Headhunters

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Disgusting, Drug Companies, Hate Mail, Me being a dick, Rude, True Story, Work Sucks

I got the message below from what I like to call a headhunter. What do they do all day? They call us, hardworking pharmacists in the trenches, at work. They bother us incessantly….non stop. Feigning interested in our day. Telling us about “exciting opportunities” in “various healthcare field” with “immediately openings available in our area of the country.”

That’s right. They call me at my job, who currently pays my bills, and asks me if I want to quit and work for any company that will take me. They will promise you the world. Can they deliver? They don’t know. They don’t care. They likely read off a script just like every other telemarketer in America.

I understand as well as anybody that it takes a ton of different people to make the world go around. For every job, there is a worker willing to take that job at that wage. It may not be what I would want to do, or what I could earn, but the job is there nonetheless.

But, how in the fuck do these people make their place in the world? I just don’t get it! I could not imagine a pharmacist, regardless of their level of disgruntlement, saying, “Yeah, I’ll quit this bitch for whatever job you can find me with XYZ company.” I’ve never heard of someone doing it. So, I’ve never heard of a success story. To make matters worse, they bother us at our already hectic jobs. This pisses us off and REALLY makes me want to jump ship!

What makes this specific commenter all the more asinine is that I had a run in with her a while back. The Pharmacy Alliance had an oft-used email listserv prior to their meeting in Texas. She chimed in with this same recruitment chum. I didn’t reply in a swear laden hate-speech. I didn’t even tell her to go fuck herself. I just replied with, “Whoa.”

Now, at work, I like to fuck with these people. The way I see it is that my time is money. I’m sure my time is worth more than there’s, but I’m a huge dick and I like to get a laugh at other people’s expense. I often ask them for all the details and not pay a lick of attention. Then I ask them again. After that I’ll ask them random questions they have no business knowing until they get the hint. “Ma’am, why can’t tigecycline be used for bactermia?” or “Why is Zyvox contraindicated in people on MAOIs?” or “What’s the max daily dose of Oxycodone in a properly titrated person” or my personal favorite, “Why can’t enteric coated aspirin be used to treat a headache?” If they still don’t get the hint, I ask them, “Why does Mickey Mouse have big ears?” — That’s usually the fuck off question that gets em.

Bonus points for answering the real questions in the comments.

A new submission (form: “Contact Form”)
============================================
Submitted on: June 4, 2008
Via: http://www.theangriestpharmacist.com/contact/
By <edited out IP> (visitor IP).

Circle Of Spite

Posted by LilLaura as Lil Laura, Rude, Stupid People, True Story, Work Sucks

Generics are the best way for a government, a health service, a GP practice and a local pharmacy to economise, without putting the patients health or wellbeing at risk.

Yet there are those patients who refuse to believe that generics are the same. They “don’t work the same”, “make me feel sick”, “have odd side effects”, “consultant says I should have…”. One word-BULLSHIT.

IT’S ALL THE FUCKING SAME PEOPLE!!!

Par example, a woman in her 70’s today. She condecends to pay us a visit every….3 months (checked the computer). Apparently the pharmacist here is ALWAYS a man (strange considering the last manager was a woman…). So she has a script for flucticasone aq nasal spray (anti-allergy). So, I dispense as on prescription the generic. She leaves the shop. 2 minutes later she’s back demanding the brand, Flixonase. I can’t give her it because we have stock of generic-”but the other pharmacist always gives me it-hes SOOO much nicer than you”. I explain to her that, if she has a problem, take it up with her GP. Of course-the GP wrote it for Flixonase. When I showed her it was NOT the case, she asked for it back. I nodded in agreement and went back to work…..

“Can I have a word with you?” (customer) Bear in mind the shop was packed and I was up to my eyes in items waiting to be checked…

This woman gave me a dressing down like you would not believe in front of other customers, just because I obeyed the law and didn’t bend the rules for her. I said nothing, let her have her little rant-which I think made her more angry. Other customers watched and some looked more embarrassed than me. I finished checking the scripts and gave them out personally-each customer giving me a look and smile of compassion and sympathy.

