# Pharmacy messed up my prescription **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486 "2016-10-14T02:22:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/1 "2016-10-14T02:22:06Z")
Okay so my script was for 30 but they accidentally gave me 90. I thought this was on pourpuse because I had 3 refills. So I called up to check to see if that was the case and they said no that was an accident and asked if I could bring them back up. I’m wondering if I could just not bring them back up and still get my refills. Like is this noted in the system now and they won’t refill it until I bring the extra pills back? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/2 "2016-10-14T02:32:44Z")
I hesitate to speak on every pharmacy computer system everywhere, but from what I know, if your prescription calls for 1 a day for 30 days, and the computer knows you have 90 pills, then you won’t get another refill for 90 days. And if insurance bought those pills, your insurance company wouldn’t approve a refill for 90 days even if the pharmacy would. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/3 "2016-10-14T02:48:25Z")
> [@Cgic](#): > > Okay so my script was for 30 but they accidentally gave me 90. I thought this was on pourpuse because I had 3 refills. So I called up to check to see if that was the case and they said no that was an accident and asked if I could bring them back up. I’m wondering if I could just not bring them back up and still get my refills. Like is this noted in the system now and they won’t refill it until I bring the extra pills back? You are probably in for a _ **great big hassle** _. Welcome to unregulated free enterprise. ---
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/4 "2016-10-14T03:20:51Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > I hesitate to speak on every pharmacy computer system everywhere, but from what I know, if your prescription calls for 1 a day for 30 days, and the computer knows you have 90 pills, then you won’t get another refill for 90 days. > > And if insurance bought those pills, your insurance company wouldn’t approve a refill for 90 days even if the pharmacy would. My buddy who works in a pharmacy says it would only be recorded that I had 90 if it were written on my script but he thinks the person doing accidentally dispensed 90 so it should be recorded on the computer I only have 30 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/5 "2016-10-14T03:29:02Z")
Since this involves advice let’s move it to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/6 "2016-10-14T03:34:52Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Since this involves advice let’s move it to IMHO. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Not sure how to do that I’m new to this sorry ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/7 "2016-10-14T03:39:51Z")
> [@Cgic](#): > > Not sure how to do that I’m new to this sorry The mods do the moving. Nothing for you to worry about. As for the pills, if they’re narcotics or something like Valium or Xanax (examples), the person who made the mistake could be in _deep_ shit beyond just a loss of product. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/8 "2016-10-14T04:09:04Z")
Check the label. 1. It’s possible they were out of 30mg pills & gave you 3x as many 10mg pills, so same total dosage but more units. 2. If the label says 90 x 30mg pills, then you got your three months in one shot. However, if the label says 30 x 30mg pills, then they goofed & gave you too much then it won’t be noted unless whomever you talked to went in & amended your records. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/9 "2016-10-14T04:19:18Z")
In the interest of good karma, if it were me, I’d go back to the pharmacy. If it was their mistake, you will earn their undying gratitude. ---
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/10 "2016-10-14T04:35:12Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Check the label. > > 1. It’s possible they were out of 30mg pills & gave you 3x as many 10mg pills, so same total dosage but more units. > > 2. If the label says 90 x 30mg pills, then you got your three months in one shot. However, if the label says 30 x 30mg pills, then they goofed & gave you too much then it won’t be noted unless whomever you talked to went in & amended your records. How would I know if the amended my records? ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/11 "2016-10-14T04:46:07Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > In the interest of good karma, if it were me, I’d go back to the pharmacy. If it was their mistake, you will earn their undying gratitude. Aren’t they just going to have to throw away the extras? At least the OP can use them. ---
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/12 "2016-10-14T04:47:52Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The mods do the moving. Nothing for you to worry about. > > As for the pills, if they’re narcotics or something like Valium or Xanax (examples), the person who made the mistake could be in _deep_ shit beyond just a loss of product. Temazepam? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/13 "2016-10-14T05:00:24Z")
> [@Cgic](#): > > Temazepam? Same drug class as Valium(diazapam) ---
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/14 "2016-10-14T05:00:29Z")
That’s what I’m saying that would be fucked if they handed those back out to someone else ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/15 "2016-10-14T05:01:33Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Aren’t they just going to have to throw away the extras? At least the OP can use them. Thrown out or not, they still need to be accounted for. ---
**Author:** ![Cgic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@Cgic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cgic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/16 "2016-10-14T05:03:01Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Same drug class as Valium(diazapam) Aren’t they going to Be in deep shit anyway considering they already handed them out? I don’t see the use of bringing them back cause they can’t redistribute them ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/17 "2016-10-14T14:07:21Z")
Call them and ask them all these questions. We can guess. But the only answer that really matters is what the specific person on duty when you go in, if you go in, will do about the pills and the records. Other questions to ask them are what will happen if you don’t come in with the pills. Will they blacklist you? Will they inform your insurance company? Your doctor? Only when you have all the facts can you make the least-bad decision. Whatever it may be. It’s also worth learning a lesson from this goof. When you pick up your stuff at the pharmacy, read the entire label on the bag right there before you leave the counter. Did they give you the right bag with your name on it? Does the label say it has the right stuff in it? That is, is it the right med, in the right dose, in the right quantity? If you find a goof right there fixing it is real easy. Next thing I do is open the bag & read the bottle(s)’ labels. Looking for the same things. Also for obvious goofs like I know the pills are tiny and this bottle is full of something large or vice versa. Once that’s all good, \*then \*I leave the counter. And not before. A pharmacy screw-up, particularly with a controlled substance, is a massive PITA. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/18 "2016-10-14T15:41:54Z")
Ethics aside, you are now knowingly in possession of a greater quantity of a schedule IV drug than you are entitled to. In some states, that alone is a misdemeanor. Depending on the weight of the excess pills, you could be charged with a Federal [drug trafficking](https://federaldrugcharges.net/topics/10-examples-of-drug-trafficking-charges/)offense - even if you never sell a single pill. > [@](#): > > “Trafficking refers primarily to the weight of the substances involved and not to the movement of the drugs either across state lines or from one person to another. Possession of a controlled substance may become a trafficking charge if the drugs weigh enough.” The pharmacy knows you are in possession of these pills. They have asked you to bring them back. You are considering playing a very dangerous game. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/19 "2016-10-14T16:15:41Z")
Mail order pharmacies will many times give prescriptions for 3 months supply. That saves on shipping. And I prefer this as it saves me time and gas going to a local pharmacy. I would rather get a 3 months supply then have to get new prescriptions every month. Same thing with my dog’s prescriptions. I ask for multiple months supply, then don’t need to keep going back to the vet. And too late now, it sounds like for you, but if you are going to need those pills next month and the month after, why not just keep them and reorder when that supply gets low? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486/20 "2016-10-14T16:35:29Z")
Keep them, use them for 90 days and get one refill. That’s what I’d do. If you take them back the pharmacy will have to discard them and I don’t like waste. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-messed-up-my-prescription/768486.md?page=2)