Furious!

[Mossfern]

I was notified by Walgreens that my prescription for oxycodone was ready, so I went to pick it up.

Back story: I have severe spinal stenosis and had laminectomies on three vertebrae about 18 months ago.
The surgery failed, and now my pain is worse and more constant. I can't take NSAIDs because I have been on Warfarin for 30 years (another story).

The person at the counter had me wait a while and the pharmacist came to the window, holding my meds in his hand and informed me that they would not refill my prescription next time unless I got a recent MRI and had my pain management doctor supply a fresh diagnosis. He did give me the meds this time, but cautioned me that unless he had the newer documentation this would be it.

WTF? I am a 5'2" silver haired little old lady (in my mind I'm 35 mind you). Do they think that I'm standing on some street corner hawking opiods? Driving home I imagined this scenario: The insurance company denies my meds and I'm in agonizing pain...all...the...time! I get so desperate that I take to the street to get meds to manage the pain. The meds I get are laced with fentanyl and I die as a result.

These "rules" are not preventing an opioid crisis - they're creating one.

[LeftInTX]

1. Do you think they were speaking on behalf of your insurance company and not Walgreens?

They are obligated to fill it if your insurance approves it. However, doctors need to provide letters of medical necessity. I would think oxycodone would be a med that requires preapproval. Did you change Part D providers?

Check your Part D formulary.

[Mossfern]

3. The doc sent in the script

like he does every month. I usually get messages that they are waiting for insurance approval.

[aggiesal]

7. Easy way to check would be to go to another pharmacy ....

If they fill the refill, then it was Walgreen
If they say the same thing Walgreen told her, then it's the insurance company.

[forgotmylogin]

16. Gotta be careful with that!

That behavior to the DEA and pharmacy network can be interpreted as pill shopping.

When my mom was on Oxy, it was a requirement the doctor sent it to her specified pharmacy - there was no written Rx - and only they could fill it. They warned that bad stuff would happen if they saw she was getting pills from different locations.

[LeftInTX]

25. The only time I've gotten a paper script recently was after hours at the minor emergency clinic.

"Well, the pharmacies are all closed". That's been it.
It's all electronic now.

[aggiesal]

40. I would think that would happen if a person went to multiple pharmacy's in a short period of time ...

Not 1 pharmacy around the time the previous prescription was completed.

[forgotmylogin]

15. This is pretty much right. My mom had spinal stenosis and was on oxy.

I was the one who got to manage her pain meds and her anger when I couldn't get them - that's another story.

But I had all kinds of incidents where insurance wanted "proof" that she hadn't magically healed from her degenerative spinal condition somehow between monthly pain appointments and didn't need the opioid medication anymore. They said she should have surgery but consulting specialist said she only had a 50/50 chance of it working and it could possibly get worse due to her age and lack of activity (she wasn't going to survive any sort of physical rehab) so she opted not to have the surgery.

So many things could go wrong. If she went into the ER for another reason she would often ask for an extra refill of her oxy. They'd write her a week prescription, and the insurance would consider that was "what the doctors had approved for the month" so it was a slog making dozens of calls to get her reapproved.

I was on good terms with the pharmacy and they totally explained this was the DEA trying to curb misuse with efforts that were both draconian and understandable on the paperwork level.

[Mossfern]

29. Thank you!

This is my story, but I monitor my own meds. The surgery was very painful and recovery was a nightmare only to find out that it was unsuccessful. Fortunately I am able ( or was until my surgery) to exercise and had purchased a rower to get in both cardio and strength training. I'm waiting to be allowed to be active again after yet another procedure that didn't work. I usually do a couple of months of physical therapy before I start working out again.

I'm adding in yoga and neurofeedback.
I do not like how opioids make me feel and I wish I didn't need them to function.
Cleaning the cat litter or making the bed is no fun, and I usually wait until I need a pill and wait for it to start working before I attempt these simple chores.

OK - whining over.

