Need a prescription?

If you are calling the doctor's office or the doctor on call and think you may need a prescription for goodness sake, have the phone number ready!
First of all, you should not be calling the doctor on call for a prescription refill or a routine medication. On call is for emergencies! The fact that you didn't get around to calling the office during business hours does not qualify as a legitimate call. I take and return calls immediately, as most oncologists do, and am frequently in the car or in a place that does not give me access to a phone book. If you call and I need to call in an antibiotic or other important medication, I need you to provide the number of the pharmacy. If it is at night or on a holiday you need to know ahead of time that the pharmacy is open.
When I ask for a pharmacy number, the caller will often say "I use the Brand Name Pharmacy on Elm Street." OK. That doesn't help me. I need the number. Our on call territory covers 10 counties over 3 states and I do not know all of the numbers of all of the pharmacies.
If you are calling for a family member you need their date of birth because the pharmacy will use that as an identifier when filling the script.
Gather this information before you place the call and it will be a much easier transaction for both of us.