Reader disgruntled with pharmacy policy

Dear Editor,

Are you aware that a local pharmacy, in Kingman, changed their opioid prescribing policy on August 19? The new policy limits prescriptions to 90 pills/patient/month. I was receiving 120/month for the past two years.

I found out about the policy change when I went to pick up my prescription on Friday, September 6. I was told at the pickup window and given the option of either taking the 90 or having scrip filled elsewhere. Since it was a Friday afternoon, I knew my doctor’s office would be extremely busy, but I called anyway to try and get them to send prescription elsewhere. I had to leave message, but didn’t get a quick callback. Meanwhile, I tried to find another place that would fill my prescription which isn’t so easy considering it was for Oxycodone. One cannot just transfer this kind of scrip…the new pharmacy has to investigate you before they agree, so finding a new pharmacy on a Friday evening was next to impossible.

I was now 2 1/2 hours beyond when I was supposed to take my next pill, and I had no pills left from my previous refill. I used the last one before leaving for the doctor in the morning thinking I would be getting a refill when I got home.

My pain levels were elevated, and withdrawal symptoms had already started. I was forced to take the 90 pills from my regular pharmacy because I could not go the weekend without medication. My doctor’s office assured me that they would send a prescription for the remaining 30 pills to another pharmacy, however this was not to be the case. Seems you can only get one prescription for opioids each month, and mine had been filled for 90, although the original scrip called for 120.

The pharmacy had a sign in the pick-up window stating the new policy and that they attempted to contact all patients that would be affected by this new policy. I was not contacted in any fashion! No calls, no texts, no emails, no snail mail, no nothing! And I’ve been getting the same prescription filled there for the past two years. I should have been contacted!

Also, the pharmacy had my prescription for over 2 1/2 hours before I appeared at the window that day. What prevented them from calling me once they received my scrip? It was clearly marked for 120 pills! If they had contacted me when they first received it, I could have made the other arrangements I needed to procure another supplier in plenty of time, and would not be suffering horribly as I have been since having to cut back my pills to allow for a short of 30.

I am currently trying to find an attorney to sue the pharmacy as this is a clear cut case of Pharmacy Malpractice. They had a duty to inform me of the change in policy with enough time for me to make other arrangements. They have caused me undue pain and suffering due to their incompetence!  It is also clearly a case of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, among other torts, and if not mistaken is a cause for criminal legal action as their actions now amount to Assault and Battery since I am suffering physical harm!

And, I was wondering if this happened to any other customers of this pharmacy? If there are enough perhaps a class action suit would be better. Either way, they should be made to pay recompense for all the unnecessary pain and suffering they have caused me, and possibly many other former customers. If others have been affected could you please contact me?

I notified the Arizona Pharmacy Board and they are currently investigating. Meanwhile, my search for an attorney to handle this for me continues. It is very difficult to do so because of all the increased pain I’m trying to function under, but it must be done.

Their treatment of me in this situation is unconscionable, unprofessional and inhumane!

Ronald M. Klotzer

Kingman