Indiscreet pharmacist!

coldcazzie

I have to say the only times I have ever had problems with a pharmacy it has been a Lloyds one. My hubby is diabetic and so I quite regularly pick his prescriptions up for him because he works full time.

The house we lived at for 6.5 years (until about 9 months ago) had a Lloyds pharmacy up the road. Even after that length of time living there and collecting his prescriptions they still didn't know who he was, or who I was, and would also quite regularly ask me "has he used this medication before?" *cue incredulous face from me and a patronising reply that not only has he been diabetic for over 10 years but I was here getting the same prescription from you less than a month ago*

They also once didn't have any Lantus vials in stock, so instead of telling me that they had run out and to come back the next day gave him a different insulin :eek: without saying anything, so when I got home and opened it I then had to go back out again and take it back and question what the heck they were doing. Their response: "oh we didn't think it mattered" :eek:

Another time they told me that same insulin was no longer being manufactured. I pointed out to them how unlikely it was that an insulin would stop being manufactured without the hospital being made aware, because they'd have to pull all the patients in the area in and change their medication asap. She said "oh, I don't know about that, but we've been told it's definitely not being manufactured anymore", so I went to the local Asda's pharmacy who's pharmacist actually laughed out loud when I told him what they'd said.

They've also said a similar thing to me about test strips.
Them: "sorry, we're having problems sourcing them"
Me: "perhaps you should contact Asda pharmacy or Boots because they can get hold of them just fine"
Them: "we use the same stockist so they must be having problems too"
Me: "except they aren't, it's just you that seems to have the problem"

Honestly, I gave up. I won't step foot in it again. So glad that now we've moved we have a different local pharmacy. Interestingly, we've only been here a few months, and they already know who I am! :rotfl:

sarahk100574

I can soooo relate to this thread!!

And I'm not the least bit suprised it was a Lloyds pharmacist who acted like this, they do it a lot where I live. The last time they embarrassed me was the last time they'll ever get the chance! Boots and other independants seem so much calmer/nicer/less in your face that I wish now I'd switched years ago!

A couple of months ago I went accross to pick up my monthly prescription's - methatrexate, sulfasalazine, diclofenac, co-codomol & folic acid. Quite a stash I collect every 4 weeks...

well anyway, this day I had a horrid 'white spot' on the tip of my tongue, so I also picked up a tube of bonjela (for babies, the only type they had on the shelf).

When the pharmacist came out to speak to me, which I am used to them doing, she asked why I also wanted the bonjela...? Was it for me or someone else.. 'for myself' I replied stupidly cos then she asked why I needed bonjela... Err, d'oh cos I've got a sore spot on my tongue said I - a bit tongue in cheek as I said it I admit!

omg, you'd think i'd tried to buy chemicals for making bombs the way she carried on!! I realised straightaway that I should have lied and said the cream was for a baby I know, but I didn't know that bonjela was so dangerous for adults lol!

The upshot on that day was that I left the chemist without my other medicine too, was so angry at the bonjela stance that I drove down to Boots instead, had to ask Docs next day for another prescription....

I've never been back in since (and I can see it from my front door too!) I figured this was the last time they'd humiliate me in front of strangers/neighbours and have voted with my feet! I will never hand another penny over a counter in a lloyds pharmacy... ever!

pmduk

giraffe69 wrote: »

So if a doctor fills out a prescription then a pharmacist has the right to check whether they believe it is suitable without, of course, knowing anything of the patient's history. Where do they get this delusional self-importance from?

A pharmacist has spent longer studying pharmaceuticals and in more depth than a doctor has, however you're right in that they don't have the patient's full medical history. The most they should ever do, in my opinion is refer you back to your GP. In my experience, hospital pharmacists are the worst.

JimmyTheWig

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Sorry, but if it's on prescription then can they refuse to give it to you if your answers don't fit? If it's a prescription then it's down to the doctor surely?

giraffe69 wrote: »

So if a doctor fills out a prescription then a pharmacist has the right to check whether they believe it is suitable without, of course, knowing anything of the patient's history. Where do they get this delusional self-importance from?

