CVS customers complain about unauthorized prescription refills

Has your pharmacy ever refilled a prescription for you without your authorization?

Some customers of CVS have been complaining that that has happened to them.

Consumer columnist David Lazarus and Business Editor Marla Dickerson discuss the complaints, which Lazarus has written about in a series of stories in the Los Angeles Times.

Lazarus reported last week about confidential emails from a CVS supervisor in New Jersey instructing pharmacists there to refill prescriptions and submit claims to insurers without people’s approval.

CVS acknowledged the legitimacy of the emails but said the unauthorized refills were limited to about 50 East Coast pharmacists and that the supervisor involved wasn’t following company policy.

But Lazarus’ reporting has found that the unauthorized refills are happening in California too.

CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis said company policy “specifically directs pharmacists that they should obtain patient approval” prior to filling prescriptions.

“It is not our policy to refill prescriptions without a patient’s authorization,” DeAngelis said.

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CVS customers say prescription refills weren’t OKd

David Lazarus’ column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com.