Fentanyl (duregesic Name Brand) Availability In Florida Pharmacies

We moved from Connecticut down to Florida, with medical charts in hand.

We were told in Connecticut that we could go into any CVS/Walgreens stores to refill prescriptions, as it's a universal drug store. Now, I know the Duragesic Patch cannot be refilled through the system and must be handwritten and handed to the pharmacist.

We complied with those rules (Florida having many!). We went to CVS, they looked up my mother's record and saw that she indeed has the Duragesic Patch. I handed them the script and it took them 10 long days to get it in.

We then decided after that experience we would use Walgreens down the road from our home. We went in, explained the experience we had with CVS, they rolled their eyes and told us it would only take 3 days at the most with them. So, when it was time to refill it again we went there and suddenly, they told us they couldn't get the Brand Name, only generic. Plus they waited to tell me this when she was down to her last patch.

Generic patches do not work for many people, my mother being one. Now, I ask you, if the pharmacies can get generic, why can't they get the brand name? If it's the expense as some say, it's not an expense to the pharmacy, the patient is the one who pays, or their insurances...

Florida has become the melting pot for druggies and so many doctors are to blame, years back. They decided to make some fast monies, write scripts for anything and to anyone. Now there is such a tight hold on these meds that people need, it's ridiculous. Where can I find this patch for my mother who suffers from Trigeminal Nerve Facial Pain? This is insane.

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Actually, the cost goes to their distributor first, who is then paid by the pharmacy, who is then paid by you, thus the initial outlay of money is not the responsibility of the patient, additionally some insurance companies will not cover the name brand, if a generic is available.

The FDA warns that this medication carries the risk of being habit forming forming, and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and headache.

As to what pharmacy carries the name brand, there is no database available that can tell you that.

Can anyone suggest a place in that area?

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If her doctor indicates name brand only on the script, they should order it for her. I know that CVS (for example) use a certain wholesaler who will stock only one generic of something & that’s all they can get, but they should be able to order name brand unless there is a production problem with them.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

Find a mom and pops pharmacy (private pharmacy’s) they should not only be able to order brand name but a lot of them can do it next day during the week. Since it’s a class 2 controlled substance pharmacies can lie and tell you different it’s really up to the pharmacist. Don’t just walk in there with a prescription for a narcotic bring a non narcotic script also. Pharmacies can only supply narcs to 30% of their patients. Just FYI. Make sure you tell them who makes the brand name. I believe it’s Johnson and Johnson pricara. I know Florida is the worst place to go try a private pharmacy they should work with you.

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I cannot see why any generic drug would be any different from any brand. Based on the drug description, doesn't FDA require the same ingredients?

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And there is a difference between generic and brand name. Yes it contains similar ingredients but the strength isn’t the same I’ve been told many times even by doctors brand name is always gonna be about 20% stronger. I was on the same patches years back and had the same issue. I needed brand also. Like I said try a private pharmacy mom and pops. Try not to listen what the big pharmacies say such as Walgreens and Cvs they can not guarantee another one has what your looking for and they are coached on what to say on narcotic prescriptions. Try this and if you have a problem let me know and I’ll find another way to help. I did this myself for years that’s why I’m giving you this information hopefully you see it. The last thing I’m sure you want is her suffering withdrawal while your waiting for your meds. Keep me posted wish you the best luck Godspeed

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I’ve been on medicine for 35 years and am a disabled veteran with an inoperable spine. First a little history. In the 90’s we went through the same insanity. Patients having surgery were given scheduled doses of Toradol, a non narcotic medicine. They were screaming in bed, in pain. Same deal. The do gooders war on drugs so they can get elected. People in massive numbers wrote congress, senate and local lawmakers to complain. Thus the shift to pain scales and pain management rights. Now we’re back to crazy land. Most people are dying from illicit drugs and fentanyl and or a combination of meds. This is due to not being able to get meds. Write your congressman/woman and senator. Get the DEA Out of medicine. My other idea is for true pain patients to be in a pain management registry... Pharmacies can then know. Yes, we truly are legit and are being appropriately managed by a provider. IT'S INSANE AND JUDGEMENTAL. For your mother. I suggest a small independent pharmacy. CVS is the worst place to go. The Walgreens near Sarasota memorial is fantastic in bending over backwards to help. The one in Bee Ridge is horrible. Not sure where you live, but it’s about finding the right pharmacist who knows you and your history. Wall mart also has a specialty pharmacy you call 877-453-4566. Good luck. I feel your pain . Unless people get the DEA out of medicine and back to the real problem. The Cartels. This will only get worse.

