Drug Topics Voices 10-10-2015

The pro’s approach

Re: “Is pharmacy safety possible?” [The Cynical Pharmacist, September 16, www.drugtopics.com]:

Please do not make your first move a call to OSHA. Being in customer service, I have the ability to realize that when I get poor customer service, I need to go back to the company with the attitude that it was unintentional and that the company wants to do the right thing. I realize that the person I will talk to rarely is the person who caused the problem and many times is not the person who will solve the problem. However, I start with the idea that they will be happy to solve my problem.

The above scenario should be addressed within your company with the attitude that the company really does want what is best for the company, which means that it wants what is best for its employees.

If I were in that situation, I’d move up the line in the following order (the positions may change in different companies; I’m using the structure of a large company I used to work for): 1. My district manager 2. My regional manager 3. The VP of the pharmacy division 4. The company president 5. OSHA.
Anonymouswww.drugtopics.com

See also: Drug Topics Voices 09-10-2015

On the other hand

If you are concerned about your safety and the safety of colleagues, calling OSHA is a great suggestion!

Some years ago, I had a medical insurance check applied to a totally different company by the insurer’s check processor. After weeks of phone calls and personal visits, neither the insurer, my bank, nor the bank that received the check would do anything about correcting the error that they all acknowledged. They suggested I contact the company into whose account the check was deposited and see whether  it would cut me a check to correct the problem.

Instead I called my state representative, who called the state banking commission, which resulted in a return of the money to my account within a week and a personal apology issued by all parties involved.

I’m sure if OSHA received 100 complaints from pharmacists, there would soon be a huge chapter in its rules to specifically cover safety in the pharmacy workplace.
Anonymouswww.drugtopics.com

Call the feds

And if you’re tired of 12-hour shifts, try the Federal Department of Labor. In the past it has had some pretty interesting ideas about overtime beyond any 8-hour shift (even if less than 40 hours per week are worked). If your pharmacy deals with federal programs (Medicare, etc.), it may be subject to federal requirements. But if no one complains, the DOL can’t do anything.
Anonymouswww.drugtopics.com

Who’s gonna make those drugs?

Re: “Rising Rx prices front and center in presidential campaign” [Mark Lowery, September 24, www.drugtopics.com]:

To raise prices as Mr. Shkreli and others have done shows how unethical these people have become. To compensate by lowering the price, it would be imperative to find out what country will actually manufacture the medication.
Bob Katzwww.drugtopics.com

See also: Drug Topics Voices 08-10-2015

Modest proposal

How about fixing the rules so that to make a billion dollars you actually have to cure a disease or significantly improve people’s lives - not just combine two drugs created by your grandparents’ contemporaries!
Anonymouswww.drugtopics.com

Harsh words

Re: “Court: Pharmacist responsible for pharm tech’s massive theft” [Mark Lowery, September 25, www.drugtopics.com]:

How could he not know? He had to have known. He probably lied and knew all along. He didn’t know his counts were off or his sales/budget? He never checked his invoices or he is just stupid!

Paula Waltonwww.facebook.com/drugtopics

Moral: Watch your invoices

216,000 doses in 18 months ... and the pharmacist did not catch on? He probably should not be practicing.
Bruce Floydwww.facebook.com/drugtopics