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Original poster

Pharmacist reviewed my prescription?

239 replies

adultcat · 03/01/2019 22:54

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??

OP posts:
coffeeincosta · 04/01/2019 18:31

They get paid a lot of money to do these reviews, they are generally useless but a big money spinner for the pharmacy

Headspaceneededplease · 04/01/2019 18:58

They are required to do the reviews as part of their employment contract.

Jenny17 · 04/01/2019 19:03

My own gp refused to change medicines that were making me feel wretched
That's really bad, glad you've got it sorted.

cheesywotnots · 04/01/2019 19:11

I've always found pharmacists very helpful, in the chemist and in hospital. They give me an annual review and follow up when I've started on a new medicine. Even if some of the info is gathered for the drug manufacturers or research into new treatment I am happy to help. I live in a small village, the pharmacist and their staff work to a code of conduct, just like everyone else who works in a profession. I don't feel embarrassed, if I did I would go to a pharmacy out of the area.

Paperdolly · 04/01/2019 19:29

I was embarrassed when my pharmacist handed over my diabetes meds and then started to question me about me being up to date with eye tests, annual blood sugar review etc. I live in a small town, where I like my privacy, and someone in the queue would have been aware of who I was. I’m ready for him if he ever does it again and will embarrass him instead of him embarrassing me! I’ll tell him how inappropriate this 3rd degree is in front of a queue of locals!!! 😡

PengAly · 04/01/2019 20:39

@PinkSparklyPussyCat Anyway, forgive me for being sceptical about pharmacists after being told I had a stomach bug and to take probiotics when I actually had pancreatitis.

Seriously?! They are not GPs!! Why on earth would you expect a pharmacist to diagnose you?? Thats a GPs job...a pharmacist specialise in the medication. Good god this thread is awful.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 04/01/2019 20:46

What are you supposed to do when you can't get a GP appointment? The nhs are always going on about 'ask your pharmacist' so I did.

PengAly · 04/01/2019 20:59

@PinkSparklyPussyCat the nhs do not say to go to a pharmacist if you require a GP....

PengAly · 04/01/2019 21:01

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/how-to-access-nhs-services-in-england/

Pancreatitis symptoms are not considered "minor"

IamTheMeg · 04/01/2019 21:07

I've never taken any medication in 40 years and when I was recently put on some medication I was pleasantly surprised how lovely and thorough my pharmacist was. He said he would call me next week to see how I was getting on. Who on earth would complain about that?! I want an expert who has a lot of experience in drugs to advise me thank you very much!

IamTheMeg · 04/01/2019 21:08

And hell would freeze over before i'd do this in my local pharmacy, far too many local busybodies working there.

What?! Have some respect ffs!

IamTheMeg · 04/01/2019 21:10

What's the taboo about talking about contraception? I don't get itHmmthey're not asking to inspect your vagina.

Juells · 04/01/2019 21:14

they're not asking to inspect your vagina.

I wouldn't be comfortable talking to a man I vaguely knew socially in a small rural village about the state of my vaginal lubrication and how unhorny I was 😂

PengAly · 04/01/2019 21:15

@IamTheMeg ive got the same question but this is mumsnet afterall Hmm

Juells · 04/01/2019 21:15

What?! Have some respect ffs!

Have you ever lived in a small village?

Sunshineallround · 04/01/2019 21:20

I'm on painkillers for a long term chronic health condition for which I was under the care of a surgeon and will eventually have surgery (surgery has many complications so put it off until I absolutely have no choice).

Filled my usual repeat prescription for monthly supply of painkillers and upon picking them up find there are only just over a weeks worth.

Phoned GP to enquire as assumed there is a mistake. I was advised the pharmacist decided to drastically reduce my medication - without a consultation or any contact whatsoever to assess my needs or to arrange any other medications/ therapies as a replacement!!

Are they allowed to do this with their reviews???

I have never met or spoken to this pharmacist ever.

OpiningGambit · 04/01/2019 21:27

@MidniteScribbler Surely if a more natural remedy will work, then that is better than a chemical drug? My pharmacist was able to suggest a particular vitamin was probably lacking due to me getting mouth ulcers all of the time, and it did fix the situation. Much better than the GP (who weren't able to give me any answers).

Homeopathy isn't 'more natural' it's water.

And water is a chemical, by the way.

anon400 · 04/01/2019 21:30

Some unbelievable comments - Pharmacists are basically failed doctors?!!!!! What rubbish.

My DD is studying to be a pharmacist. She's an A* student but the course is incredibly demanding. Long hours, lab work and more lectures/exams compared to others. You have to do a 4 year degree with Masters, and then after this a year long apprenticeship working before qualifying.

It costs her a fortune so nice to know she will then have to serve some of the awful posters on here being rude to her as they clearly know best.

OpiningGambit · 04/01/2019 21:31

@Paperdolly I was embarrassed when my pharmacist handed over my diabetes meds and then started to question me about me being up to date with eye tests, annual blood sugar review etc. I live in a small town, where I like my privacy, and someone in the queue would have been aware of who I was. I’m ready for him if he ever does it again and will embarrass him instead of him embarrassing me! I’ll tell him how inappropriate this 3rd degree is in front of a queue of locals!!!

You were embarrassed because someone asked if you had an eye test? You plan to embarrass a health professional for doing their job well? My god, I wouldn't wish you on anyone!

This thread is one of the most batshit I've ever read on Mumsnet and it's fucking Mumsnet!

Paperdolly · 04/01/2019 21:34

I was embarrassed because my medical details should not be available to the local community.

MrMeSeeks · 04/01/2019 21:35

What's the taboo about talking about contraception? I don't get ithmmthey're not asking to inspect your vagina.

I have no idea either. Have no idea what is so embarrassing about contraception especially when they can discuss side effects and potential risks.
I’ve also had some professionals and nurses say i can’t take certain medications together and pharmacists ( and then my own GPS) confirm it also, so they can know more about Drugs and contraindications.

OpiningGambit · 04/01/2019 21:35

My parents are both health professionals (not pharmacists), and they both always say that the pharmacists were smarter than the medicine or dental students. My dad, who is very smart, almost speaks with a sense of awe about their brains!

You have to have a phenomenal memory and be able to cross-reference multiple medications and their contraindications, side effects and know alternatives. And if you get it wrong you lose your whole career. If a doctor prescribes something wrong (like a dangerous amount of something) and a pharmacist fills the prescription the pharmacist could be struck off! They have to know as much and more than doctors about it.

MrMeSeeks · 04/01/2019 21:36

Paperdolly I was embarrassed when my pharmacist handed over my diabetes meds and then started to question me about me being up to date with eye tests, annual blood sugar review etc. I live in a small town, where I like my privacy, and someone in the queue would have been aware of who I was. I’m ready for him if he ever does it again and will embarrass him instead of him embarrassing me! I’ll tell him how inappropriate this 3rd degree is in front of a queue of locals!!!

Wtf, ofcourse they will Shock
Feel bad for your pharmacist!

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 04/01/2019 21:36

Horrible thread. No wonder HCPs are leaving in droves. The lack of respect and understanding is shocking.

IamTheMeg · 04/01/2019 21:40

This thread is one of the most batshit I've ever read on Mumsnet and it's fucking Mumsnet!

I agree

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