In retail pharmacy these days we are often asked to do several things automatically, that is, before our patients request it. Our companies may ask us to automatically contact prescribers for refills when we discover that a previous supply has run out. They may also be asking us to automatically refill prescriptions every month based on the amount of time that has passed since the previous refill was purchased. Patients may even receive automated telephone calls that their prescription is ready for pick up ! These automatic functions are said to provide timely and convenient prescription fillings for our patients, which they often do. However, they can also lead to some wasted efforts for prescriptions that have been discontinued, changed in directions, or that the patient is unable to purchase on a regular basis. The philosophy of the chains seems to be "If we fill it, they will come." It seems to be just another way to try to increase prescription sales volume. Does't it seem that patients are less and less expected to be responsible for managing their own medication supplies ? What have your experiences been like with all this "automation", and do you think it is a positive step for our profession?More »