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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 60. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:37:06
Hi all,
If a Pharmacy dispensed an additional amount of a controlled medication you were prescribed,
would you return it?Say if this med was
-Valium
-Xanax
-KlonopinWe are talking about a considerable number of extra Tabs here, (Benzo) of a *very* much in demand Med.
Thanks
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:42:27
In reply to Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist??, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:37:06
of one of your current Meds.
Posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 7:09:34
In reply to Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist??, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:37:06
Hi,
>If a Pharmacy dispensed an additional amount of a controlled medication you were prescribed,
would you return it?Would I?
No. But do you trust yourself with the extra tabs? If not, return them to the pharmacy.
Ed.
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 7:36:39
In reply to Re: Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist?? » paulbwell, posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 7:09:34
> Hi,
>
> >If a Pharmacy dispensed an additional amount of a controlled medication you were prescribed,
> would you return it?
>
> Would I?
>
> No. But do you trust yourself with the extra tabs? If not, return them to the pharmacy.
>
> Ed.Thank you Ed,
Enjoy your entertaining and knowledgeable posts.I won't be either, just counting my good fortune.
I'v spent too long in past years needing said Meds, and not having em, so I'l be saving em for rainy days ;). I trust myself, and wish the same good luck for you some time.Cheers Ed
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 29, 2005, at 7:53:54
In reply to RE:Ed UK, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 7:36:39
I love that pharmacy = chemist in the UK. It is funny when we have words every now and then that are different in the UK and US. I was also so proud of myself that I knew this particular "translation"! I learned it by watching "Coupling" on BBC America. (A great show BTW).
EE
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 8:01:55
In reply to random, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 29, 2005, at 7:53:54
> I love that pharmacy = chemist in the UK. It is funny when we have words every now and then that are different in the UK and US. I was also so proud of myself that I knew this particular "translation"! I learned it by watching "Coupling" on BBC America. (A great show BTW).
>
> EE
I laugh at the US term of "Drugstore" It's just so-- so--lacking in imagination? I guess?I learnt this from 1989s 'Drugstore Cowboy' hehe
Posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 8:15:40
In reply to random, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 29, 2005, at 7:53:54
Hi!
>I learned it by watching "Coupling" on BBC America. (A great show BTW).
LOL You have coupling in America?
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 8:17:00
In reply to RE:Ed UK, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 7:36:39
Hi!
>I'l be saving em for rainy days ;)
:-)
Ed.
Posted by lunesta on March 29, 2005, at 8:41:42
In reply to Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist??, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:37:06
HELL NO! :-)
But I would not sell or abuse them.
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 8:50:39
In reply to Re: Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist?? » paulbwell, posted by lunesta on March 29, 2005, at 8:41:42
> HELL NO! :-)
>
> But I would not sell or abuse them.I second that!
Just keep the much needed/required extra Medicine, for thoes previously mentioned rainey days 'n' nights
Posted by Augustina on March 29, 2005, at 11:24:06
In reply to Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist??, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:37:06
Hi,
as a chemist myself just wanted to give my 2 cents-- I'd have to say "yes" to your question. i'm sure the pharmacy would appreciate the honesty as well as be a little more careful in dispensing those controlled substances!
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 11:35:55
In reply to Re: Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist?? » paulbwell, posted by Augustina on March 29, 2005, at 11:24:06
> Hi,
>
> as a chemist myself just wanted to give my 2 cents-- I'd have to say "yes" to your question. i'm sure the pharmacy would appreciate the honesty as well as be a little more careful in dispensing those controlled substances!
>Yes perhaps you are correct. That would be the right thing to do, and I'm sure appreciated by the Chemist, and shown great respect for doing so.
Honesty is of course the best policy, is it not?
Thank you for you advice,
althought arn't Pharmacists unallowed to re-use Meds? would they not be thrown out?Has this ever happened to you? with
-benzos
-Opiates
-Stimulants?
and what have you done in such situations?I do thank you for your professional advice, and helping me make up my mind on the right thing to do.
Cheers
Posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 12:48:47
In reply to Augustina, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 11:35:55
Hi,
>arn't Pharmacists unallowed to re-use Meds? would they not be thrown out?
When people brought things back we put them in a yellow container- then they get sent off to be incinerated.
Ed.
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 13:11:37
In reply to Re: Augustina » paulbwell, posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 12:48:47
> Hi,
>
> >arn't Pharmacists unallowed to re-use Meds? would they not be thrown out?
>
> When people brought things back we put them in a yellow container- then they get sent off to be incinerated.
