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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you work in a pharmacy? Do you judge people on their medications?

107 replies

BloodyPlantagenets · 15/01/2016 18:25

I always wonder about this when I pick up my prescriptions. I'm on a cocktail of antipsychotic and antidepressant meds and I always think they head tilt at me a bit. I'm interested to know whether this is my paranoia talking or whether the pharmacist sees the prescription and makes a judgement.

What do you think? I'd love to hear from people who do that job and I promise it's not upsetting me, it's just a thought I've had for a while.

OP posts:
AnnieNoMouse · 15/01/2016 21:50

A few decades ago as a 17 year old I had a Saturday job in a newsagents. The local pharmacist was a regular so he recognised me when I went in one day to collect a presription for my mother. He obviously recognised the drugs for what they were - drugs for someone being treated for or dying of cancer. He made a comment to me that was caring and concerned and not all intrusive. And after that when he came into the newsagents he was always asked after me/my mum, and generally showing kindness (and not in a sleazy way). I really appreciated that, and still do.

SlippingOnIceIceBaby · 15/01/2016 21:52

I'm a pharmacist.

Never have and never would judge someone on what medication they take.

UndramaticPause yes controlled drugs get dealt with differently. 'Regular' medication goes into waste bins that are then sealed and get collected by a company that destroys them. Controlled drugs have to be denatured first i.e. Mixed with a substance that renders them unusable. Minimises the risk of anyone being able to get their hands on them and misuse them.

UndramaticPause · 15/01/2016 21:55

That makes sense. Thank you

SomebodySedateMe · 15/01/2016 21:55

I'm confused - I'm on metformin for diabetes. Am I now supposed to be ashamed of that for some reason?

AgentCooper · 15/01/2016 21:56

The only time I ever felt judged by a pharmacist was when I was 19 and went in for the morning after pill. She quietly said to me 'why didn't you just use a condom?' I flaming did - it burst! But I was so embarrassed that I just mumbled. Imagine if she'd said that to a girl who'd been assaulted?

Mercifully, I've never encountered similar. My local pharmacists are lovely, very friendly but not intrusive at all.

SlinkyVagabond · 15/01/2016 21:57

I get a very specific medication that can only be dispensed by my hospital. I did have one dispenser there obviously give me a look, complete with cat's bum mouth. I marched right back to my outpatients and complained. Apparently not the first time. I have them delivered now.

Kosakova · 15/01/2016 22:00

UndramaticPause I'm not a pharmacist, but understand that controlled drugs need to be recorded both on issuing and if/when they are destroyed, unlike 'normal' medications that can be disposed of without being recorded.

Naady · 15/01/2016 22:09

I am a pharmacist. i definitely don't judge.

doleritedinosaur · 15/01/2016 22:10

My friend & most of her family work in pharmacies, they're all better than doctors for prescribing medication.
In fact she's saved my life at least twice because I was prescribed medication I was severely allergic to & would have taken.
They never judge, said they're too busy to remember who has what & usually it's more a patient came in with 2 minutes to close & a 20 item script when going on holiday at 8am next morning.

Pharmacists can appear nosy but it's more finding out if you're on other meds/on the best dose or medication for you.

WillSomebodyThinkOfStefan · 15/01/2016 22:15

I really don't have time to judge - there is very little I haven't seem or heard before. I do like to chat to my patients, it helps fill in the gaps and often identifies issues the patient wasn't aware of.

SlippingOnIceIceBaby · 15/01/2016 22:22

Haha WillSomebody I can definitely second that, too busy to judge!

drspouse · 15/01/2016 22:23

DH has diabetes and our small local pharmacy definitely notice because they worked out he gets free prescriptions on medical grounds, once they'd seen the drugs. But they don't judge or gossip.

Some patients may expose themselves to the judgy pants of the other customers though, as with the gentleman with lots of tattoos and a dog on a string who loudly announced he was in again for his methadone.

Wagglebees · 15/01/2016 22:29

this is why phrmacists are invaluable. Their knowledge about medication vastly outweighs that of most doctors.

