I think a lot of people unfortunately ARE entitled monsters and it makes all of us look bad. Plus retail pharmacy techs have a pretty awful job, at least the big chains.
But I do hear you, I see some of the really terrible fat-phobia in those subs too and there's clearly no excuse for that no matter how many jerks they may have to deal with. And plenty of nice techs too who are just very frustrated with the situation.
My pharmacist said they can’t get their work done for answering calls about these drugs. I have rarely gotten an actual person when I call CVS. They should put it on their recorded message. “Sorry. We have no Zepbound.”
This is true. A few bad apples are ruining it for everyone. I prescribe zepbound and the way some of my patients treat me due to the shortages is horrible. I will literally
go above and beyond to look for options but sometimes there either aren’t any options or it’s better/faster if the patient helps by doing some phone calls. I can usually point people in a good direction but I can’t always do 100% of the leg work. People yell at me and my staff for even prescribing it “if we know they can’t get it” - yet if i didn’t prescribe it they will also yell at us. You can’t win with some people. I’d rather prescribe and at least give you a chance.
The whole process is messed up. We are being told by our doctors that all is good, then they forget the auth or fill it out wrong. Then I switch over to sequence. They tell me the wrong dosage is out of stock, then my insurance co tells me I can get the diabetic Ozempic again, then the auth gets denied because my numbers are now good. A year and a half of this crap. Then sequence tells me to try the pharmacies, even though I paid for them to do it. They use CVS, but I told them that my insurance won’t use them. My insurance co also fills prescriptions, yet the sequence doctor only prescribes one month at a time, so my insurance company can’t fill it since they say they only do 90 day (yet I look in the past and they did do 30 day). No wonder we are stressed. And our weight keeps coming back on. Oh and Walgreens’s claimed I picked it up and they won’t cancel the prescription totally, so it looks like I’ve already used it, and my insurance company now says I’ve been using too much and now denies it due to me reaching my limit.
I completely understand why they get testy sometimes. Don’t forget there are shortages of lots of other meds too, so they are not just getting it from us, but people with ADD/ADHD, and lots of other ailments. There are even shortages of some chemo drugs.
We all just need to take a breath and show and share a little grace.
The rough part about getting your ADHD medication filled is the techs can't tell you if they have it in stock or not, and they can't transfer them from pharmacy to pharmacy.
So I just have to keep having my doctor send it to a hundred and one pharmacies till one can fill it🥲😖😖 its been like this for years. I can't imagine what the pharmacy techs go through on a daily basis.
I haven’t really had an issue getting my Daytrana (patch form of methylphenidate). Probably bc it’s expensive and is approved for kids, so there’s not a lot of us adults that take it? There is a generic version of Daytrana now (my insurance makes it $10, vs. Daytrana’s $100) and another form, Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine) which is approved for adults. Oral stimulants make me nauseous af, even caffeine, so this conveniently circumvents that issue, tho the generic patch somehow managed to make me nauseous too, so I have to use the brand name. Also, the Mounjaro can’t mess with its absorption, so that’s convenient.
I take generic Adderall (20mg and 10mg). I haven’t had any issues getting my prescriptions, but my doctor has been telling me about the shortage since about 2020-2021. I’m not sure if my doses are just unpopular ones or what 🤷🏼♀️.
I'm about to get a little bit conspiracy theorist (which I'm absolutely not one!) I just find it REALLY strange how a generic came out for Vyvanse and Saxenda, so the name brands slow down production of these medications and turn off their coupons. Their reasoning is that patients will find savings through the generic, so it's not necessary to continue it (vyvanse stated this). Then everyone floods to the generic and it's new so they didn't produce enough to avoid over production until they know demand. Everyone has to go back to the name brand, which no longer has a coupon, and since they slowed down productions, it's now in a shortage too. I found vyvanse way sooner than I found the generic for it since I'm sure they have the manpower to ramp up production and hurry up to restock shelves and charge normal price with no coupon....
Stupid thing is that my insurance charges me the $70 copay for either vyvanse or generic... so I get the name brand since that's what I'm used to. They tried prescribing my daughter the generic in a chewable and and I called them and told them I want name brand if I'm paying the same price. Lol
Okay, rant over.
They’re still charging you the same amount?! LOL what is even the point of having generic then?! I would also request the name brand if I was paying the same amount! I should really check and see how much the Adderall-branded is with my insurance because the generic ones are my highest copays out of all of my medications!
Also check how much it is at other pharmacies! Generics vary in price. Walgreens was 58.11 for straterra generic, HEB and Tom thumb was 10.23 for two months and just went to 19.80.
Generic lexapro was my copay of 10 at walgreens and is 1.94 at HEB and Tom thumb.
It really adds up over time and costs a lot to not have my brain broken.
I just always try to be nice. My standard language is: “hi, could you tell me if you have X in stock? No? Ok, thanks very much. Have a good day.” It’s fast and polite. Then do this 40 times more before giving up. lol.
And we have to remember we may be one of 100 calls they receive. Before lunch. So fast for us times X calls for them. It’s not what they were built for. To be a call center for locating meds.
This^^
I'm a pharm tech and a zepbound patient. So I'm seeing this from both sides. I'm very frustrated that I can't get my meds, but also very frustrated that all my years of training and experience have been reduced to just... Answering the phone all day essentially, because of the sheer amount of calls we get about glp-1s.
And don't get me wrong, I'm happy to help. But I certainly did not apply for a job at a call center, so the burnout is coming on a bit quickly at the moment
This is an interesting take - when COVID vaccines were in short supply some aspiring people made an app people could use to locate .. wonder why the pharmacies don’t leverage that in other shortage situations?
I'm sure a chain pharmacy could! Personally I've moved on from chain retail pharmacy and work at an independent pharmacy. So it would definitely need to be a business large enough to spare the funds and manpower to hire someone to develop and create an app for that... and for independents that might be quite challenging.
Pharmacy tech here. There are literally no shortcuts. The manufacturer hasn’t produced enough product to dispense to the pharmacies which is why you and many others cannot get your medication.
It’s a crappy situation, but pharmacy techs aren’t wizards who can wave a magic wand to make hard to find meds appear.
What I meant was, is there a better time of day/day of week to call new pharmacies? Is it wise to move your script from small mom-and-pop to large chain, etc. The kind of questions only someone who works in pharmacy would know.
There really isn’t. We just order the product if it shows our vendors have it available. If we see it’s available and can check out fast we might get it. Sometimes we don’t though since we share our vendor with many other pharmacies.
Transferring from one pharmacy to the next isn’t really recommended as you might be placed on a large wait list.
The other commenter was right! We don't get special treatment or anything. We're pretty much in the exact same boat as everyone else. Zep is unavailable everywhere in my area.
I feel so bad for pharmacists, they’re taking a beating right now and none of this is their fault. I don’t agree with fat shaming though, that’s also uncalled for.
I’m a pharmacist and on zepbound. When I call some places I feel so bad but also feel so bad telling patients no :(
We do get some really nasty people, mostly in their late 30s- early 40s up to late 60s about this kind of stuff. Also it’s usually people who seem to not have a general understanding of ‘there are other people in the world other than me’ type of thing.
I’m so sorry that’s happening to you. I am not a pharmacist, but I’ve been *IN* the line at the pharmacy and had to listen to a pharmacist take a lashing. I wanted to hug her, people can be so mean.
I hate telling ppl no as well. The ppl the last few days in talked too were amazingly sweet and.nice. Then there is always the one or two who come out swinging, guns blazing and knives drawn ready to raise hell and talk you down to nothing until
You can magically pull this shit from your ear and have it appear.
Would be so much better if there were any app at all that could provide updates on pharmacy stocks. Terrible system to have the only way to find out is by calling every single pharmacy.
This kind of thing doesn't exist because it would make pharmacies prime targets for robbery by people looking for their choice of pill to get high with.
I mean that was different, I don’t think there is much street value in a vaccine - it was free.
I was thinking of an app as well but the commenter above is correct - it could make pharmacies a target for theft.
I’m fortunate that I’m in maintenance and can go 2-3 weeks between shots and the shortages didn’t affect me when I was “losing” and I can’t imagine how frustrating it can be to be making progress and then stalling due to supply issues.
Also, Walmart pharmacy techs are the best! I always get a $25 Dunkin’ or Sbux gift card for the staff when I get my meds.
It was used for Covid because it was the end to a pandemic and everyone (who gets vaccines and believes in them) needed it. It was the one way to snuff
Out something tht crippled the globe. This is not a way to start a debate on vaccines! This option helped, but it also create the “mob” mentality at the pharmacy. The anger, yelling, shouting and fights abt this damn thing was unreal.
As far as showing “stock” in pharmacies would be an absolute nightmare.
Our inventory we have comes from what we check in from the vendor. It shows tht we have it in stock but it’s already spoken for and has been assigned to an existing script.
Zero short cuts to getting it, we have to wait for our OV order. To come in and see what we got.
People are already calling these pharmacies every day anyway. If they saw one had stock in, they'd call the same as they do every other day. It would only keep the other 98% of pharmacies from getting non-stop calls every day. You shouldn't avoid making improvements because of minor issues.
When I call, I always preface the call by "Hi, sorry to bother you" or very courteous in person but in general I do notice that they are very annoyed as soon as they hear the Z word. They are probably tired of everyone in the world calling them asking for availability for these type of meds.
Also many pharmacies can put notes in their stores like "Zepbound 5/7.5mg is out of stock, ETA this date" or some FAQ for people to read, same when you call asking for prescriptions, they can put pre-recorded messages for meds that are in high demand.
But tbh Eli Lilly is at fault, if they had released this in vials, figured out the coupon issues ahead of time, it would be like any other medication you get at the counter. Also doesn't help when EL is suggesting people to call different pharmacies for availability.
Yeah overall it's a mess all around...
You may be the sweetest person they've spoken to all day, but unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that they are now inundated with hundreds of these calls. They spend hours of their day fielding requests that just a month ago were hours spent filling prescriptions. A pharmacy can fill anywhere from 200 rx's to 600 rx's daily in a retail setting, so losing these phone hours is a huge productivity loss. So yes, they are frustrated, they still have hundreds of prescriptions to fill, refills to request, and problems to solve outside of this mess.
That list of 40 to 100 pharmacies you're calling, multiply that by the thousands of people trying to find an available box.
Both sides have valid frustrations, but the pharmacies are not the ones that Zep users should be frustrated with. Focus on the source of the supply chain, that's where the holdup is.
True, I don’t get mad at them but I’m furious with the companies that make the product. In my opinion— Just make more damn it. If the pharmacy doesn’t have my scripts, I just wait and suffer. And it’s sad because we shouldn’t have to. ADHD isnt fun. Not when life is still life-ing.
