Sign for a prescription? What crap is this?

[lynnf]

so I renewed my prescription for a nasal spray I use for my allergies. went to pick it up and they have one of those not-so-cute digital signature machines with a stylus and the counter girl says "sign right here".

so I say "what am I signing, I've never had to sign like this before".

she gets the pharmacist: "it's just some random thing that comes up for a signature".

so I say "I'm just marking it with a big X", which I do.

the next screen has a box to check for accepting "Terms and Conditions".

so I say "I don't accept any terms or conditions".

the pharmacist comes around the counter, glaring at me for causing her trouble.
she reads what the screen has and says: "oh, it's just some medicare thing saying you don't have other coverage". (I don't have medicare)

so I say "I'm not signing, I'll go somewhere else where I don't have to sign for a prescription" and walked out.

so now I don't have my prescription, but of course they are relying on force to make you sign -- you don't get your prescription unless you sign.

just say no.

lynn

----------------------------

[nobody's_hero]

Supposedly it's to make sure that someone else isn't coming in to pick up your prescription meds. Or, if someone does pick them up for you, they're now responsible for getting them to you.

It's to cover the pharmacy's ***. I'm surprised you've never had to sign before.

[lynnf]

Supposedly it's to make sure that someone else isn't coming in to pick up your prescription meds. Or, if someone does pick them up for you, they're now responsible for getting them to you.

It's to cover the pharmacy's ***. I'm surprised you've never had to sign before.


ah, maybe I see, now. there was some confusion by the counter girl that I was picking up someone else's Rx. once she had made that assumption and entered it into the computer, there was no way out. got a blank stare when I told her that it was MY Rx, not someone else's. so then they started lying about what the signing was for (kinda like the government) just to try to get me to sign and cover up the mistake. think I know what to do now - report it to higher ups. (not to get the dummies in trouble but to straighten the mess out, if possible).

gee, hindsight is 20/20!


lynn

[speciallyblend]

ah, maybe I see, now. there was some confusion by the counter girl that I was picking up someone else's Rx. once she had made that assumption and entered it into the computer, there was no way out. got a blank stare when I told her that it was MY Rx, not someone else's. so then they started lying about what the signing was for (kinda like the government) just to try to get me to sign and cover up the mistake. think I know what to do now - report it to higher ups. (not to get the dummies in trouble but to straighten the mess out, if possible).

gee, hindsight is 20/20!


lynn

I recommend all husbands pick up their wife's meds;) that way you won't forget their birthday;)

[tangent4ronpaul]

The US has some of the most asinine Rx drug laws in the world. It's all about controlling people under the pretext of "safety" :rolleyes:

Controling access to medicine and food are used as weapons by fascist governments, like ours.

-t

[MelissaWV]

I've never had to sign, but I've heard stories similar to the OP before. They just verify name and address, and give out the meds so long as whoever it is pays for it. Maybe it's the type of medication I'm on (since it has zero street value lol) but then again a nasal spray doesn't seem like it has a whole lot of resale potential.

I could maybe, MAYBE, see having some kind of proof requested if it were a potent narcotic, for instance, but only then if it were just the pharmacy's policy to cover their butt. Even then, I don't get using the signature. No one compares them, the pharmacist (and assistants) are not signature experts, and if you were sneaky enough to be picking up someone else's meds, you might be smart enough to forge the appropriate signature.

[johngr]

I don't know how it is now, but when I lived in Mexico, you could walk right in to a pharmacy and buy just about any drug you wanted (except for opiates, valium, barbiturates, etc.)

[oyarde]

I've never had to sign, but I've heard stories similar to the OP before. They just verify name and address, and give out the meds so long as whoever it is pays for it. Maybe it's the type of medication I'm on (since it has zero street value lol) but then again a nasal spray doesn't seem like it has a whole lot of resale potential.

