Forgotten Sleep

No, this isn’t a blog about giving condoms to those who can’t afford to buy them. This is something else entirely. This is a blog about the reality that there just might be some people out there who shouldn’t procreate. Not that they shouldn’t be allowed to procreate — no hateful comments, please — just that they shouldn’t.

I witnessed an encounter today at the local national chain drug store. I’d gone in to pick up a prescription for Little Man — he currently has a case of the nasty pink eye, courtesy of another little child in his class. Isn’t it great when the babies share? Considering that it was 5 p.m., I wasn’t necessarily surprised that there was a relatively long line at the pharmacy.

I was fourth in line, but I figured things would move along pretty quickly. How hard can this be to walk up, say your name, the number of prescriptions you have, sign for them, pay and leave. Apparently, I was expecting too much of the woman standing at the register. Not the pharmacist checking people out — the customer.

My attention was, at first, focused on the cold gallon of whole milk weighing down my hand. Very cold, in fact. But, then I overheard — yes, I started to eavesdrop.

“But, isn’t this [insert name of birth control pill] here?” I recognized it because it was a version of the pill that I took at one time.

The pharmacist proceeded to tell the customer that, yes, that was the drug and that the pharmacy had processed the prescription through her insurance company online. This was the price the company told the pharmacy to charge her.

“Is this a 30-day supply or a lot more?”

Answer: 30-day supply. Again, the explanation of the insurance company’s response.

“But, I’ve never paid this much before. This must be a mistake!”

Answer: Repeated explanation of the insurance company’s response.

Side note: At this point, I’m incredibly impressed with the pharmacist’s ability to stay poised and friendly — her smile didn’t waiver, and she didn’t raise her voice. Amazing.

“Well, this can’t be the generic version of this pill. It just can’t be.”

I was astonished to see that she was right. It was, in fact, the name brand. But, our consummate pharmacist had an answer for that ready at hand. The powers that be in charge of the generic drugs had taken the generic of her pill off the market at the end of last year. Simple enough, right?

No. That just confused this woman even more. I think had I looked closely enough, I would’ve seen the white smoke starting to seep from her ears. She clearly wasn’t acquainted with the Gregorian Calendar.

“But, it was so much less last month. I don’t get it.”

Answer: Last month was December — the end of a calendar year.

“But, my health plan started in June.”

Answer: Repeat of the end of the calendar year statement and a request that the woman call her insurance company.

Here’s where it got personal. Shocker, right?

She asks our very professional pharmacist who exactly contacted the insurance company. Professional pharmacist says that she was the one who processed the claim online with the insurance company. For whatever reason, that answer only incensed our befuddled customer more.

The last I saw of her, she had turned around and was walking away, saying, “Well, there’s just been a mistake. This doesn’t make sense. I’m not buying those!”

I’m sure I wasn’t the only person in line who thought the pharmacist should’ve just given her the pills to ensure that she didn’t get pregnant before the insurance company could convince her she had to pay full price.