Pharmacy doubles number of pills

By NANCY PARADIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 12, 2000

On March 23, I had a prescription filled. After taking the capsules for over three weeks, I noticed there were still quite a few in the container. I counted 34 still in the container, even though the prescription had been for 30. I returned to the pharmacy and asked why I had so many when the label clearly called for 30. The pharmacist told me the rest were free. I wanted to know whether I had paid for 30 or 60 and he told me my payment was $18 and my insurance company paid the rest. When I asked how much the insurance company paid, he said that was between it and pharmacy.

My question is, when did pharmacies start giving pills away? Also, did my insurance company and I pay for 30 or 60 pills? Joseph De Aloia

Response: We don't think pharmacies have started giving away pills. Based on the information you gave us, it sounds as though your prescription was incorrectly filled, and we're glad you checked. Mistakes in filling prescriptions can be harmful and in isolated cases, even deadly. We suggest you file a complaint with the Agency for Health Care Administration's consumer services unit. Call (888) 419-3456 and press 2. Note that complaints are filed against the pharmacist, not the pharmacy itself.

As far as how many pills were paid for, you will need to direct that question to your insurance company. Many insurance plans have a copayment amount per prescription regardless of the number of pills or the cost. If, however, your plan calls for paying a percentage of the total cost and you were charged for 60, we do not think it fair that you pay for medication not ordered by your doctor. Furthermore, if there is a limit to what your plan pays for medication each year, you do not want the unneeded pills going toward that amount.

Subscription trouble

For six months I have been trying to resolve a problem with Reminisce magazine. I am being dunned for a subscription that I renewed in August with a payment of $29.98 for 32 issues. Copies of the front and back of my check are enclosed. There is no telephone number on the invoice, so I have been writing. With my last letter I included the check copies. My letters are ignored.

Somewhere along the line the magazine has changed my address. I do not live in Brooksville. I live in Spring Hill.

I am weary of this hassle and really do not want the magazine. In my last letter I asked that the magazine cancel my subscription and refund my payment. Please see if you can wake it up. I will greatly appreciate your help. Lois Rubert

Response: Marjorie Ray in Rieman Publications' subscription services department in Greendale, Wis., said that your $29.98 check was received on Aug. 27 for a three-year renewal to Reminisce. This subscription is paid through the September/October issue. Your address has been corrected.

Ray said you have also been receiving Reminisce Extra for two years. This is a separate publication that arrives on alternate months with Reminisce. The renewal sent in was for Reminisce Extra, since it expired in April. She said it appears you confused the two magazines. If you do not wish to renew Reminisce Extra, call (800) 344-6913, the number listed in the front of the magazine.

Refund request

I received a bill from Ameripath Florida for $12.60 that my insurance hadn't paid. I mailed a check on Feb. 5, and the same day I received notice from the insurance company that it had paid it. I called Ameripath and asked it to either send me a refund or void my check. I called again the on Feb. 17 and was told checks are sent out the end of the month. When I didn't receive the check by mid-March, I called again and this time I was told checks are sent out the first of the month. When I called in mid-April, it was back to checks going out the end of the month. It seems I will never get my money. Thank you for helping me. Alice Hathaway

Response: We're glad you finally got your refund.

Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write: Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request for Action. Names will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.