I could maybe, MAYBE, see having some kind of proof requested if it were a potent narcotic, for instance, but only then if it were just the pharmacy's policy to cover their butt. Even then, I don't get using the signature. No one compares them, the pharmacist (and assistants) are not signature experts, and if you were sneaky enough to be picking up someone else's meds, you might be smart enough to forge the appropriate signature.

At my local drugstore , this has been in place for at least twelve years or so .

[QueenB4Liberty]

I don't know why you wouldn't sign for your medication. I've always done it.

[KCIndy]

At my local drugstore , this has been in place for at least twelve years or so .

Ditto.

I live in Indiana, so perhaps it's a state regulation requiring a signature for *all* prescriptions. But I'm pretty sure that if one is buying pseudoephedrine of any sort in ANY state, you have to show ID (drivers license mostly) as well as sign the silly little electronic pad.

I've started signing then adding a little stick figure with a smiley face waving a hand. Once, a clerk asked me what the hell I was doing. I replied that the stick figure represented me waving hello at the FDA.

Needless to say, they were happy to see me leave.

As far as the signatures go, if you're not comfortable signing legibly, just grab the stylus and scribble around on the pad like a three year old. It'll still go through! :D

[MelissaWV]

At my local drugstore , this has been in place for at least twelve years or so .


I don't know why you wouldn't sign for your medication. I've always done it.


Ditto.

...

Again, I think it varies by state and probably also by what you are purchasing. If you're buying something the Government classifies a certain way, and they suspect that someone might make some money off of reselling it, maybe they require a signature? I've never had to sign for anything, though. I get my prescriptions through the window, and usually just pay cash. All they ask me is my name and either my DOB, phone number, or address to verify that I'm me, even though I have a unique name :p

[lynnf]

I don't know why you wouldn't sign for your medication. I've always done it.


because I'm not a full-blown sheeple, that's why!

the reason we get all these silly things going on is that people comply. for God's sake, just resist! when enough people say no it will at least slow them down.


lynn

[oyarde]

Ditto.

I live in Indiana, so perhaps it's a state regulation requiring a signature for *all* prescriptions. But I'm pretty sure that if one is buying pseudoephedrine of any sort in ANY state, you have to show ID (drivers license mostly) as well as sign the silly little electronic pad.

I've started signing then adding a little stick figure with a smiley face waving a hand. Once, a clerk asked me what the hell I was doing. I replied that the stick figure represented me waving hello at the FDA.

Needless to say, they were happy to see me leave.

As far as the signatures go, if you're not comfortable signing legibly, just grab the stylus and scribble around on the pad like a three year old. It'll still go through! :D

My signature at the pharmacy would not be legible .

[QueenB4Liberty]

because I'm not a full-blown sheeple, that's why!

the reason we get all these silly things going on is that people comply. for God's sake, just resist! when enough people say no it will at least slow them down.


lynn

I'm not a sheeple either. But you're giving your name to a store that sells medication. It's not the mark of the beast. In most places, it's always been like this. Not because we've allowed it, because I don't want someone else picking up my medication so I don't mind sending for it. It would be easy enough to pick up someone else's prescription, so I understand why it's done.

[oyarde]

Again, I think it varies by state and probably also by what you are purchasing. If you're buying something the Government classifies a certain way, and they suspect that someone might make some money off of reselling it, maybe they require a signature? I've never had to sign for anything, though. I get my prescriptions through the window, and usually just pay cash. All they ask me is my name and either my DOB, phone number, or address to verify that I'm me, even though I have a unique name :p

My drugstore is in the same state as KCIndy , and it is required for even the most mundane thing.

[MRK]

Ditto.

I live in Indiana, so perhaps it's a state regulation requiring a signature for *all* prescriptions. But I'm pretty sure that if one is buying pseudoephedrine of any sort in ANY state, you have to show ID (drivers license mostly) as well as sign the silly little electronic pad.

I've started signing then adding a little stick figure with a smiley face waving a hand. Once, a clerk asked me what the hell I was doing. I replied that the stick figure represented me waving hello at the FDA.

