Pharmacy Refuses to Fill Hydroxychloroquine Prescription

As pharmacists, we have seen the continued press revolving around the use of hydroxychloroquine for prevention or treatment of patients with COVID-19 infections.  There has been data that this drug has no proven effect for these indications. However, there are many health care professionals still prescribing the drug for these indications.

Recently, I read a story in Florida where a physician was upset after a CVS pharmacy refused to dispense a hydroxychloroquine prescription. Dr Speros Hampilos stated the pharmacy refused to dispense the drug. He stated, “this is the first time we’ve been asked for a diagnosis and was declined.” CVS provided the following rationale: “Our goal is to limit stockpiling of medication that could result in future shortages and gaps in care. Our pharmacies are following dispensing guidelines regarding the use of these medications for COVID-19 that have been established in certain states. In states with no guidelines, our pharmacies are limiting the dispensing for COVID-19 treatment to a 10-day supply with no refills.” ¹

Dr. Hampilos called the statement “unacceptable,” and he plans on reaching out to Congress to make sure this does not happen again. He also stated “if I would have said malaria or lupus, I probably would have gotten it.” ¹

Here is a perfect example where physician entitlement and the belief that because you are the physician and the expert, are so wrong. This is what pharmacists should be doing! Calling health care practitioners out on inappropriate prescribing and be empowered to do so.  Unfortunately, again, I do not see our national pharmacy organizations doing anything to respond to this issue in the national press. I appreciate CVS in their response to this inappropriate prescribing.

CVS, thank you for making the right call to do what our professional organizations should be doing.

Michael J. Cawley, PharmD, RRT, CPFT, FCCM, has more than 25 years of experience practicing in the areas of medical, surgical, trauma, and burn intensive care as both a critical care clinical pharmacist and registered respiratory therapist.

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Reference:

1. Florida Doctor Says Pharmacy Refused to Fill Prescription for COVID-19 Patient. NBC Miami. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/florida-doctor-says-pharmacy-refused-to-fill-prescription-for-covid-19-patient/2263662/. Accessed July 22, 2020.