I was in the drugstore the other day when a sign caught my eye… 15 minute pharmacist consult for $49.99 (plus HST). Intrigued, I asked what would I get for $49.99 (plus HST)? Well, I would get a printout with my blood pressure, a spot check of my blood sugar and cholesterol as it was at the moment the blood was checked in their “consult room”, and a computer printout of my medications, how to take them if I cant or wont read the bottle, and why I am taking them. They will “make sure the medications are right for me”, and suggest any vitamins they happen to sell at great mark-up. Oh, I would also get this info on a handy dandy computer printout. No extra charge.
Now, making sure my medications are right for me seems to cross the line between dispensing, and diagnosing and prescribing. I asked my doctor how much she got for a visit, where she would check my blood pressure, list my medications if I had lost all the bottles and dumped them in a jar with no instructions or what they were for, and give me a paper to get bloods at the local lab, and did I need vitamins or supplements. She gets about $30. She also said that a lot of her patients are making appointments to discuss these pharmacist consults. Doesn’t this add to health care costs to the tax payers??
I was afraid to ask what I would get for the 2 hours over $120 pharmacist consult.
Thoughts??? —Drugs Over Under Beyond This
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2013.
That definitely seems pretty shady. Maybe contact the Better Business Bureau or the organization responsible for licensing pharmacists about it?
I wouldn’t use that service. Pharmacists are great for telling you how much drugs to take or what drugs not to mix, but I personally wouldn’t trust them to make any sort of judgement on my health.
I trust my old doctor who always has cold hands and refereed to me as a “portly fellow” when I was 30 pounds heavier.
Absolutely a rip-off. There’s always greedy fingers waiting and ready to pluck people’s pockets for what is essentially a redundant service if you have a regular GP.
my gp does all that and more, maybe if you don’t have a doctor it would make sense
Thats almost as bad as $99 bucks to set up your new computer or tablet .(is it next ,next ,ok,finish ,or next ,finish,ok, next,apply??????????, )
$50 ! I wouldn’t trust those BP machines in the stores if that is what they would be using. and how could the cholesteral be correct if you haven’t fasted?
How does this add healthcare costs to the taxpayer? The $49.99 is out of your pocket is it not? Maybe you as an individual taxpayer. Depending on the doctor, those services you describe would probably come out of your pocket as well as charges not covered by MSI and may end up costing more.
My doctor charges $7.50 to call in a prescription, $10.00 to syringe an ear, $30.00 to send charts to a new doctor, $20.00 for missed appointments, $5.00 for sick notes. All things not covered by MSI. I know this because he has it on a big sign in the waiting room.
Besides a lot, if not most, GPs get their info on pharmaceuticals from drug company sales reps which is a bit disturbing as well.
BTW Sarmafave brand vitamens are a good deal, reasonably priced and you get a stamp card where if buy any Sarmafave brand item (vitamens or not) you get the tenth free.
I get to add this to the othet 35 cards (gas station, video store etc.) I have in my wallet.
Those BP machines at supermarkets are totally useless for an accurate reading – like my doctor told me years ago, most people who sit down at them have been walking around beforehand – in order to get an accurate reading, you should be at rest for at least 20 minutes before testing.
reg! what are ya doing online on a weekday? anyhoo, i think OP meant costing us because she/he said that people were getting these pharmacy consults done and THEN heading to their doctor to discuss them. so they pay $50 out of pocket, but then use up doctors healthcare funded time to talk about the computer printout. if they already had prior dr appt that covered it, then that’s two appts for the same darn thing.
yeh ttfn, those machines are awful, usually broken in some way or another. i used one once, but had a fear it was going to keep squeezing and never stop til my arm squooshed out like a sausage.
Sounds like free lancing pharmacists, looking to maximize their $.
Best to avoid.
P
Didn’t this come about by mr harper and his bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe and sell certain medications to take the burden off our already over-worked doctors?
http://www.ngnews.ca/Living/Well-being/201…
“She also said that a lot of her patients are making appointments to discuss these pharmacist consults. Doesn’t this add to health care costs”
You’re correct Molly I did miss that and I apologise OP. Not only that I am at work and being unproductive. Yet again, being a bad boy. ; )
Actually TTFN , blood pressure is simply a snapshot of the moment.