Needless to say, they were happy to see me leave.

As far as the signatures go, if you're not comfortable signing legibly, just grab the stylus and scribble around on the pad like a three year old. It'll still go through! :D

Haha. I used to do this when signing for purchases with my old credit card. I actually signed the back of the card with the stick figure in case someone wanted to check, but they never did :(

[Dr.3D]

Rite-Aid has one of those things on the counter, but it has the person sign that they have either,
1. Had the pharmacist talk to you about your prescription and answer any questions you may have about it.
or
2. You have declined to have the pharmacist talk to you about your prescription.

When you are signing it, it is supposed to reflect you have selected one of those choices.

[Working Poor]

I don't know why you wouldn't sign for your medication. I've always done it.

Well it is just a way of bringing more control and the more you comply with it the more things they will do to bring you under control.

They take us over with small things a scan here and signature there and pretty soon we will have to be scaned and signatured for every single thing we do. We will have to have prescritption for an carrot if we don't stop allowing them to step on us.

[oyarde]

Well it is just a way of bringing more control and the more you comply with it the more things they will do to bring you under control.

They take us over with small things a scan here and signature there and pretty soon we will have to be scaned and signatured for every single thing we do. We will have to have prescritption for an carrot if we don't stop allowing them to step on us.

Carrots are food , so the FDA is probably over carrots :) .

[QueenB4Liberty]

Well it is just a way of bringing more control and the more you comply with it the more things they will do to bring you under control.

They take us over with small things a scan here and signature there and pretty soon we will have to be scaned and signatured for every single thing we do. We will have to have prescritption for an carrot if we don't stop allowing them to step on us.

I really don't think signing for a prescription is a huge deal. Do you not sign for Fedex packages when they come to your house either? I don't use CVS extra care cards, they ask me if I have one each time I pick up my meds, each time I say no (even though it's in my purse), and they just give me another one without me saying anything. It's ridiculous. I know they use those to track what people buy so they can raise the prices and the like.

[oyarde]

I really don't think signing for a prescription is a huge deal. Do you not sign for Fedex packages when they come to your house either? I don't use CVS extra care cards, they ask me if I have one each time I pick up my meds, each time I say no (even though it's in my purse), and they just give me another one without me saying anything. It's ridiculous. I know they use those to track what people buy so they can raise the prices and the like.

I could be wrong , but I imagine a company like CVS is using it to see what it is you buy . Then they can mail you some coupons , get you to buy stuff there that you were previously purchasing else where . Sometimes there are coupons on the reciept . Something like $5 off if you spend $25 on the next thursday or something . I am not going to use that , but give it to someone I know will .

[MelissaWV]

I could be wrong , but I imagine a company like CVS is using it to see what it is you buy . Then they can mail you some coupons , get you to buy stuff there that you were previously purchasing else where . Sometimes there are coupons on the reciept . Something like $5 off if you spend $25 on the next thursday or something . I am not going to use that , but give it to someone I know will .

Slightly off-topic, but old folks' homes, daycares, and shelters love those coupons. If you happen to be around one of those or pass one in your day-to-day activities, it's a neat "donation" to make.

[oyarde]

Slightly off-topic, but old folks' homes, daycares, and shelters love those coupons. If you happen to be around one of those or pass one in your day-to-day activities, it's a neat "donation" to make.

Yes , I give mine to an elderly lady who uses them , no reason for them to go to waste .

[QueenB4Liberty]

I could be wrong , but I imagine a company like CVS is using it to see what it is you buy . Then they can mail you some coupons , get you to buy stuff there that you were previously purchasing else where . Sometimes there are coupons on the reciept . Something like $5 off if you spend $25 on the next thursday or something . I am not going to use that , but give it to someone I know will .

You think they use your signature to see what you buy? I thought it was the CVS extra care card that did that, the signature was just for security reasons. I don't buy anything else at CVS but my meds, so them recording what I buy there isn't really going to do anything. lol

[BlackTerrel]

There are some incredibly stupid laws when it comes to medical in this country.