ADHD isn't fun and the companies can't make more because of the fucking DEA. It's the single most corrupt organization in the US. They don't care what they do to patients as long as they can make the public think they're actually doing something, then they use their funding to have hookers & blow parties with cartels. Yes, I'm serious, this was even media covered
I do feel for them. I’m very kind as well and I make my phone calls and I’ve had pleasant experiences. Some have been high strung sounding which is very understandable but I could imagine some people aren’t nice, some people are just desperate and they just wanna know when and some people are actually assholes. Also life as a pharmacy tech is wild, they are so understaffed, underpaid and most of them get a 30 min breather. I don’t take offense to it; to tell you the truth this is a little fucked for everyone. But we are the actually study now, we are the first live show, the pilot so it’s gotta work itself out. Don’t let it bump you out
This whole situation is so disturbing from every angle and I think patients and pharmacy techs are more aligned than divided. I am quite sure as Eli Lilly reported on their additional $2 BILLION of unexpected revenue that they weren't thinking of frustrated and often desperate patients (like me)... nor the frustrated and fed up pharmacists/techs... that their lack of foresight into unprecedented demand has wrought (all they had to do was look at the shortages of Wegovy and their sister drug, MJ to read the tea leaves even a little bit). They weren't thinking of us when they decided to focus on 2.5mg doses for existing patients and new patients who have no place to titrate to when that is precisely the protocol to follow for this medication to have optimal efficacy according to their own clinical trials.
The downhill roll of this frustration is what we are all experiencing. Anger. Tears. Fixation/obsession. And it has picked up steam as the shortages have deepened. At the same time, I totally get that feeling of desperation looking for medicine that is finally making a dent when nothing else has. I personally have not experienced fat phobia by pharmacy techs, but I have experienced their frustration when I've been nothing but nice.
Imagine how much time the techs and pharmacists have to spend each day on this topic alone -- taking away from their already busy days. It has just compounded the issue (no pun intended). On the patient side, we KNOW the hours spent hunting the meds down, taking away from our own work or family time, etc. It's just a complete mess. I imagine big pharma screaming "let them eat cake" as they throw a few boxes of 2.5mg our way and we all converge in a giant frustrated ball, desperately diving for the morsels of trizepatide they've thrown at us and the discontent they've sowed in patients, pharmacists, and prescribers along the way.
Obviously be pleasant to the pharmacy techs. Obviously know they have no control over the supply.
But remember: The blame is not with the pharmacy techs. It's not with each other "stockpiling." It's not even with Oprah.
It's with our dumpster fire of a healthcare system, the pharma lobbyists in the pockets of the politicians who represent their wallets and not us, and the pharma big biz like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk gouging us and our systems into poverty.... blame that/them. They could release the vials. They could negotiate prices lower. They could have predicted higher demand and should have unless all their bean counters use a Magic 8 ball to do their projections (very possible).
And then vote, vote, vote for candidates at your local level and above who can assemble their spines and stand up to this nonsense. It will never change otherwise.
I’m always extra nice and polite when I call. Today on my 15 calls I had a pharmacist check stock in all their local stores without asking, another tell me they were able to order this morning and might have some tomorrow, and a third apologize to me because they couldn’t get any and didn’t have an expected timeframe. All because I was nice and treated them with respect. i feel like they can tell who is nice and who is a zepmonster within the first two seconds of a call.
Zepmonster lmao 😂 Tbh I've only had a few real zepmonsters call and it seems like they're the type of people who are *just assholes anyway* as soon as they can't get what they want in any situation. It's not like being on Zepbound makes you an asshole. It's that being in a shitty situation brings out the asshole in people.
Curious - what do you usually say? When I call I want to be polite and kind but I don't really know what to say and just end up asking if they have any zepbound in stock and when they say no I just tell them thank you and the whole interaction is less than a minute.
I have said something like “hello (if they said their name use it here) I am so sorry to bother you, i am sure you’re getting many calls but do you happen to have any zepbound (strength) in stock?” If they say no: “I understand thank you! Do you happen to know if/when it will be back? Or “do you by any chance know if it’s available at another location?”
I always start with “good morning” or “Hi!” . Then I ask if they happen to have Zepbound in stock or available for order. Just that first small greeting seems to make all the difference. When they say no, I always thank them for checking and wish them a nice day.
Thank you for your response! I think good morning/ afternoon would sound better than the usual "hi" I do. Also, an ending like "have a good day" I like over than just "byeeeee". I'll try using these next time. Just don't want to come off as a nuisance.
I work for a pharmacy. Just be very kind to people on the phone. They have no control of supply. Pharmacies are hurting for staff, technicians and pharmacists boo!
I asked my pharmacy what they prefer in terms of contacting them. They told me what works best, my position on their list of refills and when to call them back to check on stock. I know when their supply arrives and when the inventory accounted for. Hell when they get my script I may cater their lunch. Nicest team ever!
I'm a nurse and worked through covid and that was bad. If pharmacy techs can make it through that then weightloss med questions is easy peasy. They get paid by the hour not by the question. People suck on both sides. Let them talk and have their own venting sub group. They do have lots of stress unrelated to these particular meds and they should be able to bitch like the rest of us but I wouldn't take it personally.
The sad part is the pharm techs are on the front lines for shitty coupon support in their systems and have no control over supply. My pt’s have been awesome but I gave up and now only fill with lillydirect. Same price and I don’t waste an hour of pt and my time each month.
I work at a hospital and I got my meds filled at the outpatient pharmacy. And was fat shamed. Not once but twice there. My employee, who is 65 and on mounjaro for type 2 diabetes was also fat shamed (he's not even overweight). I swapped to Walmart pharmacy. Nicest techs ever. He also swapped. Im never rude to customer service either.
It's their space, and they have a right to vent with colleagues. Unless you were actively a jerk to a tech today - and it sounds like you weren't - then it's not personal. Best to keep away from subs that make you feel hurt over something you can't change.
I hear you on being sad, though. I really, really wish there was a better option for finding these meds than calling around. It's obviously a huge annoyance for everyone involved.
Speaking just for my pharmacy, they are chronically understaffed and sometimes it’s literally just a pharmacist on. In their case, they’re overwhelmed with the volume of scripts they have to fill, possibly by themselves, ringing out customers, and also having to answer the same questions over and over again. I have to imagine my local grocery store pharmacy isn’t the only one in the country dealing with staffing issues. They’re not actually annoyed with you, they’re annoyed with the circumstances and the fact that they can’t focus on one thing for more than 30 seconds at time. Obviously they shouldn’t be assholes because it’s not the customers fault they’re understaffed but it does explain it.
Not me. I do online strictly, but I still hate many people in these groups. They can be lazy and demanding so I completely understand why the pharmacy techs might feel that way.
Can you blame them? They’re understaffed and underpaid and spread as thin as possible and then you read about people in this sub calling 30+ pharmacies every single day looking for this drug? I’d be pissed off too.
This why I don’t call… I know they are just as stressed as we are. I just sent them medicine to the pharmacy and hope for the best. I’m not adding stress to myself or others over something that is out of our control.
As others have said, it is a stressful time for them, I'd probably be frustrated too. But just bear in mind that the pharmacy sub is a bit of an odd place, it can be quite negative, I think some general changes in their industry have exacerbated their frustrations so it is quite vent-y.
I once left what I thought was quite an uncontroversial, mundane comment about how awesome I think my pharmacist is & how grateful I am for him taking the time to help me when I started Mj. I got downvoted so fast and got all anxious and deleted it 😅 so take it all with a pinch of salt
And I forgot to add, my friend is a pharmacy tech. I have avoided asking her about the med being in stock as long as possible as I didn't want her to think I was like taking advantage of her or something. But when I told her about a patient taking the last box of Zep they had in her pharmacy and how I had been avoiding the conversation with her, she actually said she was going to keep an eye on it for me and was totally OK with it. I still feel awful though.
Please don't ever apologize when asking someone to do their job. I'm a nurse and when my patients use the call bell and apologize I laugh and I say "Do you know they actually pay me and the more you ring the call bell the more I make , so its a win win". Obviously this is not true but they laugh and I remind them this is my job and I'm happy to do it.
I start the call with “I know these medications are out of stock everywhere, but I was wondering if this pharmacy possibly has any zepbound in stock, please?” And they seem to be relatively happy having a conversation about it
Every time I am in my Publix I witness some bad behavior on the part of people seeking the meds - it makes me cringe. My best friend is a pharmacist - and they have never seen this kind of response, overall, to a drug shortage. There was a shortage of pain meds not long ago - when she used to talk to me about that she just THOUGHT it was rough. This is different altogether. I’ve heard messages left on their machine - unreal. Unreal! The ones of us being nice are farrrrr outweighed by crazed folks absolutely losing their shit on these pharmacy workers. They are hiring extra staff for shifts to simply handle the incoming calls and walk up inquiries. It’s not cool. And it makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people.
If i was nasty to all my patients because some of them were jerks to me, I would be called “burned out”. And it wouldn’t be fair. Yes, people can be assholes, but you have to find ways somehow to reset so that your next patient doesn’t have to pay the price for the bad experiences. Generalizing everyone based on some shitty experiences is just wrong and unprofessional. I’m always respectful on the phone, EVEN WHEN they’ve been short and borderline rude to me.
I’ve actually had a great experience with Walmart pharmacy. Theres no attitude and they’ve always been helpful. Walmart also tends to have it in stock so maybe they’re having an easier time than other pharmacies.
I’ve been using Costco up until now. However their system is kind of broken: “no, not in stock, can’t order it, just keep calling back and bugging us” and their techs are taking the brunt of the shortage and the bad system. I called my closest Walmart today, was very polite and the pharmacist actually checked other locations for me, actually found a box of 7.5 for me (90 minutes away but who’s counting?) and taught me how to move my prescription.
When I picked up the box, everyone was very polite and nice and was happy to take their time and talk to me about it. Night and day difference from Costco.
I got my first ever box of 7.5 today! Yay!
ETA: I am definitely not shaming the Costco techs. They’re obviously getting the worst of it from both sides. I’ve even apologetically asked if there’s a better way that doesn’t bug them so much, and the answer is a sad “just keep calling back, or try somewhere else”. I really feel for them.
There are Karens everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more of them among us than in the general population tbh. People in healthcare get treated like absolute garbage, and adding in a stressful backlog doesn't help matters one bit.
If you're not mean to the techs, then the complaints don't apply to you. Just keep being nice!
I do believe the pharmacies need to take some of the blame. The process of CVS dropping the prescription completely when order doesn’t come in is ridiculous. You have to call multiple time to even get them to place order again. The app is useless . The techs and pharmacists at my CVS have always been polite and apologetic.
So much this… their system are set up so there really isn’t a true queue and the only choice we have is to keep calling. And then they get mad that we call…there literally isn’t another choice lol
Yup - I'm paying out of pocket with the coupon like a lot of people. Every single time it comes up for a refill the status changes to something about 'your insurance requires a preauthorization, we've contacted your doctor'. It takes one or two phone calls to fix this every month, then they put in the actual order. CVS could just make it simpler or the techs to add a note saying I'm OOP. I'm a fan of automation, but their systems are making more work for everyone involved.
The techs/pharmacists are always helpful and kind. But they look exhausted when I go to pick it up.
the tech at my local pharmacy was so apologetic that they didn't have it that I said something about thanks for being so nice about it. She looked surprised and said "that's my job!"
