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Target Pharmacy Add Clearwater Target Pharmacy to Patient Harassers Clearwater Florida
Most of us are aware of the latest trend in pharmacy harassment of its pain management customers, and it appears Target in Clearwater, Florida has joined their ranks.
I have been having my medication filled at the Clearwater Pharmacy since my arrival here from Georgia last year. I've been in pain managment for chronic pain for approximately seven years. As a chronic pain patient, it IS my responsibility to make sure I am diligent regarding my treatment because it IS true that many doctors are all too willing to encourage the "tolerance" issue and will continually increase one's medication until you are taking massive amounts. I get it. It does happen. Because I am in the medical field, I am very aware of it and when I felt my medications were in excess, I bit the bullet and removed myself from 30 mg oxycodone six times a day and stepped myself back down to 10 mg hydrocodone four times a day. As a consequence, I also had to give up my career in medicine and now have to work a meaningless part time job that will not exacerbate my condition.
My point is, I have worked and continue to work very hard keeping myself in check so as to avoid several things, exxcessive pain medication, addiction, and just as importantly to avoid being harassed, scrutinized, and abused by pharmacists because of the stigma attached to pain medications.
My first meaningless job was at Target in Clearwater, which is why I began taking my prescriptions there. Intially all was well. Then came Thanksgiving week when I knew I was going to need my refill during the holidays. I spoke to the pharmacy tech who informed me that it was legal and perfectly okay to refill up to three days prior to the refill date. Upon calling the prescription in, I was cleared for pick up the following day. When I went in, however, they informed me that they did not have it in stock and told me I'd have to come back in a few days - when I was supposed to be out of town. I was not happy. When I had the "audacity" to protest, I got the same treatment so many pain management patients get. The associate (not the pharmacist) felt it her place to get defensive and accusatory saying, "Well, if you're prescription isn't supposed to be filled until three days from now, you should have plenty left. Why do you need them so badly?" I went from being unhappy to enraged instantly. I told her that they told me I was within my rights under the law, was I not? And if so, she had NO business questioning me at all. It is the suspicious manner in which they treat and talk to "us" that is so offensive. It is especially offensive to me because I have worked SO hard making sure I behave properly with these medications and some teenage ignoramous feels she has the right to speak to me in that manner because the equally ignorant FDA has given her boss authority that he should not have in the first place.
I eventually got a callback from that associate telling me they got the medication in and I could go back to the store and get it. Fast forward to Christmas week. Same situation. My medication was due to be refilled on Christmas EVE and my entire family is in another state. Remembering the problems I had last time and trying my BEST to prepare for the now expected harassment, I called (three days early). This time, I half expected the "We don't have it in, we'll have to order it" line of BS. Sure enough, that is exactly what they said. The pharmacies have to know by now their repeat customers - it's all on file - so they know how much to order. When I told the girl on the phone that this was the same problem they gave me last time and asked if I was going to have to go through this every month, she immediately got the same attitude and responded the same way (do they teach these people how to be rude?) "Well, if you are calling it in early, it should be no problem to wait." This time I told her I was sick of that attitude and that it was none of her business when I filled them as long as I was within my legal rights and she was NOT the pharmacist. I then asked to speak to whoever was in charge. The manager came on the line with an obvious attitude. She in NO way had an appropriate customer service demeanor as you would expect from someone you were giving your business to. Recognizing her attitude, and now fighting a blood pressure surge, I immediately asked for the name of the person in charge of complaints of their pharmacy. She refused to give me her name and would only give me "Mohammed" as the name of the pharmacist. When I asked for his last name, she refused and told me they only give out the last initial, "D."
This, of course, means when I go in for my new prescription at the doctor, I will be switching pharmacies. I still believe in proper customer service and respect, even if the Clearwater Target does not. It is especially disturbing because this particular Target knows full well that I am a legitimate pain management patient because I worked for them WITH that disability - right up until they refused to provide the requested accommodations I needed to succeed there. (That complaint is ongoing and under investigation with the EEOC to date).
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Apada
Clearwater,Florida,
UPDATE
#7Author of original report
Tue, December 24, 2013
I wanted to make sure I updated the information on the Target pharmacy harassment issue. I went up to Target tonight and spoke to the pharmacist in person. I explained everything the same way I explained it in my earlier complaint (that the initial problem was that the last two months that I tried to have my prescription filled "early" but within their three-day window, they did not have my medication in stock and said it would take days to order it and get it in, but that the more important issue was when I complained about this, the associates got immediately defensive, accusatory, and rude stating,"Well, there shouldn't be a problem anyway. You're early so you should still have meds left. Why are you out of your medication?" I explained that the reason I knew it was accusatory is because I never said, either time, that I was out of my medication and in fact, was not out. The associates made it about a lack of medication and not the actual issue).
The pharmacist, MD, was very professional and respectful. His position, as he explained it, was that there is no way for them to know why a person is prescribed these medications or what they've got going on in their lives that leads them to refill their medication when they refill them. He said obviously, their lives are difficult enough with whatever illness is causing them to have to be on them in the first place. He stated that they do have much more power than they used to but none of it included rude and accusatory behavior by any of them and he apologized.
He asked when the latest event occurred and said he was going to have a discussion with the associates to address the problem and make sure it doesn't happen again to any customer. He then told me if it happened ever again in the future, to make sure I asked their names and said they have to provide their name. (They had refused to give me their names with the prior incident).
