viruses a bath too!

 

[PharmGrl]

Ok, just a funny story that has me as a customer instead of the technician...

I went to a chain pharmacy for some Boric acid. We keep it behind the counter at the pharmacy that I work at, so I guess I just instinctively went to the pharmacy for it instead of to some random aisle in the store....anyway...the clerk/technician behind the counter asked me how to spell that. I said "B-o-r-i-c a-c-i-d". He said "Is that your first name, or your last name?" Just amazing....

 

[Passion4Sci]

Ok, just a funny story that has me as a customer instead of the technician...

I went to a chain pharmacy for some Boric acid. We keep it behind the counter at the pharmacy that I work at, so I guess I just instinctively went to the pharmacy for it instead of to some random aisle in the store....anyway...the clerk/technician behind the counter asked me how to spell that. I said "B-o-r-i-c a-c-i-d". He said "Is that your first name, or your last name?" Just amazing....

We have to hope it was either a joke or that clerk was on loan from another area of the store? :>

 

[Sparda29]

Actually, heard this one from a friend who works at a clinical center for CVS Caremark as a pharmacist.

Friend - Hi, thanks for calling.
Customer - My doctor prescribed me Prilosec. I don't know why he prescribed it for me.
Friend - It's for your gastric ulcers.
Customer - I was reading up on it, I read that it was a proton pump inhibitor. But, I don't have or use any proton pumps!!!
Friend - Is about to start cracking up so she puts the customer on hold.

LMAO

 

[PharmGrl]

We have to hope it was either a joke or that clerk was on loan from another area of the store? :>

I wish he had been kidding! He was "at the ready" at the computer, all set to look "Boric acid" (me) up to see where my prescription was! Hopefully, your second option is right, and he was just from another section of the store.

 

[krystal2812]

I wish he had been kidding! He was "at the ready" at the computer, all set to look "Boric acid" (me) up to see where my prescription was! Hopefully, your second option is right, and he was just from another section of the store.

i think maybe he didn't understand you because he's new immigrant, like an ESL student.

 

[Passion4Sci]

i think maybe he don't understand you because he's new immigrant, like an ESL student.

Isn't "boric acid" in English should be the same in other languages.

In Arabic, we would say "Hamoz' Boreek", "hamoz" being acid, boreek being the phonetic sounding of "boric". Thus, boric acid.

Boreek, boric... Call me crazy.

Maybe Krystal's scenario is correct and the ESL clerk has a second language that's like... I have no idea... I mean, even in Farsi and Dari it's "Hamosehye Boric" ...

 

[BigEvilRx]

I had a lady come in today, and told me I gave her the wrong size bottle. Apparently, she had a bigger bottle at the house. Of course, her MEDICAID would not cover more than a thirty day supply. I told her I'd be a second to check the her history. A few moments later the Pharmacist asked if she could help her. She said I was helping her. Then added, "But I'm not sure he knows what he is doing!"

Not in a joking manner, but a I'm a bitch picking up my prenatal vitamins that you are paying for and I'm better than you, nagging C*u* not going to go there, I wanna beat you to a pulp, *****.

I handed the bottle to the pharmacist and went back to put the returns back. Even when the pharmacist told her she was getting 30 days for the past couple of months she spewed disrespectful language all over the place.

She walked off steaming.

What I learned:

No matter what, the computer doesn't have better memory than a know-it-all baby factory living off the state.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I had a lady come in today, and told me I gave her the wrong size bottle. Apparently, she had a bigger bottle at the house. Of course, her MEDICAID would not cover more than a thirty day supply. I told her I'd be a second to check the her history. A few moments later the Pharmacist asked if she could help her. She said I was helping her. Then added, "But I'm not sure he knows what he is doing!"

Not in a joking manner, but a I'm a bitch picking up my prenatal vitamins that you are paying for and I'm better than you, nagging C*u* not going to go there, I wanna beat you to a pulp, *****.

I handed the bottle to the pharmacist and went back to put the returns back. Even when the pharmacist told her she was getting 30 days for the past couple of months she spewed disrespectful language all over the place.

She walked off steaming.

What I learned:

No matter what, the computer doesn't have better memory than a know-it-all baby factory living off the state.

All the more reason people living off the government tit should have mandated Depo-Provera injections.

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

All the more reason people living off the government tit should have mandated Depo-Provera injections.

-Also mandated drug tests.
-They should not be allowed cell phones, internet , cable, satellite and so on. Plenty of hard working people sacrifice those luxuries everyday for more important things.
-Doing away with zero copays is a must also.
-The foods that can be purchased with food stamps should match up with WIC's guidelines. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkgregs.HTM

 

[thephoenician88]

I love when people can't get the names of their drugs even close to correct. I had someone in the other day:

Pt: <gives name> I need my meds.
Me: Ok, what can I get for you?
Pt: I need my ethanol.
Me:....?
Pt: For my blood pressure.
Me: Oh, your ATENOLOL.
Pt: Yeah, that's what I said.

