Chemist confidentiality

Emmzi

code of conduct here

http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/standards/conduct-ethics-and-performance

can only disclose in exception circumstances - interests of the patient I would think are one such case

JustKeepSwimming_2

Former pharmacist here - thankfully no longer involved in community pharmacy after many years.

The absolute rule is nothing is discussed about a patient with anyone else unless that patient has consented (except in an emergency). This consent doesn't have to be in writing & has nothing to do with signing the back of the prescription form as that is just concerned with the payment of the prescription.

However, as other posters have pointed out, you could consider that as someone else has taken a prescription to the pharmacy then the patient has consented to that person collecting it, together with any relevant information. As others have pointed out - the effects of not giving someone info can be far worse.

I used to try & understand how much the representative knew about the patient before I said anything - "Do you know if they are taking anything else?". Teenage girls on the pill & mothers collecting antibiotic prescriptions were always difficult - the antibiotic may make the pill less effective (pretty serious!) but the mother may not know the girl is on the pill, especially if she is under 16 :think: . I used to quickly write a note telling the girl to contact me if she were taking anything else.

With computerised repeat medication lists & the internet it is more difficult to keep things private. Add in a rediculously busy pharmacy with stupidly long opening hours where prescription numbers have increased hugely but support staff & wages haven't....(can you tell I'm missing it :rotfl:).

Pinkfluffythings - if I was the pharmacist you were taliking about I'd be upset that I had caused you this worry, as I think most pharmacists would be. You could have a quiet word with them & clarify your wishes about who you want your health discussed with. But the safest way for anyone who has "stuff" they don't want to anyone else to hear is to deal with your prescriptions yourself. (Not aimed at you, just general comment).

What you also need to consider here is that the pharmacist had your best interests at heart.

KxMx

I am sure if you didn't want this to happen again a quiet word to the pharmacist would sort things out.

I get what the others have said, that it was for your benefit, but if you're not happy with it then ask them not to do it again.

I vividly remember around age 14 picking up with my Aunty in tow a prescription for the Pill (periods) and the pharmacist asking her if she knew about it!! :eek:

I never went back there, I was picking it up for me and they just assumed obviously she was my mother, which is still no justification.

hollyh

Not as bad as the time a member of staff from the local chemist blurted out on a packed train full of local people on the way to watch the rugby to a man "Hey you used to get Viagra prescriped was it any good?". :eek:

I don't think he was very impressed.:cool:

patchwork_cat

JustKeepSwimming wrote: »

Former pharmacist here - thankfully no longer involved in community pharmacy after many years.



I used to try & understand how much the representative knew about the patient before I said anything - "Do you know if they are taking anything else?". Teenage girls on the pill & mothers collecting antibiotic prescriptions were always difficult - the antibiotic may make the pill less effective (pretty serious!) but the mother may not know the girl is on the pill, especially if she is under 16 :think: . I used to quickly write a note telling the girl to contact me if she were taking anything else.

Seems a lot of effort for 70p!! Could you not have avoided the letter by saying to mum, make sure that x reads the leaflet inside and if she has any questions ask her to get in touch with me.

Superbiatch

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Seems a lot of effort for 70p!! Could you not have avoided the letter by saying to mum, make sure that x reads the leaflet inside and if she has any questions ask her to get in touch with me.

I got the impression the note was put in the prescription bag?

patchwork_cat

Superbiatch wrote: »

I got the impression the note was put in the prescription bag?

That would be a good policy for anyone collecting a script for someone else .