As per gary44 it's to double check what the doctor has said. Sometimes doctors make mistakes.
And to double check the patient understands what the doctor has said. Sometimes doctors aren't particularly easy to understand; sometimes patients forget.

Maybe the pharmacist should offer somewhere discreet before asking about it, but ultimately it's up to the patient to ensure they get the service they want.

giraffe69

It's not self importance, its an extra safeguard. There are numerous drugs that have different doses for different conditions.

And in prescribing the doctor has access to the patient records which the pharmacist does not. If there is a query because perhaps the doctor has put 10 times or 100 times the dose then a call to the doctor is what is called for(or possibly to the GMC).

gary44

giraffe69 wrote: »

And in prescribing the doctor has access to the patient records which the pharmacist does not. If there is a query because perhaps the doctor has put 10 times or 100 times the dose then a call to the doctor is what is called for(or possibly to the GMC).

Agreed, a call to the GP would have been the ideal situation if the pharmacist had any clinical reservations, however trying to get past the receptionist is challenging to say the least

Ive spoken to a GP to change a dose of a medicine, ive had the amended prescription sent to us, then the same thing happened next month and the month after when it was repeated. Everyone makes mistakes

zaksmum wrote: »

I'm going to write to Head Office and ask if they consider it acceptable to have private details of customers bellowed across a packed shop.

you can complain to the NHS should you wish, every pharmacy has to provide you with details of the NHS complaints procedure should you request it - the breach of confidentiality is a serious issues

If its a regular occurance with a particular pharmacist then the pharmacy regulator the General Pharmaceutical Council can also be contacted

JimmyTheWig

giraffe69 wrote: »

And in prescribing the doctor has access to the patient records which the pharmacist does not. If there is a query because perhaps the doctor has put 10 times or 100 times the dose then a call to the doctor is what is called for(or possibly to the GMC).

Seems slightly OTT when the patient can answer the vast majority of the pharmacist's queries.
Obviously they should contact the GP of the patient can't / won't help, but this seems unnecessary every time.

pmduk

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Seems slightly OTT when the patient can answer the vast majority of the pharmacist's queries.
Obviously they should contact the GP of the patient can't / won't help, but this seems unnecessary every time.

I appreciate this, but any enquiries to the patient should be undertaken with discretion surely?

Caroline73_2

sarahk100574 wrote: »

I can soooo relate to this thread!!

And I'm not the least bit suprised it was a Lloyds pharmacist who acted like this, they do it a lot where I live. The last time they embarrassed me was the last time they'll ever get the chance! Boots and other independants seem so much calmer/nicer/less in your face that I wish now I'd switched years ago!

A couple of months ago I went accross to pick up my monthly prescription's - methatrexate, sulfasalazine, diclofenac, co-codomol & folic acid. Quite a stash I collect every 4 weeks...

well anyway, this day I had a horrid 'white spot' on the tip of my tongue, so I also picked up a tube of bonjela (for babies, the only type they had on the shelf).

When the pharmacist came out to speak to me, which I am used to them doing, she asked why I also wanted the bonjela...? Was it for me or someone else.. 'for myself' I replied stupidly cos then she asked why I needed bonjela... Err, d'oh cos I've got a sore spot on my tongue said I - a bit tongue in cheek as I said it I admit!

omg, you'd think i'd tried to buy chemicals for making bombs the way she carried on!! I realised straightaway that I should have lied and said the cream was for a baby I know, but I didn't know that bonjela was so dangerous for adults lol!

The upshot on that day was that I left the chemist without my other medicine too, was so angry at the bonjela stance that I drove down to Boots instead, had to ask Docs next day for another prescription....

I've never been back in since (and I can see it from my front door too!) I figured this was the last time they'd humiliate me in front of strangers/neighbours and have voted with my feet! I will never hand another penny over a counter in a lloyds pharmacy... ever!

The pharmacist should've been more worried that you were taking methotrexate with mouth ulcers!

Reggie_Rebel

zaksmum wrote: »

She then wanted to know how my original injuries were sustained and what operations I've had!

My original injuries occurred whilst getting intimate with a flock of sheep. Secondary injuries occurred when the farmer passed the field unexpectedly. The operation was a reattachment.

She won't ask next time