Unprofessional judgement

rafhelp

I have made a post about this same issue yesterday, however due to needing some meds and the doctors phone being engaged over 30 minutes I had to go to another local chemist to try an emergency supply or get any help.

Today I visited another pharmacy. There was a asian pharmacist, I spent a good 5-10 minutes discussing my situation. I explained that I had tried to ring my GP but was unable to get through. I explained both my inhalers were past their expiry date. I gave them consent to check my PMR or records. I told them I had previously been prescribed it. I gave all the information I am entitled to give as per the NHS website which I read fully.

I was denied a supply of any medication and told to ring my GP. I felt really frustrated and almost distraught.

Atfer this I visited another chemist near me and was able to get an emergency supply giving them the exact same details I had given to the three other chemists I visited in Blackburn.

In a bit of confusion I went back to the chemist in Blackburn:

I then asked the same pharmacist for her full name and registration number.

At this point the pharmacist got defensive and denied to give me her details which I am entitled to by law.

I persisted to ask for her details she still denied this. She then asked me for my name and GP name. She then said if I gave her my details she would ring the GP and 'gaurantee' a prescription and dispense it. I refused to give my details as this completely contradicted her first decision and I had already got an inhaler. She then persisted to try and help me however this was inappropriate and unprofessional, as you should not have to threaten to complain nor beg a health care professional for medication you am entitled to.  I then got her name and reg number and complained to the NHS and pharmacy authority.  In a way i feel bad and sorry for having a need to even do this, but the service is not professional and unsafe.

If the pharmacists judgement was right the first time and it was professional and not biased in any way they would not be worried if a complaint was made, nor would they change their decision. Maybe a pharmacist has the right to refuse service however I had no previous issues or complaints with any of these pharmacists.

I am now slightly suspicious of the intentions of some of the local pharmacists, it seems as though there is some hidden agenda preventing me from getting professional health care.

I have been angered, frustrated and put under unnecessary stress as well as putting my health at risk. it has also cost me an extra £9 as well as transport costs. The whole country is currently worried about the corona virus and health care professionals should be doing their best to help those at need especially if there is any chance of self isolation.

When I got the prescription the chemist then refused to deliver the medication. I was asked to visit and collect in person from the chemist which is about 5-10 minutes drive. I am not sure if this is an appropriate level of professional service.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

rafhelp said:

I have made a post about this same issue yesterday, however due to needing some meds and the doctors phone being engaged over 30 minutes I had to go to another local chemist to try an emergency supply or get any help.

Today I visited another pharmacy. There was a asian pharmacist, I spent a good 5-10 minutes discussing my situation. I explained that I had tried to ring my GP but was unable to get through. I explained both my inhalers were past their expiry date. I gave them consent to check my PMR or records. I told them I had previously been prescribed it. I gave all the information I am entitled to give as per the NHS website which I read fully.

I was denied a supply of any medication and told to ring my GP. I felt really frustrated and almost distraught.

Atfer this I visited another chemist near me and was able to get an emergency supply giving them the exact same details I had given to the three other chemists I visited in Blackburn.

In a bit of confusion I went back to the chemist in Blackburn:

I then asked the same pharmacist for her full name and registration number.

At this point the pharmacist got defensive and denied to give me her details which I am entitled to by law.

I persisted to ask for her details she still denied this. She then asked me for my name and GP name. She then said if I gave her my details she would ring the GP and 'gaurantee' a prescription and dispense it. I refused to give my details as this completely contradicted her first decision and I had already got an inhaler. She then persisted to try and help me however this was inappropriate and unprofessional, as you should not have to threaten to complain nor beg a health care professional for medication you am entitled to.  I then got her name and reg number and complained to the NHS and pharmacy authority.  In a way i feel bad and sorry for having a need to even do this, but the service is not professional and unsafe.

If the pharmacists judgement was right the first time and it was professional and not biased in any way they would not be worried if a complaint was made, nor would they change their decision. Maybe a pharmacist has the right to refuse service however I had no previous issues or complaints with any of these pharmacists.

