Observation 5

Being a patient with ADD, I am prescribed Aderol monthly. Therefore, for my fifth observation, I thought it would be a good idea to keep a detailed journal of the process I, as well as many others, go through in order to get my prescription medication. I wanted it to be sort of an inside look at the every-day prescription pharmaceutical process.

Because I am an out of state student, I had to switch health care providers when I came down to Florida for school. I decided, for convenience purposes, to make my main health care provider the sports medicine doctor at the U.C. In order to fill my prescription, I had to set up an appointment with Dr. McCarthy to make sure that the prescription I am currently on, is right for me.

When I went in for my appointment, the doctor asked me a series of questions about being on my medication. Common symptoms of being on Aderol, she explained, were loss of appetite, inability to sleep, feelings of depression and sometimes even suicide. She asked me if I had experienced any of these feelings. When I told her no, she then proceeded to ask me if I think the dosage that I am currently on is right for me. I told her that from time to time it gets harder and harder for me to focus, so I will occasionally double-up on my medication in the morning. She said that it was acceptable, but in the future I may have to increase my mg.

After my appointment, prescription in hand, I proceeded to the nearest Walgreen's. I had to bring all of my insurance information with me, because I am from out of state and being prescribed medicine from a new doctor. After the pharmacy technician entered all of my information into their data base, she told me there was a twenty-five dollar co-pay for my prescription, and that it would be ready in a couple hours.

The reason that people have to drop off a prescription and come pick it up later, is because the pharmacists as well as the technicians have to concentrate on giving you the exact amount of the correct prescription. The have to measure out exact mg and dosages. Pharmacists have to approve the dosages and make sure the technicians are filling prescriptions properly.

A few hours later, I returned to pick up my prescription. I received it in a very clearly marked bag. Inside was the medication bottle, also clearly marking my name, my doctor, the pharmacy I went to, the date, and the mg dosage I received. It made me relieved to know how thorough my pharmacist as well as my new doctor was. The world of prescription medication is one of extreme accuracy. One day I hope to be able to help patients the way my new doctor and pharmacist helped me.