To be annoyed at this pharmacist

[Sandsnake]

I'm pretty new here so sorry if this has been done before!

I went into Boots today to buy some aspirin. I am taking an aspirin a day on the advice of my consultant due to a placental problem and am 33 weeks pregnant. The cashier asked me if they were for myself and when I confirmed they were said that he would just have to check with the pharmacist. I said this was fine and added that he should tell her that I was taking them under advice from my consultant.

He came back and said the pharmacist wouldn't sell them to me as aspirin is not recommended during pregnancy. I argued that they were actually vital for my pregnancy as ordered by the consultant - he said the pharmacist said I would need to bring in a note from the doctor to prove this. Apparently this was 'policy', which I pointed out wasn't true as I had bought aspirin from other Boots branches without issue.

I argued quite a lot and in the end left as I had to get my train to work. I was so angry. I was annoyed at the inference that I could not be trusted with my own health - and that I somehow needed to 'prove' what my doctor had told me. I'm still pretty cross about it now tbh as I think the refusal to sell it to me is indicative of the way that some people feel they have the right to infantilise pregnant women. I can't imagine any other group of competent adults being treated this way.

Do you think AIBU?

I had thrush twice in my first pregnancy. The first time, I had to take a day off work to visit the doctor and get prescribed the usual pessary plus cream. The second time, I donned my biggest hoodie and went to the local pharmacy where they sold me some without comment.

I know the rules are for the best but I am capable of managing my own health.

TheIncomparable - point taken, I'm a pharmacist, not a lawyer but the fact is we live in a litigious society unfortunately.

Fair enough I have been on a mission since the nineties to shed light on that case. It seems unfair that that particular one became the posterchild for absurd compensation claims.

I don't want to repeat what's already been said however I do want to reiterate that 'P' melds also known as over the counter meds are not medicines you have a "right" to buy. The way it's supposed to work is you present your symptoms to the pharmacist/counter assistant and if and only if you meet the criteria (license/product indications and no contra-indications) you will then be sold an appropriate product.

Imo it is this misunderstanding of over the counter medicines which is causing a lot of confusion with the general public....after all, if a suitably qualified person did not need to oversee the sale you would simply be able to purchase them at your local petrol station.

Coolsurfer
But in this case, the OP was trying to buy something she could have bought from a petrol station or corner shop... It was just common or garden aspirin she wanted.

Aspirin 300mg yes but definitely not 75mg. Let's say she was trying to buy 300mg in this scenario (I haven't read the full thread), pharmacists have to ensure we are following the product license. So if the sale wasn't appropriate the next course of action is sign posting. A competent pharmacist would then advise, 111/out of hours/a&e as appropriate. We can't jeapordise what we're supposed to do as if someone complains that the sale was inappropriate or there was an adverse event we would then get sued and also struck off. Think lose a whole career over one instance of mislapse of judgement. Unfortunately no win no fee is the culture we live in now. That is perhaps why some pharmacists are overcautious though I do also agree with a comment one made that suggested lack of knowledge but that is true of any profession.

Just to add, in a Tesco/supermarket pharmacy where I occasionally work, the pharmacy is often small. You have the consider that small area as the area I am legally responsible for. So any sales that go through my till will either be sold by myself or a suitably trained medicines counter assistance.

Now you may wonder why you can often pick up meds I might refuse to sell based on your health circumstances from the tesco medicines eisle no questions asked. That's because that eisle is not part of the pharmacy. Anything done at the pharmacy always is under my (a pharmacists) supervision. That's what the public expects, that's what the regulator expects. If I don't do both, the public will sue and the regulator will strike off.

Don't get me wrong i've been on the wrong end of it ( hideous migraine, tablets at home.) Went to boots to buy some, cost over the cost of a prescription for only 2 whereas i usually get 12!i was denied though because i was on the pill.
I was angry but i understood, i wouldn't risk my job either.

Maybe I'm missing something but I'd be annoyed that the pharmacist didn't come and speak to you themselves and just went on the message from the person serving you. You don't know what exactly they said, they could have just said "she says she's supposed to have it" and the pharmacist has understandably said no. Just a thought.

are there any pharmacists in england who can mix prescroptions? or are they all 'only' dispensing nowadays?

Hello - OP here. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their opinions. I think in future I will probably just lie if asked whether they're for me and say they're for my DH. Still don't feel I should have to do this (as they are just your common, garden aspirin) but seems easier. I've definitely learned something from one of the posters (sorry can't remember who!) who said that prescriptions when you have maternity exemption are only charged to the NHS at cost price (and not the full prescription cost). I didn't know this before and it will certainly make me less reluctant to use my prescription in the future.

YANBU and neither is the pharmacist.
Following my latest trip to the UK, I came back with about 30 packs each of ibuprofen and paracetamol in my luggage. All bought in the supermarkets, 2 of each type at a time. Should easily last us 2-3 years.
You can't buy non branded paracetamol from Tesco's or other outlet over here in Ireland and so a packet of 16 paracetamol tablets costing about 30p in the UK costs about £1.20 in Eire.

Tarzan do you mean mix up creams and things to your doctor's specification? If there is something specific that you need that does not have a product licence (eg you need a liquid formulation because you cannot swallow but only tablets are licensed) then your doctor would need to write a prescription for you. You can take this to a pharmacy and they will send it off to a specials manufacturer to be made up there. Bear in mind though that these specials often cost the NHS £200 or more (when the licensed equivalent might cost a few pence)!

There was a terrible case about 20 years ago where a pharmacy made up the wrong strength of chloroform water for a baby who then died. Following that, most pharmacies decided not to do any more 'extemporaneous dispensing' and to contract it out to specials manufacturers.

And final word Sand please don't lie to your lovely pharmacists, it makes our job much harder . Best thing is to get a prescription if you can.

I've definitely learned something from one of the posters (sorry can't remember who!) who said that prescriptions when you have maternity exemption are only charged to the NHS at cost price (and not the full prescription cost).

Not sure what you mean by "full prescription cost". The amount the NHS pays chemist shops is the same whether or not you are exempt i.e. they get the dispensing fee (90p per item, I think) plus the cost of the drug.

I have to admit I lie to pharmacists all the time as a matter of principle. It's my choice to do so and my problem if I get a reaction.

yep, something like that ono

can pharmacists buy medicines from europe if a certain formulation is not available in the uk?

I admit to lying to the chemist as well if I'm sure I know better.