"Amy, a single mother living in a middle-class suburb (she asked that only her middle name be used), is an educated professional who is reasonably savvy in most medical matters. But every month she goes through an arduous, prolonged and humiliating process: filling a Ritalin prescription for herself and her 11-year-old son."
—Uh... well, the point about her having to run around to different pharmacies just to get her prescription filled is a good one, because that's b.s. (Though that's what we get for letting monopolies exist! Thanks, Walgreen's!) But you know, Viagra's been on the market since 1998, and no one's died of shame yet. (Although probably a few have bit it from priapism.) Maybe take a fresh look at Our Bodies, Ourselves, so you can go out and fill your skin rash and various ladyparts prescriptions without feeling bad about yourselves? Also, please, call me about feeling shamed after you've gone out to fetch a prescription for Zidovudine.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
11
I bought a sandwich at Duane Reade. That was embarrassing.
Personally, I love loading up with Adderall, Levitra, Lexapro, Ambien, Percosetts, condoms and lube. If only the CVS sold liquor like they do in California, I could make the pharmacist even more nervous when repeat the same check out line, "woo - ready to party!"
@BadUncle "Homer, whatever it is you're planning for tonight, count me out."
Referring to a thyroid medication issue as a pain in the neck is of questionable taste and quite funny.
Man, way to scrip-shame.
I feel guilty when I buy a large bottle of Advil.
this is why I use drug dealers.
I am confused by the NYT story. The subject feels shamed, but there are zero examples of the actual shaming happening.
@LaCatholique Yes, it seems more like frustration at a lack of availability, unless they intend the surprising implication that a suburban mom is being sized up by pharmacists for a Ritalin scrip, and perhaps denied because they suspect her of abuse?
I buy ADD meds all the time, no big whoop. But here's some good parental shame for you: the only US manufacturers of mebendazole just decided to stop making it. Low cost = low profit, so why bother? There is still a drug for pinworm on the market, but it's the over the counter one that I could only find in disgusting liquid formulation that most sane children will throw a tantrum rather than consume. Plus, I have to shout across the pharmacy counter, "Where's the pinworm medication?!" and then wander isle 4 trying to find it between the RID and the NIX. And that's after the email goes home to the whole school saying, "SOMEONE has pinworm people, please remind your children to wash your hands!" Shame! Deep shame!