Thought I'd give you some info I learned today...

I was talking to Ecare4u.com, a reputable ROP, and was inquiring about consult charges, and so forth. The woman I spoke to asked me what medication I take...I told her hydrocodone. Before I could finish the word, she stopped me in my tracks. She explained in a forgiving tone, that Ecare4u couldn't help anybody with hydro needs. Their pharmacy, I believe is Universal RX, received notification from the DEA that they cannot sell hydrocodone any longer. This became effective as early as yestreday 11/28/05. I don't even know if they can honor refills, so if anybody has got refills of hydro from Ecare4u, I'd suggest you call them ASAP.

After that conversation, my intention was to call a bunch of ROPs to find out if the same held true for each of them. I only got to call one other, then I had to get back to work.

Another ROP, (RXconsults.com) I spoke to was very familiar with the situation, however is not affected by it. I just happened to speak to the owner, who was very professional and courteous, and took her business very seriously. She explained that certain pharmacies that are using the, "click and buy" website services, (I'm assuming junk email and pop-ups maybe) are being targeted by the DEA. so any pharmacy participating in that form of advertising for hydro is being restricted. (RXconsults does NOT use these services and are very reputable)

So, instead of me making tons of calls to ROPs to find out if this thing is widespread and affecting some of the pharmacies we do business with...I was wondering if those you have refills or consults to do this week, could inquire? If not, we'll just have to play the "wait and see" game.

What does anybody think?

Also, Moderators, is this kind of info okay to share? Don't want to break any rules.

Thanks,

Interesting, I wonder whats next. I just got a refill from AdvancedHealth which services cyberscripts and another rop(forget which one), hope its not my last. I guess the coming weeks will tell. The DEA is hard at work. I've been noticing that alot of ppl have been having trouble with their rops. First they took out the nrop's, then the rop's that were for the lack of a better term, not up to
par/substandard. They either closed their pharmacies or took away many rops merchant accounts. I can only speculate but I imagine only the most stringent rops will be left standing and even then those rops will have to
establish stricter guidelines. But I'm just guessing. Time will tell.

My friend got her hydro from Universal rx today (11/30). I just called them out of curiousity and asked, and they said that is news to them. So I wonder what is going on

I spoke with Ecare this am and was told that Universal is having the same problems as all the other pharms with the wholesalers cutting off supplies. Ecare chose to stop offering the hydro so that customers did not get stuck without. University does have it in supply now and is working on a solution.

Hi Everyone,

From what you've all written, I'm glad that things seem positive about this whole situation.

I hate to be negative about this, believe me, but I have to question how Universal RX can work on a solution if the DEA has all the power to pull the plug?? You know what I mean? Then again, according to the person at Ecare, the DEA action is solely based upon the "illegal" actions some of these pharmacies have been participating (i.e. "click and buy" sites).

I'm just hoping there are only a limited few pharmacies involved in this. And those ROPS that were affected can find "above board" pharmacies to do business with.

Just so you'll all know, I want this learned new information to be nothing more than a short-lived interruption to a limited number of pharmacies so things can get back to "normal". This ever-so-long roller coaster ride can stop anytime now! Just like the real thing, it scares the heck out of me and I want off!

If I learn more info, I'll keep everyone posted. If anybody learns anything new,would you please update me?

Thanks so much.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Adsales22,

**** I was told today from a well-informed source, 2 actually, that the DEA is restricting many online only pharmacies to 200 pill a day dispensing limits. Compounding and regular pharmacies IE walk-in who do online rxs as well are apparently not affected. Time to check now before you are in need of your refill and it don't come. Best to plan some contingencies for such an occurrence. I don't think this word has gotten out much as this is the only place I've seen it on the site. Spead the word....lack of pain control + panic + WDs make it worth finding out NOW not on the 23rd or 25th or 27th day!!! Forewarned is forearmed.

