Druggists overwhelmed / New Medicare drug plan 'glitches' leave pharmacists struggling to fill orders

Druggists overwhelmed / New Medicare drug plan 'glitches' leave pharmacists struggling to fill orders: "Druggists overwhelmed
New Medicare drug plan 'glitches' leave pharmacists struggling to fill orders

Victoria Colliver, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, January 6, 2006

Pharmacist Julian Potashnick in Oakland says he has spent... Blister packs can no longer be offered by Leo's Pharmacie...

* Printable Version
* Email This Article

Business & Finance
--Get Quote:


Symbol Lookup
--Main Business & Finance Page: Stock quotes, portfolio, funds and more...
--Small Business Center: A new resource for small businesses. Get expert advice, forms and more.
--SFGate Technology: It's a high-tech world - - we just plug you into it...

It's been a rocky start.

Pharmacists say they have been unable to fill prescriptions or have given out drugs without knowing if they will be paid since Medicare's new prescription drug benefit began Jan. 1.

Some customers lacked cards or notification from insurers about their coverage. Computer problems verifying a patient's eligibility, busy help lines and mismatched identification numbers also have hampered the ability of pharmacists to fill orders."