Like Don Corleone, I let her have her rant….embarrass me in front of my regular customers…Why compound the problem by conforming or retaliating? Revenge is a dish best served cold…and when her doctor delivers the message that she is no longer a patient deserving of my attention because she behaved in a ludicrous manner..

Game, Set, Match.

On a sadder note, my second in command is leaving us. I will miss her, but I cannot deny her the freedom she yearns.

Oh, and FAO Scott,

What would you say to me, a pharmacist who is a descendant of one of the possibly greatest pharmaceutical minds of our time? Sir Alexander Fleming? My grandfather was his great nephew, and he was a JOINER in the shipyard, Harland and Wolff, that built many warships and my great uncle, Austin Fleming, was a pharmacist and fought with the Americans during WWII. Probably served alongside a member of YOUR family. Remember that NEXT time. Remember that you are speaking to someone’s daughter, someone’s son; someone’s family. And when you walk out the door of that pharmacy, you may not remember the pharmacists name, you may not care…..

But OTHERS do. They remember the good things about the pharmacist who worked there; how they helped them when they truly needed it. Their names may not be remembered, but their legacies LIVE on because people DO remember. Who the fuck is going to remember a bitter twisted shit like you?

The *Angriest* one’s rant at this guy made it easier for me to complete this blog. Because, at the end of the day, we know who we are, we know what and why we do the job we do; and like many other professions we feel like we deserve better. And when we are gone, people will remember us-some even tell stories. After all, you always hear about “that bastard of a plumber never finished that fuckin’ job!”, never the good things. I always remember going to the pharmacy as a kid, and remembering that, no matter what, the job was always precise and detailed, and you were treated as a person.

And, at the end of the day, I would rather be remembered as “that pharmacist” than “a fucking waster”.

Mind Your Own Business

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as --Not Pharmacy--, Money, Rude, Stupid People, True Story

The Angriest Fiance and I visited a local eatery tonight. Not a high priced place like PF Chang’s, but we certainly weren’t at McDonald’s. Quite frankly, I think the place is into witchcraft. I saw their delicacy of choice in a large tank of dihydrogen monoxide when I entered, and they were brownish black. Yet, when they served me a dead one to eat, it was obviously bright red. Either they are wikken-kind or someone has some talent with the paint brush in the kitchen.

All kidding aside, it was 9pm. It was an odd assortment of customers. We sat across from a black man and woman. It was her birthday. Our waiter was amazing. He was polite, quick, and always around when he needed to be. Anyway, it was the lady’s birthday - she was rewarded with a free daiquiri for her achievements.

As our wonderful waiter was serving us our salads and asking us if we needed anything else, our neighbor across the aisle decided that he needed my waiter’s attention more than I did. I guess he didn’t notice the fact that I had a male waiter, while his server was most definitely a female. Nonetheless, he let out a resounding, “Excuse me!” while a salad was being placed before me. In pure Angriest-Pharmacist fashion, the waiter ignored the man like he was a fart in the wind. After we were tended to, the waiter’s response was perfect. He acknowledged the man (barely), told him to wait just a second as he returned the “serving table” to the back, and walked away. He never returned — however their waitress came by a few moments later. I found this absolutely hilarious.

Finally, they brought out our main course. I proceeded to chow down on my feast before me. As most may know, there is some splatter involved with food that lives in water. You break a hard shell to get to the sweet, succulent, heroin-like substance within. I’m also a very, very, very messy eater. I got a little on me…and my date. She was not as amused as I was.

Our neighbors thought my entire meal was quite funny. They giggled and laughed. Hell, I think they pointed. It was pretty fucking irritating. I’m not sure why someone would spend more time watching someone else eat than staring at their own food and their own wife’s tits. I hope they enjoyed my dinner - I did.

Moral: Keep your eyes on your own fucking plate.
Tip on $50 check? $15 for service. $5 for ignoring rude ass people.

Just Questions

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Just a question, Lazy People, Management, Me being a dick, PSE, Rude, Stupid People, Work Sucks

Every day I ask myself questions. Most are rhetorical…but they are pertinent questions. I will share these with you now. Feel free to comment with some of your own. OR Check Out Pharmacy Chick’s version of this same exact thing from February 2008.

