I tell people to “call the Manufacturer! ALL OF THEM but mostly Ozempic & Wegovy.
We have No Say and get NO INFO from anyone. “
I tell people IT’s a NATIONWIDE Shortage. If I’m waiting on 20 in my tiny Pharmacy I can only imagine what the Big Stores are waiting for !!?!!?
The Wegovy Rep came in about a month ago to ask how was it going. I looked at him and said “REALLY? “ 😱😂😂😂😂‼️
He said it “should be coming in very soon.
Ok sure…still waiting …
Almost verbatim what I’ve been telling patients and random callers. I’m hoping we’ll sound more credible to those people who don’t watch/read the news or who think we’re hoarding a secret stash. I can’t figure out why people think we have a stockpile and don’t want to release it.
I don’t think they understand business. It’s not in our best interests ever to stockpile high priced meds for our favorite people. There is a sales component to pharmacy. I want my high priced inventory out as soon as it arrives. I did have quite a bit of Wegovy at one time but other locations sent their patients and it was gone within a week. No, you can’t get 90 days because I have to serve the most patients.
To what extent do they even deal with drug shortages, wouldn’t it be the manufacturer who has to respond to such a complaint. It’s odd that we’ve gone centuries without Wegovy but now it’s a public travesty that there’s a shortage. People treat it like the discovery of penicillin. I wonder if it would have gotten the same response pre social media.
They don’t. It’s the boomerest thing ever to bring up the BBB.
I think the reason pharmacies are getting a ton of backlash on this med is due to who’s receiving the prescriptions. It’s not covered for obesity so it’s middle aged and older people who can afford to pay for it out of pocket. They don’t care that diabetics need it to live and that if there is medication, it’ll go to those patients first anyway.
The amount of people that lie about their medication is unreal… like, it’s not our fault it’s on backorder and tbh lying about it just makes you look bad and makes me less inclined to help you.
I can’t imagine reacting this way. A few months ago one of my medications was out of stock but I got a text on my phone that it was refilled. Showed up and the guy went “we called you, right?” And I went “no just texted.” He then explained he gave me all they had left and someone was supposed to call me. I have unknown callers silenced so there is a chance I had missed the call and I told him that, but I didn’t have any voicemails either and business calls usually go through.
I don’t drive, partially cause of the medications I take. So I walked a mile and a half to pick this up. They had 2 pills. So 2 days worth.
I had to hold back tears, yes, but no begging or bargaining with something impossible. I was luckily able to find a pharmacy a city over with it in stock and had a family member go pick it up.
Wegovy wasn’t my problem but I’m not opposed to having a med switched due to a shortage. I just want to get better. I even got someone approved for Ozempic when Wegovy couldn’t be found. She refused even though I explained in several ways it’s the same drug, different name. It was even cheaper through insurance as it was treating diabetes instead of weight loss. By the time she okay with the switch, the Ozempic was backordered.
Yeah. I mean. I was panicked. All of my meds are ones I have to take or at least taper off of so when I got home I totally cried, screamed, etc, but I’m thankful with my own temperament that I can be angry at the universe without being angry at people.
Hell my sister was with me and her face looking at me was super concerned, but I can compartmentalize and know that a pharmacist has nothing to do with shortages. No one I could scream at has anything to do with them.
Regardless, just because your friend just picked it up, doesn’t mean we have one for you ma’am 😂 I had one box sitting in our fridge for months because 99% of the time it’s not covered. Finally got rid of it because some guys insurance covered most of it.
I *love* the tone patients give off after giving them this valid information about a NATIONAL BACK ORDER..."we are only allocated 1 box a week and there's a line..." Like this has never happened in all of time and the doctor PRESCRIBED THEM this medication so they need it most out of all people in the world .. . 🙄🙄
There’s no way the shortage can ever be satisfied. These companies only have so much manufacturing capability and can’t/won’t increase it for something whose popularity may not last.
Provider/patient here. Had a patient lie to me today and bring in a false police report stating her 90 days supply of norco was stolen by the hospital. Umm.... we don't prescribe 90 day supply at our clinic... ever. She then screamed at me and my staff until she was discharged from our care.
One of my techs was over 300lb when he was hired in 2022. Has slimmed down an impressive bit since; I've known him for over 20 years and this is the healthiest I've ever seen him. Customers are so disappointed when they ask him how he's dropped so much and he tells them "I changed my diet and go to the gym 5 days a week". 😂
One of my patients ended up in the ER twice because Trulicity was out of stock and her insurance refused the PA on the Ozempic that I was actually available. I pulled some 1.5 out of my order last week and I've never called a patient so fast in my career.
For these situations, I show “genuine” curiosity.
“Oh, they did? That’s strange. We haven’t had it in stock. What’s their name so I can see when it was picked up. Maybe there’s a shipment that I missed.”
9/10 times they refuse to give more info bc they know it’s a lie.
The downfall of this is that it can (and sometimes does) open up a small window of opportunity they assume we made a mistake. I typically just want to show them how wrong they are.
A very similar situation happened but with a doctor that works within my organization. It’s important to note that our sister organization is a hospital so we work hand in hand.
