From Newsgroup: sci.electronics.design
On 8/10/2026 2:42 AM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
On 2026-08-09 13:10, Don Y wrote:
In their ongoing effort to improve their customer service,
I see Costco now does not provide the "prescribing information"
with prescriptions -- allegedly to save paper (though they
still print a page that tells you to scan a QR code to
get the information that they COULD have printed there!)
And, of course, also with "sustainability" in mind, the put a
in with your prescription telling you how to prepay.
Ah, but you can *request* the printed information from
the pharmacy staff!-a So, now I've got a page telling me
how to get the information "online" (and, presumably,
print a copy on my own printer -- what savings, there?!)
PLUS a copy that I have to manually request from an
employee -- taking more of their time and delaying the
servicing of the folks behind me in line.
Gotta wonder how the bean counters justify such decisions.
Do people actually think these things through, beyond the
superficial?
There was a talk about removing the paper leaflet in all medicines boxes, but
it was discarded, and it remains mandatory here. It does add something to the
cost.
This is a sort of "cover letter" that accompanies the product. An
8.5 x 11" sheet of double-sided paper printed with:
- first two letters of surname in 24pt type (to faciliate locating it)
- name and complete address of pharmacy (12 pt)
- date (prescribed? dispensed??) 12 pt
- full name of patient (12 pt BOLD)
- full address of patient (12 pt)
- patient phone number
- name of medication (12 pt BOLD) and dosage unit
- equivalent product (for generics) 12 pt
- amount patient is required to pay
- prescription number and quantity dispensed (12 pt)
- 36 digit identifier and barcode encoding (12 pt)
Virtually the same information is repeated (in a different layout)
immediately adjacenet to this withthe addition of:
- number of refills allowed (and date prescription expires)
- nondiscounted price
- names of up to three insurers covering this instance
- 1x1" QR code accompanied by:
"Costco Pharmacy is committed to sustainability. Please scan this
QR code to access important information about your medication.
Paper copies are available upon request from our pharmacy team."
[More, later!]
The above occupies the top quarter of the page (portrait orientation).
The next quarter contains:
- "Counseling: Required (or not)" -- i.e., if first time using this medication - "Reason: " that counseling is required, if so
- Name of pharmacy (gee, didn't we already have that earlier?)
- Address of pharmacy (again!)
- Hours of operation
- "You may contact the pharmacy to receive medication counseling
and any othr questions including but not limited to:
+ status of your order and delivery date (for mailed prescriptions)
[um, then how did you end up with this sheet of paper???]
+ concerns or questions regarding your medication
+ concerns or questions about potential damage or temperature
issues to medication during shipping, if applicable (if its
been over 48 hours and ice packs have melted)
+ any complaints about medication or pharmacy services
Then, the name of the medication (again) and dosage
Finally, the directions for taking same.
The last ~third of the page is blank -- as is the entire back side.
PREVIOUSLY, the balance of the page (and second sheet, if
necessary) would contain:
- name of medication (along with pronunciation)
- why prescribed
- contraindications and conditions that your prescriber should be made aware of
(e.g., allergies, medications that might conflict with it, pregnancy, etc.) - OTC products and foodstuffs/beverages to avoid while taking
- precautions when taking ("avoid driving", "avoid sunshine", etc.)
- time of day to take it
- with or without food
- swallow vs chew, etc
- how to store the medication
- typical side effects (diarrhea, headache, dizziness, runny nose, etc.)
- notable side effects (e.g., call doctor if any of the following occur)
Presumably, scanning the QR code brings you to a page that gives
you this information -- which you would likely PRINT for reference
(or, preserve the QR code so you can access it in the future as
it is not marked on the actual product dispensed) as its unlikely
that you will remember "warning signs" when/if they occur days later.
Regarding "concern for sustainability:
- this medication was for some eyedrops delivered by the
manufacturer in a ~20ml "dropper bottle"
- packaged (by manuacturer) in a conformal fitting box
- placed in (by pharmacy) a larger "pill bottle"
- with lid
- labeled with the name of patient, address, date, medication,
dosage, application instructions, quantity dispensed, pharmacy
name/address/phone, date dispensed, date first prescribed,
date prescription expires, number of refills remaining out of
number allowed, prescription number, name of manufacturer,
alternate name of medication (for generics), physical description
of dosage unit (e.g., yellow capsule, etc.), quantity, expiration
date of medication (much of this in "light" 6 point type)
- accompanied by this sheet of paper
- all *sealed* in a clear plastic bag!
- AND, accompanied by a full-color, glossy insert encouraging you
to PREPAY your prescription (to reduce time waiting in line)
(I guess "sustainability" only applies to trimming those things
that might benefit the *customer*!)
[So, nothing has been "saved" -- especially as you were given a sheet
of paper with lots of blank space! -- its just been shifted onto
YOUR responsibility. You *do* own a smartphone, have a QR code reader installed, WITH a data plan, and, some sort of tie-in to a printer, right?]
A big proportion of the people using medicines are old folk, and of these a sizeable proportion do not even have a computer. Phone? My neighbour doesn't have one. Others do not know how to use a QR.
Likewise, the "fine print" on the labels (though the name of the pharmacy
is proudly displayed in full color! ... priorities!). It's not just *small*
(6 pt) but also "LIGHT" (vs. normal or BOLD).
Note that they are sure to put the name of the pharmacy prominently
on the product lest you forget and bring your business elsewhere!
Methinks that probably getting the leaflet once would suffice.
We make similar "mistakes" in the name of doing things "for the
customer/user". Rationalize that a printed manual is no longer
necessary (look at all the money WE WILL SAVE THE USER??).
Or, "help" delivered over an internet connection (so it is
always up to date) -- but likely not preformatted in a manner
that makes creating a printed copy efficient!
Or, allowing the user all sorts of configuration options (instead of
PICKING ones that make sense).
And, of course, support for online updates (instead of just getting it
right the first time -- if it wasn't important enough to get right the
first time, why is it important to UPDATE it??!)
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