to assume someone working in a pharmacy should know the difference between ring worm and thread worms?

[olivo]

I have just been to get some creaam for ring worm; I asked the young girl for 'a cream for ring worm please'. Both she and the other lady said simultaneously that they didnt think you could use cream, just a tablet. Slightly puzzled, I said I was happy to have anything but had been using Canesten, but they knew best . Then they mentioned Ovex and I said I thought that was for thread worms.... I left with some new Canesten, but it scared me somewhat that I seemed to know more than they did, and what I might have ended up with if I hadnt actually known what I wanted.

DO you have to have training to work in a pharmacy? Obviously, you do to be a pharmacist but what about being on the counter?

No you don't, they are just sales assistants

Always ask to speak to the pharmacist.

YABU, they would not know anymore than someone working at the Spar or B&Q.

Well then why were they giving advice?

I say YANBU. They should not give advice if they are not trained to some extent.

YABU, but they should have asked the pharmacist rather than guess.

I wonder where they thought you were putting the cream...

They are probably on min wage, they aren't trained pharmacists, and ringworm isn't a really obvious one to know.

yanbu

They should know to ask the pharmacist if they are unsure have no clue.They should know this through their OTC med training.

I had training when I worked for a pharmacy.

I work for Boots & to work on the pharmacy counter we have to be healthcare trained & we are always told if we are unsure then ask the pharmacist.

YANBU, they should ask the pharmacist when they're not sure.

I thought they would have even some basic training, but maybe I'm naive!

DOingthebestican, I'll stick to Boots!!

Exactly the same happened to me!!! I know I needed canesten and she gave me thread worm tablets!!

On a side note - why will the bloody ring worm not leave after constant and weeks of canesten appying!!! :(

Do you have a pet or is some one else in the household infected and passing it back to you?

YANBU. In my experience I don't think I've ever even had to ask to speak to the pharmacist; if assistants in the pharmacy don't know the answers to things, they don't hesitate to go and find the pharmacist to advise. But I think if in doubt and if you feel as if you're probably in the right and they're mistaken or don't know, don't be shy to just ask for the pharmacist.

I used to work for Boots as a healthcare assistant on the pharmacy counter and yes you are trained and need to pass exams. This isn't unique to Boots but is required for all pharmacies.

OH no, Liby, you are not inspiring me!! It needs to go! we dont have any animals, god knows where i got it from!

I was assertive this time, and got her to check, but it concerns me that other less stubborn assertive people may have just accepted what they were given.

I worked in a pharmacist for over 2 years - i learnt NOTHING. They kept promising me training and it never came. I was no different to someone on a till at asda,

always speak to the pharmacist if you want sound information.

I remember my mum and aunt working in a pharmacy when they were studying, they only did Saturdays and had to spend a large portion of their day in back room doing their training for their job.

Legally a counter assistant should start a training course within three months of starting the job. And yes they should have known the difference or have asked the pharmacist if unsure.

I used lamisil AT gel on my ringworm and it worked well

Liby if Canesten (an antifungal) isn't working on ringworm after many weeks then it probably isn't ringworm.

Or it needs a different antifungal.

Ringworm doesn't necessarily come from animals, unless you have a pet that also has ringworm. It's very contagious and can be passed between family members.

I work in a pharmacy (in a hospital rather than a high street one) and I had to train for 2 years to qualify as a pharmacy technician.

Counter assistants in high street chemists don't have to go through nearly as much training, and should refer all purchases through the pharmacist - especially if they were unsure of the correct treatment.

Staff should be asking a series of questions - who is the treatment for, what are the symptoms, how long have the symptoms been present, what have you used so far and are you taking any other medication?

I would suggest Lamisil cream, but if the infection has been going on for weeks then I think you'd be best to see your GP as you may need a course of oral antifungal medication.

I worked in a pharmacist for over 2 years - i learnt NOTHING.

Erm,that would be a pharmacy...

I worked in one for over a year and learnt lots,really enjoyed it actually (probably due to my hypochondriac tendancies ).

YANBU the counter assistants should have some training. The VERY first thing they should learn is refer ANYTHING they don't know or can't handle to the pharmacist.

totoro they were breaking the rules if that was the case. Pharmacy staff are supposed to be trained or in training. No excuse for learning nothing though. Can read the packaging and the package inserts (if the package doesn't have an outer seal. Pester the pharmacist and other more experience staff with questions. Pick out the Chemist and druggist or the OTC magazine and read it. not formal training but still learning something.