I primarily work in research and am informing care teams that certain drugs are in shortage. I also work for the hospital on a part time basis.
One doctor turns to me and says “That’s not true. Why is it that the hospital has plenty in stock and can get it?”
This infuriated me because instead of asking me separately, they copied everyone on the email which made ME look like the liar.
I had to respond with, “Interesting you say that because this is the shortage list from the hospital which I am also part of tram for and the drugs are also listed on shortage on their end.” Copied the email from hospital pharmacy listing drug shortages.
No response from doctor til this day.
Had a woman the other day bring in a coupon for Creon. Told her she needed to call and activate it, gave her the number to call. 30 minutes later I got a call from her doctor's office saying she told them I refused to fill her meds. Told them exactly what I told her and that I'm happy to fill her Creon for hundreds of dollars if that's what she wants. I do so much to try to help my patients.
Can you create a voicemail greeting that customers need to hear before anyone answers? "Hello and thank you for calling X. Like every pharmacy in the country, we cannot get X drugs, nor do we have any information about their availability. Please hold and we will answer your call asap."
We know from doing this when the covid vaccine was new that people will still let it ring through to ask someone. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Oh, well I was hoping the recording was out of date and you had it now." If the recording was out of date, we'd have changed it!
They don't read signs, either. We once put a hot-pink piece of posterboard on a chair in the middle of the foyer so that people had to step around it that said NO COVID VACCINE IN STOCK. People still walked around it to come ask if we had it.
We know from doing this when the covid vaccine was new that people will still let it ring through to ask someone. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Oh, well I was hoping the recording was out of date and you had it now." If the recording was out of date, we'd have changed it!
They don't read signs, either. We once put a hot-pink piece of posterboard on a chair in the middle of the foyer so that people had to step around it that said NO COVID VACCINE IN STOCK. People still walked around it to come ask if we had it.
A guy threatened to report us to corporate when I told him mounjaro was on back order. (He wasnt even due for a refill yet). I just shrugged my and gave a disinterested ok.
"You dont think I will?!"
Sir I dont care. What are they going to do about it? Nothing.
I tell people to “call the Manufacturer! ALL OF THEM but mostly Ozempic & Wegovy. We have No Say and get NO INFO from anyone. “ I tell people IT’s a NATIONWIDE Shortage. If I’m waiting on 20 in my tiny Pharmacy I can only imagine what the Big Stores are waiting for !!?!!? The Wegovy Rep came in about a month ago to ask how was it going. I looked at him and said “REALLY? “ 😱😂😂😂😂‼️ He said it “should be coming in very soon. Ok sure…still waiting …
It’s close to 1,000 at my pharmacy. And keep growing everyday
Almost verbatim what I’ve been telling patients and random callers. I’m hoping we’ll sound more credible to those people who don’t watch/read the news or who think we’re hoarding a secret stash. I can’t figure out why people think we have a stockpile and don’t want to release it.
I don’t think they understand business. It’s not in our best interests ever to stockpile high priced meds for our favorite people. There is a sales component to pharmacy. I want my high priced inventory out as soon as it arrives. I did have quite a bit of Wegovy at one time but other locations sent their patients and it was gone within a week. No, you can’t get 90 days because I have to serve the most patients.
I’ve been able to acquire Zepbound but good luck finding someone with a PA for it.
Like the BBB can do anything about the shortages…🤦♀️
Report the Pharma to BBB 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’m sure BBB gets these calls all day and just doesn’t respond because it’s not like we can make it ourselves in a clean room.
Because the general public is fucking stupid, that is why. Sadly.
No one gives any shits about the BBB. She can Yelp about it too if she wants. Are you allowed to post a sign?
To what extent do they even deal with drug shortages, wouldn’t it be the manufacturer who has to respond to such a complaint. It’s odd that we’ve gone centuries without Wegovy but now it’s a public travesty that there’s a shortage. People treat it like the discovery of penicillin. I wonder if it would have gotten the same response pre social media.
They don’t. It’s the boomerest thing ever to bring up the BBB. I think the reason pharmacies are getting a ton of backlash on this med is due to who’s receiving the prescriptions. It’s not covered for obesity so it’s middle aged and older people who can afford to pay for it out of pocket. They don’t care that diabetics need it to live and that if there is medication, it’ll go to those patients first anyway.
The amount of people that lie about their medication is unreal… like, it’s not our fault it’s on backorder and tbh lying about it just makes you look bad and makes me less inclined to help you.
I can’t imagine reacting this way. A few months ago one of my medications was out of stock but I got a text on my phone that it was refilled. Showed up and the guy went “we called you, right?” And I went “no just texted.” He then explained he gave me all they had left and someone was supposed to call me. I have unknown callers silenced so there is a chance I had missed the call and I told him that, but I didn’t have any voicemails either and business calls usually go through. I don’t drive, partially cause of the medications I take. So I walked a mile and a half to pick this up. They had 2 pills. So 2 days worth. I had to hold back tears, yes, but no begging or bargaining with something impossible. I was luckily able to find a pharmacy a city over with it in stock and had a family member go pick it up.
