Prior authorization is a dirty word in my book. This last time, I needed a medication I had previously been on for about 14 years. I had to stop it previously, as it became unavailable. I used another medication in its place and did not do well. The first medication became available again and I asked that it be prescribed once again. Done! That was on February 12. Through a mess of wrong phone numbers, wrong fax numbers, being away from home, etc. etc. etc. I just got the prior authorization yesterday on March 29. Took 6 weeks. Thank goodness it was not heart medicine. I think prior authorization is a ridiculous thing. If your doctor, in whose hands your life stands, thinks you need it, that should be it.