Whenever I tell someone that I'm a pharmacy technician I automatically get the response "that must be an easy job, you just count all day." You may think that since your orders aren't always ready when you want them to be ready, that we just sit around and do nothing all day. However, you could not be more incorrect! There is always something to do, we are always running around like we are running a marathon. Something is always going on in the pharmacy. What a lot of people forget is that we are human too. Being a pharmacy technician does have its perks, I'm able to help people every day while also being the pharmacist's right-hand man. But there are so many pet peeves that we experience every day. Don't get me wrong, there are so many patients I have grown to love dearly, but here are some common statements that we hear on a daily basis.
*Patient drops off a prescription* "I need it now, as soon as possible. I don't have time to wait."
I get that you probably live a busy life, but if everyone else ahead of you has to wait for 15-20 minutes, then so do you. I know it's hard to believe, but you are not our only patient. You should be more patient with us since rushing your medication can only cause mistakes. It is very important for us to follow every step in the process to ensure you get the correct medication and quantity. Against popular belief, there is way more to getting your medication ready other than just throwing some pills in a bottle and putting a label on it. Also, just a little tip, gathering around the counter giving us death looks will not get your prescription completed faster.
My doctor sent over my prescription at *insert certain time*
I would like to acknowledge the fact that it does take time to count your medication, therefore just because your doctor sent over a prescription at a certain time does not mean it will be ready immediately. Keep in mind that your prescription is not even close to being the only one that we receive. Depending on the pharmacy you go to, they could be processing 500-800 orders per day, maybe even more! Also, I know your doctor had told you that they sent it but if we haven't received anything then maybe you should contact your doctor, chances are it slipped their mind and they haven't sent it yet.
"Does it really take that long to just throw on a label to the box or vial?"
The answer to that is that there are many steps to the process in order to get your order out to you. No, we do not just slap a label onto the medication, think about that and how unsafe that would be. It may be quicker that way, but this is medications that could potentially hurt you if not dispensed properly, so do not rush the process. The prescription must be entered into the computer properly, run through insurance (don't even get me started on what happens if it gets rejected) and then also double checked by a pharmacist to ensure accuracy. And then we will be able to ring out your prescription. So I please ask to be patient!
Please get off your cell phone!!!!
Please, I'm begging you to have the common courtesy to get off your cell phone while interacting with me. It will make my job easier and make your experience more efficient. Not only are you being rude, but you're also just lengthening the amount of time you're in the pharmacy which I know you don't want. Whoever is more important to talk to than picking up your medications, just finish the conversation with them before starting one with me. Trust me I'll appreciate it and so will the line of customers behind you.
When you can not hear the person on the passenger side of the car and the driver refuses to repeat anything they say.
If your pharmacy has a drive-thru and you're the driver please help the technician out by helping us hear the information needed to get you your medications. Unfortunately, I do not have bionic ears, no matter how helpful that would be. I'm sorry that I can't hear you whispering your unique name that I don't even know how to begin to spell, along with your birthday. I'm sorry that I don't have the ability to just magically guess what your address and birthday is.
"There is no way possible that my copay can be that high under my insurance. You must have done something wrong."
No, we did not do anything wrong. I know you believe we control your copay but, no, we don't just randomly choose a price for your to pay. Your copay comes from the insurance, so you'll have to take that issue up with them. Please do not stand there and argue with me over the price or complain how a drug is not covered under your insurance. You can yell, scream an swear all you want, nothing is going to change the price. Just go call your insurance company!
When the same people try to fill their medications especially the C II's, early every single month.
Believe it or not telling you we can't fill the prescription early is not based on whether we like you or not, it's actually a law for the narcotics and for other prescriptions it's because of what your insurance will cover. We understand that it's been 12 days since you last picked up your 60 day supply. however, you somehow don't have any pills left. But the bad news is your insurance will not understand how that is possible, therefore they will not pay for another refill. Please do not take your anger out on us when we have to be the one to tell the bad news. Oh and one last thing, no you can not pay out of pocket for the Oxycodone or Adderall if insurance won't pay for it since it's too soon to be filled.
*Customer blurts out name, date of birth and address in a matter of 2.2 seconds*
I'm sorry but if you come up to the counter and automatically blurt out all the info at once I will have to ask you to repeat everything. So what is the point of blurting it all out? Yes I know you come here on a regular basis, but that does not mean you need to prove to me that you memorized what questions I'll ask you. That is just not necessary and will end up with you mad at me that you now have to repeat everything.
The statement "seriously!?" which is usually followed by some swears is one of the most repeated statements we hear on a daily basis. With all this being said, though, I really do love my job and love providing genuine care to the patients. If you give me respect then I'll give you all the respect that is possible. There are the regular customers who understand how busy it can get and don't freak out when they have to wait a few extra minutes to receive their prescriptions. To those customers, I want to say thank you, we appreciate you more than you will ever know! So next time you have to go to the pharmacy please try to take a deep breathe and work with us to get your order out as soon as possible.