Why do old, toothless people always appear to be chewing on something?

Why is it than if someone is walking to my pharmacy, I can predict with 99% accuracy that they want to buy 12-hour Pseudoephedrine?

Why is it that someone that wants a script filled 10 minutes before closing will have had that prescription for no less than 7 days?

Why does the person wanting a rare, expensive C-II drug come to my pharmacy each month wanting it only to find out that I still don’t have it and won’t order it for them unless they fill it with me once and wait for the order to come in?

Why does someone on Medicaid give me their card only to ask me to “just fill it for cash” — knowing full well that I’m going to bill it to Medicaid FIRST?

Why is it that people think they need Watson brand Hydrocodone/APAP? Nevermind - I know the answer to this one…more street value cause it can be identified by pill-heads.

Why does every person that I would idenfity as a drug seeker use “I have fibromyalgia” as the excuse for their early refill or other behavior?

Why does every complaint go to a non-pharmacist store manager rather than to me?

Why does every doctor’s voicemail message have the same bullshit message that I can’t skip over (they can press ZERO to get to me!)? “Leave the patient’s name, date of birth, drug name with spelling, strength, quantity, last fill and pharmacy call back number.”

Why do people have to ask for the pharmacist to give a refill number?

Why will people have pizza delivered to their home in an hour and be happy with that wait time but want their prescription in 15 minutes or less?

Why do people want name brand drugs then be completely happy with store brand soda, chips, water, clothes, and everything else?

Why would someone present a prescription for a child then refuse it when the copayment is anything more than free?

Why would someone call me a ’stupid fucking cocksucker’ during one trip to the pharmacy then yell at me during their next trip when I use the word ’shit’ in front of their child?

Why do I have to concern myself with HIPAA when any patient would be willing to yell, “Yeah my name is Fred Jones…3-14-51. Doctor Smith called in my Viagra refill this morning”?

“Sir, are you taking any other medications?” No.
“No OTC meds?” No.
“No Vitamins?” No.
“Any herbals?” Nope.
“No other medicines at all?” Well, I’ve been taking this Saint John’s Wort for depression.

Why is the answer always, ‘NO’ to “Do you have any questions for the pharmacist” only to have the patient call the pharmacy back in 10 minutes later?

There are 24 hours in the day. Why does everyone have to spend their 30 minutes in the pharmacy on the cell phone?

Why does every patient with a new insurance card present that card at the cash register rather than the pharmacy drop off window when the read the sign that says “Please present your insurance card when you drop off your prescription”?

Why is it that 1 out of every 100 patients feel the need to poor their pills out on the counter and count them right there in front of all of us?

Why do Americans have the words, “I want to talk to your supervisor” into their brains for use at the first sign of a problem, dissent, friction, or trouble?

Why is there a direct correlation between the number of items in a person’s shopping cart and the likelihood they will want them rung up in the pharmacy?

Why is there a direct correlation between the number of scripts filled in my pharmacy and the amount of alcohol I ingest every evening? Nevermind — I know the answer to this one too…

Why is there a direct correlation between a patient’s lack of teeth and oral hygiene and the likelihood they will present a medicaid card?

Why do I have to be the person to explain to some people that BEER cannot be paid for with Food Stamps?

I have a feeling this post has instant classic written all over it…

What to say about today?

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Me being a dick, Rude, Stupid People, True Story, Work Sucks

Today was what I like to call, “Phuck Pharmacist Phriday,” where everybody has problems that cannot be feasibly corrected on Friday. Refills, PAs, assorted Insurance problems. Essentially, we have a four day week where we can handle problems. Calling on a refill on Friday is a shot in the dark, sometimes we get it, most of the time it’ll be Monday.

