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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:
Purplepotatoe · 18/02/2017 13:06

You are not BU, this is such a MASSIVE pet peeve of mine. I like to point out they are not Doctors, they're not even pharmacists ffs and therefore under what qualification are they able to decide whether to sell it or not once they hear what it's for and also, it's not a controlled drug otherwise it would be on PRESCRIPTION. I can understand why you ended up upset though, they're just high on the 'power'

KarmaKit · 18/02/2017 13:06

ssd bollocks. Why would they ask if they didn't have to? Do you really think people are rubbing their hands together cackling in glee about asking a random stranger what they want their medication for? What possible benefit would that give them? Especially when the reactions above are likely to occur.

Zhabr · 18/02/2017 13:06

I regularly buy 1% hydrocortisone ointment and every time I been asked "where are you going to use it?" And then every time I am told never to use is on my face. These questions does not bother me at all.

Ihatethedailymail1 · 18/02/2017 13:06

Why has the word sainsburys turned into a link? I noticed this yesterday on another thread when someone mentioned eBay.

SnugglyBedSocks · 18/02/2017 13:07

It was not the Pharmacist asking her it was the Assistant.

BeaveredBadgered · 18/02/2017 13:08

In reference to snuggly's comment at 12.56.

PollyPerky · 18/02/2017 13:08

If this was the pharmacist then you would have some redress via their professional association - RSP.
If it was merely an assist in store then I'd report it to the pharmacist via a phone call, or the store manager.

It was unprofessional.

Codeine is available in lots of medication that is not POM but has to be 'waved' at the pharmacist for the 'ok' nod.

Some period pain medication includes codeine as do other pain killers.

I think you should have said you didn't want to discuss your medical issues in public and would discuss privately. AFAIK all in-supermarket pharmacies have a quiet area even if it's round the back of the fixtures. legally I think they have to offer a private space.

melj1213 · 18/02/2017 13:08

YABU, pharmacists have to ask certain questions when dispensing - and ones in supermarkets are regularly "mystery shopped" in the same way the rest of the supermarket is, and if they don't ask the questions required of them then they can get into serious trouble and potentially even lose their job. If you feel uncomfortable talking about it in public, they should have a private room for you to talk to them or you could have said you didn't want to discuss it in public.

Also it's entirely possible she was asking because she wanted to ensure it was the most appropriate medication, they might have had something more appropriate/effective/cheaper in the pharmacy depending on the specific reason you were buying it.

PollyPerky · 18/02/2017 13:09

Sorry- RPS.

But as it was an asst I'd ask to speak to the pharmacist- by phone if easier- who was on duty at the time and report her. She needs some training!

ElspethFlashman · 18/02/2017 13:10

To play devil's advocate, Solpadeine is massively abused.

There are people who literally go round to five chemists a week so they can buy the quantity they want without being recognised.

Original poster
SoggyBottomBoys · 18/02/2017 13:10

Yes, "the power" - that's EXACTLY what it felt like! "I have the power to refuse you this, unless you submit to everything i want to ask you like a good girl". The dynamic felt wrong somehow.

OP posts:
KarmaKit · 18/02/2017 13:11

"Power" ffs Confused Grin. God I bet librarians practically have orgasms at telling people they can't get any books out until they've paid their fines. Or maybe the people who think that sales assistants do this for pleasure, would actually find pleasure in it themselves? I can think of no other explanation (other than one that would get me deleted...)

PollyPerky · 18/02/2017 13:11

melj It wasn't the pharmacist! It was an asst. Often they are not trained dispensers, they are just assistants and she was out of order.

A pharmacist would /should be tactful. Just cos they are a pharmacist doesn't mean they can expect private information to be given in a public setting when other people can hear.

BeaveredBadgered · 18/02/2017 13:11

polly pharmacists are regulated by the GPhC not the RPS. This changed about 8 years or so ago.

ClimbingTheNorthFace · 18/02/2017 13:12

It is a pretty standard question to ask - we only have your word for the manner it was asked.

