Going to the pharmacy

HOWMUCH

I never said anything nasty I was just stating a fact, some small Pharmacy Shops need this extra money to keep them going.

missbiggles1

Vikipollard wrote: »

And pharmacists don't make mistakes? What next? The sales assistant checking the pharmacist has checked the doctor/nurse correctly?

I haven't been asked as yet when I collect a prescription - and accepting that I only see one doctor, so he should know if something would clash - but I will politely refuse the offer. Not sharing that detail with a retailer.

If you think that a pharmacist is someone who works in a pharmacy then you have sadly misunderstood the discussion.

LilElvis

Vikipollard wrote: »

And pharmacists don't make mistakes? What next? The sales assistant checking the pharmacist has checked the doctor/nurse correctly?

I haven't been asked as yet when I collect a prescription - and accepting that I only see one doctor, so he should know if something would clash - but I will politely refuse the offer. Not sharing that detail with a retailer.

Do you see your doctor check for a potential "clash"? They have a huge reference book for doing just this.

I've had prescriptions for antibiotics changed several times because I have queried whether they would reduce the efficacy of the contraceptive pill I was taking - which the doctor had previously prescribed. I did this because I found out the hard way what the ramifications of this mistake can be - I had an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, and the difficult decision to request a termination.

Yes, doctors should check for possible adverse interactions but personal experience suggests otherwise. They are pressed for time in appointments, and understanding this I am happy to accept any assistance a pharmacist offers.

3xPrism

Petra_70 wrote: »

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.

.

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

Next time you have to collect your prescription have a look for the words as directed on the prescription. Your doctor has written this to inform the pharmacist that you know how to use the medication. The reason the pharmacist is calling you in, is some of the medication you are taking can be taken in other ways. That explains why you have been asked the questions in the paragraph highlighted above.

Although it can be an un-nerving situation for you, all your pharmacist is doing is trying to help. Nobody knows medicines better than a pharmacist.

DollyDee_2

Crikey, I can't believe how serious some posters have been on this thread. I think Petra and her OH just aren't very keen on it, feel like they have enough checks/reviews and on the last occasion was panicking about her parked car.

I don't mind seeing the pharmacist in Tesco for an annual review BUT they always spring it on you when you are collecting your medication which for me is when I have finished my shopping and then going to the checkout. They hold the bag in their hands and say have you got a minute? Well, it's not a minute, it's more like 10 or 15 minutes and I only have 2 inhalers, shampoo and gel tears for dry eyes. If you are with someone else and they are going to be hanging around for that length of time it's not pleasant for them.

I think if they said could we do your review next time you come in you would be more inclined to take them up on the offer. I think I will take them up on it next time but I will suggest it when I hand our prescriptions in and give OH the shopping list. They look ever so sad when you decline.

I would rather get my prescriptions dispensed at Tesco/Boots/Sainsburys because my GP prescribes Salbutamol and if I go to the pharmacy attached to the Health Centre they give you the cheap copies which are useless but Tesco etc dispense Ventolin which is far superior even though it's got the same "ingredient".

IMHO I think pharmacists ought to be able to prescribe for minor ailments as has been suggested.

I guessed there would be a payment involved. I knew GP practices got paid for all their reviews etc.

System

I'd feel quite reassured by these checks to be honest though i have my medication delivered so i dont get asked. I have a good enough relationship with my pharmacist and if it was inconvenient i wouldnt hesitate in saying no as my repeat medication hasnt changed in a year or two.

susancs

OP, I agree with others that you should just firmly say" no thank you". I don't advise giving any explanation as doing so just opens up a discussion. People quickly get the point if you refuse to discuss and realise they are not going to get you to change your mind.

summerspring

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Perhaps you should remember why people use IMO/IMHO/IME on forums when debating, rather than just stating something as a fact. If you're stating something as a fact, it's usual (in a debate) to back it up with a reference.

Advice on forum etiquette coming from somebody who's been banned under every ID they've ever had on here, including this current one..?!
:rotfl:

chocdonuty wrote: »

I work in a pharmacy and we too offer this service Medicine use review (MUR) It's a good service in that you have longer than the allotted 7 minutes with the GP and can discuss your medication plus any medical issue easily. and without time restraints.
Unfortunately there is often a target to do a certain number of these per year, 400 for us and we are under a lot of pressure to complete that many.

Yes, like with any other health check, they're being paid to do them. They're not doing them for no reason, but the reason is primarily financial. There was a thread over on the health and beauty board recently about the over-40s health checks, and someone was stressing about being asked to attend one. I pointed out that the only reason they are offered is because the surgery (or pharmacy) are being paid for each health check that they carry out, and to just say no if they didn't want one.

LilElvis

summerspring wrote: »

Yes, like with any other health check, they're being paid to do them. They're not doing them for no reason, but the reason is primarily financial. There was a thread over on the health and beauty board recently about the over-40s health checks, and someone was stressing about being asked to attend one. I pointed out that the only reason they are offered is because the surgery (or pharmacy) are being paid for each health check that they carry out, and to just say no if they didn't want one.

Surely the reason the checks are being funded is because they are deemed to be of use in preventing future costs to the NHS?

It was a health MOT which discovered my Dad's prostate cancer a few years ago. He might not be here now had he not attended that appointment.

barbarawright

LilElvis wrote: »

Surely the reason the checks are being funded is because they are deemed to be of use in preventing future costs to the NHS?

It was a health MOT which discovered my Dad's prostate cancer a few years ago. He might not be here now had he not attended that appointment.

I discussed this thread with a GP this morning and she said that she needed a pharmacist to explain to her why she needed to be strict about taking some meds in the morning, some in the evening and which ones could be taken at any time. She laughed at the idea that pharmacists are med school failures - it's a completely different skillset.