I got a call from a doc’s office saying that they got a call from a patient about a PA. We had told the patient we called several times but the doctor’s office said they received no notification about it. I assumed we were faxing to the wrong number. I flip to the applicable letter in our little “call doctor box” where we file the slips after the MD has been notified (and the date and time has been recorded) and low-and-behold, it’s in there! Yet, no notification had been made. Why the fuck was it filed then? Slips that have not been called on go in the front of the box — in front of all the letters — or under the box itself. I was perplexed. I asked my tech what was up. He tells me, “Well I put them in there by the letter like your supposed to…” WRONG! He’s worked for me for 3+ years. He’s pulled this shit before, and I’ve bitched him out for it. I lost it this time. “Look. We call on everything once unless it’s been a long time or the patient is at the register and is telling us to call again right now. I don’t go through the entire box each time. There’s tons of slips in there. I know you may go through the entire box each morning, which I’ve told you not to do, but from now on, you do it my way. If you don’t call, it goes in the front. Once you call, put it under the letter. Now, because of you, this lady has to go without this medicine another weekend, and we look like incompetent dicks. Don’t do this again. Now, go through this entire box and make sure that everything has been called on. If it’s been in there longer than a week, call again. If it’s been in there longer than two, throw it away.” I was fucking pissed.

Later on in the day, a lady calls me and inquires about her refill request. She knew we had to call the doctor because when she called and requested it, I told her most doctors don’t authorize refills on antibiotics, they’d want her to come in and be seen again. I told the lady that her refill request had been denied because the doctor was on medical leave and all his patients had to come see his replacement to authorize refills. [This denial was made a mere hour prior to her call] “When were you all going to call me and tell me this?”
“Well, ma’am, we usually don’t call and tell people about denied refills.”
“And why not? I guess I was just going to make a worthless trip up there? Would you pay for my gas?”
“Well, most people call and inquire about them prior to driving here…much like you’re doing right now. So whether it’d denied or the call hasn’t been returned, people call and check before coming. If it’s approved and the person calls or makes a trip, it doesn’t really matter now does it? If we haven’t heard back, it’s never an issue to give people a few tablets of a maintenance medicine they are on long-term to hold them over.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Do you want me to explain it to you again? Or, do you not understand why I don’t call every person that requests a refill, which is a ton each day, whether their request was approved or denied?”
“I wonder what the board of pharmacy thinks about this?”
“Well considering we only call on refills as a service and it’s not a requirement of any pharmacist or pharmacy, I’d bet they don’t really care.”
“How do I move my prescriptions to another pharmacy?”
“Since this one was denied, you don’t have any prescriptions to move.”
*click*
This lady was a pain in the ass every time she came in. Losing her one prescription a month means nothing to me…bitch…Ideally, I *do* call and tell people their Rx’s were denied and see if perhaps I should’ve called a different/new doc, but I saw her name, knew she was a bitch, and avoided calling her. That’s how we got here…:\

EARTH TO CONSUMERS
When the first words our of your mouth are, “I DON’T WANT THIS PRESCRIPTION RAN ON MY INSURANCE,” prior to tossing me a prescription for a controlled or abused drug, chances are I’m not filling it…and if I do, I’m running it on your insurance first just for shits and giggles. Get a fucking clue…

It’s like handing a policeman your license when he pulls you over and telling him, “Don’t run this license number, it’s suspended. Just write down my name and address.” Give me a fucking break…

Movie review and a stupid bitch

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as --Not Pharmacy--, Me being a dick, Rude, Stupid People, True Story, Work Sucks

I went and saw the movie Juno recently. I absolutely loved it. The one liners, cutdowns, and internal commentary of Ellen Page as the title character, Juno, is flawless. She created the character and played her as if it were second nature. I recommend that everyone go and check this movie out as soon as possible. I must say, though, that Michael Cera as Bleeker was likely the most awkward and uncomfortable character I’ve ever seen. His character in Superbad was equally awkward. Granted, that’s what the director wanted for these characters, but while he was on screen, the awkwardness he portrayed made me fidget in my seat.

-=+=-

On the pharmacy front, I recently had an uncomfortable and irrational encounter. This tank of a woman came in and requested a transfer of her Paxil CR from a nearby Walgreens to my pharmacy. I thought nothing of it, and we got it filled up with no problems. However, the insurance card she presented and we put in was not accepted by my pharmacy. When the lady came in to pick it up, she was told 100 bucks or whatever that mess of a SSRI costs. She, of course, was livid.

