Security in the high-tech world of the modern pharmacy

Suffering tragically from a nasty cold, I cannot go out. But wait! My
prescription is ready. So...

I'll have someone unrelated to me go to the pharmacy to pick it up. This
person needs to know the last name on the prescription. And then, as a
security precaution, they will do one of two things (with roughly equal
frequency):

1. Ask for the address on the prescription. Thus, anyone who knows where
I live is presumably qualified to come pick up my prescriptions.
2. Recite the address from the prescription, and ask whether that's the
right address.

Note that I have in the not too distant past had prescriptions for Schedule II
controlled substances*. That means that they cannot have refills authorized,
ever, and each prescription must be physically written, and then I have to
physically deliver it to the pharmacy -- they can't be authorized via fax.

And yet... Anyone who can say "yes" when asked about my street address can
pick 'em up.

-s
[*] Methylphenidate. Sadly, I'm not on it anymore because it tends to
hospitalize me.
--
Copyright 2010, all wrongs reversed. Peter Seebach / usenet-nospam@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.seebs.net/log/ <-- lawsuits, religion, and funny pictures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology) <-- get educated!
I am not speaking for my employer, although they do rent some of my opinions.
.

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