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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:
Jmangel · 18/02/2017 13:19

Not read whole thread but what the PA should have asked you was if you were breastfeeding as codeine has been linked to respiratory arrests in breast fed babies. So to me, this was the key question if you were standing there with a baby, not necessarily what the solpadeine was for. But every pharmacy has the right to withhold pharmacy only meds if they're not confident that a sale is safe.

Penfold007 · 18/02/2017 13:22

Solpadeine is a 'pharmacy only' medicine, the pharmacist or their assistant is obliged by law to ask why you want it. You should have asked to speak privately to her or the actual pharmacist. Sainsburys do offer a private area.

Badcat666 · 18/02/2017 13:23

I have to take codiene and paracetamol and never NEVER have I been asked why I take it. Even in the pharmacy they only ever ask if it's for me, have a taken it before and tell me not to take it for more than 3 days. She had no right to ask you what you needed it for. Power tripping mare.

JoanofNark17 · 18/02/2017 13:23

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

The point is she wasn't a pharmacist!

Why is this so confusing to people? Confused

Arsenicinthesugarbowl · 18/02/2017 13:25

I'm on the fence here. On one hand I feel we are all adults and responsible for our own decisions. On the other we are living in an increasingly litigious society with newspapers running "sad face" articles daily which often seem to be about minor things that aren't really news. I feel for you OP but suspect there are lots of people who buy inappropriate medications in ignorance and do need appropriate advice so there are blanket policies to follow. Sometimes we think we know what we need but there are better alternatives! I remember a situation with a pharmacy assistant who asked me numerous, unnecessary (IMHO) questions over the purchase of OTC medication for a stye. I was exasperated at the time and said to her I'm an adult and am responsible for anything I put in my eyes! She said that they are responsible for what they sell so the questions all had to be asked-in a kind way but it shut me up. If they sold it to you and you were BFing or there was an issue you could potentially go back and say they hadn't advised you correctly.
So I absolutely sympathise but please do not take it to heart. Just go to another pharmacy and enjoy the rest of your day BrewCake

TheFirstMrsDV · 18/02/2017 13:25

They have to ask you:
If you have taken it before
If you have asthma
If you are on any medications
They have to tell you:
That you shouldn't take if for more than three days
That it is addictive.
They should ask you appropriate:
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding.

It has codeine in it. A powerful, addictive drug that can affect respiration.

I am sorry you are upset but I can't see how they can avoid these questions and they can't sell it to you if you tell them you are on meds but not which ones.

TheFirstMrsDV · 18/02/2017 13:27

I suspect that they will stop selling codeine based painkillers OTC at some point in the future.
I expect there have been many discussions about it.

You can't get them OTC in lots of other countries.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 18/02/2017 13:27

She had every right if that's what the pharmacy's procedures and her training tell her to do, BadCat. Although she could have offered a quiet place to ask before refusing to sell it outright.

Only on MN does people doing their job = power trip.

Original poster
SoggyBottomBoys · 18/02/2017 13:28

Yes MrsDV. And I have no issue with the questions you listed. But it's a different question that bothered me.

OP posts:
JoanofNark17 · 18/02/2017 13:28

yet another reason to be happy not to live in the UK! The idea that you should tell shop assistants your private medical information in a public place is just ridiculous and I very much doubt happens anywhere else.

Bluetrews25 · 18/02/2017 13:29

If you found that embarrassing, OP, wait until you have to ask for threadworm or headlice stuff.

Original poster
SoggyBottomBoys · 18/02/2017 13:30

I think you are probably right MrsDV that they'll stop selling them - maybe they should. Although presumably huge forces are at work against this...isn't Solpadeine the biggest selling pharmacy item in the U.K.?

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 18/02/2017 13:30

You are being so precious it's unbelievable.

I suffer horrendously with SPD. I have done for over 20 years and am awaiting my 8th pelvic surgery. I wanted some codiene to tide me over to a doctors appointment and was asked the same question. I answered "it's for back and pelvic pain". I told them all the other drugs I take and the pharmacist sold me the drugs.

You really need to get a grip.