I told her that we didn’t accept the plan. She told me I was a misinformed liar (which is rather contradictory, right?). “I talked to my employer and they gave me a list and your pharmacy was listed as a provider.”

“Do you have a copy of that with you? It could have been a typo. We’ve never accepted this plan. Walgreens paid a lot of money to be the only pharmacy that accepts this plan in this area. And, as far as I’ve been told, that’s how it still is — and has been for the last five years.”
“I don’t have a copy of the letter with me. But, I know you’re on it, and you’re going to take it.” [Condescendingly]
“Well ma’am, now you are misinformed. These computer communicate in real time with the computers ran by you insurance provider. They say we don’t take it, and therefore, won’t pay for it. The only way you can leave here with this medicine today is by paying cash. If they are in the process of adding us, and that takes place in the next week to ten days, we can reimburse you.” [Of course, I said this like a huge dick]
“This is ridiculous. You’re an idiot. I want to talk with the store manager.” [yelled -- of course]
“I’m sorry to say, but the store manager has no control over the pharmacy. He can’t help you. However, I want to help you, but the fact of the matter is, I can’t help you.” [I said this really nicely, because I know that I can't help her regardless of how badly I wanted to]
“Fine, I’ll just call your corporate headquarters. I’m sure they’ll be interested in knowing that you are refusing to fill my prescription.”
“I’m not refusing you service. I’ve got your prescription filled….here it is right here. What I’m telling you is that we are not contract with your insurance. We cannot just give this $100 prescription away. I’m sure if you called my coorporate headquarters and told them the entire story, and not just the part about you leaving here without a prescription, they’d apologize for not being contracted — but they’d go on to tell you that we have no control over that here. Walgreens has cornered the market, and there’s nothing you , I, my boss, or my bosses’ boss can do about it.”
“You need to find a new job — you’re not very good at this one.” [This is the second time some fuckhead has told me this in a week because they didn't get their way when a situation came up that was completely out my control -- fuck this fat bitch!]
“You’re wrong. I’m good at this. You’re just not good at listening or understanding that certain things are out of the realm of control of workers. Do you yell and make a scene towards the cashier at McDonalds when the McRib is taken off the menu? I mean, he could call up the CEO and say he wants it back on the menu…but, that’s kind of futile isn’t it? Anyway - what do you want me to do here to help you, keeping in mind that there is no humanly possible way for me to bill this to your insurance provider?”
“Just transfer it back to Walgreens - I know I’m never coming back here again!”
“Sounds good to me! Happy New Year.”

As she left, I acted like I was calling Walgreens immediately. Right when she got around the corner, I hung up. She can wait for an hour or two at the WAG. That’s her punishment for being an irrational bitch from hell. [PS - I'm aware that this was unethical, unecessary, and crossed even my line...but I'm a dick...I get mad AND I get even...]

I have never been treated so horribly in my life

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Engrish, Rude, Stupid People, True Story, Work Sucks

An Indian guy came up to the drop-off tonite. He wanted a refill for his wife. It was for amlodipine. The bottle 6 tablets left in it. It had zero refills left. I, very nicely, told the man that it had no refills, but I printed a note to call the doctor the following morning. He asked me why I couldn’t call immediately. I told him it was 7pm, and the office was closed. He looked very discouraged and would have to call her. He grabbed his cell phone and I immediately knew where this was going. He spoke in an Indian dialect to her for a few minutes (I heard my name uttered as well). Then he tried to hand me his nasty, grubby ass phone. Side note: I refuse to talk on people’s cell phones. I hate them. They are nasty, covered with ear wax, and who knows where they have been. I quickly handed him a business card and told him she would have to call me.

She called 7 seconds later and began immediately dressing me down. I got a word or two in and told her it had no refills. I explained that her bottle had 6 tabs left. I told her if it were empty I would have no problem giving her as many tablets as she needed. I explained how we have to call doctors every day for refills and there would be no problems filling the prescription tomorrow.

