Faulty inhaler....not fit for purpose... consumer rights?

Bronnie

Need to sort this asap, so quick responses from anyone with specific knowledege in relation to prescription items would be greatly appreciated.

DD has had an Easi-Breathe inhaler for about a month, this is a spare and she has scarcely used it, however now it has stopped dispensing the medication.

This morning she returned it to the pharmacy (local independent) and the pharmacist said he could not do anything about it and she would have to get a new prescription and then pay another prescription charge for the replacement.

It is obviously not fit for purpose, but I can't find any info online as to how this applies to precription items.

Anyone know, please?

sharronloves2spend

In my former life i was a pharmacy technician, i worked for a big firm and without quibble we would just replace it and send it back to the manufacturer, don't actually know the official line but that's what we did as part of customer service.

Could the pharmacy not 'loan' you an inhaler untill you get the script, although she would still have to pay, it's a toughie as independants are looking after their own purse strings!! Maybe none of that helps.....

sharron x

sharronloves2spend

Perhaps contact glaxo smithkline??

Bronnie

hi sharron

Thanks that was quick!

This pharmacy is not a favourite of mine tbh, they are never particularly helpful, but they are close to the surgery! I often use Boots and have got used to their excellent level of customer service.

It seems unfair that she should have to pay again for the item, although of course I will as she needs it.

Good idea to contact manufacturer however, it is actually, now I look properly , a Salamol Easi-Breathe made by Ivax Pharmaceuticals, whose website is now longer active from the link I found www.ivax.co.uk :mad:

Bronnie

Resolved matters now.

According to Consumer Direct, such pharmacy items are still covered under the sale of Goods and should be repaired , refunded or replaced if faulty.

Pharmacist was very reluctanct and grudging and told me it wasn't fair on him and I had to smilingly persist in forcing the issue , he made a couple of phone calls to the wholesaler and manufacturer and eventually gave her a replacement free of charge.

Even as he handed it over, he was still moaning. Although by this time, I was enjoying the sport and gave him a little lecture back on how it was worth looking after your customers because then they would come back.

Not.

sharronloves2spend

Ha, victory for the small people!! Good for you, i worked for an independant once...... Let's just say never again!! I know we always looked after our customers (and they still do) I LOVE the fact you persisted and gave HIM the lecture... !!!!!! a salbutamol only costs abou £5 trade..off to consult the bnf..

Sharron x

ellay864

Ivax were taken over some years ago by Teva and the Salamol Easi Breathe is on their website....makes me wonder if the inhaler you had was an old one if it was still in Ivax livery?

Bronnie

ellay864 wrote: »

Ivax were taken over some years ago by Teva and the Salamol Easi Breathe is on their website....makes me wonder if the inhaler you had was an old one if it was still in Ivax livery?[/QUOTE]


Yes it had the Ivax name actually on the inhaler casing. The replacement is the same however, in Ivax packaging with an expiry date of 2013

ellay864

Oh in that case it seems OK on that front...there's a number of reasons why it still be packaged as Ivax, and if the latest one is still showing as Ivax with a decent expiry date on then obviously they haven't moved all their packaging over. My thought had been that somehow you'd got old stock but doesn't seem that way now. Glad you got it sorted and well done you on sticking to your guns - nice one!