[Lifeafter70]

2. My son goes through this every month

He has stage IV Acc Cancer. There is no cure and chemo doesn't work. It travels along the nerve endings. Nerve pain is the worst. He is now in the process of being weaned off of pain meds and told he just have to find a way to deal with the pain
It's hard but he has been using meditation to deal with pain. Cancer sucks.
Hopefully a pain doc can help you through this.

[Mossfern]

5. I feel for him!

My pain is nerve pain. I can't take gabapentin or lyrica as I get nasty side effects from them.
I'm going to start a Keto diet next week, it's supposed to help. Can your son try that?

[Skittles]

8. people who abuse pain meds suck too

they are the ones making it harder for folk with chronic pain to get relief

[Mossfern]

10. Absolutely

I remember having a conversation years ago when they were discussing new regulations bemoaning the fact that the people who will suffer the most will be those who actually need the pain relief. Seems I was right.

[SARose]

30. My Mother died from an OxyContin overdose

She was in chronic pain for years. She saw a psychologist every week to get more pain meds.

She went thru rehab twice. Nothing relieved her pain so she overdosed. Her body finally needed more and more Oxy simply to maintain a minimal pain level. Let’s not talk about the addiction that comes with long term use.

She had spinal stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and was a kidney cancer survivor. Nothing relieved her chronic pain towards the end of her life.

Let’s give folks with chronic pain some grace, okay? They live in hell everyday.

[Skittles]

32. where did I trash people in chronic pain?

I absolutely understand people needing pain meds - I'm just saying the people who abuse meds - who keep getting them long after they truly need them, for example, or to SELL them - are the problem.

[niyad]

18. Whatever happened to, "First, do no harm." One MIGHT be forgiven for

thinking that applies to not seeing one's patients suffering from lack of pain meds.

[MichMan]

4. They are just following the agreed ruling in the settlement that cost them $5 billion.

CVS and Walgreens to pay a combined $10.7 billion settlement for alleged opioid prescription lapses


CVS and Walgreens have agreed to pay a combined $10.7 billion to settle allegations they failed to adequately oversee opioid painkiller prescriptions, thus contributing to America's opioid addiction crisis.

The funds will be distributed to states, local governments and federally recognized tribes and will go toward opioid crisis abatement and remediation programs. CVS will pay $4.9 billion to states and political subdivisions and approximately $130 million to tribes. Walgreens will pay $4.95 billion, plus more than $750 million in fees for attorneys and costs. The payments will be made over time.

The pharmacy chains have also agreed to implement robust controlled substance compliance programs that will require additional layers of opioid prescription reviews and institute new mandatory training programs.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/cvs-walgreens-to-pay-opioid-settlement-how-much-when-rcna61307

[Mossfern]

14. That article was from 2022

Have they changed the rules in the past month? I have been able to get my meds with not much fuss for the past couple of years except for the standard "We're waiting for insurance approval" delay. I have always had pre-approval by the doctor- it's his office that sends in the request.

I'm seeing my pain management doc on Tuesday, I'll ask him.

[MichMan]

17. I guess they weren't enforcing it as much as they should have.

Now they are

[Mossfern]

19. I wonder how often

I will need to get a new MRI. My last one was 2 years ago - will I need to do it every year? I'll ask the doc and the pharmacist. MRI's are expensive, and my condition is degenerative so it's not going to miraculously disappear.

I don't think this policy is well thought out.

[questionseverything]

35. It's a stupid policy but it keeps the dea agents safe from chasing real drug dealers

[SimplyHadEnough]

31. Hi Mossfern

That Pharmacist, over step his license (he's not a physician). He should of just told you to contact your insurance because there's a conflict with your refills. Please get in touch with your insurance company before seeing your physician, so that you'll be better informed. Your medical insurance company should of sent you a letter informing you of the necessity of a repeat MRI and updated Diagnosis before continuing the medication. Hope everything works out for you so that there's no lapse in your prescription. Take care

[tulipsandroses]

36. The rules for controlled medications have been " relaxed" since Covid. They are going back into effect this year with

additional changes. Some pharmacies are already instituting the proposed changes along with their own policy.

