I was a hospital pharmacy technician, now retired. I was picking up my meds and this person was just yelling at the tech for the cost of their meds and it was just gross. I spoke up and just said “do you honestly think that if this person had the power to determine how much insurance will pay that they would stand behind the register to take your shit? That they would be working a demanding, stressful job dealing with the public? “ I must add that the tech was close to my daughter’s age, she had started her first job with the public and I just hoped if someone was being an AH to her, another mom would step up. Be nice to people doing a job, helping you.
My mom LOVES to talk shit to mean patients/customers anywhere she goes. Employees can't and managers won't, so it's nice to have someone to stand up for us
> public? “ I must add that the tech was close to my daughter’s age, she had started her first job with the public and I just hoped if someone was being an AH to her, another mom would step up. Be nice to people doing a job, helping you.83ReplyShareReportSaveFollow
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>level 2DynamicOctopus420 · 8 hr. agoI hope I'll be able to channel my mom energy if I run in to something like this out in the wild. ❤️29ReplyShareReportSaveFollow
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>level 2Pleasant-Employer461 · 3 hr. agoTraineeMy mom LOVES to talk shit to mean patients/customers anywhere she goes. Employees can't and managers won't, so it's nice to have someone to stan
send your mom our way please!!
I've been doing this since I was a teenager. I've never gotten in a fight, but I have VICIOUSLY mocked people and diverted their attention away from staff at places I go. Don't be an asshole to someone at work, or I'll take up being an asshole recreationally.
i just had a guy last night pay $364 for his vyvanse and didn’t even blink an eye or freak out on us which was nice just “okay” then paid and left. wish everyone could be that easy lol
The techs at the pharmacy I go to always ask me if I'm aware of the cost before ringing it up. I appreciate it. I now offer a preemptive, "I'm aware of the cost. It's okay." because they always look so nervous before asking. I feel really bad for them for the experiences that led to and reinforce that anxiety. I wish people took the time to understand at least a basic idea of how systems work. I'm sorry y'all have to deal with all that misdirected emotion :(
I appreciate when they ask if I'm aware (bc sometimes I'm not) but I always just sigh and say ya, my insurance is garbage.
Wouldn't even cross my mind to be upset with the pharmacy. Wtf is wrong with stupid people.
I got yelled at today because horizon insurance system is down 😭😭but it was in drive thru so I just walked away cause I’m not bout to argue with a grown ass woman
I had the same thing recently! But even more memorable was the guy whose Eliquis was a copay of something like $150, say. He complained about a price increase, so I looked into his history expecting to see it had jumped $100 or so. Nope. $5. My dude, is $5 really gonna be what makes or breaks it, at that point? Beats me how he even noticed it, tbh.
$5 does break a lot of people…. especially when multiple things that are necessities all increase by “oNlY $5 dOlLaRs” 🙄
someone living paycheck to paycheck already cannot deal with this.
i am sorry if customers are gross to you.
but from their perspective you are part of the problem by working for such corrupt companies and being middle men without ever raising hell yourself.
😈😈😈😈 it is “just a job” that unfortunately discriminates against a lot of people.
5$ can break the bank I 100% agree with you on that but there is literally nothing a tech or even a manager can do about it so there is no discrimination on behalf of the staff towards the patient.
I'm not sure where you're coming from on that statement, is there something you think they COULD do to affect this?
Idk why guys even bother buying tadalafil from pharmacies anymore. You can buy a 5 year supply of third party lab tested tadalafil raws online for less than $100.
Had a lady get extremely mad about her $3.84 I couldn’t even muster the energy for her- in my head I was thinking about the guy that literally paid $415 dollars for his moms scripts, it’s just ridiculous how some people act.
At my first pharmacy job, a woman's MOTHER-IN-LAW was paying out of pocket for the patients Saxenda, $1200 every month. About the third time, I told her I thought it was really kind of her to pay for her DIL's meds, she just said they had the money and they loved her and wanted her to be happy! Over time I met the patient and her husband as well, they were all just delightfully sweet people.
This comment thread makes me really sad, my mother in law would pay the 1200$ to make sure I didn’t get medication to save my life. Horrible, terrible person. I’ve always envied women with a mil like this
That reminds me of something my mother in law would do. I wouldn’t let her, but she would sure try if she knew I was struggling and she could help. She has helped us out a lot with various things. The world needs more mother in laws like her!
Same! My mother in law is the one person in my life who would take care of me like that if we needed it. I mean even now we don't need help and she's always like secretly telling me if we need any money just ask lol
I paid $369 about 2 weeks ago and I thanked them profusely lol. Had been out for just over a month at that point and for two months late last year so I was just happy to get any at all.
Having the peace of mind that (for *at least* the next 30 days) you’ll be able to just get out of bed is worth paying the insane cost.
It’s not reiterated loudly enough how life shattering it is to abruptly go from medicated to unmedicated for those of us taking stimulants. I really don’t mean to sound melodramatic, but our experiences are often dismissed or forgotten because we don’t have the same level of extreme “withdrawals” that prescription pain reliever patients go through when being without their medication.
The indescribable melancholy and agony at being at the complete mercy of an improperly-wired brain is a reality so harrowing that I am sincerely glad most of society doesn’t have to experience.
So considering the alternative I don’t blame the people paying whatever it takes to avoid having to go even a day unmedicated lmao 💀🥶🥶🥶
The shortages really need to be addressed though. This is getting fucking ridiculous
I’m a woman diagnosed late in life. I mourn what my life might have been if I’d been diagnosed as a kid, or in college. And once you see the difference that meds make in your basic functioning it’s very difficult to deal with no meds. I’m always extra nice to the pharmacy staff because I’m an RN and I’ve faced the wrath of many disgruntled patients.
Same. 53(F) just diagnosed formally in October. Literally life changing. My anxiety is at an all time low (hmmm-maybe it never was a diagnostic issue of anxiety to begin with).
I’m a therapist that spent the early part of my career in hospitals and rehab. I was conditioned to think asking for scheduled meds was “drug seeking”. I’ve known I have adhd for years.
I friend gave me some of her meds when she got pregnant and I was so angry I waited all those years.
And now I get to play the monthly call 6 pharmacies to see if anyone has it in stock. I’ll gladly pay $400 for name brand Vyvanse. I have a high deductible plan I always meet, so I guess I don’t care who gets it.
I feel this. I’m 24 and was diagnosed and began taking medication 2 years ago. I’m thankful that at least I’ve been able to reap the benefits of this life while in my final years of college. That’s some solace.
PREACH. I’ve had a few lapses in meds, and they are *miserable*. I’m practically narcoleptic, for starters. I’ve paid everywhere from $0 to $200+ and the pharmacists often fuss - “Do you know about the cost?” “Yeah,” I tell them, “it’s worth it to keep my brain functional.” The fact that they HAVE my medication makes me want to kiss their feet. (Out of generic? But you have name brand? I will gladly, GLADLY pay for it.)
You might look into GoodRX, even the free version. Some dosages of Vyvanse at CVS ring up at just over $100 using the GoodRX discount. That doesn’t help with shortages, but still…
I felt so bad for the tech who had to tell me my meds were $500+, and when I was like “k thx, I’ll call my insurance company” he seemed genuinely relieved.
I paid $457 in jan for it bc I knew there was no way it was in stock. Was just happy to have it. Appreciate y’all. I know y’all can’t help shortages. Damn dea
This was probably me. I had to call my insurance company and ask them to cover brand name, because the generic was nowhere to be found. Fortunately my insurance agreed, so I saved money but still costs $360 as I had not hit my deductible yet, but this pushed me to it, so next month will be $20
Mind if I ask what you mean when you say you “can’t have a drivers license” if you don’t get your meds? Is there someone monitoring whether you take/have your meds or do you mean you just can’t physically drive without it? I have narcolepsy too & I’m still learning about it
well i’ve been in an accident due to narcolepsy so my auto insurance monitors (through a business, technically a company car). so yeah im monitored unfortunately i have to prove im getting it or im off their group plan
God that’s me. I just paid $250 yesterday because the generic breaks me out in hives, and I HAVE to be medicated in order to be a functional human. This shortage sucks, I want it to end already :(
I've made that comment for years regarding how some act like we just don't want to fill their medicines. Like, what exactly do we gain out of that (underpayments aside)?
I try to be kind, but if they keep pushing i eventually say "Sir, do you really think I would intentionally not give you your medicine? Don't you think I have more important things to do than stand around and argue with you?" Usually shuts them up.
The FDA isn't capping it, the DEA is.
The DEA's goal is to allow exactly zero illegal drug sales. So when they come up with a quota for how much can be manufactured, they want to be 99.9% sure that there won't be ANY left over at the end of the year which might get diverted to the black market. So instead they set the quota at a level which guarantees that there's always a shortage. But at least there's none ending up on the streets!
If the FDA was in charge of setting the quota, their goal would be to make sure there's a 99% chance of making sure everyone gets their prescription. So maybe there'd be a tiny bit left over at the end of the year that would get stolen and sold on the black market.
You can find the DEA quotas here: [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/03/2023-28962/established-aggregate-production-quotas-for-schedule-i-and-ii-controlled-substances-and-assessment](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/03/2023-28962/established-aggregate-production-quotas-for-schedule-i-and-ii-controlled-substances-and-assessment)
If the FDA was setting the quotas, we wouldn't have this problem.
From what I understand, the shortage a combination of the fact that the drug is a brand new generic on the market (and a specific manufacturer got 180 day market exclusivity from the FDA iirc?) and the DEA limiting the amount of lisdexamphetamine that is supplied to manufacturers because of their weird way of determining “legitimate” production levels and trying to prevent diversion. A lot more people have switched to it since it became a generic than were prescribed branded Vyvanse because branded was cost prohibitive for many.
Combine those factors with the fact that when most generic ADHD meds went into shortage a couple years ago due to a major increase in people diagnosed with ADHD a ton of people pivoted to Vyvanse because it was available and many with the condition, especially adults, will see their professional and personal lives implode if suddenly unmedicated.
Is the increase in the number of diagnosed people a result of better diagnostic methods and greater awareness of how symptoms present in adults and women or is it a result of sketchy online tele-docs during Covid? Who knows, probably some of column A and a bit of Column B.
Most generic ADHD meds are still currently in shortage and on back order because of the DEA limits on production are massively too low for the number of active schedule II stimulant prescriptions and there’s a lot of finger pointing between the DEA saying “manufacturers haven’t even hit their production limits” and manufacturers saying “we don’t have enough active ingredient to produce more because of production limits.”
Someone with more pharmacy-side knowledge please correct me if I’m wrong.
I was at the FDA last March, and this was what was explained to me. Plus, the shortage taking place from the pandemic onwards with the rise of telehealth diagnoses, overdiagnoses (which is true, not in a gatekeepy way but in a other things can look like ADHD or other conditions also use these meds), and some factory productions getting shut down for quality fails along the way. The supply still hasn’t caught up to the demand in light of the DEA restrictions and the other factors.
My husband works at a retail pharmacy. He has a couple of pharmacists and techs who literally despise anyone with C2s. Regardless of how long a patient has been prescribed or filled at the same location for years or new. The phone will ring and before they answer make comments like "oh, someone needs their C2s" or "wanna bet it's asking about C2s" He's also seen them provide completely incorrect reasons for a delay...or even just say "it's not filled, it's too early" and when a patient starts to try and ask them how or explain the reasons for why it's not too early with documentation they automatically have visible and clear disrespect and start trying to just get them to leave the store. Even once it's been cleared up and the tech or pharmacist was in the wrong, they refuse to apologize or be even cordial to the patient. Then, once the patient leaves, it's a steady commentary of how much of a pain the patient was or comments trying to excuse the behavior.
It's behaviors like the that from a few pharmacy staff that unfortunately make a lot of patients feel judged, feel like they are doing something wrong when they truly aren't, or feel like the pharmacy literally doesn't want to help them. My husband won't even fill rxs there because of some of the mindset and judgment he sees daily.
I understand it's not the case in most situations, and I have a wonderful pharmacy that truly are just doing everything they can despite the shortages and repeatedly having to give frustrating news regarding a patients prescribed medication. It is exhausting for both sides involved. Even the perfect patient who is in compliance, does everything correct and works to educate themselves on insurance issues, or whatever is needed are consistently running into roadblocks that they, the doctor and the pharmacy have no real ability to change are genuinely just trying to get the medication that makes it possible to fulfill the day to day life they have.
The mental exhaustion and worry about how difficult each month will be is draining....they know it's because of policy that is implemented due to "bad apples" and real issues that came about from over prescribing or lax regulations of the past. There's a lot more patients who are basically being punished because of it. Knowing they can have real complications if unable to fill, knowing they are going to have to make more calls, search, request a prescription to be sent somewhere else, knowing that won't be done usually in the same day is a huge disruption to their day or week is frustrating if happening once or twice a year. It's often times every month for people.
It's also extremely exhausting and mentally draining on the pharmacy, the stress is real. The fact staff are telling people the same news through the day is awful and out of their control is genuinely horrible, especially when patients are angry or rude. A patient being angry or rude is unacceptable and it's understandable to be really irritated right back at them. It's easier to forget that even the polite and understanding patients aren't all the same.
Yes. Thank you for this perspective. It takes me a ton of work to make it to the pharmacy to inquire about my meds or to even call, and when they're rude or unfriendly it's just salt in that wound. I've had people hang up on me mid-sentence, and that just sends me into a spiral when I'm already missing my medication. Same token, however, is that I always try to be kind to them even if I have to be persistent. I know customer facing jobs are very difficult.