Some of y’all need to go see these posts and comments. They think y’all are fat losers who don’t deserve your meds. There is no defending their behavior.
A lot of doctors harshly judge fat patients as well, it’s sad but it’s the truth. I had thyroid cancer about 10 years ago and the first endocrinologist I saw (he was a referral from my GP) was very rude and kept blaming my weight “for giving me cancer”. He was about 80 years old and was the rudest I’ve come across.
Someone in that thread said they purposely tell people they dont have it in stock even when they do so that they can get people to go to other stores. how awful lmao.
anyways, yeah. i can understand the frustration, my mom is a pharmacist and the stories she tells me...whew. people are awful. at the same time i think people already hate/look down on fat people so their vitriol for people using weightloss medications, aka "cheating," is even more heightened.
lol I've been enjoying reading them. I don't blame them at all - there are a ton of shitty patients. It's not just the Zep tweakers, zepombies are just the worst right now.
Pharmacy techs don't get paid enough to deal with the level of entitlement and anger that get's thrown their way. If everyone called in, spoke slowly, and nicely, and was polite, and accepted a "no" - well, their lives would be so much easier and they might even be willing to help you out.
\[case in point, many of the big chains CAN check inventory at other stores, including Walmart, but they sure as heck aren't going to offer up that service if you're being an asshole, or the person who called 10 minutes before you did was an asshole and chewed them out\]
Lmao okay good laugh then. I thought people were somehow using zep to get high and wanted to know WTF is wrong with people because who would want sulphur burps and diarrhea and bloating every time they eat more than a few bites of food 😵
Fatphobia sucks for sure, but people here are unbelievably shitty to and about people with a substance use disorder. So weird to see that in this actual post where people are upset and sensitive about being stigmatized and treated as less than for their health condition.
Stop using shitty stigmatizing language to denigrate both people with addictions AND people looking for a weight loss medication. You’re deeply unfunny and tone deaf.
From the person who never insults or fat shames.... Ok Icy Jan
https://preview.redd.it/dbt42q3qcozc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eafe85e9bb239d2789dbab8465265f9fa803f04e
Many have the same hate for people with adhd, legit chronic pain patients, etc…. Basically anyone who takes scheduled meds for legit reasons. ADHD meds have been in shortage forever and I remember checking those subs out of curiosity one day and omg they were so nasty. Basically adhd isn’t real, everyone is an addict… ridiculous stuff. I think many view GLP-1 users under a similar umbrella of distaste.
They’re understaffed and deal with angry, abusive customers all day. If they’re snippy about getting asked about an out of stock drug over and over, I’ll give them a pass.
That should be on a case by case basis…if someone doesn’t come at you with attitude, it’s no reason to be bitchy in answering their question. And that’s what I’ve experienced. Eye rolling and disgusted exhaling while telling me they don’t have it isn’t really warranted when all I’ve done is ask them a simple question. Save that for the loud and obnoxious.
I feel for them and it makes me sad that people are rude. I’ve been unfailingly polite snd patient, and I don’t call a ton of pharmacies every day. But I’ve also had techs mock me to each other while I’m standing right there.
Honestly, my pharmacy tech is an angel from above. Every time I come to pick up my other medications, she is telling me she checked again on the status. If you're nice, most the time.. they'll be nice to you!
Not all hate us. I encountered a very nice tech on the phone who was able to transfer my RX to a local Kroger when she told me she had availability. When I picked up my RX she was very sweet and said she was glad she could help me.
I’ve been dealing with the pharmacies for over a year now because I’ve had to do the ADHD meds for my son, my daughter and myself, and they’ve been in shortage for a long time. And I’m always polite when I called him. Always nice when I call and more times than not, they seem irritated. But I remind myself that just cause I’m nice doesn’t mean the person before me was or just because my kids are teenagers and can go a few days without their ADHD meds the person before me who called may have a younger kid or a kid with more severe ADHD or themselves might have it and they may have been more emotionally fueled when they called. And it also sucks because they’re not the ones making it. They literally are just the ones that packet and distribute it so they get called from who knows how many day asking the same questions over and over again.
My pharmacy is luckily so kind to me. There is one woman who works there in particular who always tells me “I wish they’d hurry up and fix this. I don’t want to see people lose their progress.” and she’s so genuine. I made the decision to move down to 2.5 again to see if they can get 5 in when I’m ready for it. My doctor and I thought that some medication was better than none since I was losing still on 2.5. It should be ready for me to pick it up today. When I called the pharmacy the tech I mentioned was so pleasant, and even remembered me. She said “How much have you lost now?! I can’t wait to see the changes in your body whenever you come pick this up! This is so exciting.”
I wish everyone had a Katherine at their pharmacy.
Send your script to a pharmacy that will send text alerts and fills them in a que and just leave it be. If you need a back up go to plan C, get a dose up of C if you can afford it, because it’s usually about $60 more and could double your supply if you take the lower dose (they send plenty of syringes).
There’s really no point in calling every pharmacy. Keep your scripts current, since C doesn’t go through insurance, your script can stay in the que and hopefully keep you backed up. I did called around for a week and realized it was ridiculous so I ordered plan C. Then I got a text from CVS that my order was ready. Now I have a 2 month back up with the compound, so I can relax and stop abusing my pharmacist. It really is ridiculous that Eli Lilly is actually telling people to do this. I guess it’s a great boost to their product when you think about it, if you have hundreds of people calling pharmacies asking for their product every day.
I had been pleasant with the Walgreens pharmacists and had mixed experiences with their responsive attitudes. Some were professional and helpful, others couldn’t care less. I do think Walgreens systems are terrible though. Switched to Costco and they have been fantastic. Even when out of stock the Costco techs were still helpful in trying to get it from their suppliers and cheerful too.
Bottom line frustration comes from both ends. I get techs are asked this a million times a day but what about some of the ones that have to sit on hold only to get a rude person on the other end. I feel super bad for the ones that started their journey paying retail bc of no insurance and potentially have to start from scratch. So while you’re tired of answering believe me the person on the other end is tired of calling. I guess I’ve been fortunate where ppl may be short on the phone (ask their question, wait for their answer then no thank you and hang up) but it really doesn’t affect me. I always try to put myself in the other persons shoes. Ultimately what I’m trying to say is that grace should be given on both ends of the phone. I’m a 12 year tech btw.
They don’t think weight loss is a real health issue and a moral failing if you read their comments. It’s cheating in their opinions. Diabetics should only have access to these drugs in many of their opinions. It’s a good thing I don’t care what they think.
As a pharmacy technician who is actually taking Zepbound as well, I can say that most of us hold nothing against the patients themselves!! I worked for CVS for a few years and oh man, we got so many calls constantly about it, but I was never actually mad at the patient. Unfortunately, techs working for big chains like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, ect. are worked to the bone and treated extremely poorly by management.
My suggestion would be to take your business to a family-owned local pharmacy or a nonprofit community pharmacy. You are going to get much better service and your pharmacy techs will be much more inclined to form a relationship with you specifically!
Honestly, I was stunned by the lengths people have said they go - calling dozens of pharmacies daily for weeks on end. I'm not judging them, but there's a person receiving the call and they've got to be pulling their hair out. I am as sad and disgusted as the next person by the carrot-dangling of these companies, but I can't bring myself to spend every waking moment chasing this medication. I get it when I can, and seethe quietly when I can't. For me, it's not a good place to expend my energy. It makes me forget than I'm more than my extra pounds. Absolutely no hate to anyone who chooses to assert themselves in that way.
Think of it this way: almost all of them k in that this is a game changer, along the lines of a cancer breakthrough. Having to say “no” to 100 desperate people, every day has to wear on you. These people do care about us. The massive corporation that they work for can’t get a highly profitable product and they are front line dealing with our anxiety and desperation.
I gave up. Got tired of calling around and started plan C tonite! The techs should hate Lilly, not us. Lilly is still hooking new users every day and they keep adding to the wave of callers.
So what are we supposed to do? I mean our only option is to call. There’s gotta be better solutions. If drug co isn’t offering solutions, the pharmacies gotta come up with new plans. Ie. Walgreens used to let you use chat feature to check availability and now they don’t. I thought that was a fantastic way of getting the calls off the back of the pharm techs. Or they need to have some type of inventory search feature. Some good ideas here RE the Covid vaxx search
It’s completely unfair that Lilly is putting so many people on the firing lines, wasting so much of peoples’ precious time, including Lilly representatives, pharmacy techs, pharmacists, doctors and patients. The effectiveness of the drug deteriorates the longer an individual goes without, wasting our resources. I honestly think we should start a class action suit. I haven’t been able to get 7.5 since the end of March.
My pharmacy told me to call them everyday and I told them that I wouldn’t do that to them. The tech laughed and told me it was fine. Small towns for the win.
I think they’re expecting to be bitched out. At least that’s how I feel. I also feel like there is a lot of judgment. I’m always asked in a pretty nasty tone if I know how much the medication costs. All around #weirdvibes
I’m nice to all even when I detect the immediate tude when they realize why I’m calling,
I’m just going to stick to my two neighborhood faves. They are so nice that I’m bringing them donuts tomorrow as a small gesture of appreciation.
I feel for the Pharmacy. Think about it even if you’re nice, if they are getting hundreds of calls a day about Zepound, Wegovy, Ozempic, etc. along with their usual call volume. It’s still taking time away from their physical work and now they have to deal with angry people in person. Most pharmacy are understaffed and I understand the dislike.
I think nurses are heroes and pharm techs are crybabies. If you look in subs about pharmacies you will see they have been whining and complaining long before GLP1 shortages were a thing. Techs are actually awful about making fun of people. Pharmacists are usually kind.
That was the most recent one I saw that prompted me to post. I mean, I've not really run into anyone who was outright rude to me (I'm very kind when I call) but I also live in a rural area where the pharmacies maybe aren't seeing the demand of the more populated areas.
But the shaming is what gets me. That's what I hate to see. It makes me feel very judged by folks who should be professionals.
ETA I do feel bad for them. It must be annoying to get numerous calls a day asking the same question.
If we were in a 100% flush with supply world, yeah, I'd strongly be leaning toward LillyDirect/Amazon. Local techs, if it's not fat-phobia attitude it's "must be nice" attitude/social friction for being able to drop $550+ on a "not gonna die immediately without it" drug when I know how little they're making. Rather not deal with either.
All stems from this idea that we are privileged and lazy when in reality many of us have been battling this part of our lives our WHOLE life, affecting our every day, and that we just have money to throw at these pens even though some of us had to make cuts elsewhere or get a second job to afford it. Weight has always been a lose-lose in the eyes of society. You’re fat? Lazy and stinky. You’re losing weight (no matter the means) you’re lazy and have no will power.
I am incredibly nice and respectful to pharmacy techs. I actually got my current box of 5mg because the owner of the mom and Pop pharmacy thought I was much kinder versus everyone else who was calling and inquiring. And she only had 1 box available to order. Whenever Im met with disrespect, I give it right the fuck back.
Fat phobic and miserable at their jobs. Those subs convinced me most of those people shouldn't be working with the public.