I have bum knees from football and had to have knee surgery a while back. I had a CT/MRI done in one place and wanted to transfer those results to another doctor who was a specialist I was seeing.

So I called up the hospital where I had it done and after being on hold for 20 minutes and going through a thorough verification process that it was me (name, DOB, address, phone #) the lady told me she couldn't transfer my CT/MRI results to this new doctor without me physically being in the building and signing for it. Or I could have her mail me the documents and mail them back but my appointment was in two days and that would take too long.

I got so pissed and gave her a verbal tirade but she said that was the law and there was nothing I could do. So I had to stop everything and drive over an hour each way just to sign a document to release my CT/MRI.

It's more the stupidity of these things that annoy me more than anything else. When I asked her why she couldn't release it even though she had verified my identity over the phone she said that was not enough proof and someone could be pretending to be me to get my CT/MRI.

Are you fucking kidding me? Is it really plausible that someone would expend so much time and resources just to get my CT and MRI scans? Seriously? Is that MRI scan of any value to anyone except for me that they would EVER do such a thing? Of course not! ...And as if I really care if someone else got a glimpse of an MRI or CT of my knee anyway.

I am confident it would be far easier to get a credit card or bank account under my name than it would be to see my CT scan.

[oyarde]

You think they use your signature to see what you buy? I thought it was the CVS extra care card that did that, the signature was just for security reasons. I don't buy anything else at CVS but my meds, so them recording what I buy there isn't really going to do anything. lol

I thought you did mean the card . The only thing I buy there is nicotine patches when I do my , once yearly , try like hell to quit smoking for a few months thing .

[chudrockz]

Does the nasal spray contain pseudo-ephedrine? In my home state of Minnesota, thanks to a recently enacted law, anyone buying ANY medication that can be used to create methamphetamine (I guess?) has to be signed for. Ostensibly it's to prevent pharmacy/ doctor shopping or whatever they call it, when people buy fifty tons of Claritin D for their little labs in the woods.

Incidentally, that Claritin D that I bought was over-the-counter, but I STILL had to sign for that. Also incidentally, I reacted very poorly to it, so if anyone wants the remaining 28 (out of 30) pills that I bought, you're welcome to them. :)

[oyarde]

Does the nasal spray contain pseudo-ephedrine? In my home state of Minnesota, thanks to a recently enacted law, anyone buying ANY medication that can be used to create methamphetamine (I guess?) has to be signed for. Ostensibly it's to prevent pharmacy/ doctor shopping or whatever they call it, when people buy fifty tons of Claritin D for their little labs in the woods.

Incidentally, that Claritin D that I bought was over-the-counter, but I STILL had to sign for that. Also incidentally, I reacted very poorly to it, so if anyone wants the remaining 28 (out of 30) pills that I bought, you're welcome to them. :)

You can come clean about your meth lab if you like :) . Where I live if you get stopped , you are in trouble . Those pills are probablY pre cursors and that is against the law .

[chudrockz]

lol, no meth labs here, I promise! And I'd like to return the remainder to Wal Mart but I'm not sure they'll take them. Expensive little buggers, for sure!

[QueenB4Liberty]

I thought you did mean the card . The only thing I buy there is nicotine patches when I do my , once yearly , try like hell to quit smoking for a few months thing .

Oh, yeah I know the card is used so they know what you buy. That's why I don't use it.

[oyarde]

lol, no meth labs here, I promise! And I'd like to return the remainder to Wal Mart but I'm not sure they'll take them. Expensive little buggers, for sure!

Take the hit , do not be driving around with those . Taking those back could be viewed as suspicious and they may need to call some authorities . Just leave them in the medicine cabinet and pawn them off on a family member later when they need them . :)

[KCIndy]

Does the nasal spray contain pseudo-ephedrine? In my home state of Minnesota, thanks to a recently enacted law, anyone buying ANY medication that can be used to create methamphetamine (I guess?) has to be signed for. Ostensibly it's to prevent pharmacy/ doctor shopping or whatever they call it, when people buy fifty tons of Claritin D for their little labs in the woods.

