Going to the pharmacy

Petra_70

I am not sure where to post this, so I am sorry if it's in the wrong part of the forum. I put it here because I know there is a lot of activity here.

Just a silly thing really, but I am just curious about something regarding going to the Pharmacy.

I am on 5 different types of medicine, and my husband is on 3. When I went into Boots about 6 months ago to pick up a prescription, the pharmacist said to me 'do you have a minute?' I said I did have a minute, and assumed it was just to ask a question.

So the pharmacist took me in the little 'private room' and kept me for 10 minutes in a boiling hot room, while my car was outside on a time zone of only 20 minutes and I was almost out of time, while he asked me loads of questions about my medicines; like how often I have my asthma inhalers, and how often I take my other tablets. Then he asked me to demonstrate how I used the inhalers. Then he started asking personal questions about a couple of other things I take, making me feel uncomfortable.

It also happened at Boots the year before.

Then today, I was picking up a prescription, and the pharmacist, once again, asked me to come into the little private room to discuss my medicines. I said I don't have time. She said 'well we will ask again; we are very persistent.'

My husband was asked 2 years ago, and felt very embarrassed and uncomfortable, and since then, he refuses to get his prescriptions, and I have to get them.

I don't understand why I keep getting asked (and him too.) When I asked (last time) what it was for, the pharmacist said 'we do this for our records, and to make sure you are on the right drugs.' But why do they need to this? I have a medicine review at the doctors every year, and I see them several times in between too. So the doctor has administered these medicines to me, I have been taking them for years, and the doctor is happy with what I am taking and how I am taking them, so why do Boots need to grill me like this?

I don't particularly love going to the doctors anyway as I am a bit shy and get embarrassed easily, so it makes me uncomfortable going over the same ground with the pharmacist. And as I said, my husband hates it and won't even go in there now to get his own medicine. We could use another pharmacy, but I am guessing that they will do the same.

I just can't see the point, when I have already been dealt with by the doctor, I have had medical reviews, and he has already okayed my medicines.

Why do they do it? And do I have to go in?

KxMx

http://www.boots.com/en/Pharmacy-Health/Health-pharmacy-services/Pharmacy-services-support/Medicine-checks/Medicine-check-up-NHS/

No you don't have to do it.

When you are asked in future just say "no thank you, i am already regularly reviewed by my GP".

If they persist then lodge a complaint with the manager.

Many but not all pharmacies offer similar medication check schemes, you could try and find one that doesn't or is at least less aggressive over the issue

I've been going to the same large Boots Pharmacy for years, they advertise in store this service but not been asked once.

Sounds like the branch you use is more through, or should that be zealous!

Petra_70

Thanks KxMx It is kind of annoying and a bit embarrassing. As I said, both me and my husband struggle with it, and feel awkward. When she said 'we will ask again, we are persistent,' that annoyed me a bit... I felt a bit intimidated slightly...

Sorry to be awkward but where does it say (on that link) that I don't have to take part?

I genuinely cannot see the point of it, as most people will already have gone to their doctors to get the medicines and have to have medicine reviews there.

And it annoys me slightly that Boots don't make you feel like you have a choice.

elsien

It's a service they offer. Just because they offer it doesn't mean you have to accept it, even though they seem to be implying that you do.
They are getting a lot of business from you that they won't want to lose. Continue to say no and say if you have any queries about your medication you will discuss it with your GP. You don't have to justify yourself if it's not a service you find helpful to you.

DollyDee_2

The pharmacy in Tesco where we shop does this as well. At separate times me, hubby & my Mom were in there ages. Now we tell them we haven't got time. I've been caught twice and I've said "Not got time" twice in the last couple of months. I'm sure they mean well but I just want to get home and put my shopping away. Wonder if they get paid for doing it?

As you say, your GP has prescribed the stuff, you probably have to see the Practice Nurse for your Asthma review, annual MOT check, etc, etc. We also had to have a medication review with the pharmacist from the Health Centre pharmacy. Start to feel persecuted.

If only it was easy to get an appointment with the GP - ours has started the telephone consultation thing - and repeat prescriptions now take 36 hours.

LilElvis

My MIL takes a plethora of medications prescribed by her GP and her heart specialist. Though both are fully aware of all of her prescriptions the one person to pick up on possibly dangerous interactions, overly high doses and the timing of when she takes her pills has been her pharmacist. Doctors aren't infallible and it is an excellent idea for a qualified third party to review a person's medications to ensure that they are effective and safe to take in combination. Why don't you ask if you can make an appointment to see the pharmacist for the review so that you don't feel hijacked? Perhaps you and your husband could go together?

candlelight_2013

This happens to my DH and myself as well, but probably only once a year.

I will say however, pharmacists are very knowledgeable, and on one occasion our GP had prescribed a new tablet for my husband, he went to have the presciption made up, and was called in by the Pharmacist. She said she could not issue this new one because it would have an adverse affect on one of the other tablets he was taking. She phoned the GP and he asked DH to go back in.