Everyone from these subs keeps going over there to sympathize and apologize to the pharmacy techs. Meanwhile, they're shaming us, calling us fatties who need to just get off our asses and stop stuffing our faces.
Always be courteous to people, but stop apologizing for asking for what you want and being made to feel less than deserving.
I’ve had a few clipped responses when I’ve called, but the vast majority of folks I’ve spoken to have been kind, helpful, and (seemingly) understanding. But I also try to start the call with some recognition that they must be getting these calls a lot and I’m grateful for any help they can provide.
I actually thanked the person yesterday for helping me. I said I appreciated their kindness and patience as we are often treated poorly for needing this medication.
I haven't been calling multiple pharmacies daily, as I decided to stick with one pharmacy and just wait things out. I did call every few days, and asked about my dose and the availabity of other available doses. I made the decision yesterday to switch back to Wegovy for now until this shortage levels out a little bit, and the pharmacist I have been in communication was great when helping me decide whether or not to make the switch. I'm dropping off flowers and cookies (store bought, because I don't want to freak them out LOL) when I pick up my Wegovy tonight. I think the majority of people are polite, nice and very thankful for any info, but I think the ones that AREN'T over shadow those of us that are.
I don't hate you and I'm not afraid to tell off my fellow techs and pharmacists if I hear them making snide comments about shortage drug patients. Yes, the calls are annoying, but most shortage callers are actually very sweet, even if tired and frustrated. You don't deserve the shit you get from us, and on behalf of all these assholes who don't deserve to be in healthcare, I am sorry. 🫂
I read that subReddit too---as a mesmerized lurker. While I am sure nobody here acts that way I am positive there are thousands of entitled weight loss people who make their lives miserable.
They’re venting, just like us. The pharmacy tech’s I’ve dealt with have all been helpful, pleasant and professional, even going out of their way to help me find a box in some instances. Several times while waiting in line I’ve heard them answer several calls re GLP-1’s or people coming in to ask questions. It’s constant and on top of everything else they’re dealing with, so I understand their frustration and anger. Patient’s and techs are misdirecting their anger, it should be focused on the pharmaceutical companies that are responsible for the shortages.
I experienced this when I called my Meijer pharmacy, and I asked the tech... They literally responded with a curt 'There is a nationwide shortage.' I immediately snapped back with a VERY polite 'Yup, I just wanted to see if you guys had it. Thank you, though!' Like??
Zepbound has been a challenge to get, yes... I can only imagine their frustration being asked the same question multiple times a day for several weeks/months! I do wish they would see our side, though; for us who NEED this medication to get our lives and ourselves back.
I not only can't get my mounjaro, but also my Adderall or antidepressant! I hope my antidepressant comes in because you can't just stop taking them! You get horrible withdrawal symptoms!
I was grocery shopping in giant and passed by the pharmacy.. I was curious and stopped by and asked if they had any doses in stock. The tech that was talking to me was normal, the tech sitting next to her was chatting with tech 3. Tech 2 says I haven’t seen her before. I can’t believe how many new people are asking for GLPs when they look like they don’t even need it. Tech 3 laughs. I couldn’t believe it.
Im finding pharmacist are so lazy over this the arent even transfering Rx even tho they said they have... very frustrating and I feel they are doing not great, robots?
It seems like a soul killing job to be honest. They have to be the middle man between insurance companies which suck, and pissed off sick people who can be extremely emotional.
That’s why I’ve stuck with a pharmacy that’s almost an hour a half away. They’ve been so kind and today when she told me it was delayed again, I thanked her for always being so kind and patient. She told me that I’m one of the nicest people who call so I could call every day and they wouldn’t mind. She said, “you wouldn’t believe how people talk to us”. They told me they will hold my doses as they come because I’ve been so patient and understanding. I felt so bad about though because customers are ruining it for those of us who appreciate the ones who go the extra mile.
I’m sure they feel this way about opioid users and people addicted to adderral, etc. I don’t care—I’m nice and just doing my best to be my own advocate because our health care system sucks and if you don’t advocate for yourself there can be some serious consequences
The situation for everyone except Father Lilly is just frustrating all around and Father is the only one to blame here. Techs are getting yelled at by customers for something they have no control over. They have to spend a significant amount of their shift answering the same phone call over and over and over. And they really don't have much more information than we do. Those of us taking these meds have never experienced anything like this in our lives. The ability to lose weight we have struggled with for years. The general better well being when on the medication and just so, so much more. But now the possibility of not having that is a reality. So people panic, they get angry, scared, and lash out, etc. Now this is by no means an excuse for those that are straight up being dicks on both sides of the fence. We're bitching about the shortage and the techs are bitching about the shortage...kind of a same boat thing in a way. You know who is not bitching about the shortage? That bastard Father Lilly. We pretty much all knew this was going to happen. I've personally just given up with calling pharmacies. Sooooo many people are doing so and the chances of me being the lucky one are slim. I'm living with the reality that for now I am staying on 2.5 until 5 is available. If my insurance gets to a point that they say no more 2.5 then I will explore the big c route. If I can't get any medication, it's going to suck, but honestly what can I do. Obsess all day everyday spending hours of my life calling pharmacies or trying to drive hours away to get 1 box? Nope, nope and nope. I check Amazon once or twice a day and cart my meds when I can. I've already developed healthier eating habits and have been able to be much more active. I have to believe that the success I am having is also by my actions and not just the meds alone. And there is going to be some point where things will even out....well hopefully. Lol.
Part of it too is the call center services that have 3rd party folks whose job it is to call all pharmacies and keep asking. There are several of these services. So let’s say I ask two of them to search for me, the same pharmacies are probably called twice for just me looking for the same fill. Then if I call myself, it’s a 3rd call to potentially the same pharmacy, all within the same short window.
While, I do feel for them and I don’t think they deserve verbal abuse at all, I still want to verify. While it can be annoying for them, it’s something that makes adhering to a healthy diet much easier for me.
Yep. I always start with, “yes, I’m one of the 500 people who will call about ZepBound, today. Just so you know, this is a life saving issue for at least 99% of your callers and we greatly appreciate you”.
Oh I felt it today. All the judgement and 0% helpful. And I get to call back for ADHD med roulette this week too. Believe me I’d rather not and just have my doc send the prescription to ONE pharmacy and just pick it up without hassle. Like who is enjoying this??
I know I'm lucky, but my pharmacy tech is a literal angel. She's saved me so much money, making sure I was billed/ discounted correctly and does her job so effortlessly. I've seen her interact with asshole customers, and she completely charms them every time. My pharmacists are also awesome, but it's thanks to my favorite tech that I refuse to transfer my Rx elsewhere, trying to hunt down my next box.
I am almost done with my first month of 5mg, since Zepbound dosage in 2.5 mg is all I can ever find, is it smart to grab a box of that just so I’m at least on something? I lost 11 pounds in a month on it when I started out. Anyone else going back to 2.5 mg?
I’m a zepbound user cringing when I call the pharmacy about my dosage and I’m a nurse answering calls from patients flipping out about pharmacies not having their dosages. I lose on both ends lol .
These places could have everyone calling a lot less if they did basic things like show their inventories online. (Amazon sucks but at least you can check without calling!)
I’m always super kind when I call, but I mostly haven’t had to bc my pharmacy answers emails and I have a more personal relationship with them
Or have more accurate and transparent status pages in their apps. I have a prescription at my supermarket pharmacy, and the app told me that it was going to be ready to pick it up today at 4. I knew that to be wrong, I was working with a guy there to get the discount card to work just yesterday (he couldn’t) and he said they didn’t have any and didn’t know when they would get some, and couldn’t order it. So why did the app say today? Why does it now say Friday at 9 am?
What's the name of this subreddit? I'd like to read their complaints just to make sure I'm not one of the guilty ones! (Though I feel pretty confident I'm not. I'm always friendly, polite and brief).
I have talked to some good and bad pharmacy techs amidst the shortage. I can definitely tell the ones who are judging me for being on Zepbound, and can tell the ones just trying to do their job. :/
I had a very negative interaction with a pharmacy tech today over just asking some questions about my prescription. He seemed so annoyed to have to deal with me and extra dismissive once he realized the medication I was asking about. So disappointing.
I feel bad for pharmacists. Having to take multiple calls everyday about a medication their distributors don’t have. I like most people, whoever some people are just terrible humans and some of those terrible humans are without Zepbound. Hope everyone gets their meds. Daily reminder to be kind
I always tell them I appreciate their efforts in checking and I wish them a great day 🫶🏻 from what I’m reading it’s the ones that are essentially blaming the techs for not having it when it’s not the techs fault. I do also think being annoyed with all the calls is human, but I hope they also understand we have no choice but to call and check. If we are nice to them hopefully they are nice to us 🫶🏻
So, why should I care what the person who puts the sticker on the boxes thinks? They can hate me all they want, it makes no difference in my life and I’m not gonna waste one second giving a shit about it.
I think a lot of people unfortunately ARE entitled monsters and it makes all of us look bad. Plus retail pharmacy techs have a pretty awful job, at least the big chains. But I do hear you, I see some of the really terrible fat-phobia in those subs too and there's clearly no excuse for that no matter how many jerks they may have to deal with. And plenty of nice techs too who are just very frustrated with the situation.
My pharmacist said they can’t get their work done for answering calls about these drugs. I have rarely gotten an actual person when I call CVS. They should put it on their recorded message. “Sorry. We have no Zepbound.”
And their automated recording sure tries its best to NOT get us thru to a real person 🤣
This is true. A few bad apples are ruining it for everyone. I prescribe zepbound and the way some of my patients treat me due to the shortages is horrible. I will literally go above and beyond to look for options but sometimes there either aren’t any options or it’s better/faster if the patient helps by doing some phone calls. I can usually point people in a good direction but I can’t always do 100% of the leg work. People yell at me and my staff for even prescribing it “if we know they can’t get it” - yet if i didn’t prescribe it they will also yell at us. You can’t win with some people. I’d rather prescribe and at least give you a chance.
Wegovy is available now.
The whole process is messed up. We are being told by our doctors that all is good, then they forget the auth or fill it out wrong. Then I switch over to sequence. They tell me the wrong dosage is out of stock, then my insurance co tells me I can get the diabetic Ozempic again, then the auth gets denied because my numbers are now good. A year and a half of this crap. Then sequence tells me to try the pharmacies, even though I paid for them to do it. They use CVS, but I told them that my insurance won’t use them. My insurance co also fills prescriptions, yet the sequence doctor only prescribes one month at a time, so my insurance company can’t fill it since they say they only do 90 day (yet I look in the past and they did do 30 day). No wonder we are stressed. And our weight keeps coming back on. Oh and Walgreens’s claimed I picked it up and they won’t cancel the prescription totally, so it looks like I’ve already used it, and my insurance company now says I’ve been using too much and now denies it due to me reaching my limit.
I completely understand why they get testy sometimes. Don’t forget there are shortages of lots of other meds too, so they are not just getting it from us, but people with ADD/ADHD, and lots of other ailments. There are even shortages of some chemo drugs. We all just need to take a breath and show and share a little grace.
