My husband just went to our local drugstore to pick up his Rx for Flonase, which he's done for over a year. He got home and realized they'd given him a generic instead. When he called to complain and have it switched, he was told by the pharmacy that a new law in PA _REQUIRES_ them to give out generics if they're available, no matter what the patient wants. \n\nI've never heard of such a thing - I've checked online and the only thing I've seen relates to Medicare/Medicaid recipients - and we have Blue Cross/Blue Shield! - and they don't require generics on our plan.\n\nAnyone run into this? Is this really a new law or does my pharmacist just not know what he's doing?
134766
The doctor has to write "dispense as written" or "DAW" on the script, or else the generic equivalent will be dispensed.
62716
no where I know of places can't sell it without a prescription it is addictive and many people sell it like street drugs when they have it so it's a drug that requires prescription. Trying finding a free clinic or reduced cost clinic in your area most places have them for people and charge based on income.
110590
The US and Canada drug authorities are completely different.  Same reason why over-the-counter Tylenol in Canada has codeine in it, but only available by Rx in the US.
166594
yeah, you never know what youre getting into when you buy from an online pharmacy, ESPECIALLY one that doesnt require a prescription. If you want to save money on your drugs, the best thing to do is get the generic for your drug, and if a generic is not available, switch to an older class of drugs for that condition. For instance, if you're on a new "sartan" ang2 antagonist for blood pressure such as Cozaar (losartan, i think retails around $80-100/month), have your doctor switch your prescription over to an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril (probably costs about $10-20). And dont get a brandname "XR" or "XL" or "SR" drug, they arent really any better and they cost way more. Talk to your doctor about it or have your pharmacy give your doc a call if youre interested in doing something like that.
579352
I can only speak from my own experience.  The disease my son had required that he get transfusions as often as every day.  The blood he received was not on the list of charges we received (even though he was covered by insurance, the hospital he was at was not a part of our insurance and we got an itemized list of all charges).  Now, perhaps people ARE charged for the actual blood they receive, but there is a law that requires all people are given medical care regardless of their ability to pay.  They won't be left to suffer or die.  When my husband did not have insurance, he was still given excellent care, he just ended up with a large bill at the end of it all.\n\nAnother disclaimer...the blood he received was not from Red Cross, it was from a "local" blood bank.
300267
The Lilly Corporation is supplying my insulin for free due to a program they have called the lillycares patient assistance program, or you can try the PPA (partners for perscription Assistance to help find your insulin.  I told my doctor about not being able to afford my testing supplies, and he talked to some of the pharmacutical reps that come to his office and they sent me 6 months worth of testing strips and lancets, and said as long as i need them, they'll send them.  so ask your doctor about something like that
300400
So your saying Utah is the only state with Morals?  I guess I am glad to live here.  And since when did the actions of a few Pharmacists dictate the outcome of the ENTIRE Country?  Oh what a small world you must live in.  And btw...I have NEVER heard of a pharmacist in UTAH refusing to fill a birth control prescription!  So why do you link the 2 together?
81802
Since you are already with BCBS, can you switch you plan to Blue Care Network, and is it even offered where you live? I have Blue care network, and I really like my plan.  \n\nYou do work through a primary care physician, and need a referral to see a specialist, but this works fine.  I have three specialists, and they are all covered.\nIf I have any problems, I see my primary care doctor, never a wait, and if she cannot help, she will refer a specialist (besides my normal three specialists). It is very easy.\n\nI am on many meds, and the max I pay is $20 for each.  One I pay nothing for. Hospital care is covered 100%, emergency visits are $25 co-pay.  My primary care physician is affiliated with Providence Hospital, so this is my hospital.\n\nBlue Care Network is a PPO through Blue Cross.  \n\nHope this helps.
396436
you have to go to a dr for a script regardless. it is illegal to get rx drugs without an rx! \nbeware of online pharmacys because they can be in other countries and are not reglated by anything. in other words, they can be selling you expired meds, recalled meds, or meds that do not have the correct formulation of the drug in them.
287952
your local pharmacy should be able to help you.  they would have names of manufacturers for the products they sell and one of them should be able to help you even if it means special ordering it.
611413
You would probably get better results by simply talking to the local pharmacy or your doctor.  They have contact with the drug companies and usually know how to get the special arrangements.  \n\nAds on TV are not always the most reliable source of information and are usually out to make a buck for themselves.
480963
They doctor shop--getting prescriptions from multiple doctors who have no idea and then hitting multiple pharmacies to get them filled.  No refills are allowed--they have to go back to the doctors to get more.  They'll get caught eventually.
569360
I am not for sure, but since no one else gave it a try, why not.\n\nThe only way Medicare can know that you've received these drugs is for the pharmacy to tell them.  The pharmacy must be billing Medicare for the charge of the drugs and Medicare is keeping a tally until you reach the limit.\n\nThis is how any insurer handles deductibles.  The provider still submits claims, they just don't get paid until the limit is reached.\n\nPS, there is also a book that lists the Average Wholesale Price (AWP) for each drug.  Many insurers use this price to calculate the amount they will pay for a particular drug.  Medicare probably limits the providers charge based on this book too.
15391
From my understanding you can get pretty much any meds you need, but are they safe. saving money is one thing, but knowing ur pharmacist & trust is another issue totally.
673882
You need to make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking as well as the pharmacist.  I would probably trust a pharmacist at least as much or more to know what can be mixed together.  If you have concerns, ask the pharmacist when you have the prescription filled to check for compatability of the medications.
536003
There's supposed to be, but it's not fool-proof yet. Any one who knows about this, and knows where, when and who should report it. The business who is allowing large sales of medicine, unless it is to a doctor or a pharmacist, could be charged I believe. I would talk to someone in the know about it, police or your doctor. Just say you're concerned about it, and you would like to know if it's legal or what.
571840
It is illegal to give anybody medication that they have not been prescribed. The reason is that if they have a reaction to and/or die from the meds you have given them you will then be tried for murder.  I have had meds given to me but only what I have been prescribed before. Same dosage and same strength.