I am now slightly suspicious of the intentions of some of the local pharmacists, it seems as though there is some hidden agenda preventing me from getting professional health care.

I have been angered, frustrated and put under unnecessary stress as well as putting my health at risk. it has also cost me an extra £9 as well as transport costs. The whole country is currently worried about the corona virus and health care professionals should be doing their best to help those at need especially if there is any chance of self isolation.

When I got the prescription the chemist then refused to deliver the medication. I was asked to visit and collect in person from the chemist which is about 5-10 minutes drive. I am not sure if this is an appropriate level of professional service.

For my chronic heart disease I use my local pharmacy and they deal with my repeat prescription. All I do is pop in on a Saturday morning and give him a nod, the follow week I pick up my multitude of pills, no problem. Occasionally he asks that my prescription is reviewed and I get a call from my doc or cardiologist!

PPPPPPP

1977Chad

Use the online service Patient Access to order repeat medications, it saves a lot of time.

rafhelp

I am member if that site, problem was the first time the repeat prescription was ordered it was rejected by one of the doctors

Pollycat

Is the fact that the first pharmacist was Asian in any way relevant to the issues you have raised?

warby68

I suspect pharmacists have a lot of discretion as to who how and when they prescribe and are allowed to use judgement as well as professional rules and it sounds as if you were trying to bypass the usual prescription route.
Even IF the pharmacist was mistaken, is complaining, trying to get someone in trouble and directing effort and resources in that direction the best call at present ? I value all our health workers even more than usual especially those on any kind of frontline and if they decide to bite my head off today when I ask for paracetamol ( I should have 8 per day but not on prescription due to cost) I will forgive them willingly.

amandacat

My husband has inhalers and if he wants a new one he has to put his repeat prescription into the GP and then collect them from the pharmacy once the GP has authorised it. 
So my understanding from your post is that you tried to do it online but a doctor refused it. However you didn’t complain to them.
Following a doctors refusal, you wanted a pharmacist to supply  it for you without a valid prescription. 3 refused but the 1 who was Asian you decided to go back to and complain (racist much?). All this at a time when pharmacists are under immense pressure and are getting abuse daily due to lack of drugs followings panic buying. 
To make matters worse your inhalers are out of date indicating you don’t use them much and the fact you don’t have a repeat prescription to hand shows you likely don’t rely on them. This virus really has brought out the worst in people. You managed to get an inhaler in the end (who knows- maybe that pharmacist actually broke the rules?) you should’ve been happy with that instead of going back to give grief to the pharmacist whose race you took offence to. 

Pollycat

rafhelp said:

Pollycat said:

Is the fact that the first pharmacist was Asian in any way relevant to the issues you have raised?

keithdc said:

You don't have much luck with pharmacists, do you? 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6060442/refund-for-wrong-prescription-item#latest

I have made a post about this same issue yesterday, however due to needing some meds and the doctors phone being engaged over 30 minutes I had to go to another local chemist to try an emergency supply or get any help.
Today I visited another pharmacy. There was a asian pharmacist, I spent a good 5-10 minutes discussing my situation. I explained that I had tried to ring my GP but was unable to get through. I explained both my inhalers were past their expiry date. I gave them consent to check my PMR or records. I told them I had previously been prescribed it. I gave all the information I am entitled to give as per the NHS website which I read fully.

How is the pharmacist's ethnicity relevance? (Other than to give us an insight in to your attitudes). 
The fact that your inhalers were past their expiry highlights that this was not an emergency- this was your failure to prepare!
What access to your records do they have? (Other than what has been prescribed previously and dispensed by them)

Can you share a link to the weibste that says you are entitled to a re-supply?

I was denied a supply of any medication and told to ring my GP. I felt really frustrated and almost distraught.
I then asked the same pharmacist for her full name and registration number.

Atfer this I visited another chemist near me and was able to get an emergency supply giving them the exact same details I had given to the three other chemists I visited in Blackburn.

In a bit of confusion I went back to the chemist in Blackburn:

So.. three other chemists adopted a similar approach- any reason why you particularly had an issue with the Asian pharmacist?