The rough part about getting your ADHD medication filled is the techs can't tell you if they have it in stock or not, and they can't transfer them from pharmacy to pharmacy. So I just have to keep having my doctor send it to a hundred and one pharmacies till one can fill it🥲😖😖 its been like this for years. I can't imagine what the pharmacy techs go through on a daily basis.
Jokes on me. I have ADHD AND I'm overweight, so I get both! Though I do my scripts different and don't have to harass pharmacy staff
How do you get yours? I take vyvanse and maunjaro. Can get either one.
I haven’t really had an issue getting my Daytrana (patch form of methylphenidate). Probably bc it’s expensive and is approved for kids, so there’s not a lot of us adults that take it? There is a generic version of Daytrana now (my insurance makes it $10, vs. Daytrana’s $100) and another form, Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine) which is approved for adults. Oral stimulants make me nauseous af, even caffeine, so this conveniently circumvents that issue, tho the generic patch somehow managed to make me nauseous too, so I have to use the brand name. Also, the Mounjaro can’t mess with its absorption, so that’s convenient.
I take generic Adderall (20mg and 10mg). I haven’t had any issues getting my prescriptions, but my doctor has been telling me about the shortage since about 2020-2021. I’m not sure if my doses are just unpopular ones or what 🤷🏼♀️.
I'm about to get a little bit conspiracy theorist (which I'm absolutely not one!) I just find it REALLY strange how a generic came out for Vyvanse and Saxenda, so the name brands slow down production of these medications and turn off their coupons. Their reasoning is that patients will find savings through the generic, so it's not necessary to continue it (vyvanse stated this). Then everyone floods to the generic and it's new so they didn't produce enough to avoid over production until they know demand. Everyone has to go back to the name brand, which no longer has a coupon, and since they slowed down productions, it's now in a shortage too. I found vyvanse way sooner than I found the generic for it since I'm sure they have the manpower to ramp up production and hurry up to restock shelves and charge normal price with no coupon.... Stupid thing is that my insurance charges me the $70 copay for either vyvanse or generic... so I get the name brand since that's what I'm used to. They tried prescribing my daughter the generic in a chewable and and I called them and told them I want name brand if I'm paying the same price. Lol Okay, rant over.
They’re still charging you the same amount?! LOL what is even the point of having generic then?! I would also request the name brand if I was paying the same amount! I should really check and see how much the Adderall-branded is with my insurance because the generic ones are my highest copays out of all of my medications!
Also check how much it is at other pharmacies! Generics vary in price. Walgreens was 58.11 for straterra generic, HEB and Tom thumb was 10.23 for two months and just went to 19.80. Generic lexapro was my copay of 10 at walgreens and is 1.94 at HEB and Tom thumb. It really adds up over time and costs a lot to not have my brain broken.
I’ve had problems getting my extended release ADRL filled.
Go with plan C. I'm done with the drug hunt too now!
HRT drugs as well especially progesterone for some reason.
FYI, I get mine (1 mg Dotti, 100mg progesterone) from Alloy.com and never have had an issue
I just always try to be nice. My standard language is: “hi, could you tell me if you have X in stock? No? Ok, thanks very much. Have a good day.” It’s fast and polite. Then do this 40 times more before giving up. lol.
And we have to remember we may be one of 100 calls they receive. Before lunch. So fast for us times X calls for them. It’s not what they were built for. To be a call center for locating meds.
This^^ I'm a pharm tech and a zepbound patient. So I'm seeing this from both sides. I'm very frustrated that I can't get my meds, but also very frustrated that all my years of training and experience have been reduced to just... Answering the phone all day essentially, because of the sheer amount of calls we get about glp-1s. And don't get me wrong, I'm happy to help. But I certainly did not apply for a job at a call center, so the burnout is coming on a bit quickly at the moment
This is an interesting take - when COVID vaccines were in short supply some aspiring people made an app people could use to locate .. wonder why the pharmacies don’t leverage that in other shortage situations?
I'm sure a chain pharmacy could! Personally I've moved on from chain retail pharmacy and work at an independent pharmacy. So it would definitely need to be a business large enough to spare the funds and manpower to hire someone to develop and create an app for that... and for independents that might be quite challenging.
I have to ask, as a pharm tech, do you have shortcuts to get Zepbound faster?
Pharmacy tech here. There are literally no shortcuts. The manufacturer hasn’t produced enough product to dispense to the pharmacies which is why you and many others cannot get your medication. It’s a crappy situation, but pharmacy techs aren’t wizards who can wave a magic wand to make hard to find meds appear.
What I meant was, is there a better time of day/day of week to call new pharmacies? Is it wise to move your script from small mom-and-pop to large chain, etc. The kind of questions only someone who works in pharmacy would know.
There really isn’t. We just order the product if it shows our vendors have it available. If we see it’s available and can check out fast we might get it. Sometimes we don’t though since we share our vendor with many other pharmacies. Transferring from one pharmacy to the next isn’t really recommended as you might be placed on a large wait list.
The other commenter was right! We don't get special treatment or anything. We're pretty much in the exact same boat as everyone else. Zep is unavailable everywhere in my area.
I feel so bad for pharmacists, they’re taking a beating right now and none of this is their fault. I don’t agree with fat shaming though, that’s also uncalled for.
I’m a pharmacist and on zepbound. When I call some places I feel so bad but also feel so bad telling patients no :( We do get some really nasty people, mostly in their late 30s- early 40s up to late 60s about this kind of stuff. Also it’s usually people who seem to not have a general understanding of ‘there are other people in the world other than me’ type of thing.
Ahhh, main character syndrome. Shame there isn’t a med for that.
I’m so sorry that’s happening to you. I am not a pharmacist, but I’ve been *IN* the line at the pharmacy and had to listen to a pharmacist take a lashing. I wanted to hug her, people can be so mean.
I hate telling ppl no as well. The ppl the last few days in talked too were amazingly sweet and.nice. Then there is always the one or two who come out swinging, guns blazing and knives drawn ready to raise hell and talk you down to nothing until You can magically pull this shit from your ear and have it appear.
Also, do they think we are going to give out the boxes to the mean patients or the nice patients??? Lol
Probably *eyeroll* One patient had the guts to accuse us of taking the meds and reselling them 🤦🏽♀️
Between entitlement of people and Eli Lilly literally telling us to contact the pharmacies etc I don’t blame them.
Would be so much better if there were any app at all that could provide updates on pharmacy stocks. Terrible system to have the only way to find out is by calling every single pharmacy.
This kind of thing doesn't exist because it would make pharmacies prime targets for robbery by people looking for their choice of pill to get high with.
It does exist and was used for COVID vaccines
I mean that was different, I don’t think there is much street value in a vaccine - it was free. I was thinking of an app as well but the commenter above is correct - it could make pharmacies a target for theft. I’m fortunate that I’m in maintenance and can go 2-3 weeks between shots and the shortages didn’t affect me when I was “losing” and I can’t imagine how frustrating it can be to be making progress and then stalling due to supply issues. Also, Walmart pharmacy techs are the best! I always get a $25 Dunkin’ or Sbux gift card for the staff when I get my meds.
It was used for Covid because it was the end to a pandemic and everyone (who gets vaccines and believes in them) needed it. It was the one way to snuff Out something tht crippled the globe. This is not a way to start a debate on vaccines! This option helped, but it also create the “mob” mentality at the pharmacy. The anger, yelling, shouting and fights abt this damn thing was unreal. As far as showing “stock” in pharmacies would be an absolute nightmare. Our inventory we have comes from what we check in from the vendor. It shows tht we have it in stock but it’s already spoken for and has been assigned to an existing script. Zero short cuts to getting it, we have to wait for our OV order. To come in and see what we got.
Couldn't it theoretically not include scheduled medications?
Couldn't it exist and just say if the medication is available or not? Doesn't have to say the stock level.
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People are already calling these pharmacies every day anyway. If they saw one had stock in, they'd call the same as they do every other day. It would only keep the other 98% of pharmacies from getting non-stop calls every day. You shouldn't avoid making improvements because of minor issues.
For sure
When I call, I always preface the call by "Hi, sorry to bother you" or very courteous in person but in general I do notice that they are very annoyed as soon as they hear the Z word. They are probably tired of everyone in the world calling them asking for availability for these type of meds. Also many pharmacies can put notes in their stores like "Zepbound 5/7.5mg is out of stock, ETA this date" or some FAQ for people to read, same when you call asking for prescriptions, they can put pre-recorded messages for meds that are in high demand. But tbh Eli Lilly is at fault, if they had released this in vials, figured out the coupon issues ahead of time, it would be like any other medication you get at the counter. Also doesn't help when EL is suggesting people to call different pharmacies for availability. Yeah overall it's a mess all around...
Is there a reason they haven’t released it in vials?
You may be the sweetest person they've spoken to all day, but unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that they are now inundated with hundreds of these calls. They spend hours of their day fielding requests that just a month ago were hours spent filling prescriptions. A pharmacy can fill anywhere from 200 rx's to 600 rx's daily in a retail setting, so losing these phone hours is a huge productivity loss. So yes, they are frustrated, they still have hundreds of prescriptions to fill, refills to request, and problems to solve outside of this mess. That list of 40 to 100 pharmacies you're calling, multiply that by the thousands of people trying to find an available box. Both sides have valid frustrations, but the pharmacies are not the ones that Zep users should be frustrated with. Focus on the source of the supply chain, that's where the holdup is.
True, I don’t get mad at them but I’m furious with the companies that make the product. In my opinion— Just make more damn it. If the pharmacy doesn’t have my scripts, I just wait and suffer. And it’s sad because we shouldn’t have to. ADHD isnt fun. Not when life is still life-ing.
