Pharmacist reviewed my prescription?

[adultcat]

I live in a smallish village - the kind where everyone know each other (or thinks they do!). I serve my doctor and pharmacist where I work so am familiar with them.
Today, I went to collect my repeat prescription and was asked if I had five minutes to spare for the pharmacist to speak to me. We went off in the side room and he logged on to the computer. He then asked me if I was happy with my medication / any side effects. Asked me if I am happy with my contraception and what alternatives there were as I've stopped taking the mini pill as I wasn't getting on with it - he wanted to know why...!
The whole 'chat' felt really uncomfortable, possibly because I serve him as a customer but I was wondering if this is a done thing now? I thought it would be my doctors place to review my medication and check everything is ok?
Has anyone else had this done??

They do this at our Boots. It’s a customer care thing and not meant to be intrusive. I’ve always said no but a pharmacist recently called me at home!

This is part of a pharmacist's job. Pharmacists are the experts in medicines, not doctors.

It is called a Medicines Use Review if you want to read up about it.

It's my understanding the pharmacist is the final check. Doctors make mistakes, I believe every step in the process acts as a check/review point

Pharmacists are better equipped with knowledge about medications and side effects so if you wasn't entirely happy they can make alternative suggestions. I personally think it's good

Yes this is a medicines use review (mur)

Very standard and very appropriate

Shame it wasn't explained properly but it's to check that everything you're taking is necessary and appropriate.

Think of people being on blood pressure medicine for 30 odd years... despite not needing it for the last 29!

psnc.org.uk/services-commissioning/advanced-services/murs/murs-the-basics/

I've had that done twice now. The pharmacist also told me that she is a homeopath
I lost all respect at that point

Yes they do it here
Some form of tick box excerise

You can say no

Tulips, it is not a tick box exercise. Read the link I posted if you would like to learn more.

It's a service the pharmacists do for the NHS. It allows them to review your medication and contact your doctor if for example your experiencing side effects.

When I first was put on two types of high blood pressure meds about four years ago, I went to a Lloyd's pharmacy to get the prescription filled. The pharmacist asked me if I would be part of their monitoring scheme that would probably be a phone call. I said fine and had to sign a little form to say it was OK. I had one follow up call where I was asked similar questions to those you were asked. I was only asked about one of the drugs I was on, so maybe the powers that be are keeping a watch on certain drugs/conditions.

That's my only experience of a pharmacist asking questions but I did have to opt in before they could contact me. Pharmacist said she had to get my permission first.

I always got it at Boots, and after the first meeting I declined all others. Now have prescriptions sent automatically to Tesco, and so far not been asked there when collecting.

Yes, this is routine. I have it once a year. I've actually found it helpful, as the pharmacist once, based on what I'd said, suggested changing to a different medication which might suit me better, so I was able to go back to the gp with that information.

Also a check that patients are taking the medication correctly.

Pharmacists are such an under utilised health care profession.
I would have a pharmacist over a gp review my medications any day of the week.
They have the knowledge, and expertise to do the best by patients where meds are concerned.

People who have declined, why would you decline something that is free, takes about five minutes, and is entirely for your benefit?

Yes, completely normal. Doctors are not experts in medicines, they diagnose. Pharmacists know a lot more detail about side effects, reactions ect. Just because its a small village doesnt mean the pharmacist shouldnt do their job properly- pharmacists can face serious legal repercussions for mistakes.

I’ve often had pharmacist asking if I was feeling ok on my drugs, was I feeling ok, and issues, double checking I understood what metronidazole means with drinking! No problem what so ever.

I had the proper hard sell from a pharmacist who was looking to get me to sign up to their practice for repeat prescriptions. I was interrogated for 20 mins and all they focused on was the 100 codeine I get every 6 months (she circled it 5 times) that’s not the main point of my health care.

After another 20 mins they told me they didn’t actually have most of my prescription. I’ve not been back since, appreciate maybe not an option for you.

I def didn’t feel comfortable about all the questions and won’t be back.

Yes, this is something that pharmacists are expected to do. They can often pick up on conflicts or less than ideal combinations of drugs, check dosages are suitable or give you information on side effects etc.
Mine helped me identify that a particular brand of generic drug didn't suit me.

Should add the original pharmacist phoned me 2 weeks after taking new medication and gave me her number to ring if any issues - thank you

The second pharmacist did really feel, like OP as being very uncomfortable

My mum is on a lot of medication and Boots usually review her annually. They gave my mum some really helpful advice about the best time to take some of her tablets and also what she should avoid as she takes thyroxine. She was never given any of this info by her GP!

I used to work at Boots, they can put the patient under a lot of pressure to get a MUR as they claim the money back from the NHS, I saw people who really didn't need one get pressured into it to fulfil quotas. Having said that pharmacists have a huge amount of underutilised knowledge and expertise regarding medication/dosage/interaction, in the hospital pharmacy I work in prescriptions are often amended (with the prescribers agreement) but often without the patients knowledge (sometimes dangerously high doses or interactions being picked up on). So I would 100% be happy for a pharmacist to review my medication as long as it had been explained to me first and with my consent but it doesnt sound like thats what happened.

@Ontheboardwalk why are you annoyed that a qualified medical professional was doing their job? Maybe the hard sell on the repeat was a bit much but the questions on how you were finding the medication is what they need to do.
Some countries dont have access to basic painkillers yet people here complain when their pharmacist checks in to make sure their medication is correct

That's never happened to me anytime I collect anything. They check I know how to take it (eg one per day with water) but that's it.

The people moaning about the service would probably be the first to complain at something being missed

I had one a few months ago. I take a lot of medication, for a chronic health condition. They were able to advise that one of my meds was becoming a controlled drug, and what that meant. They also advised that I should take one before food, and one after, for example.
I found it a useful 10 mins, and as I’m there to pick up my drugs every 4 weeks, I now find that I have a better relationship, and they will let me know of any potential supply issues, etc. in advance.