All pharmacy staff should be trained to follow the WWHAM protocol.

Who is the medicine for? Customers may be asking on behalf of someone else.

What are the symptoms? Pharmacy staff can expand on this question to get a full understanding of the symptoms.

How long has the patient had the symptoms? Minor ailments can clear up within a few days. Somebody who is experiencing long term symptoms may need to speak to the pharmacist.

What Action has been taken already? This will avoid recommending the same product that a customer has already tried. If a product hasn’t worked it may be best to refer them to the pharmacist.

Are they taking any other medication? This includes prescribed medicines and OTC, herbal or other supplements which can interact with other medicines.

We are doing an OTC codeine audit where I work at the moment - massive problem with addiction especially in the 30-50 age group.

PollyPerky · 18/02/2017 13:13

Soggy if it helps, phone the store and report this behaviour to the pharmacist. They are the ones who train the assts. If nothing else, some other person's blushes will be spared.

strawberryblondebint · 18/02/2017 13:14

Well I have just bought the same product (Scotland) and was asked had I taken them before. Was I on other medication and reminded they are for short term use. I wasn't asked what they were for. That's not necessary.

LucklessMonster · 18/02/2017 13:14

Yes, "the power" - that's EXACTLY what it felt like! "I have the power to refuse you this, unless you submit to everything i want to ask you like a good girl". The dynamic felt wrong somehow.

You're being ridiculous.

Fannyfannakerpants · 18/02/2017 13:15

Then what is your point? Pharmacists train for 4 years as medical professionals. It is their job to assess whether you medically require over the counter medicines. She asked what it is for because she needed to know it wasn't for something ridiculous or there was something better suited. She wasn't asking to embarrass you or belittle you or to be nosey but because it is your best interest to make sure that you are taking the correct medication for your symptoms. And there is always a private room that you can request to use if you feel uncomfortable. YABVU and rude about someone's profession.

Fannyfannakerpants · 18/02/2017 13:15

Then what is your point? Pharmacists train for 4 years as medical professionals. It is their job to assess whether you medically require over the counter medicines. She asked what it is for because she needed to know it wasn't for something ridiculous or there was something better suited. She wasn't asking to embarrass you or belittle you or to be nosey but because it is your best interest to make sure that you are taking the correct medication for your symptoms. And there is always a private room that you can request to use if you feel uncomfortable. YABVU and rude about someone's profession.

diddl · 18/02/2017 13:15

How close were people to you?

Close enough to hear if you whispered?

Here there's literally a line that you you not cross unless you're the one being served.

ClimbingTheNorthFace · 18/02/2017 13:16

Strawberry - they should be asking. So many people are suffering from headaches caused by codeine withdrawal. What are they treating it with - codeine...

icelollycraving · 18/02/2017 13:17

High on the power?! Grin
I get it was irritating and you are in pain but the assistant was doing her job.
I was refused infected eye drops whilst on holiday from a Boots pharmacist. I was furious,then got over myself after dh laughed his head off at my fury.

melj1213 · 18/02/2017 13:18

melj It wasn't the pharmacist! It was an asst. Often they are not trained dispensers, they are just assistants and she was out of order.

I work in a supermarket and any assistant who works on the pharmacy may not be trained dispensers but they still have pharmacy specific training as part of their department training, so even if they are "just" an assisstant and not a dispensing pharmacist, before they are allowed to work in the pharmacy they will be given training and guidelines regarding the things they can and cannot give out unnder specific circumstances, and one of those is "If customers refuse to answer questions, sales must be refused" just the same as if I am on a checkout and a customer refuses to show proof of age when asked for an age restricted product.

Original poster
SoggyBottomBoys · 18/02/2017 13:19

To Fannyfakerpants - where exactly have I been rude about someone's profession? I have said in the OP that I have no issue with being asked the questions that are necessary.

But I believe this question, and the way it was asked, overstepped the line.

OP posts: