2012 Oxycodone 30mg Shortage In Florida

My spouse, who is in severe, chronic pain, has been a customer of Walgreens for many years. We live in Pinellas County, Florida. Everyday this week we have driven from Walgreen's to Walgreen's trying to fill his prescription for Roxicodone 30mg, to no avail. I cannot get any help from his regular pharmacy. I know that it's dangerous for them to tell a total stranger which store has them in stock, but I don't understand since they know him, why they can't call around or give us any assistance. I am at a total loss as to what to do & would appreciate any information that you could provide. It is so hard to see him in so much pain. Thank you.

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I had the same thing happen to me. Went to the same Walgreens for over a year. The pharmcist knows I have metal rods in my back and since December has flat out refused to help me. They don't have them, don't know when they will have more and her best answer was. "you will have to try somewhere else". I informed the pharmacist that no where else has it and she just says sorry its first come first serve. They say to check back but can't say when and everytime I check back they don't have them.

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Forgot to mention I am also in Pinellas and have checked everywhere from St. Pete to Palm Harbor/Tarpon

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Have you guys considered trying an online pharmacy here in the U.S.? I personally haven't used this method for getting a prescription, but I know others successfully have, and there are a handful of sites out there that are safe and legal to order from amongst the swarm of bad ones.

To find out if an online pharmacy is licensed, is in good standing, and is located in the United States, contact NABP at: nabp.net/contact/

Legitimate online pharmacies that carry the VIPPS seal are listed at:
nabp.net/programs/accreditation/vipps/find-a-vipps-online-pharmacy/

For a list of boards of pharmacy, visit:
nabp.net/boards-of-pharmacy/

FDA: Buying Medicines and Medical Products Online
Quick Tips for Buying Online:
* Make sure the site requires a prescription and has a pharmacist available for questions.
* Buy only from state-licensed pharmacies. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacies has more information about licensing and its program to certify online pharmacies.
* Don't provide personal information such as credit card numbers unless you are sure the site will protect them.
fda.gov/buyonline/

Hope this information helps!

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I am willing to try ordering online but do any of these pharmacies stock oxycodone 30mg? I also see that Walgreens is listed as a pharmacy that carries the VIPPS seal. If the physical stores do no have my medication in stock can I order online and have them delivered still? If you can point me in the right direction of what site to use to get my medication and exactly how it works that would be very helpfull.

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you can't buy these strong pain killers online, even with a valid script. the dea has made it illegal to but these medication online and any legitimate companies will follow the law. believe me, i already tried.

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I am in Orlando and had some basic questions about my prescription.My doc is here but ive moved from time to time.Back and forth from Tampa to Orlando.Ive had pharmacys in tampa fill for me with my prescription from doc in Orlando and DL from Tampa,and had them say no as well and they said it was cause my docs from Orlando.Im living in orlando now and my docs here too,im using my DL from Tampa.What does the law say about using DL from Tampa to fill in Orlando?Would it be easier to fill if both my DL and doc are from Orlando or does it matter?Is it just the pharmacists perogative to fill if he wants or what?Im having a hard time filling and was curious if thats gonna affect it?

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@molly,

I definitely was not aware of this. Is this federal law nation wide or just dependent on what state you live in?

If you have any details or articles of information you can provide about this, that would be great!

@mike,

generally, yes, you can have the pharmacy order the medication for you and have it shipped to the store to pick up. But as far as what molly just stated goes, you'd have to double check with your local pharmacy about these painkillers just to be sure, as I am not aware of these new laws.

