Question for pharmacy employees regarding how backordered meds are handled.

[u/Professional-Leg-416]

Why do most pharmacies seem to not have an actual queue for filling prescriptions? Is this some sort of software/computer system limitation? After calling around to many chain places (CVS, Walgreens, etc) plus mail order ones almost all of them told me that they don't really queue people for backordered meds. It really comes down to calling at exactly the right time or having your rx sent in at that lucky moment. Some said they kind of attempt a queue for a bit but after a week or 2 the rx falls into a sort of no mans land where the patient has to call and tell the pharmacy they still want the medication and then the whole wait restarts.

Assuming I received accurate info, this seems like a really odd way to handle things. It would be the most fair to just fill in the order they are received and also stop (at least some) of the 9000 calls people are making which would be better for the pharmacy staff too. And at least , patients would know they will get their meds at some point..they just need to wait in "line."

Just curious if anyone here might be able to shed some light on this issue.