Indiscreet pharmacist!

candygirl

zaksmum wrote: »

Just collected my painkiller prescription from the local pharmacy, which was packed. The pharmacist works at a computer raised up above shop floor level. She called my name and asked very loudly what condition I have that I take the painkillers for.

All the bored customers waiting for prescriptions perked up and listened in as I explained. The pharmacist mentioned I was on a high dose of painkillers but conceded my condition probably merited it. She then wanted to know how my original injuries were sustained and what operations I've had! All this was shouted to me across the shop!

Surely there's some code of conduct pharmacists should abide by rather than bawling about peoples' medical history all over the shop in front of neighbours??

It sounds exactly like the one I go to.It's hard to think on the spot when someone is being so bloody insensitive isn't it?:mad::mad:

zaksmum

candygirl wrote: »

It sounds exactly like the one I go to.It's hard to think on the spot when someone is being so bloody insensitive isn't it?:mad::mad:

That's the trouble. Normally I wouldn't be so stupid as to just meekly trot out all the answers to the entertainment of everyone in the shop...I was just so gobsmacked to be asked.

Had the questions been purely about the medication I wouldn't have minded so much, but asking how the accident happened and how I got back to the UK was well over the top.

RobertoMoir

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?

I'd call it "professional responsibility" rather than "Delusional self-importance", and it probably stems from not wanting to kill someone for want of failing to double check something.

I think the pharmacist that bellowed out the OP's details is appalling, but I see nothing wrong with a pharmacist who double checks prescriptions with you before issuing them. That to me is someone who cares about my health.

MamaMoo_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!

I had a similar issue with a Lloyds Pharmacy. I was pregnant, and had a really bad aversion to all foods, everything made me sick, and after several Gaviscon-type things and pills had failed to work, I was prescribed Pepto Bismol. It worked amazingly and I was only on one dose a day, as you need to be cautious when taking it whilst pregnant.
The pharmacist refused to dispense it to me, and wouldn't let me have my prescription back, even after I told her why it had been prescribed. In my doctors own words "Pepto Bismol is safer for your child and you than malnourishment"



Went round the corner to boots and paid the £4 to get it over the counter.

giraffe69

and it probably stems from not wanting to kill someone for want of failing to double check something.

I look forward to being quizzed by a waitress in a restaurant just to check all my possible food allergies. Better to be safe than sorry!

part-timer

I have had several run ins with the pharmacist in my local tesco. My nearly 16 year old daughter has a particular migraine medication after trying everything else on prescription and they didn't work.

the pharmacist point blank refuses to dispense it as she says it isn't licenced for under 16s. I have been back to the Drs several times as the dr disagrees and has even shown me in one of his medical reference books where it is ok.

Drs answer, take it to a different pharmacy - pharmacist had rung all chemist in town and told them not to dispense it as well - fantastic how she knows more than my dr what is best for my daughter I don't know.

JimmyTheWig

So what did you do, part-timer? I hope you kicked up a fuss.

I think it's fine to check with the patient (discreetly, if necessary) to clarify the doctor hasn't made a mistake.
I think it's fine to contact the doctor if need-be to confirm.
But to outrightly refuse when the doctor has agreed it I think is totally out of order.

gary44

part-timer wrote: »

I have had several run ins with the pharmacist in my local tesco. My nearly 16 year old daughter has a particular migraine medication after trying everything else on prescription and they didn't work.

the pharmacist point blank refuses to dispense it as she says it isn't licenced for under 16s. I have been back to the Drs several times as the dr disagrees and has even shown me in one of his medical reference books where it is ok.

Drs answer, take it to a different pharmacy - pharmacist had rung all chemist in town and told them not to dispense it as well - fantastic how she knows more than my dr what is best for my daughter I don't know.

Dear me, this is appalling - if i was the pharmacist id ring a doctor to double check if they are sure they want to prescribe something that is unlicensed (normally because they are unaware) and nearly 100% of the time they are happy for us to dispense (the majority of time the unlicensed medication is started by a specialist)

part-timer when you say "several run ins" the question i have to ask is why not try elsewhere, asking the pharmacist to check with your daughters GP?

On a side note if a competitor pharmacy rang me to tell me not to dispense something id probably laugh down the phone

zaksmum

It's fine by me if the pharmacist wants to double check something the GP has prescribed - preferably ONLY if they suspect a mistake's been made - but in this case the pharmacist overstepped the mark.

To ask how my injuries happened and how I got back to the UK has no relevance to what medication I'm on. And even if she insisted on asking such things, she should have taken me aside and shown some discretion, surely.

part-timer

The first time she did ring the GP who told her to dispense it, which she did, the second time I took it in she refused again so I got the script back and went elsewhere where it was dispensed no problem.

Unfortunately my OH in his infinite wisdom took the next one to Tesco when I asked him not to which is when we got the you can't have it and I have also rung boots and asda and told them you can't have it either.

To say I was cross would be an understatement. OH got it in the neck as well lol.

Luckily she hasn't had too many migraines of late.