So, what is your pharmacist doing behind those counters that seems to take so long sometimes?

Filling prescriptions involves many processes. There is more to it than counting pills and labeling bottles.

During the filling process the prescription must be read and input into the pharmacy’s computer system.
Over 90% of customers have insurance, so the prescription must be transmitted to your insurance claims processor for approval.
Next the correct medication must be counted or measured, packaged and labeled.
Then your pharmacist must verify the prescription information the packaged medication and label.
The prescription makes it’s way to the checkout counter where you can pay and be on your way.

Sounds easy, Right?

Each of these steps can be disrupted which slows the process and can cause minor delays (minutes) or major delays (days) depenidng on where the process stops.

The prescription may be poorly written and difficult to read. Information may be missing which is required to process your prescription.
Your insurance may have special requirements or “prior authorization” requirements, meaning your prescriber must provide additional information to them before the claim will be approved. At this point you may choose to pay cash instead, but many medications are very expensive.
Counting, packaging and labeling are usually fast and simple unless the order has multiple prescriptons. This increases the time to get them ready for approval by the pharmacist.
Pharmacist verification is the last step between your medication processing and you receiving your medication. It is very important to verify accuracy, appropriateness, dosing, drug interactions and disease interactions during this step.
Once the pharmacist verifies the prescription, it will be sent to the checkout area. Please remember to ask to speak to your pharmacist if you have not taken this medication to cover questions and proper use of the medication.

As I said. Sounds easy. But the devil is always in the details.

Questions?