Then the berating began. I heard a swear-filled mix of Hindi, English, Sailor, Bihari, Tamil, and Irish. I didn’t comprehend much of it because it was so fucking fast. I could make out the following phrases in this general order:
“I have a lifetime prescription”
“Dut dut dut”
“This is blood pressure medicine”
“Dut dut dut”
“I could die”
“Dut dut dut”
“I will sue you”
“Dut dut dut”
“You are not a pharmacist”
“Dut dut dut”
“I want to talk to the store manager”
“Dut dut dut”
“They fill this all the time without refills”
“Dut dut dut”
“Just put the pills in the bottle and shut up”

I’m sure there was more mixed in there. I don’t remember it. Much like Unwritten Law, I was “Seein’ Red” — I told her (while she was still screaming in the phone at the top of her lungs) that I didn’t deserve to be talked to like this and that I was hanging up. After a while, I did just hang up. She was no longer giving me a chance to speak. We were getting nowhere.

I went down to her husband. I told him that his wife was screaming at me at the the top of her lungs and was very rude. I told him I did not deserve to get spoken to like that. His reply? He acted like he was not shocked. “I figured she was going to do that.”

I, once again, explained the situation to him. No refills. Six tabs remaining. Filled within 18 hours. Would front tablets if needed. He just got back on the phone with her, began speaking another language, and walked off. I wanted to tell him he needed to go home and give her a good beating. People that treat others like that need a good slappin’.

She called back again. My tech got the call this time and pretty much said the exact same fucking thing. Then got off the phone.

Next time this bitch brings in a prescription to me…I am not filling it. Conincedently, I see some ordering troubles with amlodipine. I’m pawning this bullshit off on Walgreens.

Update 12-11-07: I never wrote this up, but the next time this bitch came in, I asked her why she yelled at me. [She was handing me her bottle to refill] She halfway apologized and said she was having a bad day…dut dut dut. I told her that because of her, I had a horrible day because I didn’t deserve that or enjoy having such words screamed in my ear. She then began to try and convince me I was wrong because I should have filled it - she tried to get loud. Then I said, “Hold on just one second. I’m going to talk now, and all I want you to do is listen. Don’t speak. Don’t yell. Don’t interrupt. Just listen to me. Your prescription was out of refills. Regardless of how long you have been on or will be on a medicine, when your bottle has zero refills, we have to call your doctor for more. Your bottle had 6 tablets in it that would have lasted you SIX days. It was Sunday night at 7pm so your doctor’s office was closed. I called for you the next morning and got the call back from their office that afternoon, less than 24 hours later. You never expressed a need for those tablets prior to that, and you had no reason to believe that I wouldn’t fill the prescription. You just began screaming because you refused to listen to me. That is a horrible way to act and you should never ever do that again to anyone especially someone you entrust your health care with. Now, do you have anything to say?” [Hence, say you're sorry cuntbag]

“Yes…dut dut dut…I have lifetime prescription…dut dut dut…you should have just filled it…dut dut dut…” [At this point I put up both hands as if to stop her.] “Whoa. No. No more. Here’s your bottle back. I’m no longer filling prescriptions for you at this store. You can take this bottle to any pharmacy in the country, of this chain or not, and they will fill it for you, but you are no longer welcome to get your prescriptions filled here. Goodbye.” And just like that, I walked away. I could have handled it differently. Of course, she could have just as easily apologized. I love that I have the power and free reign to tell that bitch to go fly a kite…it’s empowering and a good backup. It allows me to effectively manage. But, know this, I don’t just run people off because I can. She’s the 4th person I’ve told to never come in the last 4 or 5 years (and one of those people tried to steal a bottle of Beer by cramming it up her va-jay-jay) — The others were doctor shoppers, users, and/or abusers.

And to believe I kept my cool…I shoulda went apeshit!