Well, ethanol and atenolol are not quite the same...

oh he's using alcohol as a diuretic

 

[thephoenician88]

I had a lady come in today, and told me I gave her the wrong size bottle. Apparently, she had a bigger bottle at the house. Of course, her MEDICAID would not cover more than a thirty day supply. I told her I'd be a second to check the her history. A few moments later the Pharmacist asked if she could help her. She said I was helping her. Then added, "But I'm not sure he knows what he is doing!"

Not in a joking manner, but a I'm a bitch picking up my prenatal vitamins that you are paying for and I'm better than you, nagging C*u* not going to go there, I wanna beat you to a pulp, *****.

I handed the bottle to the pharmacist and went back to put the returns back. Even when the pharmacist told her she was getting 30 days for the past couple of months she spewed disrespectful language all over the place.

She walked off steaming.

What I learned:

No matter what, the computer doesn't have better memory than a know-it-all baby factory living off the state.

this is the point where i print screen and say "EAT IT"

 

[NaOH]

-The foods that can be purchased with food stamps should match up with WIC's guidelines. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkgregs.HTM

This.

THIS.

In my time as a grocery store clerk, there was nothing more infuriating than seeing someone come in and buy $300 worth of absolute crap(chips, beef jerky, snack cakes, sodas, etc.) with food stamps.... and THEN spend the money they do have on a carton of cigarettes and a 30-pack of Natty Light.

These are the same people who would then refuse to buy their kid a $.50 piece of candy because "we can't afford that."

Redneck scum.

 

[Farmercyst]

This.

THIS.

In my time as a grocery store clerk, there was nothing more infuriating than seeing someone come in and buy $300 worth of absolute crap(chips, beef jerky, snack cakes, sodas, etc.) with food stamps.... and THEN spend the money they do have on a carton of cigarettes and a 30-pack of Natty Light.

These are the same people who would then refuse to buy their kid a $.50 piece of candy because "we can't afford that."

Redneck scum.

Hey, don't generalize. I'm a redneck, but I wouldn't do that.

 

[NaOH]

Hey, don't generalize. I'm a redneck, but I wouldn't do that.

Oh, so am I... by blood, anyway.

 

[Miss Creant]

Me to drive-thru: Can I help you?

Idiot at drive-thru: I here (not I'm here but I here) to pick up medicine.

Me: Who are you picking up for?

Idiot: Me and my husband

Me: *kill me now* WHO ARE YOU?

Idiot: Last name Luu

Me: OK, I have an RX for you, but not for your husband.

Idiot: Husband has different last name...it's Bui

Me: When were you going to tell me that?

Idiot: What?

Me: Never mind. Here's your drugs, please go drive off a bridge.**


**I did not actually say this part

REALLY?!?!!?

 

[uclasushi]

Customer: Hi. The eye drops i bought didn't work. Can i get my money back?
Me: No sorry, we cant give refunds on any opened medications.
Customer: But it was really expensive and it didnt work!!!
Me: Sorry, CVS does not provide money back guarantees.
Customer: (insert lots of loud profanity)

?!!$#$@%$@

And I hate it when people tell us to "put a rush on it" because they have "somewhere to go". Do you tell your dentist to "put a rush on it" when he's taking out your wisdom tooth? Do you tell your surgeon to "put a rush on it" when she's taking out your appendix? Do you tell your optometrist to "put a rush on it" when she's giving you an eye exam? Well then, don't tell your pharmacist to "put a rush on it" when she's filling our prescription!

 

[Passion4Sci]

Customer: Hi. The eye drops i bought didn't work. Can i get my money back?
Me: No sorry, we cant give refunds on any opened medications.
Customer: But it was really expensive and it didnt work!!!
Me: Sorry, CVS does not provide money back guarantees.
Customer: (insert lots of loud profanity)

?!!$#$@%$@

And I hate it when people tell us to "put a rush on it" because they have "somewhere to go". Do you tell your dentist to "put a rush on it" when he's taking out your wisdom tooth? Do you tell your surgeon to "put a rush on it" when she's taking out your appendix? Do you tell your optometrist to "put a rush on it" when she's giving you an eye exam? Well then, don't tell your pharmacist to "put a rush on it" when she's filling our prescription!

Clearly, you fail to realize that to the general public, an Optometrist is a doctor, a dentist is a doctor, and a surgeon is a doctor, but a pharmacist is just some dude/dudette that puts pills from a big bottle into a little bottle and slaps a label on it.

The nature of our work in retail establishments plus the novelty of our credentialing degree (PharmD) being so new... I guess I can understand it.

it's sad nonetheless. This is why I vastly prefer ambulatory care working in the clinical setting in a hospital so much to anything in retail.

