Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

fraujoolie wrote:Dr B didn't have any more samples. I wish he would have notified his patients- I found out the hard way, unable to make a refill. One of the pharmacists told me that there are only 4 major vendors to pharmacies, so no need to call all of them, if they are out, everyone is out. He said the major drug chains (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens) all use the same vendor, Target has their own, etc. He suggested calling the hospital pharmacies direct, in case there are any on the shelves. I called all the hospitals in Portland (I need to update my profile! I moved to Portland, OR last summer).

I called GSK and XenoPort jand gave them a piece of my mind. I got the standard BS about, "Well, these things happen, there are recalls all the time." I interrupted her, "This isn't a recall. This isn't about patient safety. This is about your greed, pure and simple." Gah. Remember when Horizant came out and GSK asked me to be a patient "ambassador" and shill their drugs? They offered me a small stipend, then it was mysteriously absent from their 30 pg contract they asked me to sign. Basically, they wanted me to work for free, taking time off from my regular job, out of the kindness of my heart. No thanks. Multi-billion dollar drug company. They said that after all, it would be a conflict of interest to compensate me for endorsing their product. Are we to think that Wilford Brimley didn't get paid for endorsing oatmeal? Florence Henderson didn't get paid for endorsing adult diapers? Julie's got to get paid, too. Show me the money.

Anyways.

The XenoPort rep said that Dr B wasn't in their database, but if his office called, he'd be streamlined into the samples route. She was reluctant to even give June as an estimate. Anyways, I called Dr B's office and passed along the info.

Needless to say, I'm miserable and disgusted with the Horizant folks. I am also bandaged up and miserable from having an abscess finally "incised and extracted" today from my neck. It's been quite a week, and I'm pretty sure all this stress (mentally and physically) of Horizant has something to do with this awful infection I got (I have never had anything like this in my life, awful). Off to pop those ineffective substitutes!! Bye!!

jakesmom wrote:

fraujoolie wrote:Dr B didn't have any more samples. I wish he would have notified his patients- I found out the hard way, unable to make a refill. One of the pharmacists told me that there are only 4 major vendors to pharmacies, so no need to call all of them, if they are out, everyone is out. He said the major drug chains (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens) all use the same vendor, Target has their own, etc. He suggested calling the hospital pharmacies direct, in case there are any on the shelves. I called all the hospitals in Portland (I need to update my profile! I moved to Portland, OR last summer).

I called GSK and XenoPort jand gave them a piece of my mind. I got the standard BS about, "Well, these things happen, there are recalls all the time." I interrupted her, "This isn't a recall. This isn't about patient safety. This is about your greed, pure and simple." Gah. Remember when Horizant came out and GSK asked me to be a patient "ambassador" and shill their drugs? They offered me a small stipend, then it was mysteriously absent from their 30 pg contract they asked me to sign. Basically, they wanted me to work for free, taking time off from my regular job, out of the kindness of my heart. No thanks. Multi-billion dollar drug company. They said that after all, it would be a conflict of interest to compensate me for endorsing their product. Are we to think that Wilford Brimley didn't get paid for endorsing oatmeal? Florence Henderson didn't get paid for endorsing adult diapers? Julie's got to get paid, too. Show me the money.

Anyways.

The XenoPort rep said that Dr B wasn't in their database, but if his office called, he'd be streamlined into the samples route. She was reluctant to even give June as an estimate. Anyways, I called Dr B's office and passed along the info.

Needless to say, I'm miserable and disgusted with the Horizant folks. I am also bandaged up and miserable from having an abscess finally "incised and extracted" today from my neck. It's been quite a week, and I'm pretty sure all this stress (mentally and physically) of Horizant has something to do with this awful infection I got (I have never had anything like this in my life, awful). Off to pop those ineffective substitutes!! Bye!!

What I find sad is the amount of waste in doctors giving samples. My neuro gave me 10 bottles of samples and I took 3 pills. I can't return them and I cannot donate them and I cannot send them to people who could put them to good use.

I hate needless waste, especially as expensive as that stuff is.

I recall a person or two here who've shipped those samples to others in need at times (and filled scripts, too). It's not legal and I'm not suggesting anyone do it. It seems to have made those who've done it feel a lot better, though.