Fighterofthenightman · 18/02/2017 13:30

You were asked a perfectly reasonable question. But you're so important you shouldn't be asked questions right? How dare someone ask you anything ever.

Original poster
SoggyBottomBoys · 18/02/2017 13:31

Haha blue I'm sure you're right!

OP posts:
OurBlanche · 18/02/2017 13:32

That's nitpicking, OP. She asked a question she is obliged to ask... you could have answered in any number of ways.

That you were thrown by it is a reflection of your own mental state (I have chronic back/hip issues so understand the pain factor only too well) not her being intrusive.

JoanofNark17 · 18/02/2017 13:32

I think people are very confused as to the difference between actual pharmacists and people who work in pharmacies.

Jenbob13 · 18/02/2017 13:32

Hi, I am registered with the GPhC and I can tell you for a fact that the counter assistant is by no means being unreasonable. If you brought this complaint to me about one of my staff I would explain the following:

All pharmacy assistants have to go through rigorous training to be competent to sell any P medicines (meds behind pharmacy counter that Joe public isn't allowed to just grab) and that training is provided by the National Pharmacy Association. There is a set list of questions that every customer must be asked when buying medication and we call them the WWHAM questions.
Who is the medicine for?
What symptoms are you experiencing?
How long have symptoms been present?
Action already taken?
Medication already tried?

You have no idea how many people come in a pharmacy and ask for something totally irrelevant to what they want to treat. Or it could interact with something you are already taking. Especially any Codeine containing products, which are so regularly abused. What if you was a secret shopper? If the counter assistant didn't ask that question she would be in trouble.

Also regardless of it being in the middle of a supermarket, the pharmacy will have what is known as a consultation room. Again this is non negotiable for pharmacies. I suspect you didn't ask to speak in private otherwise you would have been taken into this room.

Think of it like you wouldn't go and sit in the GPs office and say "I want some painkillers. I'm not going to tell you why as it's none of your business but I would like a prescription".

Pharmacies have rules about selling medication from behind the counter. Simples.

ditavonteesed · 18/02/2017 13:34

This reminded me of the time I went to buy some co cocodamol on my lunch break and got asked the same questions which I had to answer otherwise I wouldn't have been allowed to buy the drug and explained to in detail about codeine and how much paracetamol I could take in 24 hours etc (sales person following the law). The difference being I am a nurse and was in uniform in the pharmacy in the hospital. It really amused me, sorry it upset you though, next time just be prepared now you know it will happen. Hope you got it in the end.

Maudlinmaud · 18/02/2017 13:34

I've two family members in pharmacy, they do have to ask these questions, however intrusive they seem to you. But codeine addiction is a real problem, you can actually see effects on peoples bodies and faces after only a short while.
Hopefully you can buy the meds somewhere else today, but don't be surprised if they ask the same question.

scottishdiem · 18/02/2017 13:35

Even though I was on the side of staff member who was only doing their job I then read this by OP - The dynamic felt wrong somehow.

Entitlement 101. How dare a staff member question me about my desire for a product that is regulated and its sale is regulated. Do they not know who I am?

The actual dynamic is they are selling you a product that has side effects and is addictive. The actual dynamic is they are in no way obligated to sell it to anyone. The actual dynamic is that the questions serve a purpose and need to be respected.

OP is being very unreasonable.

ilovesooty · 18/02/2017 13:36

high on the power

I think I've heard it all now.

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 18/02/2017 13:36

They have to ask. They can't sell it to you without asking

The assistant in our Sainsbury's pharmacy didn't ask me any such questions when I bought them for a colleague. I didn't know what she wanted them for so I wouldn't have been able to answer except 'pain' Confused

I hate this kind of cross examination just to buy some pain killers.

Sirzy · 18/02/2017 13:37

I think some people don't realise just how dangerous painkillers can be.

Beeziekn33ze · 18/02/2017 13:37

The tiny pharmacy I use has a sign saying that a private room is available. Surprised that any Boots or Sainsbury's doesn't have one.
After surgery I had plenty of codeine and felt good but was soon asked to 'wean myself of it'. Far too addictive!

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