I left the pharmacy feeling much better than I had after the experience with the "associates." I just wanted to update this report because I obviously want it to be fair.
Jessie
Dallas,Texas,
Your ranting and raving
#7Consumer Comment
Mon, December 23, 2013
Are just the thing an addict will do and I personally have known many addicts regardless of their education about medication or health. FYI once you post on this site you are opening yourself up to rebuttals regardless so lashing out at anyone that rebuts only makes your words fuel for the fire.
If you cannot enjoy Christmas without your "meds" then you indeed addicted to them. I suffer from pain in my shoulder, knees and elbows from accidents (mostly rodeo related) yet I do not take pain meds as severe as yours because they are ADDICTIVE in everyway possible which your physician has already told you. How long have you been taking this med? YOU opened the door therefore you are subject to questions. Sounds like your "DR" is nothing more than a drug mill - think about it. Get help and stop the blame game. And YES I used to work in the healthcare field for more years than you I bet. Both hydrocodone and oxy are opiates just like heroin!
Apada
Clearwater,Florida,
I'm Sorry
#7Author of original report
Sun, December 22, 2013
I, too, am sorry that you were forced to read something that reminded you of a book on addicts. Apparently, the people who read these complaints fail in reading comprehension. It's okay. I wrote my report because I am an adult who knows full well how customers should be treated when they are bringing their business to a company, and the way Target's associates spoke to me was inexcusable and unwarranted. Period.
As for your other judgements, you couldn't be more wrong, but if you sleep better at night thinking you know people and smearing your insults on a website designed for people to alert others to bad company behavior, smear on and sweet dreams.
Robert
Irvine,California,
I am sorry to say...
#7Consumer Comment
Sun, December 22, 2013
Reading your report almost had me thinking I was reading a book on how addicts justify their addiction. Now since I don't know you personally I am not saying you are, I am just saying how you are coming off.
There are many addicts who try to justify their addiction by saying things like "I know there are some people that..", that it is the doctors who are so willing to encourage patients to keep increasing their meds, or it was because I had to take less drugs that I am in the position I am in. Some who claim to be in the Medical field will add things like they know how to handle it and they won't become addicted like other people.
You also do what other addicts do and take the "martar" position by saying that you sacraficed your position in Medicine because you felt it was too much. Well at 30mg 6 times a day, I am not sure what you did in the Medical field but if it had anything to do with patient care I don't even think you could be functioning in that position anyways as that could leave you seriously impared and could actually have been illegal for you to be involved in patient care.
You also can't just on your own decide to "step down", you must have a prescription from a doctor. So is this the same doctors who are to lazy and just let people keep increasing their dosage? Or could it be that the doctor was concerned as well?
right up until they refused to provide the requested accommodations I needed to succeed there. (That complaint is ongoing and under investigation with the EEOC to date).
- Aww there it is. This is begining to sound a lot more like a Disgruntled Employee Case. And I am really not sure how much success you are going to have with the EEOC. After all if this is a Controlled substance with regulations, if you were trying to break just because it was inconvienent to follow those regulations. If are claiming because Target wouldn't give you the drugs sooner than they legally could..well your claims will be tossed out faster than yesterdays trash.
Apade
Clearwater,Florida,
Ken
#7Author of original report
Sun, December 22, 2013
Ken,
You are absolutely INSANE. No other word for it. I, and I alone, removed myself from the high doses of oxycodone that I was prescribed, which had enabled me to work the physically demanding job I was working. It was my choice to 1) continue taking high-dose pain medication or 2) quit my career so I could stop taking that much medication. HOW is THAT interpreted as me being a junkie? It's exactly the opposite.
I now take the lowest dose of pain medication one can take that still allows me to walk and stand at my job. That was my choice and no one elses. I was well within my legal right and Target's own policy when I called in my refill. It was their unprofessionalism in not having the medication in stock. They keep records of past orders and are required to let the pharmaceutical companies know how much they anticipate needing in advance.
In any case, if there is no reason to suspect a customer of improper conduct and they have not done one single thing "wrong," there is no excuse for a cashier or tech to be rude, abusive, and accusatory. It is not their place.
Your "wisdom" is sorely lacking. I was infuriated because of the obvious accusation coupled with the fact that it is Christmas and I would now be spending it alone because I could not get my medication before I would have had to leave to visit my family for the holiday. If you knew ANYTHING about pain management, you would know that getting it after it ran out would allow the pain to get out of control and would require MORE medication than is normal to get it back in control.
Do the world, and me, a favor - keep your ignorant opinions to yourself because you clearly have zero discernment.
Ken
Colorado,Your complaint is with the FDA and Florida's medical governance...
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sat, December 21, 2013
The pharmacys are limited on the "pain killer" medications as a means of trying to combat misuse. ANY pharmacy trying to circumvent the rules faces harsh penalties and YOU aren't worth it.
"I went from being unhappy to enraged instantly"
Another sign that you're basically hooked on your "pain killers" and the reason for the law. You will have this "problem" with any pharmacy following the law. Again, YOU aren't worth the sanctions they would receive, including being shut down if they kissed your addicted butt. The rules are very specific and enforced.
"As a consequence, I also had to give up my career in medicine and now have to work a meaningless part time job that will not exacerbate my condition."
Translation: My actions forced me to be removed from my career in medicine because I'm a dope head.
I predict a long future of disappointment for you if you are unable to comply with the new laws...but, good luck to you in life.