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#569075 - 09/25/07 05:52 PM
Direct Script Issues in California
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toolboy
Veteran
Registered: 07/12/07
Posts: 595
Loc: Somewhere, But Not Here.
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As a big advocate of Direct Script OCS on this board, I thought I would consider putting my money where my mouth is and check it out. The OCS's I looked into were all out of state. First stop along the way was to call some pharamcies to see if I could get a script filled, if I were in possesion of one:
I called 10 chain type pharmacies similar to Walgreens, sometimes different stores of the same chain asking if they would fill an out-of-state script. I heard a variety of responses from: "NO", to "Yes, but we have to SEE the script first" , and lastly "Yes, but we have to see if the script complies to CA requirements" At that point, nobody would offer what they meant by "looking at it" , or the requirements.
I did 2 things:
1. I looked up the 214 page document and went to the "prescription requirements" section. Here is the link to the document:
http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/pharmacy_lawbook.htm
I found in there: the out of state doc must meet the same license requirements in their state as a doctor in CA would; the pharmacist could "interview the patient" to determine authenticity of the script; there was specific information that needed to be on the script: meds, doseage, refills, names, signatures, etc. And finally the Bomb: the script needed to be on a "California Secure Blank". That had its own requirements which were detailed.
2. Now being armed with the facts (please note I am no longer "nervous about asking" that it is no longer a "personal" decision by the pharmacist, rather a law-based issue) I called 10 more pahramcies and focused in on the California Secure Blank and that IS the issue: An out of state paper script will be filled provided the doctor uses the required blank. I do not know if an out of state doc can acquire these blanks.
A kind Lady Pharmacist I called said she would be willing to call the doctor to not "validate" the script, but to "convert" it to an "oral script" which is allowed by state law. 18 of the 20 pharms called did not offer to call the doc, but did say the doctor can call us.
What does all of this mean:
A. An out of state paper script, alone, is unlikely to be filled by a CA pharmacy if they follow the law.
B. An out-of-state doctor can "call" in the prescription with few questions asked, if any, providing they are legitimate, and licenses are up to date.
C. It is possible, if you ask, the pharmacy will call the doctor for you to create an "oral script".
I did not research ALL of the DS OCS companies, but the few I asked said: they would NOT call in the script; if the script could not be filled, they would refund my money; their doctor WAS available for verification/oral script IF the Pharmacy called them.
Folks, I am an amatuer here, but this is a week's worth of research. I may be wrong about this. This is only MY personal experience. Feel free to post your own.
Anybody who knows of a California DS service, please post or PM me.
_________________________
..I'd sell my soul, my self-esteem, a dollar at a time; for one taste, one kiss, one taste of you my Magdalena...
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#569195 - 09/25/07 10:06 PM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: boltin1]
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toolboy
Veteran
Registered: 07/12/07
Posts: 595
Loc: Somewhere, But Not Here.
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You are right. I was stoked to actually "find something out." Thanks to you Boltin1 for showing me how to jump in to an issue, and actually come up with some facts, links to the Pharm Board, etc. The master has trained the grasshopper well...LOL..
This stuff is accessible, and no great mystery. CA sure covered their @@s on the paper script side. I never imagined it would come down to a technicality like the form it was printed on. Somehow I though it would be a policy issue of the pharm, or how the pharmacist felt that day.
_________________________
..I'd sell my soul, my self-esteem, a dollar at a time; for one taste, one kiss, one taste of you my Magdalena...
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#569228 - 09/26/07 03:19 AM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: toolboy]
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JamestKirk
Newbie
Registered: 12/19/05
Posts: 35
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Hey there,
Good work! This is the type of searching we all need to be doing.
I live in North Carolina so I checked the Site for NC pharmacy laws and i can't find any part that says you need a "Secure NC Blank".
It does say that it needs a tamper resistant blank for the script. Maybe i'm looking at the wrong place. I tried, http://www.pharmacy.nc.gov . There is no such site. So a search came up with this site http://www.NCBOP.org.
Question for us NC'ers is if the scripting services use tamper resistant blanks.
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#569344 - 09/26/07 08:36 AM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: nicnak]
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toolboy
Veteran
Registered: 07/12/07
Posts: 595
Loc: Somewhere, But Not Here.
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Each state will have its own security standard. The computer paper is likely a form of unique manufacture. Your state should have Rules about out of state scripts but may not have a requirement for a "your state only" form. California is a "cross roads" state, and perhaps the Pharm Board did that so the pharamacists did not have to be "in the business" of detecting fraud.