[LeftInTX]

41. I did not know this.

My doc called in Tyl #3 on Dec 19. I hadn't taken it since July. I didn't hear from the pharmacy and just blew it off. ("I can live without it and it's better to live without it anyway" is my attitude)

I've been on Tyl #3 off and on since 1996 and have NEVER had to have any preapproval.
However I think I may be on a different Medicare drug plan than I was at the beginning of 2020. Now I wonder if it's a DEA thing?
I guess I will check with the pharmacy to see why the Rx wasn't filled.

I would hate to be in a difficult situation and not be able to get it.

[tulipsandroses]

50. I work in Mental Health. Pain Management has different rules they have to adhere to.

But yes, overall the rules regarding all controlled prescriptions via Telehealth have been relaxed since Covid.
The pharmacies have their own policies aside from DEA rules.
Before Covid, you had to be seen in person and get a paper prescription. DEA rule - The Ryan Haight Act.
Since Covid, E-prescriptions have been allowed after a telehealth visit.
The DEA is still accepting commentary so folks can make their voices heard. But like I said, some pharmacies have their own policies and have already gone back to some of the old rules and made it their policy.

Publix will not fill a Telehealth prescription unless you have been seen in person within the last 3 months.
CVS requires a diagnosis on the prescription for new patients filling with them.
I will add that like with anything else, some folks are more stringent with the rules than others.
Ive been told different versions of Publix policy by pharmacists at different locations. I've heard 3 months from one pharmacist, and in person visit required every month from another pharmacist.

It's best to clarify with your provider as they will know what the rules are.

Pharmacists are within their right to not fill a prescription. Just because the doc sent it, doesn't mean they have to fill it.
Sometimes its an insurance requirement as well.
Given the demand for Ozempic, some insurance companies require a diagnosis of Diabetes on the prescription.

[LeftInTX]

51. None of that describes my little deal. I went to the doc that day and he faxed it in.

Tyl #3 is not "controlled" like Oxycodone. Only once around 15 years ago, my doc said, "The DEA is watching all us. Make sure you fill this exactly on the dates that it needs filling. If you wait longer, they will thing you are hoarding the meds and selling them". So I did as he recommended. After a short while, I didn't hear any thing more about it. It has never needed a triplicate and he always been able to called it in. I've been with the same pharmacy since 1994.

I need to ask them what gives. For all I know, they may have been low on stock. When that's the case, they often just don't fill it.

[DENVERPOPS]

48. It would appear

There is a whole new onslaught of pressure from the DEA

And Pharmacists and Doctors are running scared..................

It is sort of interesting, in my opinion. The DEA is still using the last opioid epidemic to fuel all of this!!!!!!

The feds own information they distribute is most interesting: Currently, the FEDS are reporting that 95% of all opioid OD's are from the STREET DRUGS BEING BROUGHT IN FROM MEXICAN CARTELS, AND SHIPPED IN FROM CHINA. (the one's being dispersed with fentanyl, not from prescription Rx's)

It seems the reason for this is that the DEA lost all it's "Low Hanging Fruit" (Marijuanna) when all the states legalized grass.
You can be sure that this is the reason they have kept grass illegal at a federal level.......So all the DEA agents looking for something to do have to invent something to do.
Messing with the REAL sources and REAL Criminals is much more difficult. It takes a great deal more time and effort to nail the REAL opioid problem coming in across the border, and that REAL work is far more dangerous.

It is certainly & incredibly easier to go after the legal and Legitimate Chronic Pain Patients that the doctors legitimately prescribe the drugs to.............than the Mexican Drug Lords and Chinese manufacturers........

You would think that with this upcoming "Government" that they would actually relax all laws and regulations on the use of drugs by the citizens.........We certainly are gonna need them, big time, to dull our senses for what is coming folks............

[Skittles]

6. actually, it's not unusual for folk who look like you to sell such meds

alas it's easy money for economically distressed seniors

[Elessar Zappa]

11. I'd rather people who don't need it get the drugs as opposed to those who need it being denied.

This war on opiates is RIDICULOUS. My father has severe chronic pain that only opioids help. He’s never taken extra and has never asked for an increase in dose in ten years. It barely takes the edge off the pain but without it, he’s immobile. So I don’t care if some people use it for pleasure. It doesn’t justify leaving people in pain.

