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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Woman on the Sainsbury's pharmacy counter

394 replies

SoggyBottomBoys · 18/02/2017 12:35

Shopping in big Sainsbury's this morning with baby. Tried to buy some Solpadeine at the counter. Have been suffering from various post-birth complications and SPD that's flared up pretty badly (I was basically hobbling). Conversation (in full earshot of 3 people queuing behind) goes like this:
Pharmacy assistant: Have you taken this before?
Me: yes
PA: Are you on any other medications?
Me: No.
PA what are you taking it for?
Me: I'd rather not discuss that.
PA: Then I can't sell this to you.

And she refused to sell it to me! Unless I told her what was wrong with me. Which (because I was really annoyed/emotional by this point) I refused to do. So I walked off almost in tears and now have to lug myself to a chemist to buy some when I can frankly barely walk.

Am I right in thinking she crossed a line here? The first two questions are completely fine. I have no problem with being warned of side effects, don't take for more than 3 days, etc. But the third one just seemed so intrusive, especially in public when it's a woman who clearly has a small baby they have recently given birth to. They can't demand you tell them what's wrong with you...can they?!

Tell me if IABU... as I am so cross I'm considering complaining.

OP posts:
Onynx · 18/02/2017 15:38

Op I do sympathise but try living in Ireland! All codeine based products are restricted here and while I understand why it's necessary - we get the Spanish Inquisition every time we try to buy nurofen plus or solpadeine. Then if the pharmacist decides to allow you to buy them they may decide to only sell you a pack of 12!!

Bantanddec · 18/02/2017 15:40

Yabu it's her job to make sure it's the correct medication for you. Your reluctance to disclose the reason may have made her think you wanted to misuse it. I would assume they would have strict guild lines with a medication that was addictive.

Coastalcommand · 18/02/2017 15:40

I used to work in a pharmacy years ago and we had a set list of questions we had to ask before we could sell certain medications. The list was actually written On the back of the till and if you didn't ask the questions you'd have been disciplined or dismissed.

TheWinterOfOurDiscountTents · 18/02/2017 15:43

So no more than 6 days use unless you get it through the gp

It says no more than 6 days without speaking to your GP or pharmacist, which is not the same thing as 6 days and then its prescription only.

And considering that a packet of throat sweets (along with every other single thing you can buy in a chemist!) tells me to speak to a dr or pharmacist if I am pregnant or breastfeeding, is it any wonder we think its all a pointless exercise.

I once had a chemist person (no idea if any kind of qualification) refuse to sell me lozenges because I was pregnant. It's that kind of silliness that makes people distrustful even when it is more serious drugs.

whatsthepointofmorgan · 18/02/2017 15:46

yanbu.
When will pharmacists (and doctor's receptionists) realize that a person doesn't want everybody within earshot knowing their medical problems and they especially don't want others knowing what medication they're on.

I'm surprised some of them don't use a loud haler.

PollyPerky · 18/02/2017 15:47

U2 I didn't say 'you can buy thrush tablets'. I said 'treatments. This is a pessary and creams. In pharmacies they are behind the counter.

Fitz the Zantac leaflet is to protect the manufacturer. The reasons are as I said- to prevent people misdiagnosing themselves. However, it's like all 'rules' the majority suffer because of the stupidity of the minority! There are plenty of people who take Zantac or ranitidine (generic) who have already seen their dr and have had the OK to buy it whenever they want. In places like Superdrug it's not behind the counter- you can buy it like any other product, same as medication for hay fever etc.

It's all a bit silly really considering taking a few too many paracetamol can kill you.

FitzChivalry · 18/02/2017 15:50

It's the second packet bit which is about speaking to pharmacist
Do not use for more than 6 days.
Do not buy a second packet of tablets without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist.

FitzChivalry · 18/02/2017 15:51

Maybe to protect manufacturer but also to protect the patient.

DJBaggySmalls · 18/02/2017 15:54

OP you have my sympathy. I used to bake my own bread, went to the chemist to buy some calcium carbonate and was told the price had gone up from 30p to £8.
'because drug dealers use it to cut their drugs'. I said 'well great, now they are the only people that can afford to buy it'.

None of these silly measures stop people who are addicts. They just embarrass the rest of us.

peaceloveandbiscuits · 18/02/2017 15:57

Just say toothache next time. Sorry you're having a hard time Flowers

PollyPerky · 18/02/2017 15:57

Fitz I can read. You don't need to spell it out again :)
Yes, I know it says that. It's for the reasons I said.
The fact you can buy it OTC is not that the medicine is in itself harmful long term ( though like all meds it can have side effects) but because some people will assume they have an acid stomach and they have cancer, for example.