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Re: Jay (# 5)

Thank you. I never knew about this, but it does make sense to make the price lower by using less amounts.

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I had an excellent experience with janssen pharmaceuticals (johnson & johnson)

Years ago when I was on the fentanyl patch, I had a problem with the patches staying on... Especially with showers. They used to have a 1-800 number... So I called them and to my surprise, an R.N. answered. She told me she would ship me some of these adhesive patches to protect the patch from falling off like on the 2nd day. Not only did she overnight me 50 of these adhesive patches for free, but added... When I ran out, she would send me more whenever I needed them.

Now I said all of this above because I was very pleased by janssen pharm- janssen.com/us. But I'm not sure when johnson & johnson took over janssen? The inventor of this patch was a doctor by the name of janssen. Here's hoping your dear mother has some luck with calling janssen. All of us in america are stuck with these backward, uptight laws that punish those of us with chronic pain. Because of these varying opiate limit laws I suffered for years. I also worked hard to have the best pharmacists one could wish for and I always call ahead. I'm super blessed because I just found out that my state allows my doctor some elbow room past the 120 mgs of most pure opiates (without acetaminophen, aspirin & etc.) available to me. Three things: number 1. Check your state law. Number 2: talk to your doctor and tell her or him you have more pain if this is true. 3. Get into an excellent rapport with your pharmacist(s). Good luck and I wish your mother and everyone in chronic pain the very best! Sincerely, brother.

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I've been on fentanyl for years now and I found out I have a rare bone disease. My dr called in 50 of the percocet 10/325 pills. I went to go get them... OOO sorry we're out of them. WTF, why would you not text me? OO I guess I FORGOT. I live in Arnold Missouri and she goes, "nobody else has any"... I go, "really? The first place I call had some"... Well u know your dr is going to have to send a new script. That's BS. Any ideas? Thank u.

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Re: Marvin (# 4)

It's kinda like buying gas for your car. It'll run on regular, It'll run on Mid-grade, but it'll run best on Premium. They all have the same ingredients, they are all the same but different.

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Re: ROCKO (# 9)

If they filled your script in "partial", they HAVE to, by law, fill the rest of your script as soon as they can get them in. If they are playing games with you, then I really don't know what to tell you! All us, Chronic Pain Patients, are having problems with having our legit scripts filled! I know, I'm one of them.

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Re: warin1 (# 11)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. I actually called my pain dr...and we went over a lot of meds N I never REALIZED 4 some reason anything with Acetaminophen and aspirin OMG IT MAKES ME SICK, very moody, headache and hurts my stomach, my PAIN SPECIALIST told me that I should never take anything with those drugs added in them, I told him u have no idea how long I tried telling other Drs. The same thing and they would just tell me it will go away, which it never did,or the dr. Would think that I just wanted something stronger boy I was so PISSED AT one dr. 4 accused me of being a drug seeker long story short the cop's were called on me. I really don't like DR'S thinking everyone's a drug seeker. I for one have never abused my meds, I always figured if you are not honest with your dr U ARE only hurting your self in the long run,OOO the one dr that accused me as a drug seeker wrote me a letter saying that he was wrong N sorry,I almost fell over but I told my intern dr I been seeing for over 20YRS refers me to him so I think he called the other dr N told him how wrong he was, I FELL 30 FEET THREW A SKYLIGHT AT A JOB SIGHT now I know how lucky am to b alive but yes it. Changed my life.

CVS IS THE WORST PHARMACY I EVER DELT WITH. I WAS GETTING MY PATCHES FROM THEM FOR OVER 3 YRS JUST BECAUSE THEY CARRIED MY FAVORITE BRAND MYLAN. THOSE ARE THE BEST PATCHES I EVER HAD.
ANYONE LIVES IN OR AROUND ST. LOUIS MISSOURI KNOW OF ANY PLACES I CAN GET PATCHES MADE BY MYLAN PLEASE LET ME KNOW. AND I SO AGREE WITH "STONE" ON WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT THE DEA N GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET ON SOMETHING ELSE. HUGS AND KISSES.

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