[Skittles]

13. the abuse of pain meds is why they've "cracked down" so hard on them

people who really need the meds are paying the price

[Mossfern]

22. Ding Ding Ding!

Exactly. What is the percentage of people who illegally get opioids from pharmacies not black market?
I'd wager that the vast majority are legit.

I log every pill I take and I don't take a pill unless I am experiencing pain. But when the pain is not addressed in a timely manner, it gets worse and worse to the point of needing to get into bed and thrash around and rock back and forth until the relief of the meds hit. It's not a pretty sight!

[Keepthesoulalive]

38. Addicts will get their supply no matter what

People who suffer from chronic pain deserve some relief it changes every part of your life and then to be treated like a criminal makes it worse. Please don’t justify draconian rules that do not work , have compassion for people who hurt and want to live with some small comfort.

[rubbersole]

9. Florida pressures doctors and pharmacies to not prescribe opioids.

Politicians trying to be relevant the only way they can. Illegal imported/smuggled drugs are the cause of the vast number of overdoses and deaths. Over prescribing opiates has been a problem in the past and required new rules and government regulations. The patients who require pain medication to function are forced to jump through hoops monthly to just get refills. If we just had our own Dr. Ronny to avoid these inconveniences....oh, wait.

[grandpamike1]

20. Who you gonna call

Call Luigi.

[grandpamike1]

21. There is a

need for more Luigi's.

[Skittles]

33. NO

there is ZERO need for gun humping psycho killer cowards - NONE

[Bluetus]

23. Does your insurance cover a doctor's visit

to get an updated diagnosis?

I don't understand the outrage. Medicine is evolving all the time. If it has been a while since you got the last diagnosis, there might be some different therapies that your MD would want to consider. And if not, at least you will know where you stand, and have no problem with the pharmacy.

[Mossfern]

24. Yes and the very expensive MRI is as well

I speak to my doctor every three months ( it's the law).
If there are any new treatments, he'll let me know - he is a pain management doctor.

Ultimately who pays for the extraneous doctor's visit and MRI's ?- We all do in increased insurance rates.

[Evolve Dammit]

26. I'd be furious too. The ins. cos and pharmacy chains are interfering with you and your doctor. It gets worse every year.

[CrispyQ]

27. A pharmacist can demand you need an MRI before filling a script? -nt

[SheltieLover]

28. It's always this way with controlled substances. I would say call your doctor's office - maybe they can give you a

fresh dx to circumvent the MRI. WTH, does the pharmacy think your back is going to heal itself?

Sadly, they do not provide treatment for addicts, they only seem to know how to inconvenience patients who legtimately need the meds.

I used to have to drive almost a 3 hr round-trip to pick up Ritalin rx for grandson because at the time (IL), the paper copy was considered "safer" than an electronic one.

I have a friend in NC who had photo ID stolen and cannot get ADHD meds because of a stupid law in that state that the person needs a photo ID to pick up their meds.

WTH???

[krawhitham]

34. That's what happens when people are allowed to sue pharmacies like Walgreens & CVS, for DOING THEIR JOB, filling scripts

https://www.walgreensbootsalliance.com/news-media/press-releases/2022/walgreens-announces-agreement-in-principle-for-multi-state-opioid-settlement-framework

https://www.cvshealth.com/news/community/cvs-health-reaches-agreement-in-principle-for-global-opioid.html

[ClaudetteCC]

37. sorry to read about your experience and pain

I wonder how many regulations the pharma stores are under such that they can't even keep track and survive with paranoia.
My DR once suggested some medications with ephinephrine (?) that was over the counter. The pharmacist asked for an id which I presumed was a visual age check but she scanned it! I'm paranoid about identity theft and i don't trust (in this case CVS) to not get hacked. Writing to CVS got me nowhere.

