The phone rings.
A voice trembles over the line, halting but desperate.
I listen.
Nod.
The panic in the voice grows.
STOP, I command. LISTEN.
YES. Your hard-won prescription that cost you a 20-hour wait to speak with the doctor, and was paid for in CASH (Yes, we’re old school), has EXPIRED. Prescriptions expire in FOUR (4) days in Japan.“
But…there’s yet a glimmer of hope.
Do you still have your prescription?
Are you near the pharmacy? Good. Some pharmacies can be reasoned with.
Take your prescription back in and have them call the clinic.
Some unspecified time later, sometimes days, we receive a call from a pharmacy.
Someone else may answer the phone.
I hear piercing tones and offer to take the call.
My staff steadfastly hangs on.
More panicked conversation.
I grab the phone.
This is Dr Ikegami, clinical pharmacist.
The voice goes down one pitch.
Then, it launches into a spiel about how prescriptions are only good for FOUR days after issue.
WAIT, I say.
Answer one question for me.
I can FAX you that prescription, extended until today.
AND send you the hard copy by post.
Can you fill the prescription for the patient TODAY?
Sometimes I’m transferred to someone with more authority.
But in many cases…
A sigh of relief.
But more reassurance is always required.
“You’ll mail us a hard copy of the extended prescription?,” they press.
Yes, I will.
So will you please fill the prescription for the patient TODAY?
A little more paperwork for me, envelope stamped, mailed, and mission accomplished.
Some pharmacies are less forgiving and demand the patient bring in a valid prescription before they’ll hand over the goods.
In such cases, the patient has to come back to our clinic to get the prescription revalidated.
Some pharmacies require the blood of my firstborn.
I try to deal, within reason.
So please, if there’s any chance you won’t be able to get to a pharmacy within four days after you get your prescription, tell us BEFORE you leave the clinic. We can extend its validity BEFOREHAND.
And if you forget anyway, at least give us a call. We WANT to help you get treated.