Pharmacy Training

It is important to train your patients. Train them to check in at drop off whenever they are bringing in new prescriptions, new insurance, or are inquiring about the status of their prescriptions. Many patients will learn the rules and expectations; others, not so much. Thrice in the past week I had the following conversation:

CP: Sorry we are out of your medication. This is a special order item. It costs $5000 for this bottle. This strength has been on backorder off and on for a few months now. 

But I'm Out Now I Could Die: But I'm out now. I could die. 

CP: You won't die. 

BIONIC-D: This happens every month. 

CP: It does. For the last 4 months, at least. 

BIONIC-D: "Can I call in 3 days early?"

CP: Yes. Yes! That's the point. We've been trying to tell you that for nigh on a year. If you call in before your bottle is empty, it gives us time to locate the medication. We can call other stores, distribution centers, competitors, etc to find this. Waiting until the bottle is empty and yelling at us when we've told you to call early is like waiting until you car runs out of gas, pushing it to the station and yelling at the attendant there that you don't want to push it in again so you're going to listen to the chime alerting you you're almost out of fuel. 

BIONIC-D: Okay. I just don't want to die without my medication. 

CP: Funny how you only think of that when you're actually OUT of medication. You could learn something from all the Apocalyptic Storm Stockpilers (ASS's) out there. Whenever the media whisper potential for a severe weather event such as snowstorms, locusts, or a Cane Toad invasion, people run to the pharmacy and grocery to stock up on essentials. You'd think that without an extra loaf of bread, gallon of milk, and case of bottled water these people would be found in their houses, emaciated and on death's door after the roads reopen in 12 hours.