Leaving an Impression

Today I called a doctor about a prescription that wasn’t covered by a patient’s insurance. While explaining that the insurance company suggested an alternative that would be covered, the doctor on call asked me what the indication was for the medication. I explained that pharmacists don’t usually have access to that kind of information, only what the prescriber sends us, but the medication is usually used for X indication. He told me he would send me a new e-script, so I thanked him and hung up the pretty routine phone call to get back to work. 

A few minutes later (presumably after he consulted the patient’s chart), I received a new script for the covered medication and when I opened it, the instructions box included a note from the doctor specifying the indication. It seemed that my words had left an impression. 

Most people don’t know that pharmacists routinely struggle with limited information on prescriptions and many prescribers even get annoyed when we call for more information in order to do our due diligence. Many old-school doctors do not want their authority questioned. But this doctor was new. He was young. And he was open-minded. He was used to having access to a plethora of patient information, and after our short conversation, he agreed that I, as a health professional, should have access too. 

Since getting my license a few weeks ago, it seems to me that most pharmacists do not expect that my exuberance and optimism will last. After years in the field, I understand that they are jaded. But as a new practitioner, I still have faith. I am still optimistic. And though I speak with people all day who are not affected by my words in the slightest, a select few walk away with a better understanding of my responsibilities, my intentions, and maybe even some respect for what I do. 

Bottom line: I help people get their medications. Along the way, I try and help patients and prescribers understand the vital function that pharmacists play, in a landscape that treats us like people who simply put pills in bottles. I do put pills in bottles sometimes, but most of the time, I am a patient advocate. I communicate with prescribers and insurance companies, and with access to very little information, I fight to find my patients medications that they need and can afford, while also making sure their doses and instructions are accurate and appropriate. I am a health-care provider. I am a double-triple-quadruple multitasking female warrior. I am a pharmacist.