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Yep sure does, get this, I live in Hollywood, Been goin to same r. for more than almost a year, Had another accident discplacing the 3 devices in my back and neck, I have been frantically trying to find 30 Oxycodone, I finally get this nice pharmarcy after 4 days, she says she has them, even at a DECENT $$$, I cooked ass there, Called my DR, and then the Pharamacist comes up to me and says, I see you moved out of town for a moth in December? I wxplained I was struck but yet again from behind, Had to saty with freind to help me, ALSO had to get my DR changed to fill script in that area, Then A month later went back to same DR. He said Ihe could NOT fill, He said DEA has Stritct rules and you must NOT change DR Lic, Nor DR forr ^ months for a pharmacy to take you on as a new patient or they can get shut done, I am so PO'ed, Because I do understand the abuse, But what about people Like Me, US? I canot help it that pill helps me???? GRRRRR

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does anyone know where I can get my script for oxycodone 30mg in naples FL, bonita or port charlotte or north port? Please help. I have both legs broken and was sent home with this script and not only cant my wife go for me to fill it I HAVE TO WHEEL my way in to just be turned away as they dont have any. Please help with info. I also have insurance but am willing to just pay cash to get them and then submit to my ins co

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I've been having the same problem tying to fill my prescription for the last 5 weeks here in Tennessee. Every pharmacy I've been to, including my normal pharmacy doesn't have the 30mg oxycodone. I take a high dose for a bad disc in my neck, over the last 4 years. Up to 360mg per day (60-90mg per dose). I finally had to go back to my pain management doctor and tell him I couldn't get it. So he's changed me over to the time release version of Oxycontin 80mg (take 2 per dose). My insurance will only cover up to 120 pills in 30 days though, but my scrip was for 180 per 30 days. All I can do now is supplement with a lower dose oxycodone with the higher dose oxycontin. In some ways though, this oxycontin seems to be working better for me I think. Only been using it a week now, but it helps. It's the same medicine, as the immediate release, just in a time release, and a lot more expensive!

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I've have asked this question to several people and rx's but I cant really get a straight answer. When a rx says that their out or its first come first serve are they being truthful? What I mean is if they say their out does that mean that if I check back every day I may actually get them or should I not even bother. I was going th the same rx for over 3 years but the last 3 months I wasnt able to get from them and they say were out check back. are they being truthful and should I keep trying with them or did they just decide not to get them anymore and arent telling me. Because that would be very cruel to make me keep comming back.

Just getting in and out of the car takes me about 5 minutes just to get in the car and 10min to get out with the wheel chair. If someone knows for sure please assist with a responce. or if you know where I can fill my script in naples to north port

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You guys are certainly not alone. I live in Tampa - the "pill mill" capital of the world and never ONCE had to wait longer than one day after my appointment to fill my 135 oxy 30mg. I only fill at Walgreens - I have a main store I fill at but when they are out, I have several back ups that usually will have it the same day - but if not, the following morning...always. WELL, It's Wednesday and my appointment was Monday. I took Monday off as usual for my appointment and what not - however, I had to call off Tuesday b/c I couldn't find a Walgreens that had stock ... and we all know the best chance you have of finding something during these times is very early in the morning. Couldn't call off today so now I'm sitting at work, sick and in pain....WAITING to take my lunch break...WAITING to get off work... just to keep searching and driving all over Tampa. It's disgusting. We supposedly have SUCH a problem w/ the amount of pills being in the city - yet I'm doing it the LEGAL and LEGIT way and cannot find anything unless I want to break the law and buy off the streets for 20+ a pc. I just don't understand, Florida has passed all these laws and set up these programs to eliminate doctor shoppers, out of staters, drug users, etc. etc. yet we STILL have a shortage? Prior to this, we had EVERYONE going to the doctor and filling their scripts no problem - the problem USED to be the visit to the doctor...having to wait for a long time, paying the visit, etc. but you'd fill your scripts w/ ease....so to me, it doesn't make sense why we have such a shortage to where not ONE Walgreens in the Tampa area has ANY oxycodone AT ALL. I searched Monday from 1pm to 10pm...I did a search in the morning and then later that night I went to all of the same places again to see if they got anything in... so many people going in and out doing the same thing I am. It's sad. No one should have to be doing this. TIP: Instead of asking your pharmacist "when will you get more in" - ask them "when was your LAST shipment and how often to receive your shipments" ... it will eliminate the problem of them acting like they have no clue. Chances are you will receive more helpful information asking the right questions.

