Walgreens Prior Authorization: Fill & Download for Free

I used to have a local, independent pharmacist to whom I sent most prescriptions. I could call him about what the patient’s plan covered. He would call me if there was a problem with coverage or availability of a med or if he thought some other prescription might be more appropriate for a particular patient. We had a great working relationship. I appreciated his knowledge and professionalism so much! And then he was driven out of business and taken over by CVS.Now, that same pharmacy under the CVS Brand employs younger, less experienced, less communicative, and (one assumes) less-well paid pharmacists, many of whom do not speak English as their first language. These pharmacists don’t bother to call or be collegial. They just deny the meds, have their techs call my office to say that a prescription needs a prior authorization, or occasionally want to substitute a completely inappropriate medication (they don’t seem to grasp the difference between classes of topical steroids, for example). It’s torture.Pharmacists are potentially a great resource and as many writers here have noted here, they are a valuable part of the medical team. However, be very wary of the big chains: Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc. Their primary focus is on the bottom line, not the patient or the doctor doing the prescribing. Find a local, independent pharmacy, if possible.

Big corporations such as cvs, Walgreens, walmart, etc., probably have rules and guidelines that their corporate offices put down on them, that they have to follow regarding opioid meds and when they can and can't fill them… things such as how long ago you filled it last, how many pills it's for, why you're taking it, if you've had a physical with your md in the last year, if you've tried any alternative meds… the list goes on! And just recently insurances have been cracking down even harder requiring prior authorizations on every narcotic written if it's not for a cancer… so honestly, I'm sure the pharmacies are just doing it to cover their butts and to help with this opioid epidemic we have going here in the US…

Quick answer— No, you won’t be able to get an early refill, online or otherwise.#1. Because it’s a controlled substance, you can’t get refills for Adderall. A new prescription is required for continuing treatment with this medicine.#2. Because it’s a controlled substance, it’s almost impossible to get it before 27 days of the 30 day prescription have passed. Trust me, I’ve tried to just get it 1 day early recently, because I was going out of town the day my prescription would be available, and boarding the plane just 30 minutes before my pharmacy opened. They wouldn’t even let me transfer my prescription to a different location of Walgreens to allow me to pick it up before 7:30 am.In the event your meds are stolen, you’re definitely going to be screwed for at least a few days, if not longer. My current doctor won’t write a new prescription early, as far as I know. And I don’t think he’s even allowed to under current regulations in my state, seeing as I’m required to see him every 30 days and to provide a urine sample at every visit to prove I am actually taking my Adderall myself.My previous psychiatrist required a police report to provide proof of theft, and then would prescribe more only after a drug screening and an additional appointment with him.I have no idea how you would get more in the event you had a stupid accident involving your meds— like me as a kid, who managed to knock the bottle, sans lid, into the open toilet once. That was fun explaining to my Dad and his friend, my doctor.Be smart with your meds— don’t carry them if you don’t have to, and don’t carry more than you need to in order to prevent the loss of your entire supply. And don’t advertise that you have them! I can’t tell you how often I have been asked if I would sell them, or had an ex who “snuck” a few just to “try”.When you can, pick up you meds at the soonest legal day possible (Usually 3 days before the month is up), and store the extras from the previous month in order to give you a bit of a buffer for when you misplace them, or leave them somewhere else, or have issues filling the next prescription because you need a prior authorization.