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Original poster

To think Pharmacies shouldn't shut for lunch anymore

266 replies

MrsBrie · 05/03/2024 13:58

Hi,

It just seems so old fashioned and unnecessary and I don't see any argument for it. Yes, everyone is entitled to a lunch break - of course, but why does the entire pharmacy need to close? Can't they stagger the staff lunch breaks, like everywhere else?

It's not like it's not an important place? What about the people who need their prescriptions and can only pick it up in that hour? I suspect that's a lot of people.

Also, with GPs now really encouraging people to see their pharmacists first, this just seems even more unjustified.

Assuming it's not just me who thinks this?...

OP posts:
Kinneddar · 05/03/2024 14:16

Our local one changed to being open all day but making people aware the pharmacist was unavailable between 1 & 130

It was a shambles. So many people didn't realise that prescriptions can't be handed out without her being there

It lasted a matter of weeks before they started closing again

NotestoSelf · 05/03/2024 14:13

Unless you feel that pharmacists should be forcibly prevented from taking the breaks that they are legally allowed, YABU.

HelloMiss · 05/03/2024 14:12

Dis626 · 05/03/2024 14:10

Because most pharmacies only have one pharmacist and the staff are not legally allowed to give out medication without them being present.

Seems fair enough they shut over lunch then!

pickledandpuzzled · 05/03/2024 14:11

They literally cannot hand over the meds unless there is a pharmacist on duty.

Whether they could get round it by the pharmacist being on call in the staff room, I don’t know.

Spendonsend · 05/03/2024 14:10

A lot of pharmacies are closing down due to pharmacist shortages and some issues where they have to buy the drugs in at more than the government reimburses them

Dis626 · 05/03/2024 14:10

Because most pharmacies only have one pharmacist and the staff are not legally allowed to give out medication without them being present.

Dearg · 05/03/2024 14:09

Pharmacists are in short supply, and as pp have said , most local chemists have one , who needs a break.

Many of the items which are behind the counter but available to buy also need a pharmacist present to be sold.

Local pharmacy to me does do one late night per week to allow commuters to pick up prescriptions. They collect from GP surgery and deliver to those who cannot get out. I think they do enough to be honest.

Frozenasarock · 05/03/2024 14:03

Because presumably you don’t expect the pharmacist to work the whole day without a break?! There's legalities around prescriptions, “other staff” can’t just hand them out and it’s presumably uneconomical for a small local pharmacy to employ a second pharmacist just to cover breaks.

My local Tesco one is open until 10pm though. You can get prescriptions delivered. I don’t think access to pharmacists, prescriptions and medical help is being held back by pharmacy lunch breaks to be honest.

CormorantStrikesBack · 05/03/2024 14:02

OhmygodDont · 05/03/2024 14:00

Ask those who’s prescriptions haven’t yet been processed to come back but be open to accept the prescription and to deal with other over the counter items.

Show quote history

People would kick off so much it’s probably easier to shut.

CormorantStrikesBack · 05/03/2024 14:01

Yes. Normally only one pharmacist and they need a lunch break. Legally there has to be a pharmacist working to operate

NaughtPoppy · 05/03/2024 14:01

Most pharmacies will only have one pharmacist.
The pharmacist will need to have a lunch break.

Howdoesthisworknow · 05/03/2024 14:01

Most pharmacies only employ one pharmacist. Staff can't dispense medication without them. There is a huge shortage of pharmacists so do retrain if you have an issue with the service they provide.

NotARealWookiie · 05/03/2024 14:01

Because there is only one pharmacist in a pharmacy and they need to be there to dispense medication - and they’re legally entitled to a break so it has to shut

OhmygodDont · 05/03/2024 14:00

MadamVastra · 05/03/2024 13:59

Because the pharmacist has to be working for the staff to give out medication. It's the law.

Ask those who’s prescriptions haven’t yet been processed to come back but be open to accept the prescription and to deal with other over the counter items.

OhmygodDont · 05/03/2024 14:00

Most companies manage to stay open over lunch. In a 24hour world it’s bizarre to shut a company for a lunch break rather than rota staff accordingly

MadamVastra · 05/03/2024 13:59

Because the pharmacist has to be working for the staff to give out medication. It's the law.

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