Indiscreet pharmacist!

Arg

pmduk wrote: »

A pharmacist has spent longer studying pharmaceuticals and in more depth than a doctor has,

It's a pity then that a computer database could probably do as good as job for the majority of people at a fraction of the cost and without the bad attitude that some pharmacists seem to have.

barbiedoll

I would just like to comment on the poster who said that "hospital pharmacists are the worst"

I worked in a hospital pharmacy for several years and hospital pharmacists work bloody hard under extremely difficult circumstances! GP's do tend to have a habit of over-prescribing and with the increased use of computer-generated repeat scripts, patients can end up taking several medicines which all do the same thing, where they should only be taking one or two. Elderly patients especially, will enter hospital with a huge bag of prescribed meds and will leave with only two or three that they actually need, after a lot of work by a specialist hospital pharmacist. They are highly trained, poorly paid (for what they do) and work long, horrible hours.

Community pharmacists who ask lots of questions (how did you get back into the UK? What's it got to do with anything?) are often just being nosey! As are doctors receptionists, who think it's within their remit to diagnose just how ill you are by speaking to you on the phone and deciding if you're sick enough to pass through their hallowed doors. As my friend once told a receptionist, "When you've got a medical degree, I'll allow you to tell me if my daughter is sick enough for a consultation. Until then, I'll be seeing the doctor, so do what you're paid to do and give an appointment...please!"

OP, complain to the pharmacy's head office and if you like, have a look here........

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/professionalmisconduct.aspx

for details of how to complain at a higher level.

Poppy9

My local pharmacist is great.

As we normally get out prescriptions there they will periodically remind us of any interactions with over the counter medicines like my OH and DD both have asthma so if I buy anything like ibuprofen that it can cause breathing problems.

He also routinely tells us how we should store, take etc.

Never been asked overly personal questions in middle of shop though!

mummyoftwomonkeys

irenee wrote: »

I can totally emphasise with you over this

I get very annoyed with the pharmacist / assistant insisting that I reveal my address before giving me the perscription drugs

I have explained on a number of occasions that I do NOT want my address revealed to 'all and sundry' in Boots - I have a background of being stalked and never reveal my address openly

This has been greeted with grins and smiles as, apparently, ladies 'over a certain age' don't need to worry about being stalked - I have actually walked away from the counter rather than have my address revealed in public

they all do that its a standard thing, they have to make sure their giving it to the right person. Go up the the counter and say it quietly theres no need to shout it for everyone to hear

pmduk

There are now several services which will allow you to get your prescriptions dispensed by post. These may be useful for repeat prescriptions where you usually know in advance that you will require the items. I've not used these myself, but it may be useful to know they exist, certainly any queries/problems will be dealt with at arms length!

heretolearn_2

A good pharmacist is like gold dust - if you find one make friends with them. Used to have a fantastic one near us when my son was little, nothing was too much trouble and he gave us great advice and help. And a glass of sherry at Christmas :-)

The only time I've really had a problem was when I was away on a romantic weekend with OH and we had a contraception failure. Found a local docs clinic to give me a prescription for morning after pill. found a chemist in town, oh, the pharmacist has religious reasons for not supplying it, try another chemist. Managed to find another chemist in town, exactly the same thing. Bearing in mind we were not on our home turf and didn't know where all the chemists were, we started to panic. In the end we found out where the nearest out of town supermarket with a pharmacy was, had to get a taxi out there, and third time lucky, THAT pharmacist was happy to dispense it.

Unbelievable.

sarahk100574

Caroline73 wrote: »

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

why?? Its pretty normal for me!! :eek:

pollycakes

I absolutely hated my old pharmacy as the staff were always rude and obnoxious towards because of my methadone prescription, sometimes they would just dispence it right at the counter in front of the whole shop and I would have to drink it there and then, every morning I would get evils of all the other customers and shop assistants who made me feel really worthless. Now its way better as I go into a little room to drink it and the staff see friendlier but they watch the methadone users like hawks.

pimento

pollycakes wrote: »

.... the staff see friendlier but they watch the methadone users like hawks.

Understandable.

Crisp_£_note

Try Tesco Pharmacy for your repeat prescriptions. Mine are sitting on the shelf ready for me to collect, I am asked by the counter assistant my surname which I give they then they go to the shelf take the package off the shelf take it round the back, hand it to the pharmacist who opens the package re-checks the prescription, takes out the repeat request slip packages it back up then the assistant comes and gives it to me asking me to confirm my address and then complete the back of the prescription!
Why? I dont know they just say it needs double checking! I can understand the security bit but isnt the rest just a waste of their time? I cant even go off and complete my shopping while im waitng as they have to do the same procedure when I get back to the counter as I have to be in attendance!