OT Computers making life easier

I have a prescription I have been waiting 2 hours to get filled. I am in no rush for it, but checked at 1.5 hrs and at 2 hrs and it is not ready.

Calling the pharmacy gets a voice menu that usually puts me to sleep before I get to my option. It starts out with a message about getting a flu shot and a couple of generic messages about store stuff even before it gets to menu options. After having to repeat the menu message both times, I get to the part where they ask if you want to check and see if a prescription is ready. THAT ONE

It asks if you know your prescription number and if not enter your phone number. I was just thinking...........Caller ID has been a feature for many years. (Wiki says 1973 in US) Why not have your computer check the number I am calling from and just tell me if any prescriptions are ready or being processed from the number I am calling from? I am sure there are times when this would not be the right answer, but it is a pretty good assumption.

Their method may sell more flu shots, but it's sure not an efficient way to handle prescriptions. (they can leave in the flu shot stuff)

Reply to
Metspitzer
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Those flu shots must be a huge money maker. I noticed several local pharmacies that have put large signs all over their lawn, as many as 20 signs on one lawn, advertising these flu shots. Then after they make a huge profit, you hear on tv that they "flu of the year" was not the one the shots were made for..... Also to be noted is that some people get ill from the shot.

I tend to wonder what long term side effects these shots havce too.

I got one once, got sick shortly after, and have refused to get them ever since. It's just another scam money maker, courtesy of another crooked company. If I'm gonna get the flu, I'll get it, and survive it just like I have other times in the past. The flu is seldom fatal, except for people who are already weak and sick. Of course the media loves to blow up the truth abotu the flu, like they did in recent years about the "swine flu". Later we found out that this flu never reached the epidemic that was originally stated. Once again, these companies inflate the truth to make a buck!!! When are Americans gonna wise up to all these scare tactics that advertisers use these days?

As for the time to fill a prescription, I fully agree. How frikkin long can it take to count out 50 pills (in the automatic pill counters they use these days), put them into a pill bottle and apply a label? If there was a hundred people waiting for prescriptions, I could understand the delays, but most of the time I go to the store, there are at most 5 people waiting, and I have to sit there for an hour or more for a bottle of 25 antibiotics. Worse yet, when it's a tube of ointment that comes prepackaged, adn all they got to do is type my name on their computer and stick on the label that was printed.

I've also tried the call in advance method. I call, tell them my doctor called in a prescription, give my name, and ask them when it will be ready. They tell me to come after 3pm. I arrive at 5pm, and still have to wait a half hour for them to call my name while I sit in the waiting area and am the only customer. Too bad we cant charge them for our time on an hourly basis.....

Reply to
jw

You guys have to change pharmacies. I never wait for refills, even if a new script is needed from the doctor. I use the web page to order prescriptions, give them two days and they are ready when I get there. Every time. Never more than one person ahead of me. On many generics, they offer a three month supply for $10 maximum co-pay no matter what your plan is.

On the rare times I have to take a script from the hospital, it is done quickly and little wait.

Walk into a couple of pharmacies and observe if they have lines waiting. If you find a good one, they will transfer all your scripts for you..

The CVS across the street advertises 10 minutes.

Reply to
Ed Pawlowski

There are several reasons not to reference a caller-id number.

  1. they are easily spoofed.
  2. some phoned have no caller-id.
  3. Phone numbers are reused after a year or so and some of those have the previous owner's id.
  4. when you call from a friends house and they also have a prescription waiting.

other, I am sure.

Paul

Reply to
Paul Drahn

All the pharmacy requires is for you to enter a phone number to get the information. There would be no reason to spoof anything.

Well then that wouldn't work, would it? Some people don't have computers, but businesses still have web pages. (and they try to get you to use them, because no one there wants to have to talk to you)

What about the people that don't have phones?

Then the chance they would have a prescription ready or being processed would be pretty low. Right?

You do know the doctor puts your current phone number on the prescription. Right?

Then you tell them...........I am calling to see if my script is ready, I will ask about yours too.

Thanks for playing.

Reply to
Metspitzer

Hmmm, My refill is done by pharmacy at the university hospital here. I just phone in which is answered by a warm body. State my name in full and DOB, they know all the details about my refills. They either mail it across town to me or deliver it by taxi. Senior get this free delivery service. Takes 2 days or couple hours depending on situation.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

A friend works at a local 'region wide chain' drug store... she was saying the pharmacy is under orders not to fill prescriptions quickly.

These standard 'delays' are used as a marketing tool to encourage customer 'grazing' throughout the rest of store... thus significantly boosting the overall bottom line.