I will say, in my telephone travels to all the Pharms, large and small, corporate, and local, they ALL mentioned in some way the necessity of the correct CA script form, and/or the option/necessity of a call with the doc. Additionally, and this is just my area, there was NO indication that they are on the "lookout" for internet users at all. There were NO questions on why I might have an out of state script. I did not feel they were "after me"
_________________________
..I'd sell my soul, my self-esteem, a dollar at a time; for one taste, one kiss, one taste of you my Magdalena...
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#570237 - 09/27/07 09:51 AM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: toolboy]
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katydid419
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 06/03/04
Posts: 1427
Loc: Tir Na Greine
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Toolboy,
Great research, by the way!!Thanks for that, even though I am in FL, and most DS seem to use FL docs, from what I have seen. Anyhow, I was wondering if you mentioned that this script would be a controlled substance...I know that can sometimes make a difference in certain pharmacy practices. Just curious...
peace, and thanks again
Katy
_________________________
"It's a dangerous business, going out your door...You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet..there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit.
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#570368 - 09/27/07 11:57 AM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: toolboy]
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jamespiv
Journeyman
Registered: 03/11/06
Posts: 66
Loc: Cali USA
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Great research. We are in California as well and have been looking for a direct script program. I do know that a while back, my wife had an issue with the pharm that her OCS was using & they actually allowed her to transfer the script. She called a local Walgreens, told them what the medication was and gave them the # to the delayed pharm in Florida. She went in an hour later & picked it up - no questions asked. She even had 1 refill available that they filled for her with no problems. Seems that many places will not allow this type of transfer and site many reasons for not allowing it. I would also be very interested in knowing of a direct script program that will phone in the script to the pharm instead of sending a paper. Just seems much safer - afraid to put my money out there and wind up with something that I cannot use.
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#571443 - 09/28/07 06:28 PM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: mjones]
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toolboy
Veteran
Registered: 07/12/07
Posts: 595
Loc: Somewhere, But Not Here.
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for thoes that didnt know, http://phoneconsultation.com has a doctor in LA, California, therefore you can visit the doc without med records and he will write a prescription for hydrocodone which you simply pick up you meds at a local wallgreens etc, much simpler if you live near Los Angles and you only need to visit the doc once a year, the rest is done over the phone for re-consults, also no shipping costs:)
Yes I have heard of them. A trip to LA is 1 hour and 100 dollars via plane from where I live. I here the doc is awesome too. Hmmmm... I do have a business trip to LA next month.
_________________________
..I'd sell my soul, my self-esteem, a dollar at a time; for one taste, one kiss, one taste of you my Magdalena...
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#602829 - 11/20/07 04:58 PM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: toolboy]
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kay4
Enthusiast
Registered: 01/04/05
Posts: 234
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Just my own opinion, I posted it somewhere, maybe not here but, it seems scripts that are called in VS. having an actual paper script sent to you, is much better. I mean called in scripts go fine in California. I have had no problems what so ever. With the exception of Walgreens, most pharmacies will take a phoned in script.
Thanks for that great information toolboy, I appreciate seeing that!
My advice for folks thinking of going the DS way is to make sure the OP Dr. calls in the script, do not go with a place that sends the paper 
Happy Thanksgiving all!
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#644175 - 02/05/08 11:35 AM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: kay4]
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ConsultsDirect
ConsultsDirect.net
Threadhead
Registered: 09/05/07
Posts: 824
Loc: 90 Days Supply
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We've successfully delivered over 1599 Prescriptions and didn't need to have The Doctor call in any of them. Some needed to be verified, but that's only normal.
We just sent out 30 on Monday, all arrived today and everything seems fine with them also.
I guess some are simply worried.
I think toolboy hit the nail right on the head with this topic.
Debbie
Customer Service
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#648764 - 02/12/08 08:47 PM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: ConsultsDirect]
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ConsultsDirect
ConsultsDirect.net
Threadhead
Registered: 09/05/07
Posts: 824
Loc: 90 Days Supply
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It's very important to compare value, quality along with service when your thinking about which Direct Script Company to go with.
We offer a 100% Guarantee.
After you have received your consultaton and you've called your local Pharmacy to just make sure they will fill your Prescription (99% will with out any problem). And for some reason, your Prescription can not be verified (Our Pa Service and Doctor verifies Prescriptions everyday), we will happily refund your money.
However, we would like the opportunity to verify the Prescription with the Pharmacist.
I don't think any other Direct Script Company offers this.
Debbie
Customer Service
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#654737 - 02/21/08 04:08 PM
Re: Direct Script Issues in California
[Re: ConsultsDirect]
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ConsultsDirect
ConsultsDirect.net
Threadhead
Registered: 09/05/07
Posts: 824
Loc: 90 Days Supply
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Thank you Bryan for posting the lead-in to this on another Thread.
I still think this is very important
Debbie
Customer service
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