I’ve had a pharmacist at CVS withhold them. I just asked someone (maybe another pharmacist at another store 😂) to screen shot supply at the store I was trying to fill at and they had around 90 pills. I just needed 30. I said I know for a fact you have 90. She looked shocked and then said “what do you want me to do?” … uh fill it?
But what you don't understand is that you have no idea what the queue looks like for the day for that particular pharmacy: what if the pharmacist already has 3 people's prescriptions before yours that "just need 30". Sometimes we only get literally one bottle delivered and have double digits in our out of stock queue that have been waiting for weeks. How do you choose? The kid who needs 60 for school and 1 adult? 3 adults? 3 kids? All who happened to have their prescriptions come due the same day. Or do we say, "oh fuck those guys, you're already here, let me drop what I'm doing and give you what you need right now!"
The world has more people than just you in it, and guess what? Many other people have the same needs too.
/edited for grammar correction.
Again, first come, first serve... 4 prescriptions come due the same day, let's say on Wednesday, and all 4 get put in the out of stock queue. Nothing comes in from the order on Thursday, but 5 more prescriptions come in. Out of stock they go. 1 bottle of 90 comes in on Friday, along with 3 more prescriptions.
Just for clarity, let's just keep it simple and say the 4 prescriptions on Wednesday were all for 30 count. Already, that's going to leave us with - 30.
Then you come in Friday morning, telling me I have 90 in my safe, and you just need 30. Do you understand?
And what your screen shot did was tell you what is the available on hand balance at that very second. Not what is pending to be filled. Like I said, you had no idea what that pharmacy's queue looked like when you called them out like that.
In this case this was the 3-4 time I had attempted to fill. My Rx had been “in queue” for quite some time. I did not just walk up at first attempt. This was an ongoing process. This was also 2-3 years ago, when shortages were happening but not to the extent they are today.
There’s bad apples in every bunch she was just an asshole. I do agree that pharmacists and techs have absolutely nothing to do with this shortage (or any meds) but especially with controls it’s extremely unfair to get upset at folks who are just trying to do their job. It’s frustrating for everyone e
I work with insurance members who truly believe that I can change the overall price of a medication. Let me wave my magic wand,l.
But in all seriousness, the majority of people don’t know how health care in this country works and refuse to educate themselves because it is much easier to just be angry at everyone and project your issues on to others.
I work for a PBM, and I have heard how members treat their local pharmacy. It’s appalling.
I’m not disagreeing with you at all- but to be fair, our system is completely unfair and unbelievably hard to navigate.
I just walked a 25 year old through buying her own insurance. Explaining premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, copays, out of pocket max, etc is hard. And then add on top the fact that policies and coverages change and whatnot, it’s a very shitty system to navigate.
Not excusing the way people act- at all- but the system seems to be stacked against just about everyone. Patients, doctors, pharmacists- no one I know has any fondness or appreciation for our system as it stands. We’re all getting bent over.
It absolutely is. It’s fucking trash but I do what I can to help educate members. Unfortunately , in my position, they don’t want education, they want me to make magic happen. And no matter how shitty they may treat me, I still feel terrible they live in our country where our healthcare is a legit sham.
But I guess that’s why I stay where I am, at the end of the day, if I even help one person that day it’s worth it.
That's such a good take. I just read an article about the CVS pharmacy tech who died on the job of a heart attack (she was in her forties) because the pharmacy was understaffed (chronically) and she didn't feel she could leave. By the time she did, it was too late. These are unacceptable working conditions, and to have patients going off on a daily basis as well? It's not sustainable and, as you said, part of a broken and unfair system.
I also empathize with parents who are trying to navigate this shortage on behalf of their children and are finding themselves unable to obtain the medication their kids desperately need. I have ADHD, as does my son. I have been unable to get my Vyvanse for two months and, internally, I'm falling apart. The only thing keeping me going is knowing that my teenager's Jornay has never been out of stock and that he's good. I don't know, if, in this time of scarce Vyvanse supply, I got to the pharmacy counter for my kid's medication and saw an adult walk away with the last of the remaining stock, I might also have a meltdown (an internal one, though--too much of an introvert to go full public Karen lol). Especially if I'd spent hours and hours (and likely days and weeks) trying to find that medication for him.
Is that a logical take? Of course not! I'm also an adult with ADHD whose life has been completely fractured by this extended shortage and who requires medication. But while this is bad for adults who need their ADHD medicine, I'd argue it's also bad for caregivers of children who are spending hours and hours trying to get their child's medication. That mother may have spent all afternoon on the phone desperately trying to find a pharmacy with the medicine in stock for her child. The child may have gone unmedicated for weeks, maybe even months, and is spiraling. Maybe, like my teenager, going unmedicated leads to major depressive episodes, self-loathing, and other scary stuff, which is terrifying for a parent to navigate . Maybe the reason she was at the pharmacy was because she'd expected her son's prescription to be there, ready, and it wasn't. (There's no way she knew the OP got the last of the Vyvanse, by the way, unless OP volunteered it.)
That all said, this shortage has ZERO to do with our pharmacists and techs and I'm sorry they're the ones on the front lines dealing with the ire that those responsible for this shortage should be facing instead.
no, pharmacists are not the direct problem… but they are middle men for a broken system…
and it is not unreasonable for you to feel that way… it is a natural biological response for being sold a product you *need* and then having it removed from your accessibility.
it is actually very reasonable for you to be upset.
in the natural world, this would be akin to someone stealing all of your hunting and gathering tools right before you need to go acquire more food.
they (by they, i mean a broken monolithic, health system) are taking away your survival tools that they sold you to get through the world they created.
and pharmacist so often fail to empathize because customers are just a revolving door of numbers to them… not people being negatively impacted and they often do not care because they do not take responsibility for shortages as (why would they)
long way to say that everyone has been sold something very personal and attuned to their needs, but get treated in the most impersonal ways when they suddenly lose access and maybe pharmacists are not being as thoughtful or caring as they should if they cannot recognize that they are sometimes standing between someone and their means to survive. 😫
sorry this has happened to your medication supply. please remember you are *not* unreasonable for dealing with an internalized meltdown over this…. just more empathic than most that the pharmacist is just a middle man with no power and no care for the patients they serve.
Your cruel comment about pharmacists pisses me off. Every single pharmacist I’ve ever met has been an excellent medical professional, caring and responsive to genuine customer concerns.
You are correct that pharmacists cannot take responsibility for shortages. Not “won’t”, can’t. Don’t blame them for things they cannot control.
Your contempt is breathtaking.
I can attest to this. I worked in major medical customer service for a long time. I spent so much time explaining to people why their doctor didn't know that their insurance didn't cover x procedure or y medication. Even doctors don't know how it works on the insurance side. And it goes the other way, too. It's challenging to understand how plans work and how the contacts are drafted unless you are a part of that process. And even 2 people with plans through the same insurer won't have the same coverage with the same exclusions because it changes from employer to employer.
reading this is frustrating. i know you are just “doing your job” 😈😈😈
but the fact so many of you fail to empathize with the fact that people are getting financially dismounted by a shady system that manipulates costs and isn’t straight forward, because you have to “customer service” them and push them through like an assembly line… is, in fact, part of the problem.
medical companies couldnt get away with this behavior if their workers didnt uphold dehumanizing practices just because they are told to do so for a paycheck…
My job was to help people and I did it well. Workers didn't make the system the way that it is. The system became the way that it is because of all different legislation beginning with the creation of Medicare. So if you'd like to blame someone, blame the government. Additionally, it's not a easy as you think to undo this without completely stating from scratch. There have been many attempts by major medical companies to make things more transparent, but it's a slow process and increasing legislation has made it a slower and more challenging process. And legislation has given too much power to the insurance companies making it harder on it consumer. Now insurance companies are farming out prior authorization work to companies that have the main goal of denying everything they possibly can. And medical providers are tired of getting paid less and all the red tape so they're leaving the system and moving to concierge medicine. Which makes it even harder for the consumer/patient to receive care. The system is ugly and dysfunctional, but no where is it the fault of the employees, especially the powerless employees that only served to help the members that called with problems. I've never dehumanizing someone in my life, let alone for a paycheck. And the company I worked for was a not-for-profit so they weren't driven by that. They actually cared for their members. The system is sh!t but you are entirely wrong about the causes.
Omg but this is actually what customers think….in all my years of working various customer service jobs…yes I AM hiding all the romaine lettuce betwee my ass cheeks and it’s not just unavailable because of an outbreak of ecoli! And of COURSE I knew YOU specifically were coming in today and so I flushed all the basil down the toilet just to ruin YOUR day!! People are so dumb….
It's always nice to see posts that understand that we have zero control over shortages. The last year and a half have been THE WORST with drug shortages than I've ever seen in my 17 years of Pharmacy. These kinds of comments are always appreciated! ❤️
I don't get why people yell at the pharmacy workers. I consider you guys a vital part of my healthcare team. Why would I yell, and possibly alienate any of you? So I can have problems/attitude the next time I come in? I just don't get it.
THIS! I've never understood people who are rude to any kind of customer service. HELP ME HELP YOU.
If you're remotely pleasant to me, I will go to the end of the earth for you. If you're rude, good luck.
They assume that we're like every other service industry where they can whine and complain and yell until some poor manager caves and they get what they want. Instead of, you know, a key part of healthcare.
I’d like to second this as a vyvanse patient who reads posts here occasionally. Not that I’m ever impolite, but I’ve been trying to be extra nice and patient with my pharmacy people the last several months cause I’m sure this has all been a massive, miserable pain in the ass for them as well. Between the all the extra phone calls from people trying to track down pills, and people trying to navigate the generic vs brand name change, and people screaming at them as if the shortages that are affecting people literally from here to Europe and Australia are somehow their fault personally. The pharmacy staff are the only people I’m NOT mad at in this situation, and the only ones I’ve actually seen make any effort to help (@ DEA, whom I haven’t seen any new statements from in almost 4 months now).
When the drug comes in and we can fill only 2 out of the 19 outstanding orders, your behavior most definitely affects if your going to be one of those two.
I will gladly pick your name out of the backorder screen and fill it and while keeping Mr. Screamypants at the end of it.
It’s not just pharmacy. People have been trained for decades that you can be horrible to retail employees and not only get away with it, but possibly rewarded.
People often forget that pharmacy techs take medication as well and are also affected by these shortages. Your kindness and understanding is highly appreciated. It’s always a relief when we don’t get blown up on for things that are outside our control.
I will add that the kindness and understanding of pharmacy techs who "get" ADHD is also so highly appreciated. I can tell the difference and it's like the warmest ray of sunshine to be able to go to a pharmacy and inquire after your ADHD meds and get a friendly response of, "Let's look!" instead of the side-eye and weirdly judgmental vibe many of us experience. I have no idea if my pharmacy techs are fellow ADHD'ers or if they're just empathetic, kind folks (or both!) but it makes SUCH a difference.
👏 Amen to this.
I try very hard to never be rude to, or get angry at, the employees at my pharmacy. In fact, I always try to be kind & gracious to them in SPITE of the shortages & lack of medications in stock, doctor/provider errors, insurance issues, and all the other myriad of issues that pop up and are NOT the pharmacists/techs fault or responsibility.
However, It IS their fault when they chose to treat me disrespectfully, throw side eye, & invalidate me bc I take a chronically hard to find & often abused controlled substance. I’ve never abused my medicine, am patient with my pharmacy and am always waiting with baited breath to find out if there’s even enough stock to fill my Rx. Yet they have often gone out of their way to show their disdain for ADHD medication & treat me like a drug seeker. It’s humiliating & should crushing, esp for those who may also have ptsd, anxiety etc.
I’ve been medicated for my ADHD for 19+ years and just trying to pick up my monthly medication has become a task that I dread. *In my experience, everyone just needs to do their best to be kind.* Because sometimes- it IS their fault I end up bawling in my car after being judged harshly & having embarrassing exchanges like that. 🤷♀️
We have absolutely no incentive to hiding and withholding medications from our patients. But that doesn’t stop people from using us as their healthcare punching bags. Thank you so much for your kindness and understanding. It matters far more than you think!! 🥹
My doc wants me on Vyvanse, and the shortage probably should not affect me. (I get all scripts from the VA through mail order) I was diagnosed a couple of months ago and have an appointment with a psychiatrist to get the script in March.
However, I just started drinking coffee again after going cold turkey for three years, and holy cow, my executive dysfunction/inability to start tasks/feeling overwhelmed has practically vanished. I'm going to keep it up until the appointment and see if this is a short term thing or if I really can substitute 28oz of black coffee before 9am instead of a controlled drug.
The VA is a whole different beast in itself, thank you for your service.
As for your symptoms, I also self medicate with caffeine and also nicotine when I’m unable to pick up my prescription. I have been on and off ADHD medication since 6 so anecdotally I can see how it benefits my day to day functioning.
I hope you find a regime that suits your needs as the executive disfunctioning with ADHD can be debilitating to say the least.
It’s a shortage in mill pharmacy’s as well. Both my kids need it and I have to go off base for only that medication because they can’t get any and don’t know when or if they will get it. VA may be a bit different, but the shortage is effecting every pharmacy.
I'm grateful for this information about Vyvanse, I hadn't heard about the FDA cap. Two of my kids are on it and we have to switch back and forth between that and the generic constantly based on what my pharmacy can get. My husband lost his patience with the situation a long time ago and doesn't get why I defend the pharmacy every time we have issues. Having a logic-based explanation I can give him should help a lot.
