ReTell Pharmacy

Ever feel a little guilty for calling out sick? Me too. How about the joy of patients asking (demanding) their medication for free? Yep... been there. And finally, YOUR least favorite medications to deal with in this insane world of retail pharmacy. Remember, you're not alone.

Time for a little dose of honesty. I was vastly under-prepared this week. But you guys came through with your patients of the week. The best episodes are those that are driven by your stories including patients/nurses who want us to read minds (spoiler: we can't), patients who think melting ice cream should make their rx first in line, and the "HIPAA police". And we wrap it all up on a positive note. Enjoy!

This week you guys brought it with some interesting and flat-out weird patients of the week (which is the best kind). Also, in your pharmacy district, there's often the store that meets all of corporate's ridiculous quotas and then some. It's definitely an eye-roll moment and it definitely happens to all of us. Last, but certainly not least, it's time to recognize our techs... HAPPY PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DAY!

This week we have a jam-packed episode to kick off your October. Ever hit a patient's bone when giving a vaccine? Of course you have, so have I. We get into that as well as pharmacists who trust vs don't trust their techs. Also, can we talk for a minute about the weird questions we get from pet owners wanting us to dose medication for their dog/cat when they should just GO TO THE VET. Finally, let's be honest, we all cut corners in the pharmacy... these are our #PharmacyConfessions - Enjoy!

On this special 60th episode of the show, we get into some interesting and just-plain-weird patients of the week. Included are patients who want to sue and those that get mad because they can't buy rx only medications over-the-counter. Ever have random shoppers give their two cents when they overhear you giving a patient advice? Yeah, me too. Finally, let's talk about sketchy doctors, because we have all dealt with them... which means you're not alone.

On today's episode: the first Pharmacist Of The Week! Also, when things don't go well for a patient (ex. having to wait longer for an rx, rx isn't called in, etc) who gets the brunt of their anger? Cashiers and techs, that's who. And we all know it, bc they're on the frontlines all day, everyday. We also talk about the idea of Tamiflu going OTC and all the annoyances that come with GoodRx. Enjoy!

This week on the ReTell podcast: you ever have patients say things like they're allergic to Tylenol but not Norco? Of course you do. So do I. We also get into many more of your patients of the week and talk about patients who stand WAY too close to everyone else. Last, but not least, there are pharmacists who are not great to work with, especially for techs. It makes for a really long, tough shift and it doesn't have to be that way. I repeat, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.

Let's be honest, most rxs for inhalers are sent with a note on the hard copy to give the patient a spacer. The problem is, no one wants them... well, almost no one. It can also be kinda frustrating when patients only know what their tablet looks like, not what it's for or the name. And finally, patients asking for recommendations to "rid their body of toxins" *insert eye roll* We're all dealing with it... it's time you know, you're not alone.

Fall is upon us... which means flu shots. Last week we discussed corporate quotas. To meet those quotas, we often feel like salesmen, right? Right. We also dive into your patients of the week, including those patients who have no shame when eating at the pharmacy counter. We'll throw a little technician praise in this week and end talking about those customers/patients who just don't take no for an answer. Enjoy!

Fall is rapidly approaching which, as usual, provides a whole host of challenges for us in the retail pharmacy world. Probably at the top of that list is flu shots and the corporate quotas that come along with them. So let's talk about it. Also, we dive into your patients of the week and that subtle (but sweet) feeling of proving a patient wrong after they yell at you. And, last but not least, we get to end this week on a positive note (woop!)

What a fun one this week... we dive into your (and one of my own) patients of the week which includes a threat to "go home and die" if the patient doesn't get her medicine, patients who get out of their car and walk up to the drive-thru window (really?), and getting really long stories before a patient ever tells you their name/date of birth. Only one topic this week but it's something we all experience: that very familiar patient face but you just can NOT remember their name. Enjoy!

On today's episode, we get into some great patients of the week... including those who stand right in front of you while telling their spouse they're about to ask you a question (it's more annoying than it sounds and it happens WAY too often). Also, can we please just talk about people who get mad when you won't violate HIPAA? Finally, the customers who want you to ring up their entire cartful of items. I know you're all going through it and you're not alone.

It's been put off long enough, we have to talk about it... flu shots. They're looming and we have to be ready. Well, as ready as we CAN be. Also, on today's episode, we dive into your patients of the week, patients who come up to the pharmacy but don't actually need any help, and the joy that comes when you don't have a medication in stock. We all deal with this stuff, so remember, you're not alone.

We all have at least one patient who believes in you... like REALLY believes in you. In their mind, you're the only one in the pharmacy who knows how to do anything. It's flattering, but can be frustrating, right? Also, patients love to discuss price at the counsel window when it should really only be about the medication itself. Finally, do you ever not feel comfortable filling an rx? Of course, we've all been there. But what do you do about it? Let's talk about it.

I'm so excited and humbled for this episode. Not only is it number 50, but it's been a year (well, basically) since we began this journey of letting you know you're not alone in what you go through at work. I can't thank you enough for the support this past year, it's been a blast. And we're just getting started. Let's get into some patients of the week, patients who only want to speak to the pharmacist, and prescribers who send in the same rx to multiple pharmacies. Enjoy and Thank you!