To think its unnecessary to ask a customer what part of the body they need canestan for?

[Nancyclancy]

I have a tough of thrush down below, so today I went into Boots to buy some Canestan, the basic tube.
When I got to the till and asked for the cream, the lady serving me asked if it was for me (fair enough) I said yes, she then asked where I needed to use it?? Bearing in mind there was a string of customers behind me.
Is that really necessary?

at your DH Topaz

www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/canesten-thrush-cream-p4685.html

Stock up from here.

I literally bought some canasten from boots yesterday - picked it up from the womens health shelf and went to self service and didnt get questioned by anyone. Weird how you have to go through a series of questions buying from the pharmacy part and not off the shelves, although the canasten oral medication does have to be bought from the pharmacy.

So, you are annoyed that the staff member behind the pharmacy counter did her job and asked questions before selling you a medicine...?

I was cross examined by an assistant when i went to buy iron tablets (for heavy periods). I refused to answer and just waited there holding my money out. In the end I told her that IF she appropriate medical training and qualifications available to show me I may choose to have a medical consultation (in public) in the shop with her. However, without that I just wanted to buy the tablets.
I consider myself to be intelligent and experienced enough to make my own decisions or to seek advice if I wish. I don't want to be cross examined in public by someone without medical training about what I'm buying. There's an increasing idea that we are all incapable of making making basic decisions about our lives without 'expert' advice - without wishing to offend, pharmacy assistants are just that- specialist shop assistants - this idea that they can advise everyone is complete nonsense.

Wow sarine1 you sound like a charming customer...feel very sorry for the pharmacy assistant who had the misfortune to serve you
This is not a new thing, certain drugs and preparations do require the assistant or pharmacist to ascertain suitability before they can sell. Most of the pharmacy assistants I know have had some form of training. They doing their job when they confirm why you want the drug, they obviously are not doing this to cause you an inconvenience/embarrassment.

This is not a new thing

Absolutely. I had to do this when I was a Saturday assistant in Boots 30 years ago. One thing that job taught me is that there is no need to be obnoxious as a customer.

Sarine1: If you had actually ever worked in a pharmacy then you would know that in fact a lot of people are trying to buy completely unsuitable medicines for themselves or worse yet, for other people whose medical history they know nothing about...

It was uncomfortable and I didn't mean to be rude to her. But I didn't think that asking me why I wanted iron tablets was her business (it's not heroin fgs).
I just don't believe that chemists assistants should assume that all their customers are lacking in knowledge or incapable of making decisions - it's a really dangerous premise. We encourage independence of thought and decision making in every avenue of life so why when we go into a pharmacy is it assumed that we don't know what we're doing?
There's a huge difference between asking ' do you need any advice about this product?' to 'why do you want this' or the question the OP asked.
So yes OP - I think YANBU.

Sorry - 'the OP was asked'.

The way I see it if you need something like that and there's any danger of being refused service then lie. It's a ballache finding another chemist just for some sodden thrush cream, especially if you're pregnant.

I had 20 questions when I bought canesten in Boots, it was so painfully uncomfortable for the man behind the counter and me. Long queue too.

I ended up buying the less strong one in error and ordered the combi canesten one with my shopping from ocado. No questions asked!

I went to Boots to get Canestan Duo for a nasty bout of thrush recently. The assistant asked me how old I was because they can't sell it to women over 60 because 'it might not be thrush'. Believe me, I know when I have thrush.

they always seem to ask, i have in the past bought one for all parts of the body, but I had to ask for it and he asked, have you had this before, once he had asked if it was for thrush. what would have happened if i had said No I wonder?

Stuff on the shelves can be bought from other places like supermarkets. If it's behind the counter it tends to be a pharmacy only medicine which is why they need to ask questions. Counter assistants are trained to ask questions to identify whether or not the pharmacist needs to be involved in the sale. If something unsuitable is sold and anything goes wrong the pharmacist is professionally responsible.

Saying that, some places could be more discreet.

Some products can only be sold under certain conditions. It's irrelevant whether you know you have thrush or not, if you are over 60 they can't sell it. It's the law.

My friend's son has hemochromatosis (excess of iron in the blood) If he took iron tablets it would be very dangerous. As it is, he has to have blood removed from his veins every month to reduce the iron. Certain liver conditions can be made worse with extra iron (eg cirrhosis)

I think the trouble arises when people Google stuff and learn a bit, but not enough. The pharmacist on the other hand has completed comprehensive studies and will know the whole story. Their advice is free, accurate and in your best interests, so it's wise to ask and take their advice.

Yep that's when you send someone else in for it

Xpost

If someone asks you what it's for, you say, 'Internal thrush.' Pharmacy assistant and any sympathetic listeners will know what you mean. Teenage boys and unobservant men will be none the wiser, and you won't get embarrassed by using the 'V' word. Easy

Sarine You do know pharmacy is a qualification and that if you were actually speaking with the pharmacist, rather than an assistant (sometimes hard to tell the difference) they are more qualified than a doctor to advise you on medications? Pharmacy assistants have training from the pharmacists and know to pass on anything even slightly complicated to them. They're there to make sure no-one medicates themselves incorrectly and get ill, or dies, as a result, not be awkward.

If I can add as well, people often DON'T know what they want / need. I once had a very long argument with a nurse who was insistent that they WERE buying themselves nasal decongestants which have a whole long list of conditions you must not take them with. She had three of these conditions and the tablets she wanted could have made her seriously ill. She was saying that because she was a nurse, she WAS having them. We later found out she was a mental health nurse and had zero experience with drugs of this type.

It is sometimes used for nipple thrush, but Daktarin is less likely to trigger a skin reaction, so for that sort of reason it's worth them asking.

Thank you Elphaba - I actually do know the difference between a qualified pharmacist and a shop assistant
I have no problem with asking for help if I need or want it - in a chemists or elsewhere.
I still have a problem with the assumption that I must discuss my health with an unqualified assistant if they choose to ask me. i understand that it is 'the protocol' rather than their personal choice - I'm just arguing that the protocol is wrong and the assumption that I am ignorant (because some people may be) is not a good one.
Still - for those who are happy to divulge their personal details in a chemists - carry on. I just happen to think that the OP was right.

Odd, I've bought Canesten twice in recent weeks from different pharmacies without anyone asking any questions.

Interesting about knowing you have it.
I had a slightly green discharge so told mw. Had a swab and urine sample.
All that came back was 'scanty thrush'
I had no itching or irritation. Didnt want really to take anything in pregnancy. But have used the canesten cream just in case.
... Still have the discharge.
Not loads like i would expect with thrush.

I like the sound of saying internal thrush.
I bet the pessaries are easier to use.
Would it not be easiest to use tablets if not pregnant though, as no chance of missing anything?