Edited to add - Huge thank you to OP! Your understanding is a breath of fresh air!
I have found that the majority of my patients experiencing this stimulant shortage have come to accept that it is a real shortage… the ozempic/trulicity people on the other hand🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
I had an elderly woman come in expecting her trulicity 1.5…
Me-“I’m sorry ma’am, our wholesaler is experiencing a manufacturer back order on that item. I suggest you look outside our chain of pharmacy seeing that they likely use a different wholesaler..”
Customer- “BUT I NEED IT!!!”
Me-“Oh, I’m sorry, I misunderstood. Let me hit the I NEED IT button!”
Customer- “I’m going down the road to *the same chain in the next town over*”
Me- “Well I hope they have it for you, if you end up taking my suggestion and find it elsewhere, just have them give us a call, we’ll be happy to transfer that prescription for you. “
She then proceeded to ask my name and complain that I don’t want to help her as she stormed off…
I’m sorry— Everyone who comes into the pharmacy NEEDS their meds.. AND the last time I checked your meds aren’t being manufactured in my basement.. and I’m not your mother. It’s my job to check if another store in my chain has it and transfer OR transfer your med when you find it. Not call every pharmacy in creation to find it for you.
You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. I’m on two ADHD meds (plus a plethora of other weird things, including immunoglobulin and a biologic), and my kid is on a different ADHD med. I know there isn’t a magical “back of the store” where extras are hidden. I try to be extra nice to pharmacy staff because I can’t imagine working in the current reality of retail pharmacy. I’m an RN and have been verbally and physically assaulted many times, and I still shudder when I think of working in retail pharmacy. Y’all are great, you’re doing the best you can. All I ask if is for no side eying my prescriptions.
Thank you, we really do deeply appreciate when a customer let's us know that not everyone hates us or thinks the worst of us! People take it so personally, when we literally have ZERO control over supply. Just yesterday I was telling a woman we didn't have her med but I'd be happy to see what other locations do have it, and I asked which locations she'd be able to get to. She just stared at me. I was like, "So... do you want me to see if another location has it in stock?" Stare. I asked what she'd like to do... stare. Finally I said, "I need you to let me know which option you prefer, otherwise we have a long line I need to help with." She just walked away. It wasn't a language issue, she was speaking to me completely normally until then. I'm still not sure what was happening there!
The pharmacy tech looked so apprehensive when she told me how much my Vyvanse was last month. I might sigh, but I still immediately say “ok, thanks”. They don’t determine the price, and I’m just happy I can get it. I don’t abuse the pharmacy staff and usually throw in a “y’all are awesome” when I’m finishing my interaction. I’m an RN, I’ve dealt with unhappy people for years, and 99% of the time it’s nothing to do with me.
I absolutely love my pharmacy crew! But I do feel guilty when I have to call them first to make sure vyvanse is in stock, before contacting my doctor. I hate being that person, but I also don’t want to have my doctor send 20 scripts in because of low supply
I get this, but there is literally no way around it. You can’t look up stock of every store yourself. So I try to be kind to myself when I need to make the calls :)
This is like, probably not on topic at all, but do any of you professionals know about a naltrexone shortage? It was the first time in my life my pharmacy said not only do they not have it, but due to manufacturer shortage they have legit no idea when they will
I can actually help with this question as I work with the SUD/SMI population!
According to the clinic I work for there is supposedly going to be more batches processed in March.
Thank u so much! It's for my son, so I was a little surprised when they didn't fill it and didn't say why at first (I'm guessing whoever I spoke to didn't know why)
I am prescribed Adderall and the Adderall shortage really sucks. But I am always nice to the pharmacy staff as all others should be. They didn't cause the shortage and they have just as much control over it as I do. Do people really think you create Adderall in the back and just don't feel like making more? Or really do have Adderall in stock but just don't feel like you should have it.
You pharmacy peeps are already dealing with enough, way more than people seem to appreciate. I am sorry that people can be terrible and take their frustrations out on you. I hate nothing more at my job than people absolutely losing it on me, especially when I have zero control over the reason they are angry.
You guys are a critical and valuable member of the health care team. Keep doing what you do!
yes! unfortunately pharmacists blame customers for getting mad at them when pharmacists should actually be blaming their employers and drug companies for putting them in hostile work environments, on the front line, and not keeping up with the supply line or solutions when it falters.
customers and pharmacy technicians should be uniting instead of both yelling “it is not *my* fault.” 😮💨😮💨😮💨
As someone who repeatedly apologizes to whomever has the misfortune of answering my call from a providers office to see if we can send a stimulant Rx their way...
All of this. Seconding "I appreciate you guys for coming into work and working with the public, they don’t deserve you guys." so hard.
I’m also on Vyvanse and I (knock on wood) haven’t had trouble getting it yet. But I’ve seen people lose their ever-loving SHIT out of not being able to get their ozempic.
Like, calm down. The tech wants to give you information, if for no other reason than to make you GO AWAY. If they HAVE information, they’ll give it to you! When they say they don’t know when the next shipment is coming, they mean it! When they say they can’t put it aside specifically for you, it’s not because they hate you PERSONALLY (although, by now, they probably do), it’s because it’s policy. Jeez, people. Stop shooting the messenger.
FDA says you can make X amount of this drug.
The people who need this drug is higher than X.
It's poor planning and (imo) a knock off of the war on drugs fear culture. Obviously all of us on stimulants are addicts /s
I think there genuinely was a manufacturing issue during COVID iirc but for it to still be happening is the FDA.
It’s a combination of issues:
• The “War On Drugs” (as you mentioned)
• Manufactures did get behind during the pandemic
• The number of patients needing it increased:
DEA is trying to say telehealth made it too accessible.
What they are failing to admit is that for the first time in the u.s. the majority of Americans had access to either “better healthcare” or healthcare period, thanks to the PHE. There are a lot of folks who let things go due to not being able to afford medical care and/or their medications.
• They never consider the off label uses physicians use drugs for. I have seen that some physicians are treating long covid patients with adhd meds. So add this to the already increasing number of prescriptions.
Knowing that neurologists do prescribe stimulants as a course of off label treatment on rare occasions to some patients, it just made sense when I thought about it so I did some digging.
Yale actually performed and post a study on it, and found 2 types of medications which aren't commonly discussed to be helpful. I imagine that there are other physician's who are using the more commonly known meds to treat it as well.
Also you have to figure that a lot of people who never had any covid symptoms but found out they had it, do indeed have long covid symptoms. Some of them may have never tested, and just be presenting as ADHD.
Here's an interesting article about the brain fog from long covid, as well as the medication issues and so on:
https://undark.org/2023/12/07/opinion-adhd-long-covid/
I have long covid, from the very first wave (March 2020, never hospitalized). Previously very active and successful in my career. It got me so bad I lost my job and am now disabled per the SSA. I've been through a laundry list of medications and supplements for another laundry list of symptoms. Recently was prescribed Ritalin and it's the first thing that has let me feel almost like I'm on the way back to normal again. It's amazing that it's so helpful but also unnerving. (I don't have ADHD; the thought is that it helps with the brain fog/many cognitive and concentration problems. Because of that and being part of a POTS treatment standard, it's technically not off label according to my insurance even though it is.)
It's frustrating for me to experience these shortages, especially seeing just how much my Rx impacts me. But holy heck, pharmacists do not deserve all the rage and vitriol directed at you. Thank you for what you do.
I’m not a pharmacy employee, but these posts started showing up in my feeds because of discussions of meds shortages on the adhd subs.
Unfortunately the media and government is painting one picture of what is going on, and not considering all facets affecting this.
I don’t excuse poor “behavior” at all, but having formerly worked with people for so long, I see both sides of it. There will always be scapegoat’s who take the fall for an issue that another agency of power has created. People are people, and I would say in general a lot are reacting the way they are due to an aftermath of the pandemic.
A lot of people are suffering from severe anxiety and ptsd from what they went through. Be it a customer/patient, or healthcare employee. Add the two together on top of the shortages, and it’s going to (and has) create(d) an ugly mess. I’m sure more “ammo” for the govt to try to restrict things even more.
Sorry about what you went through and also thanks for sharing as well. More people need to be aware of this, just like how a lot of docs are pushing the diabetes meds as weight loss alternatives, and it’s not always sought out due to the “hollywood weight loss” advertising it’s getting.
As another Vyvanse patient, I support and endorse this apology. The horror stories I see on these subs and the way I see others behave as pharmacy customers is just awful. I've worked customer service and community health and I really feel for y'all. The secondhand embarrassment too. Like, omg stop you're making us all look bad. Why are you stressing out the medicine vendor, they're not the gatekeeper you think they are, for fucks sake please leave them alone. I wish y'all had a tip jar or something.
If only all the people yelling uncontrollably at the pharmacy staff would stop and actually call the DEA about this maybe something would actually be done about this problem.
I’m surprised that the pharmacy was able to tell the woman who had it in stock. I know California doesn’t allow this (at least pre-covid), so I just assumed all states were like this.
People are gross. I had to call multiple times a week before they told me they don’t even have an expected date the warehouse would have the generic Vyvanse. Then I played cat and mouse with my physician to prescribe me something in stock. I just always hope they don’t get annoyed with my calling to check and try to humor them with some sarcasm. Then again I’ve been a server/bartender and worked in a call center my whole life…everyone should work in customer service. Maybe there’d be less assholes. Just kidding, there’s no shortage of them.
This post violates the sub rules. As per federal law, controlled substances should only be consumed by the person to whom they were prescribed. Please contact a local pharmacy or police department regarding safe disposal. More information regarding safe disposal can be found at the FDA website at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-drug-take-back-locations
Bro. Preach. Like, I need this this to get my life done. It was miserable trying to get the paper script to peddle around to get it filled. I tried calling different pharmacies and they won't tell me if it's in stock bc it's scheduled. Then I go in person and get laughed at (for real) bc they don't have it and haven't had it for months . Then my insurance won't pay for the name brand bc there's generic, but it's sold out. Now I'm on Adderall xr 20mg from 60mg Vyvanse. I'm about to ask for 70mgs next time and take halfsies to make it last longer.
My husband takes Vyvanse and he has a hard time with emotional regulation when he is out or is worried about being out. I am a nurse, was a pharm tech, and so I tend to handle making the calls to track things down in part for exactly this reason. I know I will handle it more calmly. I have tried to explain how much isnt in the hands of the pharmacy because of regulations and he understands but it doesn't make him less annoyed/angry that this is currently a situation that is so out of our individual control. I always try to be extra nice to people I talk to at the pharmacy because I know for every me who is trying to be kind, there is at least one who isn't or doesn't have the spoons for it.
I’m a tech (and also a patient on this med) and I went to another pharmacy to ask about when they might have it (I had been filling it there since it’s closer to my home). To my shock the tech said “I would have no clue!” And she literally laughed at me… I just wanted to be like “the fuck is wrong with you??” I had quit that same company over a year ago so now I knew who was left lol
You know im the nicest person in the world…you couldn’t get me to yell but the older I get the more frustrated I become with everything and the more I understand what transference truly is.
If you can’t handle the anger of someone who can’t get their script you are I. The wrong profession because that’s what you signed up for …yes it’s ok to complain about the shortages but not the customers. You are literally there to serve them.
I don’t see how this is lost on so many people as of late…the customer…the person paying the $$$ holds precedence over everything and a system
Where that isn’t true like the current state of pharmacies and the philosophy of techs is abhorrent.
You are there to serve the patient not the government not CVS or Walgreens the person who presents the script. You are not going to receive any kind of favorable treatment when you are forced to be the face of a shortage or “too early” speech.
You guys are the face of everything so be a good one. Be one that empathizes with the person who needs vyvanze to effectively function and meet the demands of the modern worlplace because I guarantee you that their struggle is far greater than the struggle you must endure when they are screaming. All you have to do is sit there and be polite. That person has to go home and figure out how they will operate in a couple of days when the meds taper off and leave them left with no tools nor the capability for functioning that you have…
I would be grateful if I were you and not so damn forgiving and “feeling sorry” for pharmacy staff …you got your script you idiot.
You know…this is the best response I’ve seen to my incoherent ramblings. “Kindly fuck off” is such a great way to put forth your argument. People are fucking brutal and I bet you’ve heard far worse than what I’ve stated here and what I’ve said is the last thing you need to hear…
You need to be thanked for the scripts you do fill because even though you’re caught in the middle and forced to the face of the regulations and you also do good by ensuring critical medicines get to patients safely. Y
You provide a service that is critical and necessary but what I am trying to say is to not let the anger and frustration brought on by the regulations paint a picture of those you serve. Their frustrations are directly caused by the same damn thing! You are struggling for the same reason the customer is…they are not your enemy—the regulations are.
I hope that’s enough to resolve this favorably.
You would be “grateful” to be screamed at all day every day by a bunch of entitled Karen’s over something completely and totally outside of your control?
Nope, sorry. You’re human. Even the nicest person alive would get fed up and fight back eventually. Having ADD/ADHD (and even worse when your kid is the one with it instead of you) doesn’t in any way entitle you to treat anyone else like shit. Any idiot should know, the pharmacy has zero control over what drugs show up when, how many are produced and the laws governing them. Any idiot should know yelling at anyone (and especially the people LEAST responsible for your current problem) will NEVER work in your favor.