This! If they ask you questions or give advice it is always to benefit you.

I don't think the anecdotes about dispensers are that helpful really. They're a different thing to a pharmacist.

BeaufortBelle · 15/01/2016 22:32

Quick question for the pharmacists on here as I've had some new meds prescribed this week.

If I take 2 x Cocodamol 30/500 at about 5am, is it OK to take my risedronate 35 weekly, at about 8am please?

elementofsurprise · 15/01/2016 22:33

Apologies in advance - couldn't help but think of this! Grin

ABetaDad1 · 15/01/2016 22:40

My pharmacy are really great. Local, efficient and family run.

I take antidepressants and they don't ever strike me as judging. In fact, I don't take them for depression so any assumptions based on the medication about my mental health would be wrong.

rosewithoutthorns · 15/01/2016 22:47

I guess it's different if you live in a small village compared to London. Would I judge, if Im honest I might, it depends on many factors though doesn't it.

Wagglebees · 15/01/2016 23:01

Sorry I read the question as 'pharmacists' but see the op asked about pharmacies in generally, so dispensers are relevant.

coffeeisnectar · 16/01/2016 00:43

Our local boots don't even need to ask mine or dps names, we are in there so often. The staff are utterly lovely. Dps meds have changed a lot as have mine and all they worry about is getting the dose right and making sure that anything we buy over the counter doesn't clash with prescribed stuff. Mind you dp is a terrible flirt and a wind up merchant so we are well recognised in all the local shops. How he's not barred I don't know. :o

CrohnicallyAspie · 16/01/2016 07:48

Are you supposed to show photo ID for collection of controlled drugs? Does that include codeine and diazepam? I don't think I ever showed ID for those. And what if you're collecting on someone else's behalf, do you show their ID or yours?

2ndSopranosRule · 16/01/2016 07:57

Interesting discussion. I've stopped using our local and efficient pharmacy as one of DH's cousins works there and I can't face the thought of handing in a prescription for my antidepressants.

I've got visions of her telling her family and it going round everyone. I'm certain I'm doing her a disservice but I can't do it.

britnay · 16/01/2016 08:32

I'm a dispenser in a small town pharmacy. I handle prescriptions for a lot of people that I know, including family members. I would never dream of mentioning the contents with them, unless of course they asked a question.

I don't judge what people are taking. We serve so many people who are on all sorts of things.

When I am labeling prescriptions, I make a note of anything different to previous time - new medicines (and possible interactions with other medicines), medicines that have not been prescribed (then we can ask "there wasn't any X on your prescription, did you mean to order any?" etc

When I hand out prescriptions, I'll do a quick glance over it to make sure there is nothing missing (such as a fridge item) or there might be a note there about something to mention to the patient (e.g. change of strength since last time we dispensed, or perhaps a different brand so the box looks different from usual).

If we ask any questions, its mainly to do with patient safety, especially if something is given at any unusual dose. It is also out of professional interest, to know if a drug is being used for a non-licensed purpose. This sort of thing we would make a note of in your file, so that we wouldn't ask about it each time ;)

Birdsgottafly · 16/01/2016 08:35

""I guess it's different if you live in a small village compared to London. Would I judge, if Im honest I might, it depends on many factors though does"

For those that would judge, what would you be judging and why?

That, to me, would be the perfect example of being well educated, but incredibly stupid.

fastingmum123 · 16/01/2016 08:40

They did once laugh at my dp but only because he went in and bought some stuff for cystitis after them asking him numerous times if he was sure that was what he wanted for himself. only when he walked out he realised and had to go back in and say he meant he wanted something for siatica.

britnay · 16/01/2016 08:42

I should add, we don't discuss individual prescriptions in the dispensary, unless its something like "have you ordered in X for patient Y" or "if someone serves patient Y then remember to show them that they have been given X brand of medication as requested".
We certainly never discuss such things with other staff. Even if they do hand out prescriptions, they don't know what the vast majority of the drugs are, unless they are something that would be available over the counter.