To wonder why the pharmacy needs this info?

[Anothernamechange6758484]

So I need the MAP & planning on buying from a local chemist tonight.
Whenever ive had it in the past (3 times in last 5 years) you are taken into a little side room & they ask u for name, d.o.b & all kinds of other questions.
Why is this? I can understand them asking if ive had it before to ascertain i wont react to it, but why do they need my name!?
Im a grown woman, im clearly not under any duress, i just cba with them asking me all these questions.
Will they refuse to sell it to me if i dont answer & say i just want to buy it?
Why do they ask this info? Are they keeping tabs or something?

It's not either PGD or OTC. A prescribing pharmacist can prescribe, and P medicines are the responsibility of the pharmacist.

Essentially, if the pharmacist isn't happy, they can't make the sale, unless it's something you can get off the shelf in Wilkos, which the MAP isn't.

Exactly flakesaretasty, but they are not prescriptions that are being issued.

Prescribing pharmacist can prescribe, but these are not working in community pharmacies in England (you may find the very occasional one, but nobody seems to be able to get over the conflict of interest issue when a prescriber writes and then dispenses an item) - Scotland may be different.

Prescribing pharmacist in England are mainly working in CCGs, urgent care, GP practices etc.

Not in terms of traditional, or fp 10, no. But there are requirements for issuing under a PGD (where the "prescription" is the PGD), or if a prescribing pharmacist is being asked to prescribe, or if a P medicine has tight regulations.

People sometimes think OTC means they can demand it. With P medicines, you certainly can't. So be nice.

Really, it's by prescription only in the UK? That's surprising to me because it's OTC in the US and typically the UK is ahead of us in regards to women's health. We can order it from Amazon.

If it's prescription, it makes total sense why they'd be asking the things they're asking. My pharmacist asks me all those questions when I go to pick up blood pressure medication.

Needing map every 18 months is frequent. I'm curious, did they signpost you to a proper sexual health clinic?

You're right.

It's a pharmacy medicine, but only some pharmacies. And pharmacists can conscientiously object to selling it.

If they see you take it, I have no idea why they need to know exactly who you are.

Maybe give them a false name like I do at Starbucks.

I could understand them taking a postcode to build up an idea of which areas are accessing the MAP.

Maybe give them a false name like I do at Starbucks.
If you give them a false name and they can't find you on the NHS database, tell them you're not registered at a GP

The pharmacist needs to make a judgment about whether it will cause any conflicts with other meds you may be taking, or whether you have a condition it may be contra-indicated for. I have Sumatriptan prescribed for migraines, but it's also available OTC. I've been away from home but left my prescription meds behind when I've needed the medication. It's frustrating to have to go through the form-flling and interview, but at least you can keep your copy of the form in case you need to buy OTC again.

Needing map every 18 months is frequent. I'm curious, did they signpost you to a proper sexual health clinic?
I dont think that is that frequent, i have no side effects off it, so surely taking that once a year or so is no worse than being on the pill every day? I was on the pill 15 years so dont really want to go back on it if poss.

Seems to be a grey area over whether its OTC or presc, suppose a bit like they will let u get inhalers like that now after a little quizzing.

Anyway have spoke to partner tonight, im going first thing tomorrow, im still within timeframe.

After all that i might just go the sexual health clinic & get it for free in which case i cant moan about the questions ha. Will save 20odd quid even though he's offered to pay.

Will grab a shedload of condoms too as will need them now we have DTD.. sorry if TMI

Thank you all for your input.

Suppose it's subjective, but 3x in 5 years would be too many for me to deal with.

When your on the pill every day you're not risking an unwanted pregnancy, which I see as the bigger issue than the chemicals. A sexual health clinic can sort you out with a longer lasting contraceptive like iud/ius (which is also a form of emergency contraception upto 5 days after the event).

I hope you got sorted in time.