>
> Ed.So if i do 'The right' thing-according to Augustina, and return these
*UNDERSCRIBELY*
*ENOURMOUSLY*
*PSYCHIATRICALLY*
beneficial Medicines (to me)-they will be burned, and help no one?
Is this correct Augustina?.Care to comment?
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 13:37:56
In reply to Re: Augustina, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 13:11:37
Excuse my spelling (sleep deprived)
But my question still stands.
Posted by med_empowered on March 29, 2005, at 14:14:43
In reply to Would you return extra Meds to a Chemist??, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 2:37:06
Hey! I'm in the US, not the UK, but I personally wouldn't return the med(s). If you did return them, in the US at least, they'd just get thrown away. Speaking about personal experiences, I've had too many negative experiences filling controlled-substances to feel as if I am "obligated" to any pharmacy (most of which are run by huge, money-guzzling corporations, at least in the US). At one chain pharmacy I went to for a while, I was once accused (sp?) of having already filled that month's benzo RX at another pharmacy...I obviously HAD NOT, as I had just gotten the script from my shrink 20minutes beforehand. This same pharmacy also wouldn't fill a script they said was "expired" that I had gotten that very day! It wasn't until my shrink called them up that this "issue" was resolved. The only time I would feel obligated to any pharmacy to correct such a situation would be if it was a mom-and-pop, locally-owned operation; in that case, I'd definitely want to give them a call and tell them what was up as a friendly gesture. BUT, if its a corporate pharmacy, I say to hell with them.
Posted by Mark H. on March 29, 2005, at 14:35:59
In reply to I Wouldn't Return Them, posted by med_empowered on March 29, 2005, at 14:14:43
It's my understanding that in the United States, at least, once you walk away from the counter, meds are not returnable for any reason. I think the logic is that they could have been tampered with or contaminated (as unlikely as that would be).
However, after picking up three prescriptions at a local pharmacy chain a few years ago, I went home and was about to take my pills right away when I noticed that two of the prescriptions were for different medicines and another person. In that case, the pharmacy gladly (and sheepishly) took them back and gave them to the woman who was still waiting for them after sitting there for almost an hour.
I changed pharmacies after that.
Physicians also cannot redistribute medications, although it is done informally to accommodate patients who need but cannot pay for the more expensive meds. It's a shame to let them go to waste, in my opinion, when they can be put to appropriate and productive use.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 15:39:06
In reply to I Wouldn't Return Them, posted by med_empowered on March 29, 2005, at 14:14:43
> Hey! I'm in the US, not the UK, but I personally wouldn't return the med(s). If you did return them, in the US at least, they'd just get thrown away. Speaking about personal experiences, I've had too many negative experiences filling controlled-substances to feel as if I am "obligated" to any pharmacy (most of which are run by huge, money-guzzling corporations, at least in the US). At one chain pharmacy I went to for a while, I was once accused (sp?) of having already filled that month's benzo RX at another pharmacy...I obviously HAD NOT, as I had just gotten the script from my shrink 20minutes beforehand. This same pharmacy also wouldn't fill a script they said was "expired" that I had gotten that very day! It wasn't until my shrink called them up that this "issue" was resolved. The only time I would feel obligated to any pharmacy to correct such a situation would be if it was a mom-and-pop, locally-owned operation; in that case, I'd definitely want to give them a call and tell them what was up as a friendly gesture. BUT, if its a corporate pharmacy, I say to hell with them.
Good for you Med! I'm Inclined to agree with you somewhat,I havn't, as yet disclosed the over dispensing amount, But I'm sure yal all wanting too know, I may fuss up if I'm pushed enought.
lets say, It involves ALOT! (double the amount) of Pills, prescribed me, (shocked the hell outa me):) of a med, near and dear to nearly every ones heart.
You, are on the button with Pharmists being a breed apart, I feel this is pay back in my favour for a change, after being made to feel like some low life pill-junkie,(cos I choose not to use boose to Medicate with) thou It would be easier!!
One time a Pharmasist owned me a *small* amount, of schedule 2 Stimulant Medicine, and he knew it, and had It packaged to go, but was hoping I had forgotton, no such luck-he even told his staff I wasn't owned any meds, tld em 2 tell me so to!, I specified exactly the num, owed to me to prove it, and with this, grudgingly reached in to his *PREPAPARED* script container and threw! them on the counter at me, all ready made up, then took off, out back somewhere, knowing he had been done. yer real professional.
But you gotta feel for them in a way, five years in Pharm School-to what, Count pills all day basically, is what the nitty gritty job is, day-in, day-out, so I know where the 'tude' comes from.
laterz
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 15:59:52
In reply to Re: Augustina » paulbwell, posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 12:48:47
> Hi,
>
> >arn't Pharmacists unallowed to re-use Meds? would they not be thrown out?