When ever I go in I get tested sitting, & then standing.
I also take my pressures & heart rate while doing & after exercise & track that.
IF the only pressure you take is after 20 minutes rest ..how the hell can you get any idea of what’s going on if you are active ?
I’m only speaking from personal experience, More, having had high blood pressure for nearly 20 years. I believe the theory is that if your pressure is high when you’re at ‘rest’, activity might just blow your heart right out of your chest.
it is my understanding that it can be against the Canada health act to provide a private service for something that is normally provided for by public healthcare. ie you can’t start a private clinic for gall bladder operations because the public healthcare system already provides for gall bladder operations.
exactly… anyone can get their pressures up wherever they want them…
the only measurable difference is the low, base factor you can decrease to.
yeh, reg, you’re a baaaaaaad boy and i have some cape breton organic honey with your name on it.
oh crap, there goes my blood pressure. dammit. sorry reg, i’ll have to pass on the punishment today.
if one wants a true pic of their BP skip your meds, go all ballistic on facebook about chained dogs, drive to your drs appt with a leaky brake line and bald tires then have her test it. i swear i will never skip my freakin pills again dear lord.
Pharmacists are thinking you’re dumb enough to fall for it…. they are supposed to tell you about your prescriptions anyway. Go to the doctor for the other shit.
hah, i just had this vision of a drive-thru pharmacy with guns and liquor
@Reg: TTTHHHHHHHWWWWWAAAAAPPPPPP! Now, howz that for a little punishment;)
I think the fees are silly but your medical plan may cover them, but if not you can claim them on the medical portion of your tax return.
Pharmafascist? LOL. I know a lot of RX workers, they’re not all bad but this ‘service’ is overpriced, for sure.
… and why would I need a thorough rectal exam for a headache?
Something tells me I was taken advantage of.
TTFn …I’m runnin around 90 over 60 with a heart rate in the low 70’s when resting …that’s because i’m medicated ~;)
Unmedicated it revs up toward 200 + layin’ in bed ! ! ! While my nose bleeds … so I don’t really no shite about long term high blood pressure , but I sure am learning about Heart Disease ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
The highest BP reading I ever had was 200 over 94 – so I took up nordic walking every day (5-7 kms on a good day) for about five years until my knees broke down – I’m awaiting to have both replaced and am on BP meds since my activity level has virtually halved.
Studies have recently shown the great correlation between dental heath and heart health so don’t ignore the oral issues. Especially if a really spectacular blowjob is being offered.
Ouch! 🙂
Apparently this is Pharmacist Appreciation/Awareness/Whatever Month, which makes this bitch all the more interesting.
Gotta love an ‘Ouch!’ that comes with a smile;)
Hubba hubba! lol
SheSang…..’Ow YOU doin’? 😉
Hey Vasti–ya know I might even still remember how to tie a person up without actually hurting them or leaving marks….isn’t it nice when your career choice provides you with a little fun instruction;);)….And Now For Something Completely Different: hope we can have another summit soon (I was working during the last couple and couldn#t make it)–miss you guys;P Hope life is treating you like a well-spanked king avast-OH!!
How very …(ahem)… KNOTTY… of you, SheSpank…er..I mean…SheSang. *chortle, snicker* 😛
Whew! Getting warm in here…
Thanks hun. Rolled my ankle a few weeks back. Twice. So I was definately feeling spanked but, almost all healed up, (you could say almost brand-spanking new…;)…ok…I’ll stop now!)
Life is good, I gotta say. Spring is almost here so you GOTTA be excited about that.
Hope all is gold in your world and that you’re not working too hard.
Heh heh heh…..knotty is fun;) Too bad your most recent spanking was of the unfun medical type…..will send you some fun spanky vibes–here ya go: WWWWHHHAAAAAP!
😉 SheSpank
PS
Hope you’re not working too hard either:)