Replies to post #72799 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

[to rph_in_wi]: Why didn't you like working for Walgreens? Just curious.

Based on the extensive thread last night, I think I can answer of behalf of rph_in_wi: he did not relish being a pill counter, which is all Walgreens wants and expects from its pharmacists. Yes, the money was good, but the work was like Charlie Chaplin’s job in Modern Times.

rph_in_wi can correct me if this is wrong.

[rph_in_wi]

Re: Why didn't you like working for Walgreens?

No offense to those who enjoy working in chain pharmacy.

I like patient contact. I started in a store that did 100 scripts a day and had 2 to 3 pharmacists on at any one time. We enjoyed a really clinical practice before a the term "clinical" became overused. When that store closed, partly because there were 3 pharmacists and only 100 scripts, I eventually tried chain pharmacy. All of the customer service skills I had learned were useless as every day I was yelled at because of insurance, Walgreens policy, or quality issues. After 2 years my regional manager took me aside and said that the reason he felt I wasn't enjoying my job was that I cared too much. It was the best gift he could have given me. It reminded me why I went into pharmacy and what part of the job I enjoyed most. It was a lesson that has stuck with me today and has allowed me to find happiness in every job I have taken since.

I no longer allow myself to judge my practice by the number of scripts I produce, but by the number of lives I touch.

Corny, but true.

Best of luck to you,

RPh