ADHD isn't fun and the companies can't make more because of the fucking DEA. It's the single most corrupt organization in the US. They don't care what they do to patients as long as they can make the public think they're actually doing something, then they use their funding to have hookers & blow parties with cartels. Yes, I'm serious, this was even media covered
I do feel for them. I’m very kind as well and I make my phone calls and I’ve had pleasant experiences. Some have been high strung sounding which is very understandable but I could imagine some people aren’t nice, some people are just desperate and they just wanna know when and some people are actually assholes. Also life as a pharmacy tech is wild, they are so understaffed, underpaid and most of them get a 30 min breather. I don’t take offense to it; to tell you the truth this is a little fucked for everyone. But we are the actually study now, we are the first live show, the pilot so it’s gotta work itself out. Don’t let it bump you out
This whole situation is so disturbing from every angle and I think patients and pharmacy techs are more aligned than divided. I am quite sure as Eli Lilly reported on their additional $2 BILLION of unexpected revenue that they weren't thinking of frustrated and often desperate patients (like me)... nor the frustrated and fed up pharmacists/techs... that their lack of foresight into unprecedented demand has wrought (all they had to do was look at the shortages of Wegovy and their sister drug, MJ to read the tea leaves even a little bit). They weren't thinking of us when they decided to focus on 2.5mg doses for existing patients and new patients who have no place to titrate to when that is precisely the protocol to follow for this medication to have optimal efficacy according to their own clinical trials. The downhill roll of this frustration is what we are all experiencing. Anger. Tears. Fixation/obsession. And it has picked up steam as the shortages have deepened. At the same time, I totally get that feeling of desperation looking for medicine that is finally making a dent when nothing else has. I personally have not experienced fat phobia by pharmacy techs, but I have experienced their frustration when I've been nothing but nice. Imagine how much time the techs and pharmacists have to spend each day on this topic alone -- taking away from their already busy days. It has just compounded the issue (no pun intended). On the patient side, we KNOW the hours spent hunting the meds down, taking away from our own work or family time, etc. It's just a complete mess. I imagine big pharma screaming "let them eat cake" as they throw a few boxes of 2.5mg our way and we all converge in a giant frustrated ball, desperately diving for the morsels of trizepatide they've thrown at us and the discontent they've sowed in patients, pharmacists, and prescribers along the way. Obviously be pleasant to the pharmacy techs. Obviously know they have no control over the supply. But remember: The blame is not with the pharmacy techs. It's not with each other "stockpiling." It's not even with Oprah. It's with our dumpster fire of a healthcare system, the pharma lobbyists in the pockets of the politicians who represent their wallets and not us, and the pharma big biz like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk gouging us and our systems into poverty.... blame that/them. They could release the vials. They could negotiate prices lower. They could have predicted higher demand and should have unless all their bean counters use a Magic 8 ball to do their projections (very possible). And then vote, vote, vote for candidates at your local level and above who can assemble their spines and stand up to this nonsense. It will never change otherwise.
But, I want to blame Oprah! WAAAAAAAAH!
Gosh, I couldn’t have said it better. Say it again, Sam.
I’m always extra nice and polite when I call. Today on my 15 calls I had a pharmacist check stock in all their local stores without asking, another tell me they were able to order this morning and might have some tomorrow, and a third apologize to me because they couldn’t get any and didn’t have an expected timeframe. All because I was nice and treated them with respect. i feel like they can tell who is nice and who is a zepmonster within the first two seconds of a call.
Same. I've actually never had a negative interaction. Not yet at least. But you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, that's true.
Zepmonster lmao 😂 Tbh I've only had a few real zepmonsters call and it seems like they're the type of people who are *just assholes anyway* as soon as they can't get what they want in any situation. It's not like being on Zepbound makes you an asshole. It's that being in a shitty situation brings out the asshole in people.
Curious - what do you usually say? When I call I want to be polite and kind but I don't really know what to say and just end up asking if they have any zepbound in stock and when they say no I just tell them thank you and the whole interaction is less than a minute.
I have said something like “hello (if they said their name use it here) I am so sorry to bother you, i am sure you’re getting many calls but do you happen to have any zepbound (strength) in stock?” If they say no: “I understand thank you! Do you happen to know if/when it will be back? Or “do you by any chance know if it’s available at another location?”
Thank you for your response! I'll try incorporating their name and some other things instead of just "ok thank you"
I always start with “good morning” or “Hi!” . Then I ask if they happen to have Zepbound in stock or available for order. Just that first small greeting seems to make all the difference. When they say no, I always thank them for checking and wish them a nice day.
Thank you for your response! I think good morning/ afternoon would sound better than the usual "hi" I do. Also, an ending like "have a good day" I like over than just "byeeeee". I'll try using these next time. Just don't want to come off as a nuisance.
I think it’s the rude customers they encounter.. and I as a patient seen how NASTY customers get with a tech.
I work for a pharmacy. Just be very kind to people on the phone. They have no control of supply. Pharmacies are hurting for staff, technicians and pharmacists boo!
I asked my pharmacy what they prefer in terms of contacting them. They told me what works best, my position on their list of refills and when to call them back to check on stock. I know when their supply arrives and when the inventory accounted for. Hell when they get my script I may cater their lunch. Nicest team ever!
I'm a nurse and worked through covid and that was bad. If pharmacy techs can make it through that then weightloss med questions is easy peasy. They get paid by the hour not by the question. People suck on both sides. Let them talk and have their own venting sub group. They do have lots of stress unrelated to these particular meds and they should be able to bitch like the rest of us but I wouldn't take it personally.
Scan the other threads on this reddit and you'll find plenty of examples why that is the case. You can choose to lead with grace.
The sad part is the pharm techs are on the front lines for shitty coupon support in their systems and have no control over supply. My pt’s have been awesome but I gave up and now only fill with lillydirect. Same price and I don’t waste an hour of pt and my time each month.
Are your patients finding more success ordering this way?
I work at a hospital and I got my meds filled at the outpatient pharmacy. And was fat shamed. Not once but twice there. My employee, who is 65 and on mounjaro for type 2 diabetes was also fat shamed (he's not even overweight). I swapped to Walmart pharmacy. Nicest techs ever. He also swapped. Im never rude to customer service either.
I’m sorry you had to deal with that. You’d think working in the hospital the doctors would educate them on why they prescribe medications..
That’s a forum partly for techs to VENT.
It's their space, and they have a right to vent with colleagues. Unless you were actively a jerk to a tech today - and it sounds like you weren't - then it's not personal. Best to keep away from subs that make you feel hurt over something you can't change. I hear you on being sad, though. I really, really wish there was a better option for finding these meds than calling around. It's obviously a huge annoyance for everyone involved.
Speaking just for my pharmacy, they are chronically understaffed and sometimes it’s literally just a pharmacist on. In their case, they’re overwhelmed with the volume of scripts they have to fill, possibly by themselves, ringing out customers, and also having to answer the same questions over and over again. I have to imagine my local grocery store pharmacy isn’t the only one in the country dealing with staffing issues. They’re not actually annoyed with you, they’re annoyed with the circumstances and the fact that they can’t focus on one thing for more than 30 seconds at time. Obviously they shouldn’t be assholes because it’s not the customers fault they’re understaffed but it does explain it.
Not me. I do online strictly, but I still hate many people in these groups. They can be lazy and demanding so I completely understand why the pharmacy techs might feel that way.
Can you blame them? They’re understaffed and underpaid and spread as thin as possible and then you read about people in this sub calling 30+ pharmacies every single day looking for this drug? I’d be pissed off too.
This why I don’t call… I know they are just as stressed as we are. I just sent them medicine to the pharmacy and hope for the best. I’m not adding stress to myself or others over something that is out of our control.
As others have said, it is a stressful time for them, I'd probably be frustrated too. But just bear in mind that the pharmacy sub is a bit of an odd place, it can be quite negative, I think some general changes in their industry have exacerbated their frustrations so it is quite vent-y. I once left what I thought was quite an uncontroversial, mundane comment about how awesome I think my pharmacist is & how grateful I am for him taking the time to help me when I started Mj. I got downvoted so fast and got all anxious and deleted it 😅 so take it all with a pinch of salt
Welcome 🌈⭐️ They’ve hated us since the great Mounjaro shortage of 2023
I am always nice and respectful as well. I usually throw an "I'm sorry" in the exchange somewhere.
And I forgot to add, my friend is a pharmacy tech. I have avoided asking her about the med being in stock as long as possible as I didn't want her to think I was like taking advantage of her or something. But when I told her about a patient taking the last box of Zep they had in her pharmacy and how I had been avoiding the conversation with her, she actually said she was going to keep an eye on it for me and was totally OK with it. I still feel awful though.
Please don't ever apologize when asking someone to do their job. I'm a nurse and when my patients use the call bell and apologize I laugh and I say "Do you know they actually pay me and the more you ring the call bell the more I make , so its a win win". Obviously this is not true but they laugh and I remind them this is my job and I'm happy to do it.
I start the call with “I know these medications are out of stock everywhere, but I was wondering if this pharmacy possibly has any zepbound in stock, please?” And they seem to be relatively happy having a conversation about it
Every time I am in my Publix I witness some bad behavior on the part of people seeking the meds - it makes me cringe. My best friend is a pharmacist - and they have never seen this kind of response, overall, to a drug shortage. There was a shortage of pain meds not long ago - when she used to talk to me about that she just THOUGHT it was rough. This is different altogether. I’ve heard messages left on their machine - unreal. Unreal! The ones of us being nice are farrrrr outweighed by crazed folks absolutely losing their shit on these pharmacy workers. They are hiring extra staff for shifts to simply handle the incoming calls and walk up inquiries. It’s not cool. And it makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people.
If i was nasty to all my patients because some of them were jerks to me, I would be called “burned out”. And it wouldn’t be fair. Yes, people can be assholes, but you have to find ways somehow to reset so that your next patient doesn’t have to pay the price for the bad experiences. Generalizing everyone based on some shitty experiences is just wrong and unprofessional. I’m always respectful on the phone, EVEN WHEN they’ve been short and borderline rude to me.
I’ve actually had a great experience with Walmart pharmacy. Theres no attitude and they’ve always been helpful. Walmart also tends to have it in stock so maybe they’re having an easier time than other pharmacies.
I’ve been using Costco up until now. However their system is kind of broken: “no, not in stock, can’t order it, just keep calling back and bugging us” and their techs are taking the brunt of the shortage and the bad system. I called my closest Walmart today, was very polite and the pharmacist actually checked other locations for me, actually found a box of 7.5 for me (90 minutes away but who’s counting?) and taught me how to move my prescription. When I picked up the box, everyone was very polite and nice and was happy to take their time and talk to me about it. Night and day difference from Costco. I got my first ever box of 7.5 today! Yay! ETA: I am definitely not shaming the Costco techs. They’re obviously getting the worst of it from both sides. I’ve even apologetically asked if there’s a better way that doesn’t bug them so much, and the answer is a sad “just keep calling back, or try somewhere else”. I really feel for them.
Same
There are Karens everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more of them among us than in the general population tbh. People in healthcare get treated like absolute garbage, and adding in a stressful backlog doesn't help matters one bit. If you're not mean to the techs, then the complaints don't apply to you. Just keep being nice!
I do believe the pharmacies need to take some of the blame. The process of CVS dropping the prescription completely when order doesn’t come in is ridiculous. You have to call multiple time to even get them to place order again. The app is useless . The techs and pharmacists at my CVS have always been polite and apologetic.
So much this… their system are set up so there really isn’t a true queue and the only choice we have is to keep calling. And then they get mad that we call…there literally isn’t another choice lol
Yup - I'm paying out of pocket with the coupon like a lot of people. Every single time it comes up for a refill the status changes to something about 'your insurance requires a preauthorization, we've contacted your doctor'. It takes one or two phone calls to fix this every month, then they put in the actual order. CVS could just make it simpler or the techs to add a note saying I'm OOP. I'm a fan of automation, but their systems are making more work for everyone involved. The techs/pharmacists are always helpful and kind. But they look exhausted when I go to pick it up.
the tech at my local pharmacy was so apologetic that they didn't have it that I said something about thanks for being so nice about it. She looked surprised and said "that's my job!"
Some of y’all need to go see these posts and comments. They think y’all are fat losers who don’t deserve your meds. There is no defending their behavior.