>
> When people brought things back we put them in a yellow container- then they get sent off to be incinerated.
>
> Ed.
I assume you have worked in a Pharm, (by your posts) no doubt very efficiently and professionally too.what kinds meds did folks bring back in for disposal? any stand out as being unusual I wonder.
I figure if they are going to be dumped? I have often wondered before, if any pharmies don't quiet make it all the way to the incinerator?-say get lost or something-by accident
just self museings I guess.
Posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 16:35:53
In reply to Med Emp, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 15:39:06
Hi Paul!
>I assume you have worked in a Pharm, (by your posts) no doubt very efficiently and professionally too........
Thanks! Yes I've worked in a few different pharmacies.
>what kinds meds did folks bring back in for disposal? any stand out as being unusual I wonder......
Usually just 'ordinary' things like unfinished courses of antibiotics etc. No one ever returned any benzos while I was working. The community nurses sometimes returned unfinished bottles of controlled drugs after people had died.
Ed.
Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2005, at 16:58:39
In reply to Re: Pharmacy, posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 16:35:53
I just tried to return a full prescription for mirtazipine, in the original bottle, with a safety label still intact and they wouldn't take it back. They said they had no way of knowing how it was stored . Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 17:37:04
In reply to Re: Pharmacy, posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2005, at 16:58:39
Hello,
At the moment there is a shortage of diamorphine (heroin) in the UK. Even under these circumstances, pharmacies are not allowed to dispense unused diamorphine ampoules that have been returned to the pharmacy. Since diamorphine ampoules are most commonly used to treat severe pain in patients with cancer, unused diamorphine amps are commonly returned to the pharmacy after a patient has died. Even if the ampoules were dispensed the day before, the pharmacy would not be allowed to re-issue them. This seems somewhat inappropriate given the current shortage.
A pharmacist said....
'Of course, it is true that “poor storage may have been such that it [diamorphine] is no longer efficacious or stable”. It is equally likely that storage has been perfectly adequate. Can one not inquire into these matters?'
Common sense should prevail!
To cope with the shortage, hospital pharmacies are only dispensing diamorphine to terminally ill patients. Other patients are being treated with morphine, oxycodone or fentanyl instead.
Ed.
Posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 17:51:43
In reply to Re: Pharmacy, posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2005, at 16:58:39
> I just tried to return a full prescription for mirtazipine, in the original bottle, with a safety label still intact and they wouldn't take it back. They said they had no way of knowing how it was stored . Fondly, Phillipa
Thanks
That makes me feel better
Coolness, they wouldn/t take back the extra meds if i tried to give em I guess.Althought several people I know would HAPPILY TAKE EM OFF MY HANDS, and pay me for em' no doubt, but they are worth more to me, being a controlled drug n all, so thats cool.
DO ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY SIMILAR STORIES OF Pharm MISTAKES BEING MADE, WITH DESIRED MEDS IN YOUR FAVOUR, being the outcome?
--I think the most outstanding, (somewhat similar)? example of this, I know of would have to be by a guy who was visiting a newly Passed away Relative, (Cancer) and found a nearby bottle containing
#130 4mg Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) Tabs (Ech several times more potent than heroin) with a street value of over US$5000.
This has been an interesting post, and althought feel free to continue responses, Thanks to you all.
Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2005, at 18:23:44
In reply to Re: Pharmacy, posted by paulbwell on March 29, 2005, at 17:51:43
If I were dishonest I could make a fortune with all xanax, klonopin, vicodin, ambien, I have when my Rx was changed. I keep them never knowing if I will need them again. Like when I started on the valium. I actually had a partial Rx that my pdoc had given me for my l7yr old dog before he died as he was deaf, blind, and disoriented and small amts helped him to settle down to sleep at night. I miss him sooooo much! He was my baby. And no other dog will ever take his place. I often find myself calling my new dog Brandy. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 29, 2005, at 20:44:14
In reply to Re: random » Emily Elizabeth, posted by ed_uk on March 29, 2005, at 8:15:40
We have a channel that plays BBC shows plus some of the good ones are available on DVD. My friend has 4 seasons of Coupling on DVD, so I feel well versed. Coupling is one of the few things that can make me laugh even when I'm so depressed. Let me tell you, that certainly means something! ;)
> Hi!
>
> >I learned it by watching "Coupling" on BBC America. (A great show BTW).
>
> LOL You have coupling in America?
>
> Ed.
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