As others have said, if you find it embarrassing or you haven't the time, just say no thankyou, I will consult my GP if I feel there is a problem. Mine was impressed because I knew all of my drugs and what they were meant for:)

Candlelightx

Petra_70

elsien wrote: »

It's a service they offer. Just because they offer it doesn't mean you have to accept it, even though they seem to be implying that you do.
They are getting a lot of business from you that they won't want to lose. Continue to say no and say if you have any queries about your medication you will discuss it with your GP. You don't have to justify yourself if it's not a service you find helpful to you.

Thanks Elsien.

DollyDee wrote: »

The pharmacy in Tesco where we shop does this as well. At separate times me, hubby & my Mom were in there ages. Now we tell them we haven't got time. I've been caught twice and I've said "Not got time" twice in the last couple of months. I'm sure they mean well but I just want to get home and put my shopping away. Wonder if they get paid for doing it?

As you say, your GP has prescribed the stuff, you probably have to see the Practice Nurse for your Asthma review, annual MOT check, etc, etc. We also had to have a medication review with the pharmacist from the Health Centre pharmacy. Start to feel persecuted.

If only it was easy to get an appointment with the GP - ours has started the telephone consultation thing - and repeat prescriptions now take 36 hours.

Thank you :j This is how we feel.

LilElvis wrote: »

My MIL takes a plethora of medications prescribed by her GP and her heart specialist. Though both are fully aware of all of her prescriptions the one person to pick up on possibly dangerous interactions, overly high doses and the timing of when she takes her pills has been her pharmacist. Doctors aren't infallible and it is an excellent idea for a qualified third party to review a person's medications to ensure that they are effective and safe to take in combination. Why don't you ask if you can make an appointment to see the pharmacist for the review so that you don't feel hijacked? Perhaps you and your husband could go together?

I appreciate what you are saying, but I feel you may be missing the point. I don't want to go in to the pharmacist, and neither does my husband. They should not be making people feel they have no choice.

And I have already seen my doctors and nurse several times a year, (as the above poster said,) and I don't need to see the pharmacist.

I disagree with the point about peoples medicines being taken too often, and the pharmacists needing to check, as the doctor would have ensured they have the correct amount.

When we tried to get my husband's medicine 2 weeks early once, the doctor refused it, and asked to see him if he needed it, to explain why he had run out. The doctors and nurses are very efficient and competent, and there is (in my opinion) no need for this intrusive pharmacy check. If people want it, fine, but if they do not, then they shouldn't' be made to feel as if it's mandatory.

candlelight_2013 wrote: »

This happens to my DH and myself as well, but probably only once a year.

I will say however, pharmacists are very knowledgeable, and on one occasion our GP had prescribed a new tablet for my husband, he went to have the presciption made up, and was called in by the Pharmacist. She said she could not issue this new one because it would have an adverse affect on one of the other tablets he was taking. She phoned the GP and he asked DH to go back in.

As others have said, if you find it embarrassing or you haven't the time, just say no thankyou, I will consult my GP if I feel there is a problem. Mine was impressed because I knew all of my drugs and what they were meant for:)

Candlelightx

Thanks Candlelight

Hermoine

I was irritated when this was first offered to me (small independent pharmacy) but its actually been useful as pharmacists can advise on the non-prescription stuff you buy and quite frequently have more time than doctors. I'm on a couple of pills for high blood pressure, was then advised by the doctor to get some ibuprofen gel for an arthritic ankle, and was worried about the gel as I'd remembered something about ibuprofen and high blood pressure not going well together. I asked the pharmacist when we had one of those little chats and was thoroughly reassured.

Petra_70

Hermoine wrote: »

I was irritated when this was first offered to me (small independent pharmacy) but its actually been useful as pharmacists can advise on the non-prescription stuff you buy and quite frequently have more time than doctors. I'm on a couple of pills for high blood pressure, was then advised by the doctor to get some ibuprofen gel for an arthritic ankle, and was worried about the gel as I'd remembered something about ibuprofen and high blood pressure not going well together. I asked the pharmacist when we had one of those little chats and was thoroughly reassured.

Glad it's not just us.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I know pharmacists have their uses and are highly qualified, but this medicine check is not for us, we don't need it, and I really do resent the pharmacist making me feel as if I didn't have a choice as to whether I go in or not.

If people find it helpful, then that is great, but we don't want to take part.

Now I know it's not mandatory, I shall say 'I don't have time' the next time, and the next... if they persist, I will say politely,'I have recently had a medicine check with the doctor and nurse, so there is no need.' If they still persist, I shall say 'is this mandatory?' If they say they prefer to do it, or it is mandatory, then I shall say 'I will see the doctor about it before I pop back in, because this is the first I have heard about this medicine check being mandatory.'

Thanks for your help folks.

Blackpool_Saver

Why not cut all this out and have your meds delivered to your home?