Why couldn't I buy this OTC medication?

[Silvercatowner]

I'm struggling to understand. I have co-codomol prescribed by my GP - I have arthritis. I ran out and realised my usual pharmacy had lost the repeat prescription that the surgery sent over. I went into another pharmacy - the person behind the counter asked why I needed it and explained - but they wouldn't sell me any. Apparently I needed to contact my surgery (an hour on the phone usually) or 111. I went to another pharmacy and bought the pills - I wasn't asked why I needed them (but was ready to say I had toothache or somesuch limited condition).

This is crackers, OP.

I have 112 30mg codeine on a repeat prescription. That usually lasts me about three months, but can be less if I'm in a particularly bad way. I usually take a couple of doses daily, one in the morning and one in the evening. However, when my pain is not quite as bad I take a couple of OTC Solpadeine 8/500 or 15/500 instead, because I don't want to take the stronger stuff unless I absolutely have to. My local pharmacy has always sold me a couple of boxes when I pick up my prescription with no issue whatsoever. They always do the information bit which is to be expected, but never once have they asked why I need them or questioned me in any way.

Oh and I've lost count of the electronic prescriptions that have gone missing!

I’m reluctant to recommend an online pharmacy. They’re brilliant for certain situations like housebound patients but a pain in the arse when it comes to interim prescriptions (antibiotics, newly prescribed items etc). Also, by losing regular items, the pharmacy obviously loses funds, which leads to cuts. The drive for pharmacies being the first port of call for advice & services is a brilliant idea, just as long as there’s the staff to provide these services…

The pharmacies near me open Monday to Friday 9-5, with a 1 hour lunch break where they close and they don't open at the weekend. The average wait time is around 30-45 minutes to collect anything and you have to pay to park to go there. It's things like that which mean people switch to online.

There are some extremely patronising and presumptive responses on this thread. The OP was very clear on her reasons for wanting some medication over the counter. There is no need to assume that she is drug seeking. And electronic prescriptions do get stuck in the system. It's happened to me a number of times.

Even more wonderful. I love having our pharmacists in the practice.

Reminds me when I went to the doctor about a rash on my neck and he diagnosed me and told me the name of the cream to buy OTC from the pharmacy. He didn't bother writing out a prescription because he said the cream is way cheaper than getting it on prescription. Well the pharmacy asked me what it was for, I said this rash on my neck, they refused to sell it to me because you shouldn't really use it OTC for face and neck and need a prescription for that purpose as may be unsuitable. I said I saw the doctor and they told me to use that cream, but it was pointless explaining as pharmacist didn't want to know.

I went into a different pharmacy, donning a scarf to hide my neck rash, and said it was for my leg, they sold it to me without a bother and the cream worked a treat.

Just pharmacies could get into trouble if they don't follow certain protocols.

In things you aren't meant to do, any time I but OTC medication I just lie: are you on any other medications - no, have you taken this before - yes, do you take it regularly - no, why are you taking it - list a reason on my the packet.

Usually 2 and 3 are true, sometimes 4 is and 1 never is.

I check my own drug interactions before I go in and frankly can't face the inevitable quizzing that would ensue at the point I reeled off the 3 regular and another 3 semi regular prescription I take.

Ultimately by lying I take the responsibility for my medication into my own hands and I'm fine with that - it's not the pharmacists' faults that the system is how it is.