Saturday, March 14, 2015

Ms. Small Bottles

Prescription for generic Fioricet, number 120. Sometimes we take 20 tablets out of one bottle and put them in with a bottle of 100. This saves time and recycles. We're a green company, you know. In fact, a few years ago the company had thousands of flyers printed up that said we're a green company.

Anyway, Ms. Small Bottles comes to pick up the medication. It's one of those Qualitest bottles which are almost the size of a soda can. Technician Flynn is ringing her up.

"What is that?" she asks.

"It's your prescription. Generic Fioricet. #120. We added 20 to this bottle of 100."

"I told you I wanted everything in small bottles."

"To my knowledge, I have never heard you make that request."

"I ask for small bottles every time I'm here," she snaps back, with attitude. I'm filling scripts a few feet away but I hear the whole thing. I stay far away from this woman because you'll grow a beard by the time she's done talking to you.

Ms. Small Bottles takes the big bottle and leaves.

TWO DAYS LATER.... I'm alone on the weekend. Ms. Small Bottles is here for generic Soma, #120. She had requested them, did some shopping, and now's she's back to get them.

I place three small bottles on the counter, all labeled, with 40 tablets in each bottle. 3 x 40 = 120. Thank you, Common Core.

"What is this?" she asks.

"It's your prescription. Generic Soma. #120."

"Why is it in three small bottles?" she asks.

"That's what YOU asked for on Friday. You asked that all your medication be dispensed in small bottles."

"I never made such a request. Never! Why would I ask for that?"

She pays and leaves. I'm sure she has 15 or more cats to feed at home. And once again, I'm confused beyond belief. I just don't understand people.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It's time, then, that you understood people.

People are not understandable. Specifically, they are not predictable.

May God grant you the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, one of which is that people will behave as they please, that this was communication, not confrontation. The lady wants people to pay attention to her, so she keeps picking fights. Don't fret it. Enjoy it!

The above conclusion is the product of 40 years as a pharmacist.