**** Hopefully the OP industry lobbyists can address this in Foggy Bottom......after all it's a billion dollar industry!

quote:

Originally posted by 6speedstik:
**** I was told today from a well-informed source, 2 actually, that the DEA is restricting many online only pharmacies to 200 pill a day dispensing limits. Compounding and regular pharmacies IE walk-in who do online rxs as well are apparently not affected. Time to check now before you are in need of your refill and it don't come. Best to plan some contingencies for such an occurrence. I don't think this word has gotten out much as this is the only place I've seen it on the site. Spead the word....lack of pain control + panic + WDs make it worth finding out NOW not on the 23rd or 25th or 27th day!!! Forewarned is forearmed.

I did read this on a different smaller board about 2 months ago. It was in the form of a letter from an OCS about the changes going on in the OP world. I see it happening all over. Now I see today that Ephy is also telling people the same as Ecare4u did. They both use the same pharm. Looks like Universal Rx is the latest in the attack!

I think that a blanket control of this is against the Law. It is called restriction of trade. If a place is under investigation then they can limit them but over all it is against rulings that go back as far as "the New Deal"" and Roosevelts presidency. The other rumor is watson brand generics are not being allowed by OP's- this is a lie. The reason they are limited is because two major warehouses were flooded ect by hurricanes and meds distroyed creating a shortage. Just my take on situation Holly

If Ephy is telling their clients, they weren't two days ago.
PB
PBPS: Let's watch out for just rumors. Not saying this isn't true, but rumors nowadays seem to grow like oranges on trees, or something like that.

Just some additional thoughts here before our imaginations run away from themselves. Ideally an OCS operation is a triad relationship. The OCS itself is a facilitator that brings a potential patient in contact with a contracted medical doctor or professional who in turn will or will not write a prescription that is recommended and/or desired by the patient for a medical condition. That prescription then gets sent to a contracted pharmacy to be filled and sent to the patient. The OCS itself collects all the fees and charges from the patient and then settles with the medical professional and the pharmacy (and perhaps the shipper, etc.) Everyone gets paid and there is (has to be) money left over which is the profit collected by the OCS itself for providing this "facilitation" service. Now there can be a break down among any one or more of those parts. Perhaps the pharmacy doesn't like the documentation it gets from Pharmboy Medical Services for hydrocodone scripts. So that pharmacy, say PBs Best Buy Pharmacy, will stop filling those hydro scripts until the problem is worked out with Pharmboy Medical Services. So now Pharmboy Medical Services can no longer tell its patients they can fill their hydro orders until they work everything out with PBs Best Buy. Or, Dr. Pharm Boy might have some problem with one or both of the other two. My point being, a sudden problem with getting a script filled doesn't always have to be because of LE. Convoluted, but possible.
Take care,
Dr. P. Boy

Dr PB, excellent! What a great response to the whole situation, and an excellent response in layman's terms.

I appreciate your taking the time to answer this.

First i would like to clarify this situation.Universal rx is under no mandate about how much or many pills it can dispense.The only problem universal is expeirexcing is a shortage of hydro 10/650 pills.My own personal thought is ecare 4u isnt that reliable.There are to many negative post.If you were told by ecare this story,then they told you a falsity.How do i know,its simple ,i speak with urx frequently,and just hung up the phone with them.I dont know why some ocs services will lie when the truth is so easy and more acceptable.Also i would like to add to what pb said about ocs services.Once the deal has been brokered,the responsibility lies with the pharmcay to be sure you get the correct meds.If your count is wrong,or you didnt get the brand you wanted,thats the pharmacy and where the issue should be handled.I myself wont waste my time on an ocs that cant get your refill on the day its due.They will use every excuse possible,and most arent true.As far as the dea goes,they are attempting to curb the number of hydro an online pharmacy can sell,but its 200 patients a day ,not 200 pills.This isnt even close to happening yet.The only reason for any watson hydro shortage has been the loss of some facilities.This seems to be corrected.

The fact is that this is happening. No matter how much people want to disbelieve it. It is all over, not only Universal but many other pharmacies also. Just watch to see what happens in the next few weeks.

Read this thread if you do not think it is happening.

http://pharmacywatchers.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5521.../525101077#525101077