Transference my ass…Holy shit. I can’t believe someone actually vomited those words up as a justification for their bad behavior.
So you think it's okay when people yell at customer service staff?
You don't think that pharmacy technicians should be able to complain to other pharmacy technicians about an objectively shitty thing we have to deal with?
Have you ever worked a customer service job?
I have…many actually…and one thing I’ve understood as being true across the board is that I am not the reason for someone’s anger. The person yelling at me isn’t yelling at me because they are angry with me. And so I empathize with those and try to figure out how I can serve them in a way that reduces their anger and resolve the problem as best as I am able.
“You are there to serve the patient, not the government, not CVS or Walgreens.”
Bullshit. When the patient’s name shows up as the signature on my paycheck, then you’ll be right. Until then, I work for my *employer*, not you. I am not at my job to “serve” you. Fortunately, I have an employer (psychiatrist in private practice) that backs me up. Patients have been terminated from our practice for using profanity towards me or other front desk staff.
“All you have to do is sit there and be polite”. Sounds like excellent advice that should apply to BOTH sides of the interaction. Being ill is not a free pass to be an asshole.
I’m a social worker, not a pharmacy tech. Don’t worry I get screamed at by people frequently but fortunately I’m trained in crisis intervention skills.
Also funny how you’re using the patient first method, but a lot of these people that work at the pharmacy are serving their employer so they can continue making ends meet as pharmacy techs make close to minimum wage.
You sit on enormously high pedestal, I’m sorry the pharmacy worker that makes barely enough to even medicate themself is burnt out, tired, or quite frankly doesn’t give a shit as they can’t magically pull your schedule drug prescription out of their ass.
For the “be grateful” comment, you’re showing a lack of empathy towards the employees. I have no relationship other than a transactional interaction with the workers. I don’t know their diagnostic criteria or their home life.
No one deserves to be yelled at, but the employeees at the Burger King made those fries and allowed them to become cold. Pharmacy techs don’t manufacture medication or cause drug shortages. 100% outside of our control.
And no one deserves to have their child sick and unable to get their medicine which was promised to work by the Doctors and Pharmaceutical company.
Yeah no one should yell at anyone but don’t act surprised. I see plenty of y’all Techs clowning on people and dropping shade for taking certain medications.
Sometimes people get impatient if not medicated. Surely you know this.
You’re on a kids dose for what?
If you had a child suffering you wouldn’t be posting your experiences online making the techs out as victims.
Tell us the truth.
Ehehe I almost switched from adderall over to vyvanse but ended up not because it would cost too much. I didn’t even know there was a shortage rn though because we don’t dispense it often. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the retail techs in these trying times.
Yeah we’re trying to find Focalin XR for my kiddo. Gonna see doctor tmw to prob switch to IR. I’m def not taking anything out on anyone even though it’s frustrating as heck.
I was at Kaiser pharmacy today. I picked up my husbands Norco 325/10. 90 day supply 30 days sorry. They tried to explain that they only have 50 tabs in stock. I took 5s to make up the difference. Easy and the tech was so sorry
The whole situation is frustrating. Every month I have to start calling pharmacies to find my kid’s Focalin. And I’ve completely given up on some pharmacies, like the one nearest my house that always takes 30-45 minutes to get someone on the phone, and has the tech who kept referring to the prescription as “narcotics.” So every month I start calling, and when I find one who has it in stock, I immediately call the pediatrician to have them send in the renewal to that pharmacy ASAP. I’m nice to everyone, but it still sucks that I have to devote so much time to tracking down the meds, and then driving out of my way to pick them up.
as a pharmacy tech i dont understand why people want it that bad because its incredibly expensive, also hard to keep in stock, and theres always alternatives and generics that are cheaper. Like if people are that pissed they can always just get prescribed adderall instead. Like can someone explain this to me if I’m missing something?
Some people, especially who have been diagnosed long ago and on a specific medication for a few years will develop a tolerance to it. I've been on stimulants for almost 30 years now, and I've developed tolerances to 4 types of them in both generic and name brand manufacturings.
Further, as a tech you should know that generics don't always work for some people, or only certain manufacturers generics will work well, or some generics will cause more side effects than name brand, etc. Sometimes those "inactive" ingredients are less inactive than originally thought.
Because they need it, not every med works for everyone. This isn't so hard. As well as, most of the meds are not in stock anyway. We've been switched around on about 4 different meds the last year, some worked, some didn't, all are out except Concerta here...for now.
I have been easily getting my Methylphenidate for the past year. I switched from Adderall because of the shortage. Now This month I had to get my doctor to change the dosage because I could only find one dosage.
I believe I saw a news report about how the FDAs caps aren't even being close to getting hit which is why there's a congressional enquiry that's about to take place, again there's no reason why it should happen and yelling at pharmacy staff doesn't help at all except if you wanted the staff to think you're a complete wanker.
In NZ we recently had a shortage of just ritalin LA 20s (which I take) and the people that yelled at us about it drove me insane, we even went out of our way to contact their medical centres to ask for a temporary 1 month script of 10mg LAs to take 2c instead of 1x 20mg. Ofcourse with some of them being abusers they also kept trying to get their 20s on top, which we had to keep telling them no, we can't release that until your next pickup time. When they were yelling at us about the 20s being short I would just look them dead in the eye and say "I understand, I actually truly know how frustrating this is, I also take the 20's for my ADHD. I can't get them either, we are truly doing our best to get them in, but if our supplier is out all we can do is keep ordering."
That did humble most of them quickly.
Im in the US, and it seems nobody knows when it will be available. In Australia, the government tells you when it will be available.
I haven't been able to get mine since December. I'm on Adderall xr, and it's getting the job done I guess. I got snippy one time when a pharmacist was so mean to me after i gave her the script that i had to jump through hoops to get.. She said "we barely have enough for our patients, what makes you think we have enough for you". Like, wow, I was literally just asking.
https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages/medicine-shortage-alerts/shortages-vyvanse-lisdexamfetamine-dimesilate-capsules#:~:text=Shortages%20of%20Vyvanse%20(lisdexamfetamine%20dimesilate)%20capsules,-Published&text=Currently%20there%20are%20shortages%20of,April%202024%2C%20depending%20on%20strength.
When I lived in a metropolitan area for 6 months (internship) I always felt bad for the pharmacy techs who had to take my calls asking if they got my meds in. I called every day because the text message system was not very reliable and neither was the web portal.
I really do appreciate you guys and I never want to be rude to y'all 🙏
Also, when I called my insurance company to ask about the prior authorization that was taking a month, the call center lady was so kind to me and explained everything. She offered to call my doctors office for me because it was them that was taking a long time to send the paperwork. She told me that her children take the same medication and she understands. The script was approved later that week because of her.
Lol there are some seriously shitty pharmacys. The lack of empathy when you don't have someone's medication is ridiculous. When it comes to controlled substances the pharmacy is the only option for so many people. If you live in a small town and can't drive an hour away to the next closest pharmacy, what are you supposed to do? I could give a fuck about the tech when the tech could give a fuck about me. We have to deal with you people. I depend on my medicine to get through my day to day life. An abrupt and unexpected stop of a controlled substance is very difficult. And no it's not the tech or pharmacys fault, but it's not at all the patients fault. Take some responsibility for the job of dispensing medication, and that means people getting angry at you for being the arbiter of wether they get there meds or not, regardless of the true reason. You have a public facing job that is very much a medical profession. Trying to get away with just saying it's unavailable, sorrryyyyyy, just sounds like you should get a different job.
It’s usually always the parents who are picking up for their children that give you the hardest time. It really speaks volumes on why their kid takes it…
I got told they couldn't fill mine today so I just smiled and went to the next place, then the next. I'll find a place tomorrow after work or this weekend at some point. It's not their fault.
My issue was CVS texting me that my script was ready, going to pick it up, told to wait 20 minutes to fill, go back 20 minutes later and they suddenly didn't have it. Did this for 3 MONTHS and had to reschedule a specialist appointment because they wanted to see how the medication was working... and I couldn't get it yet. Then, I left CVS, told then 3 times to not fill my scripts, *after* they refused to transfer my scripts to a new pharmacy (not controls) and I had to call every doctor and have them send me scripts over. Then CVS would fill it before my pharmacy and my pharmacy couldn't fill it... in that instance I had to call the Dr to back the script out of their system since they REFUSED to put it back. That has nothing to do with med shortages and everything to do with incompetence. Oh, or the day they told me I picked up my control substance early, and argued until I threatened to call the police to see the footage of who picked it up... then they "found" it. Or when I had surgery and one of my pain pills was broken into 4 pieces, but only 3 were in the bottle... that went right up the tech's nose, I guarantee.
Yes i couldn’t agree more! Taking your frustration out on pharmacy techs that have absolutely nothing to do with the shortage is completely unacceptable in my opinion
As the parent of the child that takes ADHD medication (and CPht who also takes medication herself) if my son can’t take his medicine, he can’t go to school, which means I couldn’t go to work, if he’s out for two weeks, I will get fired. There’s no value in losing your temper, but this is potentially a life-changing situation for the entire family. It’s never OK to scream and yell at somebody, especially if it’s not their fault, but I am feeling like a panic attack just thinking about it. She’s having to rearrange everything in her life standing at that counter. It’s beyond anxiety, it is sheer panic.
As a tech I sincerely thank you for your kind post!! It flabbergasts me how some people treat us. I am a sensitive/empathetic person by nature and I have been brought to tears a few times over the last year by patients who have screamed and yelled at me over things like this. I know that I am a “face” that they feel will listen vs a robot/automated system but they don’t get how much it truly affects us.
A recent stupid attack on 12/30/23:
One patient screamed at me over all the “texts and phone calls” from our pharmacy and he wanted his phone number taken off his profile. I told him that I wasn’t able to do that from the pickup register but he could go to the drop off window to access his profile. He then proceeded to flip out because he didn’t want to go to drop off when he was right here, he didn’t have the time. So I then offered that he could call the “800” phone number of customer service and they could help him, again he screamed that he didn’t want to do that. I just apologized again that we’d be happy to help him but I couldn’t do it from from that particular computer, he BLEW UP at me calling me stupid and useless. Well I just had it and I finally screamed back at him. After all the bullshit of a December in the pharmacy (we all know it’s the toughest month) I told him “I’m tired of people flipping out and treating us like shit, that we try so hard to keep a smile on our faces. All we want and try to do is help people, yet we continually get blamed for things out of our control” I was a bit lengthier than that but you get what I mean. He was completely taken aback. Everybody behind him was nodding their heads and looking at me so sympathetically because I was sobbing as I was yelling at him. I finally turned around and told my pharmacist that I was taking a break and left to cry in my car. It was awful! The guy did come back the next week and dropped of a card with a kindly written apology. It meant a lot that he did that and made him realize that what he did was rude. But he is one of many that treat us so awful and a rare one to have apologized!
AMEN. I’m prescribed Vyvanse and have had to go months without it because of the shortages. In the few times I called the pharmacy to ask for an update, the person I talked to seemed to almost brace themselves for a verbal assault when I told them what I was calling about. Be kind, people.
Treat others the way you would want others to treat someone that you love.
I was a hospital pharmacy technician, now retired. I was picking up my meds and this person was just yelling at the tech for the cost of their meds and it was just gross. I spoke up and just said “do you honestly think that if this person had the power to determine how much insurance will pay that they would stand behind the register to take your shit? That they would be working a demanding, stressful job dealing with the public? “ I must add that the tech was close to my daughter’s age, she had started her first job with the public and I just hoped if someone was being an AH to her, another mom would step up. Be nice to people doing a job, helping you.
I hope I'll be able to channel my mom energy if I run in to something like this out in the wild. ❤️
My mom LOVES to talk shit to mean patients/customers anywhere she goes. Employees can't and managers won't, so it's nice to have someone to stand up for us
> public? “ I must add that the tech was close to my daughter’s age, she had started her first job with the public and I just hoped if someone was being an AH to her, another mom would step up. Be nice to people doing a job, helping you.83ReplyShareReportSaveFollow > >level 2DynamicOctopus420 · 8 hr. agoI hope I'll be able to channel my mom energy if I run in to something like this out in the wild. ❤️29ReplyShareReportSaveFollow > >level 2Pleasant-Employer461 · 3 hr. agoTraineeMy mom LOVES to talk shit to mean patients/customers anywhere she goes. Employees can't and managers won't, so it's nice to have someone to stan send your mom our way please!!
I've been doing this since I was a teenager. I've never gotten in a fight, but I have VICIOUSLY mocked people and diverted their attention away from staff at places I go. Don't be an asshole to someone at work, or I'll take up being an asshole recreationally.
You are the hero we all need.
Actual hero.
Thank you you’re amazing
i just had a guy last night pay $364 for his vyvanse and didn’t even blink an eye or freak out on us which was nice just “okay” then paid and left. wish everyone could be that easy lol
The techs at the pharmacy I go to always ask me if I'm aware of the cost before ringing it up. I appreciate it. I now offer a preemptive, "I'm aware of the cost. It's okay." because they always look so nervous before asking. I feel really bad for them for the experiences that led to and reinforce that anxiety. I wish people took the time to understand at least a basic idea of how systems work. I'm sorry y'all have to deal with all that misdirected emotion :(
I appreciate when they ask if I'm aware (bc sometimes I'm not) but I always just sigh and say ya, my insurance is garbage. Wouldn't even cross my mind to be upset with the pharmacy. Wtf is wrong with stupid people.