 

[4apharmd]

How about the fact that they don't want to use the automated refill line. They just have to talk to you and give you 10 prescription numbers that they wanted refilled... They always pick the time when you are the busiest and tend to very s-l-o-w-l-y tell you the numbers...

Yeah...or when they repeat it several times & ask after each time "Got that?" Then they stand right at the pickup window and ask why you don't have it ready within two minutes of giving you the numbers. After all, they are only on about fourteen medications and you have seven other people in front of them.

 

[4apharmd]

Any other people out there work in stores that sells Sudafed products? I know we sell a ton where I work (independent retail). It's great when these druggies look at me and totally deny that they were just in the store yesterday when I have the Sudafed log open right in front of me with the dates and a copy of their drivers lic. Really now, how dumb do these people think we are? After all, we only went to school for 6-8 years.

 

[4apharmd]

Has anyone seen anything from Boca Raton, Fla.? Supposedly Fla. laws somehow don't apply to pain clinics if the pt.s don't have insurance, so the clinics are never inspected. We saw a rx come through from there. The people were from TN with a rx from Fla & we are located in Alabama. Too strange. Anyone else have any other information on this Fla. place?

 

[4apharmd]

that's so great!

 

[4apharmd]

-Also mandated drug tests.
-They should not be allowed cell phones, internet , cable, satellite and so on. Plenty of hard working people sacrifice those luxuries everyday for more important things.
-Doing away with zero copays is a must also.
-The foods that can be purchased with food stamps should match up with WIC's guidelines. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkgregs.HTM

I think government help should be for a limited time only, like just as much time it takes to get you through college and then start working on your own and pay back into the system. Check out theangrypharmacist.com He has a great article about this.

 

[4apharmd]

We had a nurse come in our pharmacy trying to get a rx filled for her "friend." It was the carbon copy of the script. She was a nurse at a local dr.'s office. Not suprisingly, she was arrested a few weeks later for calling in narcs when the dr. was out of the country.

 

[charfdorn]

There are stupid people everywhere. I used to work in a casino poker room (I still do, but I used to, too). We would get this call on a weekly basis:

Me: Poker room, how can I help you?
Caller: Yeah, what time is the noon tournament?
Me: ....

And this one:

Me: Poker room, how can I help you?
Caller: Are you still doing the free at 3 tournament?
Me: Yep!
Caller: How much is it?
Me: It's free.
Caller: When does it start?
Me: Three.
Caller: I'm about forty-five minutes away, do you think I'll get there in time?
Me: Well, it's two, so....

Before that I worked at Blockbuster. We were open every day, and every Thanksgiving, New Year's, and 4th of July, we could get these calls:

Me: Blockbuster Video, can I help you?
Caller: Are you open?
Me: No, I just like answering the phone.

 

[lymmys]

Me: Blockbuster Video, can I help you?
Caller: Are you open?
Me: No, I just like answering the phone.

I'll say this next time

 

[NaOH]

Haha, I had an approximately 5-minute phone conversation with a nice lady the other day on the fact that we were open (24-hr store), while her normal Wags was closed. Apparently this kinda blew her mind.

 

[Sparda29]

Any other people out there work in stores that sells Sudafed products? I know we sell a ton where I work (independent retail). It's great when these druggies look at me and totally deny that they were just in the store yesterday when I have the Sudafed log open right in front of me with the dates and a copy of their drivers lic. Really now, how dumb do these people think we are? After all, we only went to school for 6-8 years.

I really don't give a crap that people are using Sudafed to make crystal meth. It's not my problem. I hate how prudish this country is.

 

[greatnt249]

I really don't give a crap that people are using Sudafed to make crystal meth. It's not my problem. I hate how prudish this country is.

I think your attitude would change when the neighborhood tweaker's meth lab reaction runs of control and the ensuing explosion destroys the entire block. That's beside the fact that addiction is but one facet of the drug problem in this country; addiction leads to people doing desperate things to feed said addiction, oftentimes resorting to violence in order to do so.

Think outside the box; it's not just the habit that ruins lives.

 

[4apharmd]

This happened in the store where I work a few weeks ago. We had a woman come in, gave us her rx (Lortab 7.5/500) and requested the "pinks." The pink pills we carry are Lortab 10/500; Lortab 7.5 is specks. (Qualitest.) When we explained the difference to her, she became EXTREMELY ANGRY and told us she was allergic to the 7.5s, but she could take the 10s without any problems whatsoever. What?????? We finally called the dr. and informed him about the situation while also telling him she had just picked up #240 Methadone 10mg the previous week. He cancelled the rx. It was one of those great moments in pharmacy.

 

[Miss Creant]

My favorite was the guy who brought in a script written for MORFINE

He ran out of the store while the tech was still giggling.