At this point the pharmacist got defensive and denied to give me her details which I am entitled to by law.
I persisted to ask for her details she still denied this. She then asked me for my name and GP name. She then said if I gave her my details she would ring the GP and 'gaurantee' a prescription and dispense it. I refused to give my details as this completely contradicted her first decision and I had already got an inhaler. She then persisted to try and help me however this was inappropriate and unprofessional, as you should not have to threaten to complain nor beg a health care professional for medication you am entitled to.  I then got her name and reg number and complained to the NHS and pharmacy authority.  In a way i feel bad and sorry for having a need to even do this, but the service is not professional and unsafe.

Which 'law' requires a pharmacist to give you their name and registration number?

If the pharmacists judgement was right the first time and it was professional and not biased in any way they would not be worried if a complaint was made, nor would they change their decision. Maybe a pharmacist has the right to refuse service however I had no previous issues or complaints with any of these pharmacists.
I am now slightly suspicious of the intentions of some of the local pharmacists, it seems as though there is some hidden agenda preventing me from getting professional health care.

I suspect that it was the hassle of dealing with a complaint from an over-entitled ill-informed member of the public that led to a change of approach. 
But... you have had issues with pharmacists in the past when they gave you an appropriate medication but you didn't like the taste! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6060442/refund-for-wrong-prescription-item#latest

I have been angered, frustrated and put under unnecessary stress as well as putting my health at risk. it has also cost me an extra £9 as well as transport costs. The whole country is currently worried about the corona virus and health care professionals should be doing their best to help those at need especially if there is any chance of self isolation.

Diddums.... The real reason for all this is your failure to prepare for medications going out-of-date. 
Perhaps you need to think about personal responsibility!

When I got the prescription the chemist then refused to deliver the medication. I was asked to visit and collect in person from the chemist which is about 5-10 minutes drive. I am not sure if this is an appropriate level of professional service.

Sounds entirely reasonable! 

Firstly Im not being racist im making an observation.  Im also asian so i dont see the issue.  its like Donald Trump calling Corona virus a 'Chinese' Virus / disease and some stuck up, messed up journalist asks him why he is calling it Chinese virus and accusing him of being racist.  Mr Trumps response was epic.  This isnt the time for political correctness.  He called it chinese because it originated or started / spread from china.  Calling the virus chinese is like calling your chinese food chinese.  That is not a major issue.

In the same way What i am saying is all the pharmacists that denied supply were asian and the one that gave it was not asian.  its a fact and an observation if you think that is racist then i think you are reading to much into it and wrong.

But... you have had issues with pharmacists in the past when they gave you an appropriate medication but you didn't like the taste!

No i think the issue is that you cant read.  If you re-read that thread you will realise that that medicaton had an ingredient i could not take, it had nothing to with taste.  If your son /daughter had a peanut alllergy and someone gave them peanut flavoured crisps would you let them take them?  Even if its just falvouring, theres still chance of it containing some peanut etc...  It has nothing to do with taste, i would not bother making a post on here over taste of medicine unless it was a general conversation.  

Which 'law' requires a pharmacist to give you their name and registration number?

"One of the legal requirements associated with the Responsible Pharmacist role is to display a notice in the pharmacy that gives the details of the Responsible Pharmacist."
You can read more here: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/resources/responsible-pharmacist-notice

So again its you not me thats wrong.  You could have checked this yourseflf with a simple online.  Basically you dont know what you talking about.

Diddums.... The real reason for all this is your failure to prepare for medications going out-of-date. 
Perhaps you need to think about personal responsibility!

In case youve been living in a cave last few weeks you would have heard of corona virus.  It might be the case that in 2 weeks like in other countries there could be a lockdown in the UK.  If their IS a lockdown or need to self isolate, then isnt it an absolute emergency for people (NOT just the elderly!) to make sure they have adequate supply of medication!?  That IS making preparations and taking personal responsibilty you fool.

I think you should go back to fixing your shower knobs.  Because you are not informed enough to reply to my thread.

