California Fentanyl Dispensing Guidelines Problem

Hi. I'm hoping someone with experience dealing with pharmacies can help me understand something.

Last month I was in the process of waiting on a Prior Authorization for my insurance for Fentanyl patches, and since I was due to fill my prescription I was dispensed 1 box of patches to pay cash for while waiting for coverage approval. Normally I get 4 boxes to last the month, and when I asked about what would happen when the PA was approved I was informed that the pharmacy couldn't dispense more than 4 boxes per month. Fair enough, I didn't want anything extra or early, I just wanted to know if we would be able to get the insurance coverage aligned with the next dispensing so I wouldn't have to continue paying for 1 box into the future.

I paid for the 1 box on July 23rd, and the PA went through on July 30th, after which they dispensed 3 boxes instead of my normally covered 4, assumedly because the month period of only dispensing 4 boxes in total began on the 23rd with the first box, and July 30th obviously falls within that month period. Again fair enough.

However, when I later asked about the next prescription being filled I was told that I couldn't get ANYTHING until a month after July 30th, which ends up being around the 28th or 29th of August.

That's a 38 day period.

I went around and around with the person at the pharmacy trying to make sense of this, but was told this was what the California Board of Pharmacies requires, and there's nothing that can be done.

From my point of view, if the 4 box/Month period began on July 23rd, then they should dispense the next 4 boxes/month a month later, (around the 22nd of August) but if the 30 day period started on July 30th, then they should have dispensed 4 boxes at that time, but they only dispensed 3. I can't wrap my head around it, how can it be both ways? Based on their proposed timeline they're only dispensing 4 boxes in a 38 day period in the name of only dispensing 4 boxes in a 30 day period.

It doesn't make sense to me.

Does anyone know more about this issue, because I'd like to understand what's going on, and hopefully get it resolved. (This is obviously not a case of getting anything early, or getting more than what's allowed)

And what this dispensing guideline the pharmacy is supposed to be following actually states?

Thanks.

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Just thinking, I live in Canada so no knowledge of how your system works but here's my suggestion. Contact your insurance carrier, explain the situation and that your/their paperwork is signed and dated but awaiting processing on THEIR end & wondering if this one box you are paying for - out of pocket - could be covered & that it IS an ongoing Rx since _____ (date).

I don't know how up front you are comfortable in being with these administrators but, feel them out...you are no a drug seeker nor drug abusers & never mismanaged your medications as it works for your personal health situation.

We have situations in Canada that you are only supposed to get a prescription renewal after making appointment with your doctor & only one month at a time.

No renewals through your pharmacy staff nor for more than one month at a time which is crummy for ppl with limited mobility or other complications.

I've used the same pharmacy for almost twenty years. They know I do not abuse my medicines nor come in with some crazy story to get my prescription refilled earlier than scheduled. I've had, say had because now my doctor's office is closing forever, but my doctor of 15 years knows I do not abuse my meds. Last month she renewed everything a month at a time so although this is extenuating circumstances sometimes it's worth asking the question.

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