Requirements versus Services

The smart alecks that post wise guy comments on my, and other pharmacist websites, usually only have one or two things they say regarding the worth of pharmacists. The root of their hatred for the profession that does so much for the common citizen is seeded in their jealousy of the wages paid to such highly trained professionals. Along the same lines, they only see pieces of paper (money and prescriptions) coming in and bottles filled with 30 pills each going out. Haters see it as overly simplified. Exoterically, from the outside looking in, it is, but for those of us that spent 6 to 8 years getting a doctorate, we don't agree. Compared to backbreaking labor outside in the hot sun, I can at least understand.

I've also had a recent brash of problems with patients being rude/uncaring about the difference between requirements of a pharmacist versus services provided by a pharmacy. Some things we do are required by laws, federal or state, while some things are done to ensure patients have a good pharmacy experience and return with more pieces of paper.

Requirements:

1. I take the prescription from you. I ensure it meets all legal requirements (Name, Date, Drug name, directions, quantity, refills, doctor signature, and in my state, the Rx symbol on the face of the prescription).
2. I input in the computer (the computer system is not required. I could use a typewriter or even hand write the labels).
3. A prospective DUR (Drug Utilization Review) is performed by either the pharmacist manually and/or the computer system automatically ensuring that there are no drug-drug, drug-disease, or drug-patient interactions requiring concern. If there is, the physician in contacted. The patient is educated or the drug is changed to an alternative at this point. If there is no problems, we move on:
4. A label is generated and placed on an amber bottle.
5. The appropriate drug is counted and placed into the bottle.
6. Final check is performed by pharmacist and all aspects of the process is verified again. Finalized product is bagged and put into the pharmacy's WCB (Will Call Bin).
7. Patient picks up medicine. Patient is provided the opportunity to ask a pharmacist any questions concerning the medicine with the magic question, "Do you have any questions for the pharmacist?" -- this requirement not being added until 1990.

Services:

1. Billing your prescription insurance (or Medicaid) for the cost of your medicine (I don't have to take any insurance - let alone YOUR insurance). Some compounding pharmacies refuse to accept insurance and are cash-only.
2. Calling your insurance if their is a problem such as them not wanting to pay for the expensive name-brand drug your doctor wrote for, the quantity he wrote for, or for any of millions of other reasons they could dream up. Perhaps you remember when CVS made the decision to not call your insurance for problems any more. They accomplished this by placing a phone in the waiting room. It didn't go over well, but it proves my point.
3. Calling your doctor for refills when your prescription runs out. This is the job of the PATIENT that has been performed by pharmacy's striving to merely keep patients from having the opportunity to take their pieces of paper elsewhere if they are forced to visit the doctor for refills.
4. An easy open lid is placed on your bottle instead of the safety lid which is the legal requirement. (Screw your arthritis - I don't have to cater to you!)
5. Paging your name overhead when your prescription is ready -- that's all southern hospitality, buddy!
6. Taking checks or credit cards is also optional. Cash is the only requirement -- read the dollar bill. Does your credit card or check say that I *have* to take it? Nope.
7. Flavoring your child's antibiotic with out FlavorRx system.
8. Anything or everything related to having a drive-thru or providing services through it.
9. Being nice to you in any way, shape, or form. I just have to be there and be sober...I don't have to be my normally delightful self...

I'm sure this second list has a BUNCH more items on it. Fill in the holes for me...I'll add them to the list.