Pharmacy Help.

• tk421

  

  Any pharmacists or doctors on the huddle that could help me with a question? My mom is taking a prescription and just went to the doctor to get more refills. The doctor gave the prescription for 2 pills taken 3 times a day, which would be 180 pills, but only gave the quantity for 90 pills.
  
  She said something about a law that you couldn't give more than 90 pills to a patient. I think that's totally bogus and probably just some stupid hospital rule. My mom has gotten prescriptions filled for 180 pills before, so does anyone know of a new rule limiting the number of pills prescribed?
• iluvz

  Not a Dr or a pharmacist, but I deal with this in my job. Depending on the medication, there are regulations on how many can be dispensed.
• tk421

  

  iluvz wrote: Not a Dr or a pharmacist, but I deal with this in my job. Depending on the medication, there are regulations on how many can be dispensed.

  I know, but she has gotten this prescription with 180 pills filled before. This is the first time the doctor has said anything like that.
• iluvz

  Regulations change, so who knows. It may be a medication they have tightened down on recently. Is he automatically giving her refills or is he requiring her to return to the office every 2 weeks for a new script? Best bet, call your local pharmacy, and ask them if there are any regulations on that specific med.
• OUgrad

  iluvz wrote: Regulations change, so who knows. It may be a medication they have tightened down on recently. Is he automatically giving her refills or is he requiring her to return to the office every 2 weeks for a new script? Best bet, call your local pharmacy, and ask them if there are any regulations on that specific med.

  ^^^^This. Plus, did her insurance change? Sometimes the problem is with them. That is, the plan may only allow so many pills to be dispensed at the same time,. This happened to me. When my new plan took effect, I no longer could get all my medicine at once. The dr now has to write me 2 prescriptions/mo and I have to pay twice a month for what I used to get once a month. Not to mention the copay changed and what used to cost me $10/mo now cost me $40/mo (copay went from $10 to $20 for each script).
• Apple

  

  I would say it's probably insurance regulations. I've seen where they will only pay if it's a smaller quantity.
• september63

  

  I have doubts about freehuddle having any dr's as members.............A pharmacist, maybe.
• hoops23

  

  I'm studying Pharmacy..
  
  It could be a # of things, including change in Insurance or regulations on the medication..
  
  It'd be best to ask your pharmacist or Doctor for a straight up answer.. However, if they told you it was a new law, I doubt it's a lie.
• september63

  

  Just another way for the slimy insurance companies to collect 2 co-pays instead one 1.
• ricola

  

  september63 wrote: I have doubts about freehuddle having any dr's as members.............A pharmacist, maybe.

  well, you're wrong there. I can assure you there is at least one physician who is a "serious business" member.
  
  having said that, i don't think there's a "law" from the doctor's end that would prevent a certain number of pills to be dispensed. Quite possibly related to her insurance...OR..if it is scheduled drug ( e.g. narcotic) there may be limitations.
• THE4RINGZ

  

  If ricola is a physician and working right now I wonder if he is at the same hospital I am at right now.
• hoops23

  

  ricola wrote:

  september63 wrote: I have doubts about freehuddle having any dr's as members.............A pharmacist, maybe.

  well, you're wrong there. I can assure you there is at least one physician who is a "serious business" member.
  
  having said that, i don't think there's a "law" from the doctor's end that would prevent a certain number of pills to be dispensed. Quite possibly related to her insurance...OR..if it is scheduled drug ( e.g. narcotic) there may be limitations.

  This is what I'm thinking.
• FairwoodKing

  I think insurance played a big role in this. My carrier has been Regence Blue Shield. This year they increased my premiums by 64% and my co-pays by 150%. I am dropping them as of March 31 and am going to Humana. If anyone has any experience with them, please let me know.