Ironically, most of the meth cookers are either getting their ephedrine in bulk from Mexico, or are switching to non-ephedrine recipes. Not that the Feds really care. :rolleyes:



Incidentally, that Claritin D that I bought was over-the-counter, but I STILL had to sign for that. Also incidentally, I reacted very poorly to it, so if anyone wants the remaining 28 (out of 30) pills that I bought, you're welcome to them. :)


Claritin D contains pseudoephedrine sulfate, which is why you had to sign. The sad thing is, once you open the box, it's almost impossible to give the stuff away to homeless shelters, free clinics, etc. even though the pills are individually wrapped in blister packs. Best you can probably hope for is to find a friend/relative/neighbor who can use them. Just don't let the DEA catch ya!!! :)

[chudrockz]

Ironically, most of the meth cookers are either getting their ephedrine in bulk from Mexico, or are switching to non-ephedrine recipes. Not that the Feds really care. :rolleyes:




Claritin D contains pseudoephedrine sulfate, which is why you had to sign. The sad thing is, once you open the box, it's almost impossible to give the stuff away to homeless shelters, free clinics, etc. even though the pills are individually wrapped in blister packs. Best you can probably hope for is to find a friend/relative/neighbor who can use them. Just don't let the DEA catch ya!!! :)

I'll probably keep the darned things, but I won't take any more of them. I got the twelve-hour deals. Took one the first evening and did fine. Took the second one the second evening (twenty-four hours later) and felt ALL tweaky and like I couldn't breathe, severe nervousness, etc. I hate the stuff!

[oyarde]

I'll probably keep the darned things, but I won't take any more of them. I got the twelve-hour deals. Took one the first evening and did fine. Took the second one the second evening (twenty-four hours later) and felt ALL tweaky and like I couldn't breathe, severe nervousness, etc. I hate the stuff!

I cannot take any of it , they all make me feel that way . I suggest instead , a hot bath and a chilled glass ( well , more than one ) of wine .

[KCIndy]

I'll probably keep the darned things, but I won't take any more of them. I got the twelve-hour deals. Took one the first evening and did fine. Took the second one the second evening (twenty-four hours later) and felt ALL tweaky and like I couldn't breathe, severe nervousness, etc. I hate the stuff!

That stuff can really mess some people up.

My brother can take a regular dose of Sudaphed and it damn near kills him. His heart starts racing and he starts shaking and getting jittery. Naturally, he avoids it now, but he sure had to find out the hard way that he was at risk with the stuff.

On the other hand, I'm pretty much immune. I have to take around three to four times the regular dosage for it to have any effect... weird.

[oyarde]

That stuff can really mess some people up.

My brother can take a regular dose of Sudaphed and it damn near kills him. His heart starts racing and he starts shaking and getting jittery. Naturally, he avoids it now, but he sure had to find out the hard way that he was at risk with the stuff.

On the other hand, I'm pretty much immune. I have to take around three to four times the regular dosage for it to have any effect... weird.

It gives me the shakes too . I like the hot water and bottle of wine much beter .

[KCIndy]

LOL of course, while I'm virtually immune to pseudoephedrine, I'm really susceptible to diphenhydramine (Benadryl). I can toss down a couple of Benadryls and I'll soon find myself sprawled across the nearest couch or easy chair, singing Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd over and over and over and over.... :D

[oyarde]

LOL of course, while I'm virtually immune to pseudoephedrine, I'm really susceptible to diphenhydramine (Benadryl). I can toss down a couple of Benadryls and I'll soon find myself sprawled across the nearest couch or easy chair, singing Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd over and over and over and over.... :D

I have never used benadryl , but have seen it do that to others.