August 9, 2024
CVS can automatically notify you when you're due for a refill. It usually goes something like this:
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CVS Texts (■■■■■)
July 23, 2024
Jason: Rx LIS will be auto-filled in a few days at CVS Pharmacy.
July 25, 2024
Jason: Rx LIS is now ready for pickup at CVS Pharmacy [ADDRESS REDACTED].
When I get that second message I know to go get my blood pressure medicine. Great.
They even have the forgetful in mind. Or maybe they just know that sometimes texts don't go through:
July 27, 2024
Hi Jason, it's CVS Pharmacy. Pick up LIS at [ADDRESS REDACTED] before Thu. 08/08. Got your back w/reminders if you forget.
So that's great.
Except sometimes it doesn't work as expected.
July 25, 2024
Jason: Rx MET will be auto-filled in a few days at CVS Pharmacy.
And then crickets.
When it dawned on me that, hey I'm almost out of my diabetes medication, I made my way down to the CVS and asked them what was up. Well, apparently they wanted to ask me something: My refill is for a 45-day supply, would I like them to ask my doctor for a 90-day supply instead?
I mean, sure, but why do I have to remember to come pester you about that? Why not send a text that says something like "Jason, we have a question for you about your Rx MET, please call [WHATEVER] and press [NUMBER] to speak to a pharmacist." You know, use that automated system for things that can be automated. Keep the spice medicine flowing.
So I was out for a day. Nothing major, I just had to watch what I ate a bit more closely for a few meals. But it was a pain in the ass. And could have been a much bigger problem if the medicine they were holding off from was critically important. I'm pretty sure you can't just skip a day if you're on immunosuppressants. Given that it makes your brain work better, I'd say ADHD medication is a lot more of a problem to do without than metformin. I'm lucky that I can just eat boring food for a while when the process fails.
So now when I get a text from CVS that I've got a refill coming up I have to set a reminder for two or three days later just in case they decide that the best way to get me to answer a question is to hold my medicine hostage for a while.
