to complain to the pharmacist for giving out of date meds...

[addictedtofrazzles]

Well not quite, but almost.

Turns out that Ranitadine (for treating silent reflux) is only "in date" a month after opening the bottle. DS2 is prescribed a large bottle that lasts 3-4 months. Which means that for 2-3 months at a time, his medicine is rendered useless. And explains why he has been endlessly screaming and vomiting for the last month.

I AM SO ANGRY I just keep crying. EVERY day of DS2's gorgeous life has been a feeding nightmare (all 8 months of it). And now I feel so guilty as he has been in considerable amounts of pain and discomfort. He hasn't put on any weight in 2 months because he can't/won't feed.

Or do I complain to the GP who prescribes it each time for giving me such large quantities and not telling me to get a re-prescription each month?

Who would you take your fury out on because I want to scream and kick up a stink!

Why is it the pharmacist's fault. The medication was in date when he dispensed it. And to be honest it should still be effective 2 months past its BBE date. You're frustrated because your DS is ill - stop trying to blame it on other people. YABVU.

WHAT?? Are you joking?? The pharmasist has on the label "1.5 ml x 3 times a day". It is a 300 ml bottle.

By my reckoning, the bottle should last approx 67 days. I have had two bottle on the go (mislaid a bottle, then found it). That is about 4 months worth of meds.

Am I meant to know that bottles go 'off' after a month?

If you went to the chemist and bought day nurse and paracetamol, would you not expect the pharmasist to advise you that you couldn't take them together?

OR the doctor should have calculated a smaller quantity for the bottle.

I am not blaming my DS's illness on other people. But I do expect the professionals to give me the correct information and guidance.

He has been on Ranitadine since he was 4 weeks old. This has been going on for 7 months of his life.

I would write a letter complaining. The pharmacist should pick up on it and give you a month's supply and owing slips for the rest to collect later.

Ignore Diabolo. Pharmacist should calculate how long it should last and weigh it up against use by date. Mention it to GP and complain to pharmacist. Double check all medicines from pharmacist from now on just in case they are a dodgy practise

Addicted - My DS gets a lot of meds which have one month expiry dates on them which only start when the bottle is opened. You should only obviously open one bottle at a time and then get rid of that bottle after the one month period, however your pharmacist should have questioned it based on the waste levels you have stated. It may be that the dosage you require only comes in bigger bottles?

Personally rather than complaining about the pharmacist I would ask them for a chat and query it with them face to face. This may clear up some issues and if there is a problem they might phone the GP themselves to change the prescription.

Thanks Cookie and BakeliteBelle. Will do.

Reindeer that is better advice than mine! Good point!

Thanks Reindeer - I think you are right - I will query it gently as I collect prescription formula and another reflux med from them too and don't want to fall out with him. Thankfully his Paed has put him on stronger meds tonight that come in tablet form so hopefully a) silent reflux contained/managed and b) no immediate expiry issues!

Please don't complain Addicted - well not until you have talked to them first and tried to clarify the situation.

Your pharmacist can be really useful (mine is invaluable) and they are human but will normally do all that they can to make sure that you have enough and they should tell you if it expires after one month.

FWIW one of our meds states on the box that it should always be refrigerated. Our pharmacist kindly told us that the chemical components don't change when not in the fridge and it's easier to take when stored in the cupboard.

If the pharmacy are unhelpful, then yes I'm with the others make a complaint.

Sorry xpost!