I am not 'supposed' in theory to use medication for thrush as I'm over 60, without seeing a dr, but the fact is I have regular gynae check ups with a consultant as I'm on HRT and know the difference between something more sinister and a spot of thrush, if it were to occur.

You have to use your common sense at the end of the day .

Newmanwannabe · 18/02/2017 15:59

I get that codeine is addictive. But then so is alcohol and cigarettes and you don't get drilled when buying them or have to provide your drivers licence, or be made to feel like a naughty school child when you buy them -(not that I smoke or buy cigarettes).

I can't stand the 50 questions at the chemist. If I have a problem/question I'll ask them myself. They don't take notes on what they say to you or anything like that, so I don't understand how they are fulfilling a legal obligation when it's not documented. Normally in health care "if it's not written down it didn't happen".

I really don't need or want nosey "advice" from a 18 year old sales assistant. In my opinion it's just another step forward to a nanny state.

DesolateWaist · 18/02/2017 16:01

I'm getting a bit pissed off with the idea that if someone isn't the actual pharmacist then they are some unqualified Saturday staff who is normally on the tills.
My cousin is a pharmacy assistant. To look at her you would assume she is a teen but actually she is 25 and qualified.

Chloe84 · 18/02/2017 16:02

Sounds like you had a tantrum and shot yourself in the foot.

BeyondThePage · 18/02/2017 16:02

U2 I didn't say 'you can buy thrush tablets'. I said 'treatments. This is a pessary and creams. In pharmacies they are behind the counter

That is because they generally have precious little effect on all but the itch. The tablet - pharmacy only - actually treats the root cause systemically through the whole body. So, in a pharmacy you will see all the "treatments" together behind the counter - that is so people can be advised that what they really want is not necessarily what they really need to clear the problem.

Sometimes a customer will insist on a cream, that's fine, but we will probably see her again next month. And some will insist on Canesten - £8 as opposed to the generic £2 - with the same ingredient in the same quantity, that is fine too -

but we will advise on what is best for each individual condition and person depending on symptoms, how long they have been suffering, how often they have suffered it, what existing medication they are on and any other conditions suffered - you can't get all that from just picking up a box in a supermarket.

Akire · 18/02/2017 16:03

Just out interest why do they ask what it for when you can say anything? I mean unless you say I broke a nail last night but if you have headache period pain earache or anything there's nothing else really that it can't be for? Unless you happen to say oh yes I've been having these crushing chest pains all morning... heart attack alert.

There no don't take for these
Conditions is there? One persons headaxhe where take nothing is someone else can't function need something stronger.

GahBuggerit · 18/02/2017 16:04

Newman if a pharmacy assistant is being nosey you must complain about them. and definitely if they are asking 50 questions or to see your driving license, afaik thats not part of the requirements

FitzChivalry · 18/02/2017 16:05

Sorry Polly!
I agree with you to an extent, but there's common sense and there's The Rules and a healthcare professional in the middle.

KittyVonCatsington · 18/02/2017 16:07

Very interesting that, when the OP first got responses telling her she was BU, she said she hoped actual Pharmacists would post to see if they agreed with her.

Funny that all Pharmacists on the thread have also stated she is BU, with clear reasons why.

And the OP has gone quiet about that....

Fadingmemory · 18/02/2017 16:10

I would have asked for paper and a pen.

Newmanwannabe · 18/02/2017 16:11

Desolate correct me if I'm wrong but even qualified pharmacy assistants only would have basic knowledge. They would not have a degree or need to be registered with a professional body. I know many student nurses get jobs as pharmacy assistants; as do high school students. I really don't think questioning the public and refusing to sell medications is a role they should have.

Chocolate123 · 18/02/2017 16:11

As someone who works in a pharmacy I would be in big trouble if I sold a codine product without asking necessary questions. One of the first questions is what type of pain is it for? It's not that I'm being nosey it because I need to see can I offer you an alternative product to suit your symptoms.

DesolateWaist · 18/02/2017 16:12

I've got no idea to be fair, Newman.

iloveeverykindofcat · 18/02/2017 16:12

OP I feel for you, but she's just obeying the law. Unfortunately codeine abuse is rife in the UK and codeine is absurdly addictive. I have it prescribed intermittently for hypermobility syndrome and due to moving about the country for work/my own carelessness have unfortunately experienced withdrawal. It's like having the worst flu of your life combined with relentless diarrhoea, and actually makes me reluctant to request codeine at times when I need it. Just because its not very toxic to the organs, its by no means a harmless drug.

Newmanwannabe · 18/02/2017 16:13

Gah one of my local pharmacies records your drivers licence if you buy codeine from them. They make you feel like you are drug seeking, when all you want to do is get done relief from your bad hip. Needless to say I don't go to that one..