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I Know They're Only Doing What They Are Told, But . . . . . . . .
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I wonder if this irritates anyone else, or is it just me. I buy Paramol occasionally to take for neuralgic pain. As this contains paracetemol and a small amount of codeine, I get the same lecture every time - don't take for longer than 3 days, don't combine medications etc. I can accept this. Codeine has addictive qualities and pharmacy staff are instructed to issue these warnings. But some staff get a bit power crazy. One young chap (he looked about 12 years old) demanded to know what other medication I was on so that he could judge whether or not I should be sold the product. I refused to discuss my medical history in a crowded shop, and challenged him either to sell me the tablets or refuse to do so, in which case I wanted to speak to the head pharmacist. He sold me the product. Am I just being a grumpy old curmudgeon about this, or does it irritate others too?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.So often we hear complaints about poor staff training and this is possibly one where the staff have taken it to heart a little too zealously in some cases - intimate questions should not be asked in a crowded space but you should be offered a quiet area if needed.
It is important for some meds that you know of any side effects/contraindications etc - this can be irritating when you know you've had them before but the assistant doesn't know that.
I guess it's a case of damned if they do damned if they don't.
Guidelines here:
//Pharmacy medicines
Only pharmacies may sell these medicines and a pharmacist must make or supervise the sale.
You’ll be asked if you have any medical conditions or take any other medicines, to check that it’s safe for you to take the medicine. For example, some nasal decongestants can raise your blood pressure, so you’ll be asked if you have high blood pressure before being sold the medicine.
Some pharmacy medicines may only be sold if the pharmacist is satisfied that it is suitable and safe for you to take.//
Source
http:// www.nhs .uk/chq /pages/ 1325.as px?cate goryid= 73& subcate goryid= 101
It is important for some meds that you know of any side effects/contraindications etc - this can be irritating when you know you've had them before but the assistant doesn't know that.
I guess it's a case of damned if they do damned if they don't.
Guidelines here:
//Pharmacy medicines
Only pharmacies may sell these medicines and a pharmacist must make or supervise the sale.
You’ll be asked if you have any medical conditions or take any other medicines, to check that it’s safe for you to take the medicine. For example, some nasal decongestants can raise your blood pressure, so you’ll be asked if you have high blood pressure before being sold the medicine.
Some pharmacy medicines may only be sold if the pharmacist is satisfied that it is suitable and safe for you to take.//
Source
http://
atalanta, its not youth but age that is the issue, Pharmacists are now not allowed to sell certain items or give advice on certain things to people over 60.
vulcan42, the difference between supermarkets and pharmacies is that pharmacies can sell larger packs or amounts at one time of some items eg paracetamol; and, of course some OTC meds can only be bought where there is a supervising pharmacist.
I am in two minds about the telling the GP receptionist my business thing. If it is something personal then I would say so, but a couple of years ago I phoned up for an appointment because I had got a lump and I was seen within the hour. happily it wasn’t anything serious.
vulcan42, the difference between supermarkets and pharmacies is that pharmacies can sell larger packs or amounts at one time of some items eg paracetamol; and, of course some OTC meds can only be bought where there is a supervising pharmacist.
I am in two minds about the telling the GP receptionist my business thing. If it is something personal then I would say so, but a couple of years ago I phoned up for an appointment because I had got a lump and I was seen within the hour. happily it wasn’t anything serious.
Oh dear, let's clarify this once and for all. Woofgang, pharmacies cannot sell to the public larger pack sizes of drugs such as paracetamol to the public merely because they are a pharmacy. They still have to restrict over the counter sales to the maximum allowed by legislature, which is 32 tablets of paracetamol. And yes, you can buy two packs of 16 paracetamol at some supermarkets but not all. Pharmacies can only provide greater quantities than 32 via a physician's prescription. I'm unaware what other medications you have in mind, but that's the score regarding paracetamol.
Vulcan42, the reason for this ambiguity over staff asking for the reasons for purchase depends on the classification of the medicine. General Sale List medicines can be sold freely in supermarkets without the intervention of a pharmacist. It is not necessary for staff to enquire why you want the medication or how to use it. I do agree though that many pharmacy staff are over-zealous in asking questions about the use of even basic medicines, but you have to remember that these people work for an employer and if the pharmacy owner demands that they ask, they have no choice. You can always take it up with the superintendant pharmacist or the pharmacy owner.
Further info on medicines classification can be viewed here:
http:// www.nhs .uk/chq /pages/ 1325.as px?cate goryid= 73& subcate goryid= 101
Vulcan42, the reason for this ambiguity over staff asking for the reasons for purchase depends on the classification of the medicine. General Sale List medicines can be sold freely in supermarkets without the intervention of a pharmacist. It is not necessary for staff to enquire why you want the medication or how to use it. I do agree though that many pharmacy staff are over-zealous in asking questions about the use of even basic medicines, but you have to remember that these people work for an employer and if the pharmacy owner demands that they ask, they have no choice. You can always take it up with the superintendant pharmacist or the pharmacy owner.
Further info on medicines classification can be viewed here:
http://