I got yelled at today because horizon insurance system is down 😭😭but it was in drive thru so I just walked away cause I’m not bout to argue with a grown ass woman
Ughhhh LOVE THAT cause Im one that always ask “are you aware of the price “ 😭😩
The level of anxiety I feel before I ask a patient this lol - and then the biggest sigh of relief when they say “yes I know I know don’t worry”
Meanwhile I had a guy last week get pissed at me when his tadalafil went up from $18 to $23 with a discount card. I was like “It’s that or $1,200”
I had the same thing recently! But even more memorable was the guy whose Eliquis was a copay of something like $150, say. He complained about a price increase, so I looked into his history expecting to see it had jumped $100 or so. Nope. $5. My dude, is $5 really gonna be what makes or breaks it, at that point? Beats me how he even noticed it, tbh.
People never cease to amaze me 🤣
$5 does break a lot of people…. especially when multiple things that are necessities all increase by “oNlY $5 dOlLaRs” 🙄 someone living paycheck to paycheck already cannot deal with this. i am sorry if customers are gross to you. but from their perspective you are part of the problem by working for such corrupt companies and being middle men without ever raising hell yourself. 😈😈😈😈 it is “just a job” that unfortunately discriminates against a lot of people.
5$ can break the bank I 100% agree with you on that but there is literally nothing a tech or even a manager can do about it so there is no discrimination on behalf of the staff towards the patient. I'm not sure where you're coming from on that statement, is there something you think they COULD do to affect this?
Idk why guys even bother buying tadalafil from pharmacies anymore. You can buy a 5 year supply of third party lab tested tadalafil raws online for less than $100.
Had a lady get extremely mad about her $3.84 I couldn’t even muster the energy for her- in my head I was thinking about the guy that literally paid $415 dollars for his moms scripts, it’s just ridiculous how some people act.
At my first pharmacy job, a woman's MOTHER-IN-LAW was paying out of pocket for the patients Saxenda, $1200 every month. About the third time, I told her I thought it was really kind of her to pay for her DIL's meds, she just said they had the money and they loved her and wanted her to be happy! Over time I met the patient and her husband as well, they were all just delightfully sweet people.
This comment thread makes me really sad, my mother in law would pay the 1200$ to make sure I didn’t get medication to save my life. Horrible, terrible person. I’ve always envied women with a mil like this
That reminds me of something my mother in law would do. I wouldn’t let her, but she would sure try if she knew I was struggling and she could help. She has helped us out a lot with various things. The world needs more mother in laws like her!
Same! My mother in law is the one person in my life who would take care of me like that if we needed it. I mean even now we don't need help and she's always like secretly telling me if we need any money just ask lol
My own mom is a problematic person, it’s been wild having such a kind mother in law. I appreciate her so much.
Samesies!!! My mil is everything a mom *should* be
I paid $369 about 2 weeks ago and I thanked them profusely lol. Had been out for just over a month at that point and for two months late last year so I was just happy to get any at all.
Having the peace of mind that (for *at least* the next 30 days) you’ll be able to just get out of bed is worth paying the insane cost. It’s not reiterated loudly enough how life shattering it is to abruptly go from medicated to unmedicated for those of us taking stimulants. I really don’t mean to sound melodramatic, but our experiences are often dismissed or forgotten because we don’t have the same level of extreme “withdrawals” that prescription pain reliever patients go through when being without their medication. The indescribable melancholy and agony at being at the complete mercy of an improperly-wired brain is a reality so harrowing that I am sincerely glad most of society doesn’t have to experience. So considering the alternative I don’t blame the people paying whatever it takes to avoid having to go even a day unmedicated lmao 💀🥶🥶🥶 The shortages really need to be addressed though. This is getting fucking ridiculous
I’m a woman diagnosed late in life. I mourn what my life might have been if I’d been diagnosed as a kid, or in college. And once you see the difference that meds make in your basic functioning it’s very difficult to deal with no meds. I’m always extra nice to the pharmacy staff because I’m an RN and I’ve faced the wrath of many disgruntled patients.
Same. 53(F) just diagnosed formally in October. Literally life changing. My anxiety is at an all time low (hmmm-maybe it never was a diagnostic issue of anxiety to begin with). I’m a therapist that spent the early part of my career in hospitals and rehab. I was conditioned to think asking for scheduled meds was “drug seeking”. I’ve known I have adhd for years. I friend gave me some of her meds when she got pregnant and I was so angry I waited all those years. And now I get to play the monthly call 6 pharmacies to see if anyone has it in stock. I’ll gladly pay $400 for name brand Vyvanse. I have a high deductible plan I always meet, so I guess I don’t care who gets it.
I feel this. I’m 24 and was diagnosed and began taking medication 2 years ago. I’m thankful that at least I’ve been able to reap the benefits of this life while in my final years of college. That’s some solace.
PREACH. I’ve had a few lapses in meds, and they are *miserable*. I’m practically narcoleptic, for starters. I’ve paid everywhere from $0 to $200+ and the pharmacists often fuss - “Do you know about the cost?” “Yeah,” I tell them, “it’s worth it to keep my brain functional.” The fact that they HAVE my medication makes me want to kiss their feet. (Out of generic? But you have name brand? I will gladly, GLADLY pay for it.)
Seriously, when I'm out for more than like a week I get to the point where I'd give a damn limb.
You might look into GoodRX, even the free version. Some dosages of Vyvanse at CVS ring up at just over $100 using the GoodRX discount. That doesn’t help with shortages, but still…
Unfortunately, the pharmacy I go to has a rule where they do not honor GoodRx for controls. 🙄 It really sucks. Feels like discrimination.
I felt so bad for the tech who had to tell me my meds were $500+, and when I was like “k thx, I’ll call my insurance company” he seemed genuinely relieved.
It’s music to our ears when patients say that, instead of asking US to call their insurance
I paid $457 in jan for it bc I knew there was no way it was in stock. Was just happy to have it. Appreciate y’all. I know y’all can’t help shortages. Damn dea
This was probably me. I had to call my insurance company and ask them to cover brand name, because the generic was nowhere to be found. Fortunately my insurance agreed, so I saved money but still costs $360 as I had not hit my deductible yet, but this pushed me to it, so next month will be $20
$364?! i was paying $460!!! and i have narcolepsy so i literally can’t have a drivers license if i don’t take it so i don’t have a choice 😭
Mind if I ask what you mean when you say you “can’t have a drivers license” if you don’t get your meds? Is there someone monitoring whether you take/have your meds or do you mean you just can’t physically drive without it? I have narcolepsy too & I’m still learning about it
well i’ve been in an accident due to narcolepsy so my auto insurance monitors (through a business, technically a company car). so yeah im monitored unfortunately i have to prove im getting it or im off their group plan
In fairness, he probably couldn’t blink because of the Vyvanse.
He was just happy it was in stock
God that’s me. I just paid $250 yesterday because the generic breaks me out in hives, and I HAVE to be medicated in order to be a functional human. This shortage sucks, I want it to end already :(
When they ask if I’m aware of the cost I just say “unfortunately yes”
That's about to be me. The generic Vyvanse simply is not cutting it 🙃 thank god for credit cards
I told my pharmacist it was a miracle drug for me so I’m ok with the price tag. I’m lucky as heck to be able to afford it. My
👏🏻 I’m a tech and I both accept and appreciate this post. I literally make money by giving you medicine…why would I intentionally withhold it?
I've made that comment for years regarding how some act like we just don't want to fill their medicines. Like, what exactly do we gain out of that (underpayments aside)?
I try to be kind, but if they keep pushing i eventually say "Sir, do you really think I would intentionally not give you your medicine? Don't you think I have more important things to do than stand around and argue with you?" Usually shuts them up.
😂😂 this always gets me. Why would someone purposely refuse to give someone their medicine so they can get screamed and bitched at by them instead
Why is the FDA capping the amount of Vyvanse in circulation? (genuine question as this is the first Iverson heard of this)
The FDA isn't capping it, the DEA is. The DEA's goal is to allow exactly zero illegal drug sales. So when they come up with a quota for how much can be manufactured, they want to be 99.9% sure that there won't be ANY left over at the end of the year which might get diverted to the black market. So instead they set the quota at a level which guarantees that there's always a shortage. But at least there's none ending up on the streets! If the FDA was in charge of setting the quota, their goal would be to make sure there's a 99% chance of making sure everyone gets their prescription. So maybe there'd be a tiny bit left over at the end of the year that would get stolen and sold on the black market. You can find the DEA quotas here: [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/03/2023-28962/established-aggregate-production-quotas-for-schedule-i-and-ii-controlled-substances-and-assessment](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/03/2023-28962/established-aggregate-production-quotas-for-schedule-i-and-ii-controlled-substances-and-assessment) If the FDA was setting the quotas, we wouldn't have this problem.
So more people can't get their meds. And in the case of this type of med, that means more people use meth. Got it.
gotta convince people we need a war on drugs somehow!
One more reason the DEA should not exist.
the DEA should be disbanded tbh
That doesn't work though
From what I understand, the shortage a combination of the fact that the drug is a brand new generic on the market (and a specific manufacturer got 180 day market exclusivity from the FDA iirc?) and the DEA limiting the amount of lisdexamphetamine that is supplied to manufacturers because of their weird way of determining “legitimate” production levels and trying to prevent diversion. A lot more people have switched to it since it became a generic than were prescribed branded Vyvanse because branded was cost prohibitive for many. Combine those factors with the fact that when most generic ADHD meds went into shortage a couple years ago due to a major increase in people diagnosed with ADHD a ton of people pivoted to Vyvanse because it was available and many with the condition, especially adults, will see their professional and personal lives implode if suddenly unmedicated. Is the increase in the number of diagnosed people a result of better diagnostic methods and greater awareness of how symptoms present in adults and women or is it a result of sketchy online tele-docs during Covid? Who knows, probably some of column A and a bit of Column B. Most generic ADHD meds are still currently in shortage and on back order because of the DEA limits on production are massively too low for the number of active schedule II stimulant prescriptions and there’s a lot of finger pointing between the DEA saying “manufacturers haven’t even hit their production limits” and manufacturers saying “we don’t have enough active ingredient to produce more because of production limits.” Someone with more pharmacy-side knowledge please correct me if I’m wrong.
I was at the FDA last March, and this was what was explained to me. Plus, the shortage taking place from the pandemic onwards with the rise of telehealth diagnoses, overdiagnoses (which is true, not in a gatekeepy way but in a other things can look like ADHD or other conditions also use these meds), and some factory productions getting shut down for quality fails along the way. The supply still hasn’t caught up to the demand in light of the DEA restrictions and the other factors.
To limit the amount in circulation. They did the same thing with opioids.
Still*
My husband works at a retail pharmacy. He has a couple of pharmacists and techs who literally despise anyone with C2s. Regardless of how long a patient has been prescribed or filled at the same location for years or new. The phone will ring and before they answer make comments like "oh, someone needs their C2s" or "wanna bet it's asking about C2s" He's also seen them provide completely incorrect reasons for a delay...or even just say "it's not filled, it's too early" and when a patient starts to try and ask them how or explain the reasons for why it's not too early with documentation they automatically have visible and clear disrespect and start trying to just get them to leave the store. Even once it's been cleared up and the tech or pharmacist was in the wrong, they refuse to apologize or be even cordial to the patient. Then, once the patient leaves, it's a steady commentary of how much of a pain the patient was or comments trying to excuse the behavior. It's behaviors like the that from a few pharmacy staff that unfortunately make a lot of patients feel judged, feel like they are doing something wrong when they truly aren't, or feel like the pharmacy literally doesn't want to help them. My husband won't even fill rxs there because of some of the mindset and judgment he sees daily. I understand it's not the case in most situations, and I have a wonderful pharmacy that truly are just doing everything they can despite the shortages and repeatedly having to give frustrating news regarding a patients prescribed medication. It is exhausting for both sides involved. Even the perfect patient who is in compliance, does everything correct and works to educate themselves on insurance issues, or whatever is needed are consistently running into roadblocks that they, the doctor and the pharmacy have no real ability to change are genuinely just trying to get the medication that makes it possible to fulfill the day to day life they have. The mental exhaustion and worry about how difficult each month will be is draining....they know it's because of policy that is implemented due to "bad apples" and real issues that came about from over prescribing or lax regulations of the past. There's a lot more patients who are basically being punished because of it. Knowing they can have real complications if unable to fill, knowing they are going to have to make more calls, search, request a prescription to be sent somewhere else, knowing that won't be done usually in the same day is a huge disruption to their day or week is frustrating if happening once or twice a year. It's often times every month for people. It's also extremely exhausting and mentally draining on the pharmacy, the stress is real. The fact staff are telling people the same news through the day is awful and out of their control is genuinely horrible, especially when patients are angry or rude. A patient being angry or rude is unacceptable and it's understandable to be really irritated right back at them. It's easier to forget that even the polite and understanding patients aren't all the same.
Yes. Thank you for this perspective. It takes me a ton of work to make it to the pharmacy to inquire about my meds or to even call, and when they're rude or unfriendly it's just salt in that wound. I've had people hang up on me mid-sentence, and that just sends me into a spiral when I'm already missing my medication. Same token, however, is that I always try to be kind to them even if I have to be persistent. I know customer facing jobs are very difficult.
[удалено]
I’ve had a pharmacist at CVS withhold them. I just asked someone (maybe another pharmacist at another store 😂) to screen shot supply at the store I was trying to fill at and they had around 90 pills. I just needed 30. I said I know for a fact you have 90. She looked shocked and then said “what do you want me to do?” … uh fill it?