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Same problem. Tried thirty stores in Orlando and no one has in stock. I have no insurance and cannot afford the high priced ER drugs. Help?

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The situation now is depriving people with legitimate needs. The abusers are most likely still finding a way to obtain their drugs to get their high, while true chronic pain patients are forced to go without or being delayed relief as a result of poor planning by the state and federal government. This needs to be addressed and resolved YESTERDAY.
There's no doubt that it will force some to obtain their meds via alternate sources (illegally). How f'ing ironic is that..

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Our constitutional rights are being violated and we need to start a class action suit against the state of Florida and the FDLE for preventing us the persuit of happyness. I am going to now file for disability and get a lawyer because I can not work with out this medication and now can not provide for my family the government is preventing me from obtaining the legal medication I need to be a productive member of society so the can now support me my wife and my adopted son. Obama wants every one on the dole anyway ....

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Im having the same problem and found out that the distribution center for swFla had their narcotics license stripped and we now get our roxi 30 from Mississippi or Missouri but not until they take care of their own first

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complain to your reps and demand the cowards with the dea go after the real drug cartels and the banks that happily wash the money

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Avoid Walgreens, they are faxing your prescriptions to the DEA. They are not out of the medication. They just don't want to fill your prescription. DEA and Florida board of pharmacy is on board, STAY AWAY. They just took my script, scanned it and said "they don't feel comfortable filling my prescription" with a smirk.

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Hi Kat,Read your post and this is an ongoing problem.From what I know all pharmacies are limited by the DEA rules on how much of oxycodone they can order and have on hand at one time.I too live in Tampa and my doctor was in Orlando for the fact I have been seeing him for almost 12 years,I moved to tampa but still commuted to orland every day for work and it was best for me to still see him since everyday I was in orlando working and did not have to take a day off to see a doctor in tampa even though now I live here for almost six years.I dont know what doctor you use,but after I retired and was not working in orlando,was commuting once a month to keep my same doc.After a while with gas so high I finally got a mdoc in tampa and int the same building was a pharmacy on first floor called Kays and I never had a problem getting the oxycodone.They almost always had it,and the few times they didnt they ordered it and had it the next day and if you wanted they would even mail it too you.There are 3 Kays pharmacies that I know of,one on fletcher that is the one I was going to,the other two you would have to look up.Also my local sweetbay was great about having what I needed and if they happened to be out they would have it the next day.I hope this helps you and if you dont have insurance Kays prices were half of any other pharmacy that I had priced.Good luck.

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Yep Steve, that's what we are getting here in Jax as well. Of course if you read the article I can see why. That was the reason we only had a few pharms that where able to get the meds due to the fact that the 6 Walgreens that are under investigation down state were getting them all. As I've said before the stuff is going to start getting real ugly. It's a shame that it has come to this. And what's really sad is that in 6 months, it will be something new that the DEA and pharms have a problem with.

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Re: lisa (# 8)

That is the most truth I've heard in a long time. I have osteoporosis arthritis seizures fractures in my back just to name a few, and the pain doctor I used to go to I went to him for 10 years and went up to Michigan for a while and then I came back and tried to get back in with him and they couldn't take me. So here I am scrambling around trying to find somebody to help me if anybody knows or anybody for God's sake.. I live in Ormond Beach Florida and I would appreciate any help you can give. You know of course this is going to force all of us to do our business out on the street.

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Re: Mike (# 1)

Is this problem getting Oxicodone still difficult to fill in Florida in 2018

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You are not alone! They do me the same way and they know me too! 25 years! Going from drugstore to drugstore is not good either because they are all connected with the state narcotic agency and it looks bad on your record. Regardless of the fact they tell you to go elsewhere! When you do try, they ask you if you are a regular or if they fill other scripts for you? If no, they refuse you saying they have to take care of their regular customers and don't have a supply to fill walk ups!

