The problem occurs when the patient doesn't come back for the rest of the prescription. Madddox said pharmacists were trying to save time and make it easier for the patients by requiring them to write only one check. However, with Medicaid and other federal health programs picking up the tab, patients were not as likely to return for the additional medication. Technology also had something to do with the problem, Maddox said. Computer systems many pharmacies used to bill government health programs cannot pro-rate shortfilled prescriptions.
Pharmacists have to do it manually.
Maddox predicted that students currently enrolled in the Campbell's Pharmacy program wouldn't have to worry about the problem.