[proud patriot]

39. I'm so sorry

My husband has spinal stenosis , early stages .

so scary

[ForgedCrank]

42. Politicians and

lawyers got involved and have ruined general medicine.
According to my actual doctor, the strict guidelines are often paranoia level, and far beyond what even the laws require. Everyone is afraid of getting sued or prosecuted. And, the strict guidelines more often than not, deny the drugs to people who actually need them, and they resort to the black market to get those.
Meanwhile, people who rely on these drugs to continue a normal and productive life and left to suffer, no matter how much they would rather not need them. All of this so they wouldn't have to focus on the people who are actually abusing the crap, and the sacrifice is made by those who actually need the crap.

[Conjuay]

43. Your description of yourself reminds me

Of my wife and the TSA. The 60 something year old woman using a walker needs to be swabbed for gunpowder residue.

[Skittles]

44. if they don't do that

they'd be accused of profiling

[Joinfortmill]

45. I hear you. Prayers.

[Cheezoholic]

46. I quit going to the local CVS and started driving 20 miles to the closest Walmart for that very reason

I originally went to a local independent pharmacy when I moved to where I am but CVS basically put a 50 year old business on the trash heap. CVS started grilling me on everything my Dr prescribed me demanding reasons to the point my physician called them and went off. I understand pharmacies are the last guardrail but it's bad enough insurance companies step in to try and regulate your treatment pharmacies need to back the hell off once they are told. I have been going to the same Walmart for 11 years, never an issue.

I agree about them creating a problem. Many pharmacies not only constantly harass you but they make you wait, lecture you like you're a strung out heroin addict right there in the store in front of people. Walgreens and CVS are notorious for this. Opioid prescriptions are severely regulated in my state at the physician level. It is almost impossible to find a family physician that will prescribe controlled substances here. My Doc told me he has 20 patients out of over 500 he prescribes monthly pain meds. If he would take on many more than that it flags his corporate practice with the state for a prescription audit.

Many must go through "pain management" clinics. While some may be legit, if you're looking for pill mills thats where to look. I know people that spend the outrageous amount of money those places charge, piss clean, then get pain meds that would knock me out and I know for a fact they don't need them. There's an obvious kick back chain with those places right there. I've taken a friend to one and the place was so packed there was nowhere to sit and that was just 6 months ago.

It sucks because there are legitimate chronic pain sufferers that some of the opioid pain meds provide real relief and greatly benefit quality of life. Your story is why a knife will never touch my back.

[Mossfern]

49. My pain management doc

is part of a practice for spine issues. The people in the waiting room usually have walkers or braces, etc.
The practice is orthopedic, surgical, physiatrist and pain management.

Urine is collected and tested to make sure that it's NOT clean - meaning the patient is taking the meds, not selling them.

[SheltieLover]

47. DOJ sues Walgreens, alleging it 'knowingly' filled millions of prescriptions that lacked legitimate medical purposes

https://news.google.com/read/CBMieEFVX3lxTE13UUFqVHR6YkFmS0VLTndQck9CSFZDaXEyVHBFcGJoT21EemtXVmh2clhGWkxvQnZwSW5TMWFTNE40TFgyc19GbUZWeVdyTkdiZWpyNnBvQWhFeTVmenpzVVJkQ0lmM0dpZFhrM2FWQnRia1dqNENJRNIBfkFVX3lxTE1sdTV4aDBUbV9DOGIwNWFVQUhHUU1GLTNIMG42VjJBZ0JZdC0zTDh2TDduVTZxRURsbnE5ckxDcUI2ajRnQm13eEZObVpTc0d5RVFrVFdCMEpqR3J2UHpvQVIxNU8zWTNtOE82S3BBY2s3TVhrMnlVWmZLNi1QQQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

Opioids.

Not saying you fit this category.

[keithbvadu2]

52. The nurse friend at the VA hospital said they would come in with various excuses

The nurse friend at the VA hospital said they would come in with various excuses for an emergency refill of pain meds. The dog stole the bottle. I forgot it on the bus. They fell down the sink. A blood test showed they were clean. They were selling the pills.
I heard one guy saying he could not get pain pills because he tested positive for pot.
The VA is really tight on giving out pain pills.