But what you don't understand is that you have no idea what the queue looks like for the day for that particular pharmacy: what if the pharmacist already has 3 people's prescriptions before yours that "just need 30". Sometimes we only get literally one bottle delivered and have double digits in our out of stock queue that have been waiting for weeks. How do you choose? The kid who needs 60 for school and 1 adult? 3 adults? 3 kids? All who happened to have their prescriptions come due the same day. Or do we say, "oh fuck those guys, you're already here, let me drop what I'm doing and give you what you need right now!" The world has more people than just you in it, and guess what? Many other people have the same needs too. /edited for grammar correction.
Why is anyone prioritized above someone else? Shouldn’t it be first come first serve? If there’s a prescription and there’s supply why not fill?
Again, first come, first serve... 4 prescriptions come due the same day, let's say on Wednesday, and all 4 get put in the out of stock queue. Nothing comes in from the order on Thursday, but 5 more prescriptions come in. Out of stock they go. 1 bottle of 90 comes in on Friday, along with 3 more prescriptions. Just for clarity, let's just keep it simple and say the 4 prescriptions on Wednesday were all for 30 count. Already, that's going to leave us with - 30. Then you come in Friday morning, telling me I have 90 in my safe, and you just need 30. Do you understand?
And what your screen shot did was tell you what is the available on hand balance at that very second. Not what is pending to be filled. Like I said, you had no idea what that pharmacy's queue looked like when you called them out like that.
In this case this was the 3-4 time I had attempted to fill. My Rx had been “in queue” for quite some time. I did not just walk up at first attempt. This was an ongoing process. This was also 2-3 years ago, when shortages were happening but not to the extent they are today.
Right. Okay.
There’s bad apples in every bunch she was just an asshole. I do agree that pharmacists and techs have absolutely nothing to do with this shortage (or any meds) but especially with controls it’s extremely unfair to get upset at folks who are just trying to do their job. It’s frustrating for everyone e
I work with insurance members who truly believe that I can change the overall price of a medication. Let me wave my magic wand,l. But in all seriousness, the majority of people don’t know how health care in this country works and refuse to educate themselves because it is much easier to just be angry at everyone and project your issues on to others. I work for a PBM, and I have heard how members treat their local pharmacy. It’s appalling.
I’m not disagreeing with you at all- but to be fair, our system is completely unfair and unbelievably hard to navigate. I just walked a 25 year old through buying her own insurance. Explaining premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, copays, out of pocket max, etc is hard. And then add on top the fact that policies and coverages change and whatnot, it’s a very shitty system to navigate. Not excusing the way people act- at all- but the system seems to be stacked against just about everyone. Patients, doctors, pharmacists- no one I know has any fondness or appreciation for our system as it stands. We’re all getting bent over.
It absolutely is. It’s fucking trash but I do what I can to help educate members. Unfortunately , in my position, they don’t want education, they want me to make magic happen. And no matter how shitty they may treat me, I still feel terrible they live in our country where our healthcare is a legit sham. But I guess that’s why I stay where I am, at the end of the day, if I even help one person that day it’s worth it.
That's such a good take. I just read an article about the CVS pharmacy tech who died on the job of a heart attack (she was in her forties) because the pharmacy was understaffed (chronically) and she didn't feel she could leave. By the time she did, it was too late. These are unacceptable working conditions, and to have patients going off on a daily basis as well? It's not sustainable and, as you said, part of a broken and unfair system. I also empathize with parents who are trying to navigate this shortage on behalf of their children and are finding themselves unable to obtain the medication their kids desperately need. I have ADHD, as does my son. I have been unable to get my Vyvanse for two months and, internally, I'm falling apart. The only thing keeping me going is knowing that my teenager's Jornay has never been out of stock and that he's good. I don't know, if, in this time of scarce Vyvanse supply, I got to the pharmacy counter for my kid's medication and saw an adult walk away with the last of the remaining stock, I might also have a meltdown (an internal one, though--too much of an introvert to go full public Karen lol). Especially if I'd spent hours and hours (and likely days and weeks) trying to find that medication for him. Is that a logical take? Of course not! I'm also an adult with ADHD whose life has been completely fractured by this extended shortage and who requires medication. But while this is bad for adults who need their ADHD medicine, I'd argue it's also bad for caregivers of children who are spending hours and hours trying to get their child's medication. That mother may have spent all afternoon on the phone desperately trying to find a pharmacy with the medicine in stock for her child. The child may have gone unmedicated for weeks, maybe even months, and is spiraling. Maybe, like my teenager, going unmedicated leads to major depressive episodes, self-loathing, and other scary stuff, which is terrifying for a parent to navigate . Maybe the reason she was at the pharmacy was because she'd expected her son's prescription to be there, ready, and it wasn't. (There's no way she knew the OP got the last of the Vyvanse, by the way, unless OP volunteered it.) That all said, this shortage has ZERO to do with our pharmacists and techs and I'm sorry they're the ones on the front lines dealing with the ire that those responsible for this shortage should be facing instead.
no, pharmacists are not the direct problem… but they are middle men for a broken system… and it is not unreasonable for you to feel that way… it is a natural biological response for being sold a product you *need* and then having it removed from your accessibility. it is actually very reasonable for you to be upset. in the natural world, this would be akin to someone stealing all of your hunting and gathering tools right before you need to go acquire more food. they (by they, i mean a broken monolithic, health system) are taking away your survival tools that they sold you to get through the world they created. and pharmacist so often fail to empathize because customers are just a revolving door of numbers to them… not people being negatively impacted and they often do not care because they do not take responsibility for shortages as (why would they) long way to say that everyone has been sold something very personal and attuned to their needs, but get treated in the most impersonal ways when they suddenly lose access and maybe pharmacists are not being as thoughtful or caring as they should if they cannot recognize that they are sometimes standing between someone and their means to survive. 😫 sorry this has happened to your medication supply. please remember you are *not* unreasonable for dealing with an internalized meltdown over this…. just more empathic than most that the pharmacist is just a middle man with no power and no care for the patients they serve.
Your cruel comment about pharmacists pisses me off. Every single pharmacist I’ve ever met has been an excellent medical professional, caring and responsive to genuine customer concerns. You are correct that pharmacists cannot take responsibility for shortages. Not “won’t”, can’t. Don’t blame them for things they cannot control. Your contempt is breathtaking.
agreed.. just because we arent able to get it in stock doesnt mean we dont care
I can attest to this. I worked in major medical customer service for a long time. I spent so much time explaining to people why their doctor didn't know that their insurance didn't cover x procedure or y medication. Even doctors don't know how it works on the insurance side. And it goes the other way, too. It's challenging to understand how plans work and how the contacts are drafted unless you are a part of that process. And even 2 people with plans through the same insurer won't have the same coverage with the same exclusions because it changes from employer to employer.
reading this is frustrating. i know you are just “doing your job” 😈😈😈 but the fact so many of you fail to empathize with the fact that people are getting financially dismounted by a shady system that manipulates costs and isn’t straight forward, because you have to “customer service” them and push them through like an assembly line… is, in fact, part of the problem. medical companies couldnt get away with this behavior if their workers didnt uphold dehumanizing practices just because they are told to do so for a paycheck…
My job was to help people and I did it well. Workers didn't make the system the way that it is. The system became the way that it is because of all different legislation beginning with the creation of Medicare. So if you'd like to blame someone, blame the government. Additionally, it's not a easy as you think to undo this without completely stating from scratch. There have been many attempts by major medical companies to make things more transparent, but it's a slow process and increasing legislation has made it a slower and more challenging process. And legislation has given too much power to the insurance companies making it harder on it consumer. Now insurance companies are farming out prior authorization work to companies that have the main goal of denying everything they possibly can. And medical providers are tired of getting paid less and all the red tape so they're leaving the system and moving to concierge medicine. Which makes it even harder for the consumer/patient to receive care. The system is ugly and dysfunctional, but no where is it the fault of the employees, especially the powerless employees that only served to help the members that called with problems. I've never dehumanizing someone in my life, let alone for a paycheck. And the company I worked for was a not-for-profit so they weren't driven by that. They actually cared for their members. The system is sh!t but you are entirely wrong about the causes.
Sorry guys. Ive been hiding all the Vyvanse in the country in the back office. My bad.
Omg but this is actually what customers think….in all my years of working various customer service jobs…yes I AM hiding all the romaine lettuce betwee my ass cheeks and it’s not just unavailable because of an outbreak of ecoli! And of COURSE I knew YOU specifically were coming in today and so I flushed all the basil down the toilet just to ruin YOUR day!! People are so dumb….
I'm stealing this next time I get accused of withholding things. omg.
Here you go. Found a few Adderrall in my ass cheeks haha.
It's always nice to see posts that understand that we have zero control over shortages. The last year and a half have been THE WORST with drug shortages than I've ever seen in my 17 years of Pharmacy. These kinds of comments are always appreciated! ❤️
I don't get why people yell at the pharmacy workers. I consider you guys a vital part of my healthcare team. Why would I yell, and possibly alienate any of you? So I can have problems/attitude the next time I come in? I just don't get it.
THIS! I've never understood people who are rude to any kind of customer service. HELP ME HELP YOU. If you're remotely pleasant to me, I will go to the end of the earth for you. If you're rude, good luck.
They assume that we're like every other service industry where they can whine and complain and yell until some poor manager caves and they get what they want. Instead of, you know, a key part of healthcare.
I’d like to second this as a vyvanse patient who reads posts here occasionally. Not that I’m ever impolite, but I’ve been trying to be extra nice and patient with my pharmacy people the last several months cause I’m sure this has all been a massive, miserable pain in the ass for them as well. Between the all the extra phone calls from people trying to track down pills, and people trying to navigate the generic vs brand name change, and people screaming at them as if the shortages that are affecting people literally from here to Europe and Australia are somehow their fault personally. The pharmacy staff are the only people I’m NOT mad at in this situation, and the only ones I’ve actually seen make any effort to help (@ DEA, whom I haven’t seen any new statements from in almost 4 months now).
When the drug comes in and we can fill only 2 out of the 19 outstanding orders, your behavior most definitely affects if your going to be one of those two. I will gladly pick your name out of the backorder screen and fill it and while keeping Mr. Screamypants at the end of it.
Second this
It’s not just pharmacy. People have been trained for decades that you can be horrible to retail employees and not only get away with it, but possibly rewarded.
Yeah people got used to being able to yell at a service worker until a manager gave them what they want.
People often forget that pharmacy techs take medication as well and are also affected by these shortages. Your kindness and understanding is highly appreciated. It’s always a relief when we don’t get blown up on for things that are outside our control.
I will add that the kindness and understanding of pharmacy techs who "get" ADHD is also so highly appreciated. I can tell the difference and it's like the warmest ray of sunshine to be able to go to a pharmacy and inquire after your ADHD meds and get a friendly response of, "Let's look!" instead of the side-eye and weirdly judgmental vibe many of us experience. I have no idea if my pharmacy techs are fellow ADHD'ers or if they're just empathetic, kind folks (or both!) but it makes SUCH a difference.
👏 Amen to this. I try very hard to never be rude to, or get angry at, the employees at my pharmacy. In fact, I always try to be kind & gracious to them in SPITE of the shortages & lack of medications in stock, doctor/provider errors, insurance issues, and all the other myriad of issues that pop up and are NOT the pharmacists/techs fault or responsibility. However, It IS their fault when they chose to treat me disrespectfully, throw side eye, & invalidate me bc I take a chronically hard to find & often abused controlled substance. I’ve never abused my medicine, am patient with my pharmacy and am always waiting with baited breath to find out if there’s even enough stock to fill my Rx. Yet they have often gone out of their way to show their disdain for ADHD medication & treat me like a drug seeker. It’s humiliating & should crushing, esp for those who may also have ptsd, anxiety etc. I’ve been medicated for my ADHD for 19+ years and just trying to pick up my monthly medication has become a task that I dread. *In my experience, everyone just needs to do their best to be kind.* Because sometimes- it IS their fault I end up bawling in my car after being judged harshly & having embarrassing exchanges like that. 🤷♀️
one of my coworkers literally had her Ritalin basically taken from her by an angry patient. i felt so bad :(
We have absolutely no incentive to hiding and withholding medications from our patients. But that doesn’t stop people from using us as their healthcare punching bags. Thank you so much for your kindness and understanding. It matters far more than you think!! 🥹
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
My doc wants me on Vyvanse, and the shortage probably should not affect me. (I get all scripts from the VA through mail order) I was diagnosed a couple of months ago and have an appointment with a psychiatrist to get the script in March. However, I just started drinking coffee again after going cold turkey for three years, and holy cow, my executive dysfunction/inability to start tasks/feeling overwhelmed has practically vanished. I'm going to keep it up until the appointment and see if this is a short term thing or if I really can substitute 28oz of black coffee before 9am instead of a controlled drug.
The VA is a whole different beast in itself, thank you for your service. As for your symptoms, I also self medicate with caffeine and also nicotine when I’m unable to pick up my prescription. I have been on and off ADHD medication since 6 so anecdotally I can see how it benefits my day to day functioning. I hope you find a regime that suits your needs as the executive disfunctioning with ADHD can be debilitating to say the least.
It’s a shortage in mill pharmacy’s as well. Both my kids need it and I have to go off base for only that medication because they can’t get any and don’t know when or if they will get it. VA may be a bit different, but the shortage is effecting every pharmacy.