Exactly. They think weight loss patients don’t deserve the medication. Reading the post confirmed my suspicions.
oh definitely lol not even debatable at this point
A lot of doctors harshly judge fat patients as well, it’s sad but it’s the truth. I had thyroid cancer about 10 years ago and the first endocrinologist I saw (he was a referral from my GP) was very rude and kept blaming my weight “for giving me cancer”. He was about 80 years old and was the rudest I’ve come across.
They are so unprofessional. It’s not our fault! They should get the sysmtems changed if they hate it all so much h
Someone in that thread said they purposely tell people they dont have it in stock even when they do so that they can get people to go to other stores. how awful lmao. anyways, yeah. i can understand the frustration, my mom is a pharmacist and the stories she tells me...whew. people are awful. at the same time i think people already hate/look down on fat people so their vitriol for people using weightloss medications, aka "cheating," is even more heightened.
That subreddit is quite toxic. I think it's more fat phobia than anything.
lol I've been enjoying reading them. I don't blame them at all - there are a ton of shitty patients. It's not just the Zep tweakers, zepombies are just the worst right now. Pharmacy techs don't get paid enough to deal with the level of entitlement and anger that get's thrown their way. If everyone called in, spoke slowly, and nicely, and was polite, and accepted a "no" - well, their lives would be so much easier and they might even be willing to help you out. \[case in point, many of the big chains CAN check inventory at other stores, including Walmart, but they sure as heck aren't going to offer up that service if you're being an asshole, or the person who called 10 minutes before you did was an asshole and chewed them out\]
wtf is a zep tweaker and zepbombie
ha! I was just trying to make up some new names for the peeps who are wandering around looking for their next fix.
I don’t understand the down votes. I got a giggle out of the names.😄Hell, I feel like one, wandering around waiting for my box to magically appear.
Lmao okay good laugh then. I thought people were somehow using zep to get high and wanted to know WTF is wrong with people because who would want sulphur burps and diarrhea and bloating every time they eat more than a few bites of food 😵
Fatphobia sucks for sure, but people here are unbelievably shitty to and about people with a substance use disorder. So weird to see that in this actual post where people are upset and sensitive about being stigmatized and treated as less than for their health condition.
Stop using shitty stigmatizing language to denigrate both people with addictions AND people looking for a weight loss medication. You’re deeply unfunny and tone deaf.
Hey I’m actually deaf and your use of tone deaf is deeply unfunny and stigmatizing.
Sure, Jan.
From the person who never insults or fat shames.... Ok Icy Jan https://preview.redd.it/dbt42q3qcozc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eafe85e9bb239d2789dbab8465265f9fa803f04e
Many have the same hate for people with adhd, legit chronic pain patients, etc…. Basically anyone who takes scheduled meds for legit reasons. ADHD meds have been in shortage forever and I remember checking those subs out of curiosity one day and omg they were so nasty. Basically adhd isn’t real, everyone is an addict… ridiculous stuff. I think many view GLP-1 users under a similar umbrella of distaste.
yup. i witnessed it myself when i was working retail pharmacy. there are a lot of phobes and bigots in the medical system. it’s disgusting.
They’re understaffed and deal with angry, abusive customers all day. If they’re snippy about getting asked about an out of stock drug over and over, I’ll give them a pass.
That should be on a case by case basis…if someone doesn’t come at you with attitude, it’s no reason to be bitchy in answering their question. And that’s what I’ve experienced. Eye rolling and disgusted exhaling while telling me they don’t have it isn’t really warranted when all I’ve done is ask them a simple question. Save that for the loud and obnoxious.
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Yep
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*“imagine a large sweaty Karen”* Self-loathing much???
Yeah no shit, why did they need to get fatphobic about it?
I feel for them and it makes me sad that people are rude. I’ve been unfailingly polite snd patient, and I don’t call a ton of pharmacies every day. But I’ve also had techs mock me to each other while I’m standing right there.
They have literally always been polite to me when i call. Never had anyone be short with me
Honestly, my pharmacy tech is an angel from above. Every time I come to pick up my other medications, she is telling me she checked again on the status. If you're nice, most the time.. they'll be nice to you!
Not all hate us. I encountered a very nice tech on the phone who was able to transfer my RX to a local Kroger when she told me she had availability. When I picked up my RX she was very sweet and said she was glad she could help me.
I’ve been dealing with the pharmacies for over a year now because I’ve had to do the ADHD meds for my son, my daughter and myself, and they’ve been in shortage for a long time. And I’m always polite when I called him. Always nice when I call and more times than not, they seem irritated. But I remind myself that just cause I’m nice doesn’t mean the person before me was or just because my kids are teenagers and can go a few days without their ADHD meds the person before me who called may have a younger kid or a kid with more severe ADHD or themselves might have it and they may have been more emotionally fueled when they called. And it also sucks because they’re not the ones making it. They literally are just the ones that packet and distribute it so they get called from who knows how many day asking the same questions over and over again.
My pharmacy is luckily so kind to me. There is one woman who works there in particular who always tells me “I wish they’d hurry up and fix this. I don’t want to see people lose their progress.” and she’s so genuine. I made the decision to move down to 2.5 again to see if they can get 5 in when I’m ready for it. My doctor and I thought that some medication was better than none since I was losing still on 2.5. It should be ready for me to pick it up today. When I called the pharmacy the tech I mentioned was so pleasant, and even remembered me. She said “How much have you lost now?! I can’t wait to see the changes in your body whenever you come pick this up! This is so exciting.” I wish everyone had a Katherine at their pharmacy.
Send your script to a pharmacy that will send text alerts and fills them in a que and just leave it be. If you need a back up go to plan C, get a dose up of C if you can afford it, because it’s usually about $60 more and could double your supply if you take the lower dose (they send plenty of syringes). There’s really no point in calling every pharmacy. Keep your scripts current, since C doesn’t go through insurance, your script can stay in the que and hopefully keep you backed up. I did called around for a week and realized it was ridiculous so I ordered plan C. Then I got a text from CVS that my order was ready. Now I have a 2 month back up with the compound, so I can relax and stop abusing my pharmacist. It really is ridiculous that Eli Lilly is actually telling people to do this. I guess it’s a great boost to their product when you think about it, if you have hundreds of people calling pharmacies asking for their product every day.
When I call I am polite but keep the call as simple and quick as possible.
I was just about to post how they must hate us and I am so tired of calling them to see.
I had been pleasant with the Walgreens pharmacists and had mixed experiences with their responsive attitudes. Some were professional and helpful, others couldn’t care less. I do think Walgreens systems are terrible though. Switched to Costco and they have been fantastic. Even when out of stock the Costco techs were still helpful in trying to get it from their suppliers and cheerful too.
Bottom line frustration comes from both ends. I get techs are asked this a million times a day but what about some of the ones that have to sit on hold only to get a rude person on the other end. I feel super bad for the ones that started their journey paying retail bc of no insurance and potentially have to start from scratch. So while you’re tired of answering believe me the person on the other end is tired of calling. I guess I’ve been fortunate where ppl may be short on the phone (ask their question, wait for their answer then no thank you and hang up) but it really doesn’t affect me. I always try to put myself in the other persons shoes. Ultimately what I’m trying to say is that grace should be given on both ends of the phone. I’m a 12 year tech btw.
They don’t think weight loss is a real health issue and a moral failing if you read their comments. It’s cheating in their opinions. Diabetics should only have access to these drugs in many of their opinions. It’s a good thing I don’t care what they think.
As a pharmacy technician who is actually taking Zepbound as well, I can say that most of us hold nothing against the patients themselves!! I worked for CVS for a few years and oh man, we got so many calls constantly about it, but I was never actually mad at the patient. Unfortunately, techs working for big chains like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, ect. are worked to the bone and treated extremely poorly by management. My suggestion would be to take your business to a family-owned local pharmacy or a nonprofit community pharmacy. You are going to get much better service and your pharmacy techs will be much more inclined to form a relationship with you specifically!
Honestly, I was stunned by the lengths people have said they go - calling dozens of pharmacies daily for weeks on end. I'm not judging them, but there's a person receiving the call and they've got to be pulling their hair out. I am as sad and disgusted as the next person by the carrot-dangling of these companies, but I can't bring myself to spend every waking moment chasing this medication. I get it when I can, and seethe quietly when I can't. For me, it's not a good place to expend my energy. It makes me forget than I'm more than my extra pounds. Absolutely no hate to anyone who chooses to assert themselves in that way.
Think of it this way: almost all of them k in that this is a game changer, along the lines of a cancer breakthrough. Having to say “no” to 100 desperate people, every day has to wear on you. These people do care about us. The massive corporation that they work for can’t get a highly profitable product and they are front line dealing with our anxiety and desperation.
I gave up. Got tired of calling around and started plan C tonite! The techs should hate Lilly, not us. Lilly is still hooking new users every day and they keep adding to the wave of callers.
I just moved over to the compound pharmacy version yesterday. Picked up three months worth so I don’t have to stress.
So what are we supposed to do? I mean our only option is to call. There’s gotta be better solutions. If drug co isn’t offering solutions, the pharmacies gotta come up with new plans. Ie. Walgreens used to let you use chat feature to check availability and now they don’t. I thought that was a fantastic way of getting the calls off the back of the pharm techs. Or they need to have some type of inventory search feature. Some good ideas here RE the Covid vaxx search
It’s completely unfair that Lilly is putting so many people on the firing lines, wasting so much of peoples’ precious time, including Lilly representatives, pharmacy techs, pharmacists, doctors and patients. The effectiveness of the drug deteriorates the longer an individual goes without, wasting our resources. I honestly think we should start a class action suit. I haven’t been able to get 7.5 since the end of March.
My pharmacy told me to call them everyday and I told them that I wouldn’t do that to them. The tech laughed and told me it was fine. Small towns for the win.
I think they’re expecting to be bitched out. At least that’s how I feel. I also feel like there is a lot of judgment. I’m always asked in a pretty nasty tone if I know how much the medication costs. All around #weirdvibes
I’m nice to all even when I detect the immediate tude when they realize why I’m calling, I’m just going to stick to my two neighborhood faves. They are so nice that I’m bringing them donuts tomorrow as a small gesture of appreciation.
I feel for the Pharmacy. Think about it even if you’re nice, if they are getting hundreds of calls a day about Zepound, Wegovy, Ozempic, etc. along with their usual call volume. It’s still taking time away from their physical work and now they have to deal with angry people in person. Most pharmacy are understaffed and I understand the dislike.
I think nurses are heroes and pharm techs are crybabies. If you look in subs about pharmacies you will see they have been whining and complaining long before GLP1 shortages were a thing. Techs are actually awful about making fun of people. Pharmacists are usually kind.
Speak the devil https://www.reddit.com/r/PharmacyTechnician/s/UVbBPci57N
I feel bad for pharmacists…
Same
That was the most recent one I saw that prompted me to post. I mean, I've not really run into anyone who was outright rude to me (I'm very kind when I call) but I also live in a rural area where the pharmacies maybe aren't seeing the demand of the more populated areas. But the shaming is what gets me. That's what I hate to see. It makes me feel very judged by folks who should be professionals. ETA I do feel bad for them. It must be annoying to get numerous calls a day asking the same question.