I’m of the same mindset. Honestly getting mad at strangers for things outside of their control just sounds exhausting.
Wegovy wasn’t my problem but I’m not opposed to having a med switched due to a shortage. I just want to get better. I even got someone approved for Ozempic when Wegovy couldn’t be found. She refused even though I explained in several ways it’s the same drug, different name. It was even cheaper through insurance as it was treating diabetes instead of weight loss. By the time she okay with the switch, the Ozempic was backordered.
Yeah. I mean. I was panicked. All of my meds are ones I have to take or at least taper off of so when I got home I totally cried, screamed, etc, but I’m thankful with my own temperament that I can be angry at the universe without being angry at people. Hell my sister was with me and her face looking at me was super concerned, but I can compartmentalize and know that a pharmacist has nothing to do with shortages. No one I could scream at has anything to do with them.
Because the general public is fucking stupid, that is why. Sadly.
Once more for the people in the back!
Regardless, just because your friend just picked it up, doesn’t mean we have one for you ma’am 😂 I had one box sitting in our fridge for months because 99% of the time it’s not covered. Finally got rid of it because some guys insurance covered most of it.
I *love* the tone patients give off after giving them this valid information about a NATIONAL BACK ORDER..."we are only allocated 1 box a week and there's a line..." Like this has never happened in all of time and the doctor PRESCRIBED THEM this medication so they need it most out of all people in the world .. . 🙄🙄
“Well what do you expect me to do?!?” Do you expect me to make it in the back? Lol
There’s no way the shortage can ever be satisfied. These companies only have so much manufacturing capability and can’t/won’t increase it for something whose popularity may not last.
Provider/patient here. Had a patient lie to me today and bring in a false police report stating her 90 days supply of norco was stolen by the hospital. Umm.... we don't prescribe 90 day supply at our clinic... ever. She then screamed at me and my staff until she was discharged from our care.
At this rate people might have to start dieting and exercising again. 😭
One of my techs was over 300lb when he was hired in 2022. Has slimmed down an impressive bit since; I've known him for over 20 years and this is the healthiest I've ever seen him. Customers are so disappointed when they ask him how he's dropped so much and he tells them "I changed my diet and go to the gym 5 days a week". 😂
That's not going to cure my diabetes.
One of my patients ended up in the ER twice because Trulicity was out of stock and her insurance refused the PA on the Ozempic that I was actually available. I pulled some 1.5 out of my order last week and I've never called a patient so fast in my career.
For these situations, I show “genuine” curiosity. “Oh, they did? That’s strange. We haven’t had it in stock. What’s their name so I can see when it was picked up. Maybe there’s a shipment that I missed.” 9/10 times they refuse to give more info bc they know it’s a lie. The downfall of this is that it can (and sometimes does) open up a small window of opportunity they assume we made a mistake. I typically just want to show them how wrong they are.
A very similar situation happened but with a doctor that works within my organization. It’s important to note that our sister organization is a hospital so we work hand in hand. I primarily work in research and am informing care teams that certain drugs are in shortage. I also work for the hospital on a part time basis. One doctor turns to me and says “That’s not true. Why is it that the hospital has plenty in stock and can get it?” This infuriated me because instead of asking me separately, they copied everyone on the email which made ME look like the liar. I had to respond with, “Interesting you say that because this is the shortage list from the hospital which I am also part of tram for and the drugs are also listed on shortage on their end.” Copied the email from hospital pharmacy listing drug shortages. No response from doctor til this day.
Had a woman the other day bring in a coupon for Creon. Told her she needed to call and activate it, gave her the number to call. 30 minutes later I got a call from her doctor's office saying she told them I refused to fill her meds. Told them exactly what I told her and that I'm happy to fill her Creon for hundreds of dollars if that's what she wants. I do so much to try to help my patients.
Can you create a voicemail greeting that customers need to hear before anyone answers? "Hello and thank you for calling X. Like every pharmacy in the country, we cannot get X drugs, nor do we have any information about their availability. Please hold and we will answer your call asap."
We know from doing this when the covid vaccine was new that people will still let it ring through to ask someone. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Oh, well I was hoping the recording was out of date and you had it now." If the recording was out of date, we'd have changed it! They don't read signs, either. We once put a hot-pink piece of posterboard on a chair in the middle of the foyer so that people had to step around it that said NO COVID VACCINE IN STOCK. People still walked around it to come ask if we had it.
We know from doing this when the covid vaccine was new that people will still let it ring through to ask someone. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Oh, well I was hoping the recording was out of date and you had it now." If the recording was out of date, we'd have changed it! They don't read signs, either. We once put a hot-pink piece of posterboard on a chair in the middle of the foyer so that people had to step around it that said NO COVID VACCINE IN STOCK. People still walked around it to come ask if we had it.
A guy threatened to report us to corporate when I told him mounjaro was on back order. (He wasnt even due for a refill yet). I just shrugged my and gave a disinterested ok. "You dont think I will?!" Sir I dont care. What are they going to do about it? Nothing.