No offence...

I'm white.

I wouldn't write "There was a white pharmacist".

I'm English.

I wouldn't write "There was an English pharmacist".

I have ginger hair.

I wouldn't write "There was a ginger pharmacist".

Why would anybody need to?

rafhelp

warby68 said:

I suspect pharmacists have a lot of discretion as to who how and when they prescribe and are allowed to use judgement as well as professional rules and it sounds as if you were trying to bypass the usual prescription route.
Even IF the pharmacist was mistaken, is complaining, trying to get someone in trouble and directing effort and resources in that direction the best call at present ? I value all our health workers even more than usual especially those on any kind of frontline and if they decide to bite my head off today when I ask for paracetamol ( I should have 8 per day but not on prescription due to cost) I will forgive them willingly.

Ok firstly I dont think you read the entire story, maybe read the previous thread I made which I referenced here...  I stated that i rang the GP to get a repeat prescription.  They checked and said ok come and collect it.  First mistake.  When i went to collect it they said it wasnt ready some daily.  Second mistake.  I later found out it wasnt delayed it was rejected and not signed by GP.  Third mistake.  Then when i complained and they issued the prescription they sent it to a different chemist to the one i allocated to them, which meant the would not deliver.  Fourth mistake.  3 chemists refused emergency supply on grounds of "you were last prescribed too long ago, over 6 months" - I know the pharmacy law in this case, combine this with the NHS website information and time limit is NOT a major factor in deciding to supply or / not.  Having read asthmatic forums you will find its common for most inhalers to last about a year unless they are used alot or abused.  Ive also contacted NHS and other health care professionals (senior level) and they have stated the supply should have been made.  So that is mistake 5,6 and 7.

One pharmacist said I should ring 111 and they could issues an emergency prescription which they would dispense. i could not get through on 111 waiting ages.  Spoke to repeat prescription team and they said it is not possible for 111 to issue a prescription.  So one of those two is wrong, mistake 8.

I find it hard to believe im being made to look like the one in wrong, unbelievable.

This is the problem though some people give health care professional way too much respect.  I have worked in many different health care environments in the past.  Some of them were truly incompetent, some could not even speak english well enough to converse with patients.  Some worked so slow, patients were storming out the chemist sometimes swearing.  Some chemists I have seen just sit in the back texting their girlfriends, or playing with their new state of the art phone and doing minimum checking.  Heard of several pharmacists who steal from their chemists, some murder their spouses to claim insurance money and run off to australia with their gay lover.  Some overwork putting peoples lives at risk. 

AND NO I AM NOT STEREOTYPING, neither should you.

I have respect for those who are genuine hard working professionals.  I know pharmacists.  I have respect for the pharmacists that have helped me in the past. 

BUT please dont tell me you respect someone just because they are a so-called health care professional, trust me some of these really dont care about your health, they just care about the money, like lot of people.  In the same way a plumber doesnt really care about your pipes they just doing what they get paid to do.  Same way a train driver doesnt really care where you are going or for what purpose, they just doing a job.

Theres also a thing called consumer rights, pharmacy is also a business, ive always been told the customer is always right.

pollypenny

Yea gods!  What a saga, because someone had let inhalers go out of date. Doesn't need them regularly, then?  😏

keithdc

Which 'law' requires a pharmacist to give you their name and registration number?

"One of the legal requirements associated with the Responsible Pharmacist role is to display a notice in the pharmacy that gives the details of the Responsible Pharmacist."
You can read more here: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/resources/responsible-pharmacist-notice

So again its you not me thats wrong.  You could have checked this yourseflf with a simple online.  Basically you dont know what you talking about.

It might have been a good idea for you to read that before posting it!
That requirement relates to the posting of a sign stating who the responsible pharmacist is, so:
1) The obligation is to display a notice (not provide the information orally),
2) The pharmacist working that day may or may not have been the responsible pharmacist (in which case no obligation to provide that information about themselves). 

BTW- think you forgot to answer my question on providing a link to the weibste that says you are entitled to a re-supply?