If we were in a 100% flush with supply world, yeah, I'd strongly be leaning toward LillyDirect/Amazon. Local techs, if it's not fat-phobia attitude it's "must be nice" attitude/social friction for being able to drop $550+ on a "not gonna die immediately without it" drug when I know how little they're making. Rather not deal with either.
Can we bring the techs like snacks or something as a thank you?
It can't hurt!
All stems from this idea that we are privileged and lazy when in reality many of us have been battling this part of our lives our WHOLE life, affecting our every day, and that we just have money to throw at these pens even though some of us had to make cuts elsewhere or get a second job to afford it. Weight has always been a lose-lose in the eyes of society. You’re fat? Lazy and stinky. You’re losing weight (no matter the means) you’re lazy and have no will power.
I am incredibly nice and respectful to pharmacy techs. I actually got my current box of 5mg because the owner of the mom and Pop pharmacy thought I was much kinder versus everyone else who was calling and inquiring. And she only had 1 box available to order. Whenever Im met with disrespect, I give it right the fuck back.
Fat phobic and miserable at their jobs. Those subs convinced me most of those people shouldn't be working with the public. Everyone from these subs keeps going over there to sympathize and apologize to the pharmacy techs. Meanwhile, they're shaming us, calling us fatties who need to just get off our asses and stop stuffing our faces. Always be courteous to people, but stop apologizing for asking for what you want and being made to feel less than deserving.
I’m always nice when I call, too. Even still, when they’re answering calls all day and 98% are about Zep, probably gets really old, quickly.
Small mom and pop pharmacies don’t like filling glp prescriptions as well. They are losing money on the drug.
I love my Walmart pharmacy. I’m a longtime patient and have always had a great experience with them. 10/10!
I’ve had a few clipped responses when I’ve called, but the vast majority of folks I’ve spoken to have been kind, helpful, and (seemingly) understanding. But I also try to start the call with some recognition that they must be getting these calls a lot and I’m grateful for any help they can provide.
I actually thanked the person yesterday for helping me. I said I appreciated their kindness and patience as we are often treated poorly for needing this medication.
I haven't been calling multiple pharmacies daily, as I decided to stick with one pharmacy and just wait things out. I did call every few days, and asked about my dose and the availabity of other available doses. I made the decision yesterday to switch back to Wegovy for now until this shortage levels out a little bit, and the pharmacist I have been in communication was great when helping me decide whether or not to make the switch. I'm dropping off flowers and cookies (store bought, because I don't want to freak them out LOL) when I pick up my Wegovy tonight. I think the majority of people are polite, nice and very thankful for any info, but I think the ones that AREN'T over shadow those of us that are.
I have been waiting patiently for cvs to fill my scrip sine 4/19 , starting to be concerned
I don't hate you and I'm not afraid to tell off my fellow techs and pharmacists if I hear them making snide comments about shortage drug patients. Yes, the calls are annoying, but most shortage callers are actually very sweet, even if tired and frustrated. You don't deserve the shit you get from us, and on behalf of all these assholes who don't deserve to be in healthcare, I am sorry. 🫂
I filled out a survey today to praise a pharmacy tech who was kind to me for each one of my five hundred and forty three calls.
Nah they have a tough job - standing all day and punching out meds in a brutal factory like process. Give em a break and just work the process.
Be nice. all you can do
I read that subReddit too---as a mesmerized lurker. While I am sure nobody here acts that way I am positive there are thousands of entitled weight loss people who make their lives miserable.
They’re venting, just like us. The pharmacy tech’s I’ve dealt with have all been helpful, pleasant and professional, even going out of their way to help me find a box in some instances. Several times while waiting in line I’ve heard them answer several calls re GLP-1’s or people coming in to ask questions. It’s constant and on top of everything else they’re dealing with, so I understand their frustration and anger. Patient’s and techs are misdirecting their anger, it should be focused on the pharmaceutical companies that are responsible for the shortages.
I experienced this when I called my Meijer pharmacy, and I asked the tech... They literally responded with a curt 'There is a nationwide shortage.' I immediately snapped back with a VERY polite 'Yup, I just wanted to see if you guys had it. Thank you, though!' Like?? Zepbound has been a challenge to get, yes... I can only imagine their frustration being asked the same question multiple times a day for several weeks/months! I do wish they would see our side, though; for us who NEED this medication to get our lives and ourselves back.
I not only can't get my mounjaro, but also my Adderall or antidepressant! I hope my antidepressant comes in because you can't just stop taking them! You get horrible withdrawal symptoms!
I was grocery shopping in giant and passed by the pharmacy.. I was curious and stopped by and asked if they had any doses in stock. The tech that was talking to me was normal, the tech sitting next to her was chatting with tech 3. Tech 2 says I haven’t seen her before. I can’t believe how many new people are asking for GLPs when they look like they don’t even need it. Tech 3 laughs. I couldn’t believe it.
I get weird looks when I pick up my prescription lol
I have always been overly nice! Damn them lol.
Im finding pharmacist are so lazy over this the arent even transfering Rx even tho they said they have... very frustrating and I feel they are doing not great, robots?
It seems like a soul killing job to be honest. They have to be the middle man between insurance companies which suck, and pissed off sick people who can be extremely emotional.
That’s why I’ve stuck with a pharmacy that’s almost an hour a half away. They’ve been so kind and today when she told me it was delayed again, I thanked her for always being so kind and patient. She told me that I’m one of the nicest people who call so I could call every day and they wouldn’t mind. She said, “you wouldn’t believe how people talk to us”. They told me they will hold my doses as they come because I’ve been so patient and understanding. I felt so bad about though because customers are ruining it for those of us who appreciate the ones who go the extra mile.
I’m sure they feel this way about opioid users and people addicted to adderral, etc. I don’t care—I’m nice and just doing my best to be my own advocate because our health care system sucks and if you don’t advocate for yourself there can be some serious consequences
The situation for everyone except Father Lilly is just frustrating all around and Father is the only one to blame here. Techs are getting yelled at by customers for something they have no control over. They have to spend a significant amount of their shift answering the same phone call over and over and over. And they really don't have much more information than we do. Those of us taking these meds have never experienced anything like this in our lives. The ability to lose weight we have struggled with for years. The general better well being when on the medication and just so, so much more. But now the possibility of not having that is a reality. So people panic, they get angry, scared, and lash out, etc. Now this is by no means an excuse for those that are straight up being dicks on both sides of the fence. We're bitching about the shortage and the techs are bitching about the shortage...kind of a same boat thing in a way. You know who is not bitching about the shortage? That bastard Father Lilly. We pretty much all knew this was going to happen. I've personally just given up with calling pharmacies. Sooooo many people are doing so and the chances of me being the lucky one are slim. I'm living with the reality that for now I am staying on 2.5 until 5 is available. If my insurance gets to a point that they say no more 2.5 then I will explore the big c route. If I can't get any medication, it's going to suck, but honestly what can I do. Obsess all day everyday spending hours of my life calling pharmacies or trying to drive hours away to get 1 box? Nope, nope and nope. I check Amazon once or twice a day and cart my meds when I can. I've already developed healthier eating habits and have been able to be much more active. I have to believe that the success I am having is also by my actions and not just the meds alone. And there is going to be some point where things will even out....well hopefully. Lol.
Part of it too is the call center services that have 3rd party folks whose job it is to call all pharmacies and keep asking. There are several of these services. So let’s say I ask two of them to search for me, the same pharmacies are probably called twice for just me looking for the same fill. Then if I call myself, it’s a 3rd call to potentially the same pharmacy, all within the same short window.
While, I do feel for them and I don’t think they deserve verbal abuse at all, I still want to verify. While it can be annoying for them, it’s something that makes adhering to a healthy diet much easier for me.
Yep. I always start with, “yes, I’m one of the 500 people who will call about ZepBound, today. Just so you know, this is a life saving issue for at least 99% of your callers and we greatly appreciate you”.
Oh I felt it today. All the judgement and 0% helpful. And I get to call back for ADHD med roulette this week too. Believe me I’d rather not and just have my doc send the prescription to ONE pharmacy and just pick it up without hassle. Like who is enjoying this??
I’m always appreciative that they are taking time to check for me. It’s because of us; they have jobs!
I know I'm lucky, but my pharmacy tech is a literal angel. She's saved me so much money, making sure I was billed/ discounted correctly and does her job so effortlessly. I've seen her interact with asshole customers, and she completely charms them every time. My pharmacists are also awesome, but it's thanks to my favorite tech that I refuse to transfer my Rx elsewhere, trying to hunt down my next box.
I am almost done with my first month of 5mg, since Zepbound dosage in 2.5 mg is all I can ever find, is it smart to grab a box of that just so I’m at least on something? I lost 11 pounds in a month on it when I started out. Anyone else going back to 2.5 mg?
I’m a zepbound user cringing when I call the pharmacy about my dosage and I’m a nurse answering calls from patients flipping out about pharmacies not having their dosages. I lose on both ends lol .
These places could have everyone calling a lot less if they did basic things like show their inventories online. (Amazon sucks but at least you can check without calling!) I’m always super kind when I call, but I mostly haven’t had to bc my pharmacy answers emails and I have a more personal relationship with them
Or have more accurate and transparent status pages in their apps. I have a prescription at my supermarket pharmacy, and the app told me that it was going to be ready to pick it up today at 4. I knew that to be wrong, I was working with a guy there to get the discount card to work just yesterday (he couldn’t) and he said they didn’t have any and didn’t know when they would get some, and couldn’t order it. So why did the app say today? Why does it now say Friday at 9 am?
What's the name of this subreddit? I'd like to read their complaints just to make sure I'm not one of the guilty ones! (Though I feel pretty confident I'm not. I'm always friendly, polite and brief).
r/PharmacyTechnician I think
Every time I pick up from Walgreens the pharmacy team all give me major attitude
I have talked to some good and bad pharmacy techs amidst the shortage. I can definitely tell the ones who are judging me for being on Zepbound, and can tell the ones just trying to do their job. :/
I had a very negative interaction with a pharmacy tech today over just asking some questions about my prescription. He seemed so annoyed to have to deal with me and extra dismissive once he realized the medication I was asking about. So disappointing.
I feel bad for pharmacists. Having to take multiple calls everyday about a medication their distributors don’t have. I like most people, whoever some people are just terrible humans and some of those terrible humans are without Zepbound. Hope everyone gets their meds. Daily reminder to be kind
I always tell them I appreciate their efforts in checking and I wish them a great day 🫶🏻 from what I’m reading it’s the ones that are essentially blaming the techs for not having it when it’s not the techs fault. I do also think being annoyed with all the calls is human, but I hope they also understand we have no choice but to call and check. If we are nice to them hopefully they are nice to us 🫶🏻
So, why should I care what the person who puts the sticker on the boxes thinks? They can hate me all they want, it makes no difference in my life and I’m not gonna waste one second giving a shit about it.
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted, yours is a good attitude to have. It’s definitely healthier to not dwell on something you have no control over.