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Laws, PSE, Rude, True Story, Work Sucks

I’m very proud to post the following story. It shows that I have grown up, so-to-speak. I actually kept my cool today. Make no mistake, I was completely pissed off. I was so angry I couldn’t see straight, but I kept my emotions in check…

This middle aged lady brings in a box of Alavert-D to return it. She bought it yesterday, but meant to buy (read: waste her money) just plain ole Alavert. She had the receipt…but it didn’t matter. The box was opened. Hell, there may have been a tablet or two gone.

“I’d like to return this. The manager told me that if you had a problem to call him…”
[I think it's cute the manager is trying to flex his nuts here. At the same time, I hate him for pawning this off on me...]

“Well ma’am. It’s not really a matter of me calling the manager in this situation. I simply cannot return this product for a plethora of reasons. It’s been opened. It’s a controlled-substance now, and the main reason I can’t accept it back is because it’s against the law. Once a medcine leaves the pharmacy, I can’t take it back.”
[Here's where it gets funny. I usually allow the person to say something here - mostly to see what their thoughts are. If they even just say 'well I really wanna return it' I tell them that I'll do them one better...I'll give them store credit for the cost of the product AND let them keep it. Hell, I can't resell it. I can't do anything with it. It's a bitch to return - so I leave it with them.]

This bitch didn’t even give me the CHANCE to give her the cake AND let her eat it. She got so huffed up she grabbed her little plastic back, snatched her receipt, and literally marched the fuck out of my pharmacy. And it wasn’t a slow march - this bitch was moving. She was almost RUNNING.

I was taken aback. I kept my cool. I didn’t call her a bitch, idiot, or any of the other words running through my mind. Ohh, I wanted too.

I just left her with one word, “BYE!”

Food for Thought

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Lazy People, Me being a dick, Rude, Work Sucks

PHARMACY-GOERS: When I answer the phone, do not just begin with your Rx Number. For Christ’s sake, at least tell me what’s going on first (perhaps, ohh, I don’t know…YOUR NAME!). There’s a thousand things that I could hear when I answer the phone. An Rx number is one that is not expected or prepared for…At least say “I have a refill number I want to give you.” Freakin’ idiots…

PHARMACISTS: Are any of you ever too busy to take a refill number? Does anyone out there just transfer someone to the automated system when the patient starts in with an Rx number? I usually don’t, but I get pissed off when someone SPECIFICALLY asks for the pharmacist to merely give me a fucking Rx number. This is compounded by the fact both my tech and INTERN are instructed to say “Well, the pharmacist is helping someone else right now, are you sure this isn’t something I can help you with?” when someone asks for me. Sometimes, they even press the issue further with “at least tell me what’s going on so I can inform him for when he gets on the line…” They then usually take care of it - as they can with most situations (I’m lucky, they’re great). When someone specifically asks for me to just give me a refill number, I tell them the tech/intern are authorized to take refill numbers for me. If I know the person and it happens habitually, they get transferred to the automatic system…Iknowdickmovewhatever. It’s not hard. My voice system is the easiest I’ve ever heard. They have to punch in the number, confirm it when it’s read back, and bang…done! It even tells them when it will be ready (two hours usually).

DOCTORS: TAKE FAXES! When I call and talk to a receptionist, screw-ups happen. Let me fax in my refill request form. You can sign it and fax it back. There are so many doctors in my area that do not take faxes — it is ridiculous. They have no good reason…other than they are too fucking cheap to buy a fax machine and pay for a data line. It’s faster. It’s easier. It takes stupid nurses (if your office has any) and receptionists out of the equation.

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The following things happened today

Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Me being a dick, Rude, True Story, Work Sucks

A list-like look into my day:

- I wanted a Pibb this morning. The damn machine was out. I couldn’t get change. So, I got a Coke. I hate Coke…not sweet enough for me.
- I had a computer go down for some unknown reason last night. My repair guys came in. One guy was working on it. One girl was on the phone with someone and telling the first guy how to work on it. The last guy was standing there staring at me - he must have been the boss. All three were in my fucking way.
- I completely lost it on a lady today. I mean, over the top. She was dishing it out first - and as you all know, I ain’t gonna take it with a smile. It took me 30 minutes to fill her two prescriptions instead of the 15 my BRAND NEW tech told her. [Begin sublisted story]