Since learning this, I refuse to make ancillary purchases when stuck in that situation.

Erik

Reply to
Erik

I always suspected this.

The products at my local pharmacy are either medical supplies, junk food, or trinkets that only women would be interested in. If I'm told to wait, I ask how long it will be, then I go to the hardware store which is right next door, and do my 'grazing' over there, or just talk to the guys who work there if they're not busy.

Another thing I do is drop off my prescription and go take care of my other errands. Get gas, do some grocery shopping, buy an auto part, get a few burgers at the fast food rest. and other things. My time is valuable, and staring at the wall, or reading the really boring health related magazines at the pharmacy will really get on my nerves.

Of course the best solution is to just call them in advance and at least that cuts the wait time in half.

Reply to
jw

When I write down a phone number, I modify it later with the menu option I want, or the string of numbers. Sometimes I can push that key in the middle of the messages, so I dont' have to listen to them.

I renewed a prescription on the phone and ended up with the child proof cap. The recording didnt' ask about that. . Fortunately, I save my old bottles etc.

Doesn't it have to be cold before you need a flu shot? I"m waiting until it's cold. 7

Reply to
micky

I used to get very amused when I took my wash to a laundromat and watched all the people who sat there slack jawed and drooling as they waited on their clothing to get clean. I always had a book or newspaper and if I could run a short errand, I would do so. I've never been able to sit and stare blankly into space while waiting, I have to have something to occupy my mind. o_O

TDD

Reply to
The Daring Dufas

I wonder if it helps to tell them that you're fully aware of their marketing manipulations. they can get their act in gear and provide better service, or lose a customer.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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I always suspected this.

The products at my local pharmacy are either medical supplies, junk food, or trinkets that only women would be interested in. If I'm told to wait, I ask how long it will be, then I go to the hardware store which is right next door, and do my 'grazing' over there, or just talk to the guys who work there if they're not busy.

Another thing I do is drop off my prescription and go take care of my other errands. Get gas, do some grocery shopping, buy an auto part, get a few burgers at the fast food rest. and other things. My time is valuable, and staring at the wall, or reading the really boring health related magazines at the pharmacy will really get on my nerves.

Of course the best solution is to just call them in advance and at least that cuts the wait time in half.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Then there's the story about the chap cleaning out the lower east-side apartment of his recently deceased grandfather. During the job he ran across a shoe repair stub from 1934! The little shoe repair business still existed around the corner, so the grandson thought he might have some fun.

He took the ticket to the shop and handed it to the cobbler sitting at a workbench. The cobbler glanced at the ticket, handed it back, and said, as he returned to his work, "They'll be ready Wednesday."

From the pharmacy's perspective, there's no sense putting the pills in a bottle, preparing a label, and so forth, until they have more assurance than an anonymous 'phone call that the "patient" is serious about actually WANTING the drug. The probability of actually making the sale goes up significantly when the patient appears at the counter ready to pick up the prescription. Still not 100%, but higher.

This is especially true for compounded medicines - those that have to be custom-mixed for a specific prescription and also for high-priced pills, i.e., Viagra.

Reply to
HeyBub

You don't idle well. Neither do I.

Some idle their entire life except for brief intervals of urgent things like putting out a shirt fire.

Reply to
HeyBub

Let me guess. By calling 911 and demanding to know whose fault was it? "Somebody better do something about it"

I knew some folks who would have something go wrong. They would spend hours arguing whose fault was it, and no time at all fixing whatever it was that broke.

I'm remembering the woman who was on the news a few months ago. Had about a dozen kids living in one room, and telling the world someone better do something about it.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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You don't idle well. Neither do I.

Some idle their entire life except for brief intervals of urgent things like putting out a shirt fire.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

I could have ordered all my meds on line in the time it took to browse this thread but I'm getting screwed by a poor plan with Medco and Medicare deductible.

A visit to Walmart taught me that I could skip Medco and Medicare and go there and save over $150 per year. For that, I'll wait in line 4 times a year.

Pays to shop around.

Also while computer ordering is extremely easy, it took me 45 minutes on hold to speak to Medco about my bill.

Reply to
Frank

That is a good deal.

Reply to
Metspitzer

You mean this one? The one where the mother of 15 kids says.......................... Video at 2:20 "Somebody needs to be held accountable, and they need to pay."

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Reply to
Metspitzer

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Holy crap, sterilize that bitch before she pops out a few more kids.

Reply to
Tony Miklos

Who has the gold, makes the rules. I'm OK with "no more money for more kids".

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Reply to
Metspitzer

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