Can a pharmacist ask what your diagnosis is and say she won't fill script until doctor calls and tells her the diagnosis and why you take the medication. It was for 90 vicodin Es that aren't abused and only prescribed by one pain management doctor. Isn't there some privacy law and its none of the pharmacists business it the doctors?
Can a pharmacist ask for a diagnosis and refuse to fill prescription?
Question posted by Zappajvp on 20 April 2013
Last updated on 23 June 2022
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33 Answers Page 3
Inactive
21 April 2013
Here in Maryland the doctor has to write the diagnosis and the code on each prescription. Some of my controlled meds the pharmacist has to verify that I am on a constant opioid pain med over a certain level before they can fill it. The pharmacist can do this through a search of my prescriptions over the past 90 days or by calling the doctor. 90 Vicodin IS a large prescription - anymore to get that much is a BIG deal. No, no such thing as privacy since the DEA cracked down. I suggest you answer their questions - it could be worse - you could not be getting the pain meds. A lot of people aren't anymore. Regards, ElizaJane
kaismama
19 Nov 2014
Virginia too. I think what it is is people in the middle of the country have had it easier on them and not had the restrictions that are in effect now. The east and west coast have taken a slam.
PatientBeInformed11
6 Jan 2019
Will you please stick to the law and hold the advice? A person has a right to ask a question and to even complain. This is not Ask Abby.
mhelcl
21 April 2013
I had this happen before and the pharmacist would not give the medication to me until they spoke to the doctor's office to confirm what was on the script. It is not unusual to run into snag like this with this type of medication. It is unfortunate but quite usual. You can always ask to give the script back to you and go to another pharmacy.
kaismama
21 April 2013
my pain contract had the pharmacy that I would use on it, and I couldn't use another one.
kaismama
21 April 2013
Under federal law the diagnosis for a narcotic must be on the prescription. Your pharmacist is like your dr she can't tell anyone.
PurpleButterfies
21 April 2013
That's weird, none of my narcotic pain meds have had a diagnosis written on them, and I've never had a pharmacist ask me about my diagnosis...
Zappajvp
21 April 2013
None of mine have either, I am in california
mhelcl
21 April 2013
They are just checking that the prescription is not a fraud. They do this more than a pain patient would like. I had this happen even after using the same pharmacy for 2 years, occasionally they would still run me through red tape. This constant hassle was one of the contributing reasons for me to stop taking scheduled meds and it forced me to find alternatives.
kaismama
21 April 2013
There is most likely a code number on your prescription somewhere, that is the diagnosis code
bigtc
27 June 2013
That is not true at all.. Its NOT allowed to be put on a prescription bottle..
Bleuidcowgirl
8 Nov 2013
Not on the bottle but on the rx pad only. It's called an ICD-9 or ICD-10 code.
Squeekarose
15 June 2014
In MI the only person who has the right to ask you what your medical condition is, is ur doctor. This comes straight from my doctor and he said that if your applying for disability then they have a right to know your medical conditions but you would already know that because that's why your applying for the benefit. My doctor wrote me a note for work that simply had my name and his name and the dates I was seen and told my work they aren't allowed to ask why I was at the doctor and that the only question they could ask is if I was on any medication that would prevent me from doing my job but they still couldn't ask what medication it was and they had to listen to him even after they consulted their law department. Anyone will try and take your right to privacy especially if you let em so don't back down and fight for your right to not have everybody know your personal medical issues.
Whitey Joe Young
2 Aug 2014
This is completely incorrect. Stop handing out Bull***t answers. Do your research before you open your mouth. I don't care that you are Kai's Mama, even if Kai is somehow super-special and cool. Why does that matter? :-)
The doctor must prescribe the drug to a specific patient, for a specific medical condition, after a bona fide examination of the patient and a determination of the therapeutic reason for prescribing the drug. However, the diagnosis is not required in the prescription the pharmacist receives.
"Part 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations:
§1306.05 Manner of issuance of prescriptions.
(a) All prescriptions for controlled substances shall be dated as of, and signed on, the day when issued and shall bear the full name and address of the patient, the drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity prescribed, directions for use, and the name, address and registration number of the practitioner."
kaismama
19 Nov 2014
If you want to be a jerk and not give it to the pharmacy, the pharmacist can refuse to fill it. The pharmacy boards are demanding to know it. The pharmacist is considered a member of the healthcare team and has every right to know why they are filling something.
And to whomever thinks only their dr has the right to know what's wrong with you, you're going to have a hard time if you every need a nurse to take care of you. I won't take care of someone if I don't know what is wrong with them.
rk1981
28 Oct 2015
It is completely ridiculous for a pharmacist to pretend they know what medicine is appropriate for a patient for which they have no history, no testing, and no training to make a diagnosis. They are well trained for questions on dosing and interactions but have no business trying to tell the examining physician what to prescribe. Pharmacists may have the right to refuse to dispense without a diagnosis, but the patient has a right to take their business elsewhere.
Pamela Foley
23 Sep 2016
I understand narcotic pain medicine RX say for pain but where is none of their business
kazrael21
30 Sep 2017
You people saying the pharmacist has no right to ask what your diagnosis is are too damn paranoid. Your pharmacist has a doctorate degree in not only drug interactions, but in treatment as well. Your doctor can make whatever diagnosis they want but you people have no idea how often doctors call the pharmacy for recommendations on what medication would be best for whatever diagnosis (I take calls every single day from Dr. offices wanting to ask our pharmacists for their professional recommendation and I make even more calls to Doctor offices to correct the doctors mistakes in treatment) your doctor learns how to make a diagnosis but has a very rudimentary understanding of what medications would be most efficacious in many circumstances.
Your pharmacist is your healthcare professional and if they ask what your diagnosis is, it's only so they can better help you through your treatment process and if you make their job difficult its only going to delay your treatment so suck it up and stop assuming the world is out to get you like you have some pertinent secret they want to share with the world, your not that freaking special. PS: insurance companies are requiring ICD9 and 10 codes (diagnosis codes) on many scripts, so to the individual who decided to cite the prescription regulations above- you where correct about 10 years ago. Its not against any professional, legal or HIPPA rules for your pharmacist to ask those types of questions, that's why you even here on the TV or radio after a drug commercial to (ask your pharmacist or doctor to see if "insert drug here" is right for you)
your welcome for this brief educational course
PatientBeInformed11
6 Jan 2019
Where do you get your information? You have quite a lot to say on this subject, but you are wrong.
Charisma74
1 Sep 2019
I'm lived in Colorado and now live in Mo never been on my scripts
Related topics
vicodin, vicodin es, pain, pharmacy, doctor, medication, pain management, pharmacist
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