Related Links Just How Many Prescriptions Can One Pharmacist Oversee? Pharmacy Chains Have Multiple Problems that Lead to Medication Errors |
Most people don’t like waiting for anything or on anyone. We live in a world where we are used to getting answers on the Internet instantaneously and are promised great customer service and short wait times. So when we run into a long line or lengthy wait, we typically aren’t prepared for it and don’t have the patience necessary to deal with the situation. This is why most chain pharmacies rush to fill prescriptions and get customers in and out of their doors as fast as possible.
Not only do pharmacies know they can make more money when they rush to fill prescriptions, but they also know they can typically make customers happier when there are short waits. However, sometimes pharmacies are so backed up and busy that they have long lines and lengthy wait times. While waiting for your medication may be frustrating, it can also indicate a problem with the medication. For example:
- The pharmacy may be too busy or short staffed to spend the necessary time on your prescription, resulting in you receiving the wrong medication.
- The pharmacy doesn’t have the medication your doctor prescribed on hand and fills it with a generic or similar drug—possibly filling your prescription incorrectly.
- The pharmacy only has one pharmacist on duty to check all the prescriptions going out of the pharmacy—unable to catch all the prescription mistakes the pharmacy techs made.
Short wait times can also indicate there is a problem with your medication, as the pharmacy might have rushed through filling your prescription—resulting in a prescription error. While it is a good thing that a pharmacy takes adequate time filling your medication, beware that too long of a wait can indicate there is a problem with your prescription. As a rule, you should always check your prescription at the pharmacy, and have the pharmacist review your prescription with you in order to prevent a pharmacy error. To help save others from getting the wrong pills, please share this blog on Facebook with those you know.