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I have been taking the 30mg oxycodone for years for pain. It has stopped working and then we got a new pharmacist who chose to believe he knew better than the doctor and he refused to fill it! Causing me nightmare problems! So to please him and not have to argue anymore I had my doc cut it back to 15 mg. It's useless for my pain! I want to get off it totally but I don't know how, or what to do. Has anyone had success in stopping opioids? I will not replace it with another addictive drug. Thanks

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I went thru this..we switched to cvs the dont have an issue calling to locate your needs..theyve done it for me with level 3 meds many times..hope this elps good luck..id ask why after all this time there not keeping it stocked for you..my store pre orders based on customer needs on narco meds...

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I was in a bad auto accident back in boynton beach nine months ago and dislocated my L-5 & L-6 disks and started on oxycontin 40mg twice a day and dilaudin 6mg 6x a day (30s are harder to find just go to 40) and from day one i went to a CVS in Boca Raton (where i was living BUT my license showed a Delray Beach Address over 20 miles away) i had no problem. I then moved to Fort Lauderdale, still, with the same license to my local cvs. Just handed her my new script from my new pain managment doctor (just showed him past records and he put me back on everything cause i am allergic to Tylenol and ibprofin*hint*) and my oxycontin discount card from perdua pharmaceutical. They didnt have it this was on a friday so the pharmacist said come back monday when they get it in. So because my records with cvs showed me filling oxys and dilaudin before, they ordered them for me. Asked how many i need per month and said to fill it on the same day each month and they will keep it stocked. Im a 30 year old real estate agent with purple hair lol. No judgement was made. As long as u have a valid reason and records you have taken these types of meds before you should be fine now. Things have calmed down

If that doesnt help, i called up my insurance company (blue cross blue shield of fl ppo) and told them i cant fill my two scripts down here. They gave me the address to their central pharmacy. I overnighted it monday and got it back thursday morning filled with no issues. These two routes helped me through all the junkie judgement and I hope it helps some of you guys too!!

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I fill my meds every month at cvs in broward county for oxycontin 40mg 3x a day and also oxy instant relase 30mg every 6hrs for back problems. I have no issue because it's the same script and same doctor every month.

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@ Holly I have a Pm who is legit, seeks out abusers, u/a wont prescribe if you have an arrest history with controlled substances. You can put the Dr info on here . You cannot put your personal info on here

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FYI, I have been on the Time-released form of this drug and up until recently, it was unavailable because the mfg. was revamping the medicine so it cannot be "abused". When it did come back out, the reformulated tablet was so heavily coated in a thick shell, I really didn't get much relief and the cost was over $500 with my insurance. Lately, I have been unable to get the "brand name", so my doctor wrote it to be compounded. I am very happy with this change for a couple of reasons... 1) it seems to actually WORK 2) it is 1/3 of the cost of the brand name pills (no one seems to make a generic of the reformulated pull. It comes in a capsule, but if is still tine/released. My insurance is same... They will pay for 2 pools per day as they supposedly last for 12,hours. I get breakthrough immediate release meds for when timed-release wears off early. Good luck and check into a compounding pharmacy! Or a regular pharmacy that also compounds!

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@ Tampa Mark, unfortunately, my mail order pharmacy only carries C3's & down. Every month, still getting sos pulled on me. I can never get rx filled 28 days out, this month it was 32 days out. I was told by pharmacy I should have wks worth in case. How is that possible when I'm waiting 30- 35 days? I went 10 days without in Feb bc med didn't come in as ordered. Every month, it's very stressful. I'm now taking at least 1-2 a day less bc I can't be stuck in bed again. I'm getting too old for this garbage. I worry I'll die from strain on my body of w/d. I feel awful w/o it, but more concerned I could have something bad happen stopping abruptly.

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