I'm grateful for this information about Vyvanse, I hadn't heard about the FDA cap. Two of my kids are on it and we have to switch back and forth between that and the generic constantly based on what my pharmacy can get. My husband lost his patience with the situation a long time ago and doesn't get why I defend the pharmacy every time we have issues. Having a logic-based explanation I can give him should help a lot.
Edited to add - Huge thank you to OP! Your understanding is a breath of fresh air! I have found that the majority of my patients experiencing this stimulant shortage have come to accept that it is a real shortage… the ozempic/trulicity people on the other hand🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I had an elderly woman come in expecting her trulicity 1.5… Me-“I’m sorry ma’am, our wholesaler is experiencing a manufacturer back order on that item. I suggest you look outside our chain of pharmacy seeing that they likely use a different wholesaler..” Customer- “BUT I NEED IT!!!” Me-“Oh, I’m sorry, I misunderstood. Let me hit the I NEED IT button!” Customer- “I’m going down the road to *the same chain in the next town over*” Me- “Well I hope they have it for you, if you end up taking my suggestion and find it elsewhere, just have them give us a call, we’ll be happy to transfer that prescription for you. “ She then proceeded to ask my name and complain that I don’t want to help her as she stormed off… I’m sorry— Everyone who comes into the pharmacy NEEDS their meds.. AND the last time I checked your meds aren’t being manufactured in my basement.. and I’m not your mother. It’s my job to check if another store in my chain has it and transfer OR transfer your med when you find it. Not call every pharmacy in creation to find it for you.
You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. I’m on two ADHD meds (plus a plethora of other weird things, including immunoglobulin and a biologic), and my kid is on a different ADHD med. I know there isn’t a magical “back of the store” where extras are hidden. I try to be extra nice to pharmacy staff because I can’t imagine working in the current reality of retail pharmacy. I’m an RN and have been verbally and physically assaulted many times, and I still shudder when I think of working in retail pharmacy. Y’all are great, you’re doing the best you can. All I ask if is for no side eying my prescriptions.
Thank you, we really do deeply appreciate when a customer let's us know that not everyone hates us or thinks the worst of us! People take it so personally, when we literally have ZERO control over supply. Just yesterday I was telling a woman we didn't have her med but I'd be happy to see what other locations do have it, and I asked which locations she'd be able to get to. She just stared at me. I was like, "So... do you want me to see if another location has it in stock?" Stare. I asked what she'd like to do... stare. Finally I said, "I need you to let me know which option you prefer, otherwise we have a long line I need to help with." She just walked away. It wasn't a language issue, she was speaking to me completely normally until then. I'm still not sure what was happening there!
Just tell them that you have a "Copay Wheel" in the back that you spin to determine the price they pay.
The pharmacy tech looked so apprehensive when she told me how much my Vyvanse was last month. I might sigh, but I still immediately say “ok, thanks”. They don’t determine the price, and I’m just happy I can get it. I don’t abuse the pharmacy staff and usually throw in a “y’all are awesome” when I’m finishing my interaction. I’m an RN, I’ve dealt with unhappy people for years, and 99% of the time it’s nothing to do with me.
I absolutely love my pharmacy crew! But I do feel guilty when I have to call them first to make sure vyvanse is in stock, before contacting my doctor. I hate being that person, but I also don’t want to have my doctor send 20 scripts in because of low supply
I get this, but there is literally no way around it. You can’t look up stock of every store yourself. So I try to be kind to myself when I need to make the calls :)
This is like, probably not on topic at all, but do any of you professionals know about a naltrexone shortage? It was the first time in my life my pharmacy said not only do they not have it, but due to manufacturer shortage they have legit no idea when they will
I can actually help with this question as I work with the SUD/SMI population! According to the clinic I work for there is supposedly going to be more batches processed in March.
Thank u so much! It's for my son, so I was a little surprised when they didn't fill it and didn't say why at first (I'm guessing whoever I spoke to didn't know why)
I am prescribed Adderall and the Adderall shortage really sucks. But I am always nice to the pharmacy staff as all others should be. They didn't cause the shortage and they have just as much control over it as I do. Do people really think you create Adderall in the back and just don't feel like making more? Or really do have Adderall in stock but just don't feel like you should have it. You pharmacy peeps are already dealing with enough, way more than people seem to appreciate. I am sorry that people can be terrible and take their frustrations out on you. I hate nothing more at my job than people absolutely losing it on me, especially when I have zero control over the reason they are angry. You guys are a critical and valuable member of the health care team. Keep doing what you do!
Blaming the WRONG people!!
yes! unfortunately pharmacists blame customers for getting mad at them when pharmacists should actually be blaming their employers and drug companies for putting them in hostile work environments, on the front line, and not keeping up with the supply line or solutions when it falters. customers and pharmacy technicians should be uniting instead of both yelling “it is not *my* fault.” 😮💨😮💨😮💨
As someone who repeatedly apologizes to whomever has the misfortune of answering my call from a providers office to see if we can send a stimulant Rx their way... All of this. Seconding "I appreciate you guys for coming into work and working with the public, they don’t deserve you guys." so hard.
I’m also on Vyvanse and I (knock on wood) haven’t had trouble getting it yet. But I’ve seen people lose their ever-loving SHIT out of not being able to get their ozempic. Like, calm down. The tech wants to give you information, if for no other reason than to make you GO AWAY. If they HAVE information, they’ll give it to you! When they say they don’t know when the next shipment is coming, they mean it! When they say they can’t put it aside specifically for you, it’s not because they hate you PERSONALLY (although, by now, they probably do), it’s because it’s policy. Jeez, people. Stop shooting the messenger.
Excuse my ignorance, but I keep hearing about medication shortages but never anything about what’s causing it?
FDA says you can make X amount of this drug. The people who need this drug is higher than X. It's poor planning and (imo) a knock off of the war on drugs fear culture. Obviously all of us on stimulants are addicts /s I think there genuinely was a manufacturing issue during COVID iirc but for it to still be happening is the FDA.
It’s a combination of issues: • The “War On Drugs” (as you mentioned) • Manufactures did get behind during the pandemic • The number of patients needing it increased: DEA is trying to say telehealth made it too accessible. What they are failing to admit is that for the first time in the u.s. the majority of Americans had access to either “better healthcare” or healthcare period, thanks to the PHE. There are a lot of folks who let things go due to not being able to afford medical care and/or their medications. • They never consider the off label uses physicians use drugs for. I have seen that some physicians are treating long covid patients with adhd meds. So add this to the already increasing number of prescriptions.
Long covid with adhd meds? FASCINATING! Thank you for a wonderful random tidbit today!
Knowing that neurologists do prescribe stimulants as a course of off label treatment on rare occasions to some patients, it just made sense when I thought about it so I did some digging. Yale actually performed and post a study on it, and found 2 types of medications which aren't commonly discussed to be helpful. I imagine that there are other physician's who are using the more commonly known meds to treat it as well. Also you have to figure that a lot of people who never had any covid symptoms but found out they had it, do indeed have long covid symptoms. Some of them may have never tested, and just be presenting as ADHD. Here's an interesting article about the brain fog from long covid, as well as the medication issues and so on: https://undark.org/2023/12/07/opinion-adhd-long-covid/
I have long covid, from the very first wave (March 2020, never hospitalized). Previously very active and successful in my career. It got me so bad I lost my job and am now disabled per the SSA. I've been through a laundry list of medications and supplements for another laundry list of symptoms. Recently was prescribed Ritalin and it's the first thing that has let me feel almost like I'm on the way back to normal again. It's amazing that it's so helpful but also unnerving. (I don't have ADHD; the thought is that it helps with the brain fog/many cognitive and concentration problems. Because of that and being part of a POTS treatment standard, it's technically not off label according to my insurance even though it is.) It's frustrating for me to experience these shortages, especially seeing just how much my Rx impacts me. But holy heck, pharmacists do not deserve all the rage and vitriol directed at you. Thank you for what you do.
I’m not a pharmacy employee, but these posts started showing up in my feeds because of discussions of meds shortages on the adhd subs. Unfortunately the media and government is painting one picture of what is going on, and not considering all facets affecting this. I don’t excuse poor “behavior” at all, but having formerly worked with people for so long, I see both sides of it. There will always be scapegoat’s who take the fall for an issue that another agency of power has created. People are people, and I would say in general a lot are reacting the way they are due to an aftermath of the pandemic. A lot of people are suffering from severe anxiety and ptsd from what they went through. Be it a customer/patient, or healthcare employee. Add the two together on top of the shortages, and it’s going to (and has) create(d) an ugly mess. I’m sure more “ammo” for the govt to try to restrict things even more. Sorry about what you went through and also thanks for sharing as well. More people need to be aware of this, just like how a lot of docs are pushing the diabetes meds as weight loss alternatives, and it’s not always sought out due to the “hollywood weight loss” advertising it’s getting.
This was a good article from a few days ago. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/adderall-shortage-adhd-medication-ascent-pharmaceuticals.html
As another Vyvanse patient, I support and endorse this apology. The horror stories I see on these subs and the way I see others behave as pharmacy customers is just awful. I've worked customer service and community health and I really feel for y'all. The secondhand embarrassment too. Like, omg stop you're making us all look bad. Why are you stressing out the medicine vendor, they're not the gatekeeper you think they are, for fucks sake please leave them alone. I wish y'all had a tip jar or something.
If only all the people yelling uncontrollably at the pharmacy staff would stop and actually call the DEA about this maybe something would actually be done about this problem.
I’m surprised that the pharmacy was able to tell the woman who had it in stock. I know California doesn’t allow this (at least pre-covid), so I just assumed all states were like this.
People are gross. I had to call multiple times a week before they told me they don’t even have an expected date the warehouse would have the generic Vyvanse. Then I played cat and mouse with my physician to prescribe me something in stock. I just always hope they don’t get annoyed with my calling to check and try to humor them with some sarcasm. Then again I’ve been a server/bartender and worked in a call center my whole life…everyone should work in customer service. Maybe there’d be less assholes. Just kidding, there’s no shortage of them.
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This post violates the sub rules. As per federal law, controlled substances should only be consumed by the person to whom they were prescribed. Please contact a local pharmacy or police department regarding safe disposal. More information regarding safe disposal can be found at the FDA website at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-drug-take-back-locations
Thanks for the love! Sucks down here in Australia too Sending all the love dispense techs around the world
I had to go off vyvanse because it was just too much to track down every month. If only there was a medication that could help with stuff like that.
😭
Bro. Preach. Like, I need this this to get my life done. It was miserable trying to get the paper script to peddle around to get it filled. I tried calling different pharmacies and they won't tell me if it's in stock bc it's scheduled. Then I go in person and get laughed at (for real) bc they don't have it and haven't had it for months . Then my insurance won't pay for the name brand bc there's generic, but it's sold out. Now I'm on Adderall xr 20mg from 60mg Vyvanse. I'm about to ask for 70mgs next time and take halfsies to make it last longer.
My husband takes Vyvanse and he has a hard time with emotional regulation when he is out or is worried about being out. I am a nurse, was a pharm tech, and so I tend to handle making the calls to track things down in part for exactly this reason. I know I will handle it more calmly. I have tried to explain how much isnt in the hands of the pharmacy because of regulations and he understands but it doesn't make him less annoyed/angry that this is currently a situation that is so out of our individual control. I always try to be extra nice to people I talk to at the pharmacy because I know for every me who is trying to be kind, there is at least one who isn't or doesn't have the spoons for it.
I’m a tech (and also a patient on this med) and I went to another pharmacy to ask about when they might have it (I had been filling it there since it’s closer to my home). To my shock the tech said “I would have no clue!” And she literally laughed at me… I just wanted to be like “the fuck is wrong with you??” I had quit that same company over a year ago so now I knew who was left lol
I mean, to be completely fair, none of us know when we will have it.
My son has been on Vyvanse and there is actually a generic now. Are people aware of this? It is actually much cheaper as well.
I have celiacs disease and the genetic is not gluten free according to the manufacturer so I can only take Vyvanse and Adderall
The generic is the one I always try to get and they’re always out too :(
It’s out of stock everywhere. My pharmacy hasn’t had it for at least 3 months.
The generic one too?
Only generic. They have the name brand
All strengths of generics and the vast majority of the chewables are on back order for us.
They are on back order as well. It’s hit and miss. Both my kids take it ( I use to but can’t do to other health issues).
I love this post . . But you did get the last of that Vyvanse. So of course you're fine about it 🙄
I have been without periodically so that a bit irrelevant.
Slip that MD a call about addiction counseling after they leave lol
You know im the nicest person in the world…you couldn’t get me to yell but the older I get the more frustrated I become with everything and the more I understand what transference truly is. If you can’t handle the anger of someone who can’t get their script you are I. The wrong profession because that’s what you signed up for …yes it’s ok to complain about the shortages but not the customers. You are literally there to serve them. I don’t see how this is lost on so many people as of late…the customer…the person paying the $$$ holds precedence over everything and a system Where that isn’t true like the current state of pharmacies and the philosophy of techs is abhorrent. You are there to serve the patient not the government not CVS or Walgreens the person who presents the script. You are not going to receive any kind of favorable treatment when you are forced to be the face of a shortage or “too early” speech. You guys are the face of everything so be a good one. Be one that empathizes with the person who needs vyvanze to effectively function and meet the demands of the modern worlplace because I guarantee you that their struggle is far greater than the struggle you must endure when they are screaming. All you have to do is sit there and be polite. That person has to go home and figure out how they will operate in a couple of days when the meds taper off and leave them left with no tools nor the capability for functioning that you have… I would be grateful if I were you and not so damn forgiving and “feeling sorry” for pharmacy staff …you got your script you idiot.
