Tesco instore pharmacy...GRRR!!

Flashdaisy

It sounds to me that it wasn't necessarily the fact that the pharmacist didn't sell the drops to the OP, more how the pharmacist spoke to and dealt with her. If' he'd have said "I'm really sorry Madam but as your husband isn't here I really can't sell you these" and been a bit pleasant about it he probably wouldn't have got her back up as much.

biscit

zaksmum wrote: »

When the pharmacy is quite literally the only one open in a 20 mile radius, you don't have the option of nipping to the next nearest one, and it's not like I was trying to get my hands on a controlled drug or something.

Was this due to the time of night on Saturday being after the small Pharmacies in places like Valley, Llangefni and Amlwch were closed? I'm assuming this was just over the bridge on Holy Island (the Holyhead branch), or on the mainland (Bangor), not on Anglesey? Or is there another Tesco...

There have been many several ask your pharmasist ads on TV, Pharmasists aren't just shop keepers they are trained in the chemistry of drugs, so while it is a different expertise to a Doctor or optician.

I'm tempted to agree that it sounds like the blokes rudeness that was the problem.

mustrum_ridcully

Pretty poor service really, if he couldn't sell you antibiotic eyedrops because your husband wasn't there then surely he could have sold you something like brolene eyedrops that are for minor eye infections.

zaksmum

It was the Sunday, biscit. Very little in the way of pharmacies on Anglesey open on Sunday afternoon. Even the one in Valley is closed from about noon on the Saturday.

So I was left totally without the means to get the eye drops.

Got them today, by the way, from my local pharmacy...just who are they for...no problem at all.

biscit

Right that makes more sense now.

It does seem there are three sorts of medicine, POM, over the counter, and help yourself from the shelves. It seems to make sense to me that the stuff behind the counter is there so the pharmasist can ask questions. I belive you need a masters degree to be a pharmasist (which is half to two thirds what a Doctor has to go through they have two batchelors. Did you know Doctor is only a courtesey title unless you have a PHd?) The assistants that help certainly have to go through training.

It would be a waste if all that meant was handing over the medicine to anyone who asks.

zaksmum

I agree, biscit, but I'm not a stupid person and reckon I'm quite capable of deciding when eye drops are needed and when urgent attendance at the eye hospital is the better option.

Why not make the eye drops prescription only if they could be wrongly used?

As it was, my husband had a very uncomfortable 100 mile drive home with sore itchy eyes that could've been soothed with the eye drops.

The pharmacist should have exercised discretion instead of behaving like an idiot.

Ivory_Tinkler

The Pharmacist should have explained the rules to you better and maybe even suggested something that could have helped that he could sell to you. However, as we do seem to live in a "compensation" and "blame someone else" culture, he was probably only trying to stick to the letter of the law to prevent possible problems further down the line. Maybe there has been an incident in the past where this has happened, hence his behaviour.

However, that doesn't excuse rudeness and I'm sure you would have gone away a lot happier had he taken the time to explain his reasoning and maybe even given you a spot of friendly advice to ease your hubby's symptoms.

zaksmum

That's right, Ivory Tinkler. If he'd been less confrontational and dismissive I mightn't feel so aggrieved about his attitude.

I've seen these drops advertised in the media and there might be a tiny "ask your pharmacist for advice" wording at the bottom of the ad, but nowhere have I seen any indication that you just will not be allowed to buy them unless the affected person is present and willing to be examined.

It seems way over the top to me. There are all kinds of scenarios where it's not possible for the person to go to the pharmacy - if they were at work, for example, and phoned home to ask someone to get eye drops for them ready for when they get home. Non prescription items should be fine to buy over the counter, with advice if it's asked for.

If these eye drops carry any danger, make them prescription only.

chuckley

i have a rpt prescription and recently ive been asked: 'have u taken xyz before?'

No i just have it on repeat for joke.

Samba_Pa_Ti

i dont want to rub salt in the wound but the best thing to say is that they are for the first aid box and he has to sell you them then.

i know its a fib but somtimes its needed to get the wheels turning.

i often say stuff is for the first aid box when buying loads of asprins and stuff (just to restock on them), they actually go in the cupboard with all the medicine in it but same thing....