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Original poster

Would you be upset if you overheard a pharmacist complaining about the cost of your medication?

62 replies

alloalloallo · 28/04/2023 15:20

Just as per the title really.

My daughter is diagnosed with social anxiety and takes anxiety medication prescribed by the Consultant Psychiatrist at CAMHS.

She also has a couple of other disabilities so we’ve had to fiddle a bit with different meds and different combinations of meds to find something that a) worked, b) didn’t negatively impact her other disabilities and c) she could manage the side effects.

Anyway, a few days ago I dropped DD’s prescription off and was waiting to pick one up for DH and I (along with everyone else) could hear the pharmacist ranting away about the cost of one of DD’s medications and how it was stuff like this that was crippling the NHS.

I just ignored it at the time, but DD has MH issues, her self esteem is pretty shitty so I think that if DD had overheard something like that it would have upset her and potentially impacted as to whether she actually took the meds/picked up prescriptions in the future.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Kindledino · 29/04/2023 13:30

When my 5 year old son was on liquid warfarin I had multiple comments from pharmacists and dispensers. Including some who didn't look at the patient details and assumed it was for me, and I was being deliberately awkward asking for liquid. Lots of "this stuff is a bloody nightmare to get hold of you know, and it costs a fortune" as if it was my fault my son had a blood clot on his brain which nearly killed him.

greenacrylicpaint · 29/04/2023 13:41

Kindledino · 29/04/2023 13:30

When my 5 year old son was on liquid warfarin I had multiple comments from pharmacists and dispensers. Including some who didn't look at the patient details and assumed it was for me, and I was being deliberately awkward asking for liquid. Lots of "this stuff is a bloody nightmare to get hold of you know, and it costs a fortune" as if it was my fault my son had a blood clot on his brain which nearly killed him.

we had the same when dc needed an 'adult' medicine. nhs declined the prescription on the grounds of cost. privately liquid formulation woukd have been close to 500£ a week, specially made up.

dc was able to to take tablets, so we were able to switch to that.

LlynTegid · 29/04/2023 14:30

Unprofessional and I'd be concerned that the ranting clouded the judgment of the pharmacist when advice is sought from someone.

Thankfully never had that with my local pharmacist.

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hisnameisfreckles · 29/04/2023 14:58

OMG how unprofessional... they would have a hairy fit at mine .. one of mine costs over £250000 a year ! And I take 11 different drugs everyday(these are not as expensive but still not cheap )

IloveJudgeJudy · 29/04/2023 15:17

I haven’t rtft but we had exactly the same experience when DD was under CAMHS and went to pick up some prescribed medication. At the time I was too shocked to react but I’m glad to see that you’re going to email someone. I should have done something and am annoyed with myself that I didn’t at the time. Talk like that can have a huge impact and is so unprofessional.

Gtsr443 · 29/04/2023 15:35

I had a cancer nurse harangue me during chemo about the cost of my medication. I was literally pinned to a chair with him shoving it my arm and ranting at me.
Very upsetting. Made me feel I was unworthy of the treatment.

TheMarsian · 29/04/2023 15:37

Also, if someone who is on ‘expensive medication or treatment’ was overhearing that, they might well be really hurt and also take it very personally….

Its not just about the OP, it’s also about the other people around.

ohtowinthelottery · 29/04/2023 15:37

I had this with one of DDs medicines many years ago - only the pharmacist didn't say it loud enough for me to overhear, she actually said it to my face. I was so gobsmacked I didn't really respond.

I told DDs specialist nurse who said that if she said it again I was to ask her if she knew how much it cost to call an ambulance, have DD in resus in A& E and then transferred to a ward for a minimum of 1 nights stay - which is what would happen if we didn't have the medicine. Sadly I wasn't challenged again.

TheMarsian · 29/04/2023 15:40

Kindledino · 29/04/2023 13:30

When my 5 year old son was on liquid warfarin I had multiple comments from pharmacists and dispensers. Including some who didn't look at the patient details and assumed it was for me, and I was being deliberately awkward asking for liquid. Lots of "this stuff is a bloody nightmare to get hold of you know, and it costs a fortune" as if it was my fault my son had a blood clot on his brain which nearly killed him.

I’m really sorry you had that experience @Kindledino

I would have been livid if anyone had made that sort if comment to me.
As if you (or in that case your dc) had a choice on which medication he needed to take.

Original poster
alloalloallo · 30/04/2023 09:15

Thanks all

I popped into the pharmacy yesterday to pick up her meds, the place was empty and there was a different person behind the counter so I asked if I could have a chat.

I was very polite and explained what had happened when I was dropping off the prescription. Outlined my concerns that this was not an appropriate conversation for the pharmacist to be having in front of a shop full of customers and that given her mental health issues, had my DD been dropping off her prescription and overheard it I worried that it would have made her feel like a burden and undeserving of help, and not take her meds or engage with healthcare services in future - or any of the other customers in the shop at the time.

She agreed it was inappropriate and unprofessional and will pass my concerns on and the pharmacy manager will call me on Tuesday.

I was clear I didn’t want to make a complaint, that I appreciate how tough it is at the moment, but I felt it was important feedback.

So, we’ll see if they get in touch next week.

OP posts:
Luciansmum6 · 11/08/2023 22:22

It will be about the drug companies and how much they charge not about you. And it’s true the amount they charge the nhs compared with the cost price is absolutely staggering.

Diamondstars · 12/08/2023 12:07

alloalloallo · 30/04/2023 09:15

Thanks all

I popped into the pharmacy yesterday to pick up her meds, the place was empty and there was a different person behind the counter so I asked if I could have a chat.

I was very polite and explained what had happened when I was dropping off the prescription. Outlined my concerns that this was not an appropriate conversation for the pharmacist to be having in front of a shop full of customers and that given her mental health issues, had my DD been dropping off her prescription and overheard it I worried that it would have made her feel like a burden and undeserving of help, and not take her meds or engage with healthcare services in future - or any of the other customers in the shop at the time.

She agreed it was inappropriate and unprofessional and will pass my concerns on and the pharmacy manager will call me on Tuesday.

I was clear I didn’t want to make a complaint, that I appreciate how tough it is at the moment, but I felt it was important feedback.

So, we’ll see if they get in touch next week.

Well done for doing this. I’d go the same. We don’t choose to live with these awful conditions. I’d rather not need the medications I need. However, they mean I can work and pay taxes, so, it’s cheaper I’m medicated and working than not. One day, we won’t be stigmatised. I’m interested to hear what the outcome of this is. 🤗

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