Woman on the Sainsbury's pharmacy counter

[SoggyBottomBoys]

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.

A cat is legally an odd combo of wild animal and personal property. What statute would specify that anti fungal shampoo cannot be used (assuming benefits outweigh any potential cruelty).

I can understand a human pharmacist advising you to check best treatment with a vet but I'm struggling to see what the law has to do with it.

IlOVE every kind of cat, codiene works much better when combined with a nsaid or paracetamol, so depending on the injury that's why the ibuprofen mix would be more appropriate. It's difficult to get codiene on its own in a dose lower than 15mg and patients unfortunately are more likely to take too much

the law has changed recently on pet medicines. (Currently doing my Pet Medicines module)

Some medicines can be used on animals - others are not licensed for anything other than human use. Only a vet can diagnose problems, but a pharmacist can let you know what medicines are available if asked - the final choice must be up to the owner, but the only treatments offered will be those licensed for pet use.

I think it is that it is not licensed for cats...but the vet had told me to get it.

(and my cat liked it so much that now he tries to get in the bath on a regular basis - not to get off the point or anything..)

Betty I was just thinking of the prescribed ones, just with the PP having to buy OTC all the time as her GP wont prescribe for a difference 2.2mg.

Although that could be classed as a lot for all I know I'm not massively trained in medicine.

It used to be correct that a vet could treat a human but a doctor couldn't treat an animal. Is it still so? Get mu h better service from my vet, including reception, nurses, etc. Far superior than the NHS.

Some years ago, I had to buy Daktarin and another treatment, possibly for headlice (can't quite remember now), from the pharmacist to treat my guineapigs. I didn't tell them I was buying them for guineapigs, but was slightly embarrassed to be buying these things, as it made me feel like a right scuzzer! would I not be able to buy them for guineapigs now (if I'd told the truth, which I didn't then anyway - think the person who told me to buy them said to not mention they were for guineapigs)

You seriously cut off your nose to spite your face by not answering OP, if it meant you had to hobble to another pharmacy.

Perhaps the pain isn't as bad as you think

YABU. She was doing her job. Its a standard question.

I used to get sturgeon tablets for my car sick dog and had to fib and say they were for me as I was warned that a chemist may well not allow me to have them if they knew they were for a dog.

I take it lots. Just say pain relief. She wasn't being unreasonable.

can't vets dispense medicines for animals?

can't vets dispense medicines for animals

yes but you will find EXACTLY the same medication - just in a different box will cost 6x as much from a vet as from a pharmacy.

Sturgeon tablets are about £2, stuff from the vet is about £30.

Unborn sorry I misunderstood, but no 2.5mg of codiene isn't a big difference I see where you are coming from now

The woman needs some training in people skills, OP.

Betty it's fine I confuse myself sometimes

Pharmacy workers must have a shit load of guidelines. I'm in care and there are (rightly obviously) so many rules about medication and that's without dispensing them, I don't blame them for being so cautious.

I've been refused Solpadeine on several occasions. It is something they have to be careful about - as loads of others have said.