I am a clinical nurse specialist with specialization in ADHD. Following a few years of insufficient access to medical treatment for ADHD, I was pleased to be able to offer the medical component of care at my office through a physician who sees patients in need of medication management one day each month.
After review of history, PDMP verification, vital signs, and collaboration involving a review of the patient record, Dr. Smith spends 30 minutes with each patient.
As this affiliation was developing, I sought consultation from Brent Robertson, lead pharmacist at Oil City, PA CVS. He agreed to accept paper rx's and advised me about requirements such as format and tamper-proof paper.
Dr. Smith saw patients in my office on 5/9/25 and 6/23/25. No questions were asked in regard to filling rx's provided in May, but, in June, a new pharmacist (Jen Nick) who demonstrated inadequate understanding of ADHD (belief that Adderall is a narcotic and that persons taking this shouldn't be driving) refused to fill Adderall prescriptions for my patients. I was sure that Brent would resolve this problem when he returned on 6/30. To my astonishment, he informed me that CVS would no longer fill any prescriptions from my office! Among the reasons given to my patients were fraud, insufficient physician time with patient, suspicions about rx legitimacy,etc. When I tried to explain the situation, he became angry and flatly refused to continue discussing. When I tried to talk to store manager Mike Walentoski He was downright rude.
Oil City is an economically depressed community which is underserved in mental health. With recent closing of Rite Aide. Pharmacy, choices are even more limited. Research confirms a high incidence of motor vehicle accidents as well as other unfortunate outcomes in untreated individuals with ADHD.
This suddenly imposed and unwarranted obstacle to treatment of ADHD creates unnecessary risks for individuals and the community and impugns the reputation of a dedicated mental health agency.
I would appreciate a phone call to discuss this significant problem.
Regards
Pam Nicodemus, MS RN CNS
Board-certified in Mental Health and
Faculty Emeritus, Clarion University of PA
Phone: 814-673-1026 read more