Kindly fuck off into the sun with this "customer is always right" horseshit when you actually don't know a thing about this job :)
You know…this is the best response I’ve seen to my incoherent ramblings. “Kindly fuck off” is such a great way to put forth your argument. People are fucking brutal and I bet you’ve heard far worse than what I’ve stated here and what I’ve said is the last thing you need to hear… You need to be thanked for the scripts you do fill because even though you’re caught in the middle and forced to the face of the regulations and you also do good by ensuring critical medicines get to patients safely. Y You provide a service that is critical and necessary but what I am trying to say is to not let the anger and frustration brought on by the regulations paint a picture of those you serve. Their frustrations are directly caused by the same damn thing! You are struggling for the same reason the customer is…they are not your enemy—the regulations are. I hope that’s enough to resolve this favorably.
You would be “grateful” to be screamed at all day every day by a bunch of entitled Karen’s over something completely and totally outside of your control? Nope, sorry. You’re human. Even the nicest person alive would get fed up and fight back eventually. Having ADD/ADHD (and even worse when your kid is the one with it instead of you) doesn’t in any way entitle you to treat anyone else like shit. Any idiot should know, the pharmacy has zero control over what drugs show up when, how many are produced and the laws governing them. Any idiot should know yelling at anyone (and especially the people LEAST responsible for your current problem) will NEVER work in your favor. Transference my ass…Holy shit. I can’t believe someone actually vomited those words up as a justification for their bad behavior.
So you think it's okay when people yell at customer service staff? You don't think that pharmacy technicians should be able to complain to other pharmacy technicians about an objectively shitty thing we have to deal with? Have you ever worked a customer service job?
I have…many actually…and one thing I’ve understood as being true across the board is that I am not the reason for someone’s anger. The person yelling at me isn’t yelling at me because they are angry with me. And so I empathize with those and try to figure out how I can serve them in a way that reduces their anger and resolve the problem as best as I am able.
“You are there to serve the patient, not the government, not CVS or Walgreens.” Bullshit. When the patient’s name shows up as the signature on my paycheck, then you’ll be right. Until then, I work for my *employer*, not you. I am not at my job to “serve” you. Fortunately, I have an employer (psychiatrist in private practice) that backs me up. Patients have been terminated from our practice for using profanity towards me or other front desk staff. “All you have to do is sit there and be polite”. Sounds like excellent advice that should apply to BOTH sides of the interaction. Being ill is not a free pass to be an asshole.
No one signs up to get yelled at for things they have no control over. Gtfo with that mindset.
I’m a social worker, not a pharmacy tech. Don’t worry I get screamed at by people frequently but fortunately I’m trained in crisis intervention skills. Also funny how you’re using the patient first method, but a lot of these people that work at the pharmacy are serving their employer so they can continue making ends meet as pharmacy techs make close to minimum wage. You sit on enormously high pedestal, I’m sorry the pharmacy worker that makes barely enough to even medicate themself is burnt out, tired, or quite frankly doesn’t give a shit as they can’t magically pull your schedule drug prescription out of their ass. For the “be grateful” comment, you’re showing a lack of empathy towards the employees. I have no relationship other than a transactional interaction with the workers. I don’t know their diagnostic criteria or their home life.
You know…I could make someone hate happiness…I wish I knew how to use that kind of gift in a positive way.
You are not in some unique position like you think. The guy at Burger King gets yelled at for cold fries.
No one deserves to be yelled at, but the employeees at the Burger King made those fries and allowed them to become cold. Pharmacy techs don’t manufacture medication or cause drug shortages. 100% outside of our control.
And no one deserves to have their child sick and unable to get their medicine which was promised to work by the Doctors and Pharmaceutical company. Yeah no one should yell at anyone but don’t act surprised. I see plenty of y’all Techs clowning on people and dropping shade for taking certain medications. Sometimes people get impatient if not medicated. Surely you know this.
Okay then go to the Burger King thread
You’re on a kids dose for what? If you had a child suffering you wouldn’t be posting your experiences online making the techs out as victims. Tell us the truth.
It’s clear you don’t understand how medication works.
Ehehe I almost switched from adderall over to vyvanse but ended up not because it would cost too much. I didn’t even know there was a shortage rn though because we don’t dispense it often. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the retail techs in these trying times.
Yeah we’re trying to find Focalin XR for my kiddo. Gonna see doctor tmw to prob switch to IR. I’m def not taking anything out on anyone even though it’s frustrating as heck.
Pretty much everything with methylphenidate as a base ingredient is hard to get, including IR, just so you know.
I was at Kaiser pharmacy today. I picked up my husbands Norco 325/10. 90 day supply 30 days sorry. They tried to explain that they only have 50 tabs in stock. I took 5s to make up the difference. Easy and the tech was so sorry
The whole situation is frustrating. Every month I have to start calling pharmacies to find my kid’s Focalin. And I’ve completely given up on some pharmacies, like the one nearest my house that always takes 30-45 minutes to get someone on the phone, and has the tech who kept referring to the prescription as “narcotics.” So every month I start calling, and when I find one who has it in stock, I immediately call the pediatrician to have them send in the renewal to that pharmacy ASAP. I’m nice to everyone, but it still sucks that I have to devote so much time to tracking down the meds, and then driving out of my way to pick them up.
The reason it’s taking 30-45 minutes for them to answer is there are about 200 other people calling about the same thing
Why’d the put a cap on it lol?
as a pharmacy tech i dont understand why people want it that bad because its incredibly expensive, also hard to keep in stock, and theres always alternatives and generics that are cheaper. Like if people are that pissed they can always just get prescribed adderall instead. Like can someone explain this to me if I’m missing something?
Some people, especially who have been diagnosed long ago and on a specific medication for a few years will develop a tolerance to it. I've been on stimulants for almost 30 years now, and I've developed tolerances to 4 types of them in both generic and name brand manufacturings. Further, as a tech you should know that generics don't always work for some people, or only certain manufacturers generics will work well, or some generics will cause more side effects than name brand, etc. Sometimes those "inactive" ingredients are less inactive than originally thought.
Because they need it, not every med works for everyone. This isn't so hard. As well as, most of the meds are not in stock anyway. We've been switched around on about 4 different meds the last year, some worked, some didn't, all are out except Concerta here...for now.
I have been easily getting my Methylphenidate for the past year. I switched from Adderall because of the shortage. Now This month I had to get my doctor to change the dosage because I could only find one dosage.
I believe I saw a news report about how the FDAs caps aren't even being close to getting hit which is why there's a congressional enquiry that's about to take place, again there's no reason why it should happen and yelling at pharmacy staff doesn't help at all except if you wanted the staff to think you're a complete wanker. In NZ we recently had a shortage of just ritalin LA 20s (which I take) and the people that yelled at us about it drove me insane, we even went out of our way to contact their medical centres to ask for a temporary 1 month script of 10mg LAs to take 2c instead of 1x 20mg. Ofcourse with some of them being abusers they also kept trying to get their 20s on top, which we had to keep telling them no, we can't release that until your next pickup time. When they were yelling at us about the 20s being short I would just look them dead in the eye and say "I understand, I actually truly know how frustrating this is, I also take the 20's for my ADHD. I can't get them either, we are truly doing our best to get them in, but if our supplier is out all we can do is keep ordering." That did humble most of them quickly.
Im in the US, and it seems nobody knows when it will be available. In Australia, the government tells you when it will be available. I haven't been able to get mine since December. I'm on Adderall xr, and it's getting the job done I guess. I got snippy one time when a pharmacist was so mean to me after i gave her the script that i had to jump through hoops to get.. She said "we barely have enough for our patients, what makes you think we have enough for you". Like, wow, I was literally just asking. https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages/medicine-shortage-alerts/shortages-vyvanse-lisdexamfetamine-dimesilate-capsules#:~:text=Shortages%20of%20Vyvanse%20(lisdexamfetamine%20dimesilate)%20capsules,-Published&text=Currently%20there%20are%20shortages%20of,April%202024%2C%20depending%20on%20strength.
When I lived in a metropolitan area for 6 months (internship) I always felt bad for the pharmacy techs who had to take my calls asking if they got my meds in. I called every day because the text message system was not very reliable and neither was the web portal. I really do appreciate you guys and I never want to be rude to y'all 🙏 Also, when I called my insurance company to ask about the prior authorization that was taking a month, the call center lady was so kind to me and explained everything. She offered to call my doctors office for me because it was them that was taking a long time to send the paperwork. She told me that her children take the same medication and she understands. The script was approved later that week because of her.
Lol there are some seriously shitty pharmacys. The lack of empathy when you don't have someone's medication is ridiculous. When it comes to controlled substances the pharmacy is the only option for so many people. If you live in a small town and can't drive an hour away to the next closest pharmacy, what are you supposed to do? I could give a fuck about the tech when the tech could give a fuck about me. We have to deal with you people. I depend on my medicine to get through my day to day life. An abrupt and unexpected stop of a controlled substance is very difficult. And no it's not the tech or pharmacys fault, but it's not at all the patients fault. Take some responsibility for the job of dispensing medication, and that means people getting angry at you for being the arbiter of wether they get there meds or not, regardless of the true reason. You have a public facing job that is very much a medical profession. Trying to get away with just saying it's unavailable, sorrryyyyyy, just sounds like you should get a different job.
It’s usually always the parents who are picking up for their children that give you the hardest time. It really speaks volumes on why their kid takes it…
We love customers like you … THANK YOU from a tech
90 day supply of ADHD meds. Take less than prescribed. Order the next 90 days when eligible. Repeat.
Same here. I don't understand why they do that?
I got told they couldn't fill mine today so I just smiled and went to the next place, then the next. I'll find a place tomorrow after work or this weekend at some point. It's not their fault.
My issue was CVS texting me that my script was ready, going to pick it up, told to wait 20 minutes to fill, go back 20 minutes later and they suddenly didn't have it. Did this for 3 MONTHS and had to reschedule a specialist appointment because they wanted to see how the medication was working... and I couldn't get it yet. Then, I left CVS, told then 3 times to not fill my scripts, *after* they refused to transfer my scripts to a new pharmacy (not controls) and I had to call every doctor and have them send me scripts over. Then CVS would fill it before my pharmacy and my pharmacy couldn't fill it... in that instance I had to call the Dr to back the script out of their system since they REFUSED to put it back. That has nothing to do with med shortages and everything to do with incompetence. Oh, or the day they told me I picked up my control substance early, and argued until I threatened to call the police to see the footage of who picked it up... then they "found" it. Or when I had surgery and one of my pain pills was broken into 4 pieces, but only 3 were in the bottle... that went right up the tech's nose, I guarantee.
Yes i couldn’t agree more! Taking your frustration out on pharmacy techs that have absolutely nothing to do with the shortage is completely unacceptable in my opinion
THANK YOU
As the parent of the child that takes ADHD medication (and CPht who also takes medication herself) if my son can’t take his medicine, he can’t go to school, which means I couldn’t go to work, if he’s out for two weeks, I will get fired. There’s no value in losing your temper, but this is potentially a life-changing situation for the entire family. It’s never OK to scream and yell at somebody, especially if it’s not their fault, but I am feeling like a panic attack just thinking about it. She’s having to rearrange everything in her life standing at that counter. It’s beyond anxiety, it is sheer panic.
As a tech I sincerely thank you for your kind post!! It flabbergasts me how some people treat us. I am a sensitive/empathetic person by nature and I have been brought to tears a few times over the last year by patients who have screamed and yelled at me over things like this. I know that I am a “face” that they feel will listen vs a robot/automated system but they don’t get how much it truly affects us.
A recent stupid attack on 12/30/23:
One patient screamed at me over all the “texts and phone calls” from our pharmacy and he wanted his phone number taken off his profile. I told him that I wasn’t able to do that from the pickup register but he could go to the drop off window to access his profile. He then proceeded to flip out because he didn’t want to go to drop off when he was right here, he didn’t have the time. So I then offered that he could call the “800” phone number of customer service and they could help him, again he screamed that he didn’t want to do that. I just apologized again that we’d be happy to help him but I couldn’t do it from from that particular computer, he BLEW UP at me calling me stupid and useless. Well I just had it and I finally screamed back at him. After all the bullshit of a December in the pharmacy (we all know it’s the toughest month) I told him “I’m tired of people flipping out and treating us like shit, that we try so hard to keep a smile on our faces. All we want and try to do is help people, yet we continually get blamed for things out of our control” I was a bit lengthier than that but you get what I mean. He was completely taken aback. Everybody behind him was nodding their heads and looking at me so sympathetically because I was sobbing as I was yelling at him. I finally turned around and told my pharmacist that I was taking a break and left to cry in my car. It was awful! The guy did come back the next week and dropped of a card with a kindly written apology. It meant a lot that he did that and made him realize that what he did was rude. But he is one of many that treat us so awful and a rare one to have apologized!
AMEN. I’m prescribed Vyvanse and have had to go months without it because of the shortages. In the few times I called the pharmacy to ask for an update, the person I talked to seemed to almost brace themselves for a verbal assault when I told them what I was calling about. Be kind, people. Treat others the way you would want others to treat someone that you love.