- At minute 15 she was waiting at my register. I told her it was going to be a bit longer. One had [gasp] rejected because the BRAND NEW tech put in 3 days supply instead of 6 [CRIMINAL!]. Ohh, I forgot that before hers was dropped off, 8 more scripts belonging to 5 different people came in within 12 minutes [I checked] and wanted to wait for it. [We're still working on "gauging time" with the new tech]
- At minute 17 she was tapping her credit card on the counter. [I have an old rant on this one. You can read it here].
- At minute 20 she asked how much longer. I told her I was working on it as fast as I could, and I had a few in front of her. Her reply? “I don’t see them standing in front of this counter…I should have gone to Walgreens” - The second part was under her breath, but it caused me to *begin* to snap. “Excuse me? I’d be glad to give you those prescriptions right back. You’d be more than welcome to take them to Walgreens and wait just as long for them there as you’ve waited here. And, just because those people aren’t standing *directly* in front of our *only* cash register doesn’t make their business any less important. It also does not remove them from the order we fill them in. These people have told me they are waiting in this store…Therefore, they are filled as such.”
- She did not like my response much, but she shut the fuck up for a brief moment.
- At minute 24 she asks how much longer? I say that “The two of us are working on it as hard as we can. Our third person is not here yet. We had a slight problem with one of yours which is taken care of now and several others were dropped off in front of yours as I said earlier. Also, we have some guests in the pharmacy fixing one of our main computers. It’s coming…” “It does not take this long for a Zpak! And I don’t see how that’s my problem!” [She forgot to mention the Darvocet and mention how she knows how long it takes to fill a prescription in the first place] “Well, it has filtered down to you now hasn’t it? [pause] All I’m asking for is a little patience. Contrary to popular belief, it *does* take a little more to fill a prescription than merely slapping a label on it.”
- Phone rings. I answer. Some Osco wants 4 refills, 1 of them is controlled. [Meaning I have to do it personally]. Luckily, they had my bottles so I fired through the formalities. This only costs me a few minutes in checking them.
- Minute 27. She’s looking at me very hatefully - she watched me answer the phone. She heard me talking the whole time. I have her two prescriptions in front of me. I’m checking them still. She says, “I cannot believe this. I am never coming here again. This is outrageous.” “No, ma’am. The only thing that is outrageous is your behavior. You have been disruptive and unbelievably rude from the very beginning. I’ve explained every problem to you, and you can plainly see what is going on in this entire pharmacy. Have you seen me doing anything besides work? I’ve taken no breaks. I’ve not made any personal calls. I’ve been doing nothing filling prescriptions as fast and accurate as possible.” “Well, you’re not very good at it…” What? WRONG! I’m very good at it. I’m freakin’ excellent. We’re just *BIZ-ZEE* — Here’s your prescriptions…Next time, you can take them to Walgreens.”

You know what the real bitch of it is? The Darvocet script wasn’t even signed. By the time I actually noticed before she was revved up in high bitch-gear, I was in no position to want to suffer the consequences of saying, “Well, I have to call your doctor because he doesn’t think he needs to signs his scripts.” - She would have raised such a fuss I might have punched her. I didn’t even give a damn…

- My lunch sucked because the Beef Jerky I brought from home was a “little” too old and got moldy. I had no idea Beef Jerky could grow mold. More importantly, I had no idea the stuff had to be refrigerated after three days. After finding the mold I found the small disclaimer on the bag.
- I called TEN pharmacies looking for 120-2mg Dilauded for a patient I will never see again.
- I sold the wrong prescription to a patient because I was flustered from all of the above. The patient realized a few minutes later, and it was an easy fix. But, it was a pain in the ass, nonetheless.
- My tech and I got into an argument because she wanted to do something illegal this weekend. I told her it was a bad idea. She tried to convince me it was okay because she wouldn’t get caught. She was right in that aspect, but she wouldn’t admit that it was even borderline wrong.
- A lady asked to see my license to verify my qualifications to fill her PenVK script. I pointed to my nametag and then the wall.
- It was hot today.