To think a pregnancy test is an essential item?

[FluffyKittensinabasket]

I popped to the local pharmacy today. There was a sign on the door saying two customers at any one time. So I waited outside.

A pharmacy assistant came to the door.

“You have to wait outside you know, you can’t just barge in!”

I looked at her, a bit confused. “Yep I know, that’s why I’m waiting here.”

She asked me what I wanted. I said a pregnancy test. She took real umbrage to that. “THAT IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL ITEM! You can pick up a prescription or medication ONLY.”

I just looked at her. “Well I would like to see if I’m pregnant or not, please can I buy one or can I speak to the pharmacist?”

“I’ve just told you no. You shouldn’t be trying to conceive at a time like this anyway.”

I walked away at that point, came home and ordered one on Amazon to arrive tomorrow. I am left dumbstruck by this interaction. I was polite, I stood well back from her, I didn’t raise my voice. But it’s okay to be shouted at now? And being told I shouldn’t have a baby? Very bizarre.

I would definitely complain. My DD was considering a certain acne treatment a while ago which required contraception & monthly pregnancy tests to ensure you weren't pregnant while taking it. We decided against it in the end as she couldn't be bothered with all that BUT there will be women out there on medication still needing regular tests.

Wow! That's crazy! You do also realise that now we'll all be waiting to see what the result is tomorrow - hopefully it's the one that you want!

Wow. You should definitely make a complaint. That was hugely inappropriate of her.

Hope the test tomorrow gives you the answer you want.

She sounds utterly nuts and like one of those on here who made up rules to suit their own agenda and then quoted them as fact. At no time has there been any rules about only being allowed to purchase essential items, even at the start of lockdown.

Certain categories of shops, including pharmacies, have been allowed to remain open and any open shop was able to sell anything they liked, even if non essential, hence supermarkets being allowed to sell alcohol, sweets, etc.

God she was pleasant ( note the sarcasm ) I would certainly make a complaint. When ever I think of situations like that I think of whether they might be doing it to someone else, thus it is better to speak up.

“I’ve just told you no. You shouldn’t be trying to conceive at a time like this anyway.”
I’m often one to say to let things go, but I would be complaining about this comment. Totally out of order, she had no idea of your circumstances and she needs to be told as not to offend in the future.

I’ve just told you no. You shouldn’t be trying to conceive at a time like this anyway

Do only people who WANT to conceive buy tests now?

Phone the pharmacy and tell them. At best, the assistant needs a serious talking-to and some retraining. This could be a long-term recurring problem that they need to be aware of...

“I’ve just told you no. You shouldn’t be trying to conceive at a time like this anyway."

Did she really say this?

Oh I would complain but not to her boss but these people.

www.pharmacyregulation.org/raising-concerns

I would complain. Definitely. Whether you or anyone else is trying to conceive at the moment is absolutely none of this woman's business.

I would call the shop and demand to speak to the manager/owner to report how their employee behaved (assuming that it wasn't the owner who actually spoke to you in that way, of course). If they were apologetic and offered to let you have the test kit then I would march back into the shop and get it, and would take pleasure in informing Miss Twatty Busybody who had said that I should have been able to buy it.

Of course a pregnancy test is an essential item for anyone who might be pregnant. Does she think it isn't important to know?

Our pharmacy sells all manner of both essential and definitely non-essential stuff. You can even buy costume jewellery in there, and teddy bear things. They are still selling it all.

Oh my god that's awful!!! I'm not generally a complainer but I'd be straight on to the manager or owner of the business. If she has that level of disdain for her customers it's not a great leap to imagine her gossiping about their private purchases either. Makes me shudder.

I've only been in a pharmacy a couple of times since this all started, but ours have continued selling everything they usually sell, just with signs to say that they won't be restocking non-essentials (cosmetics) and asking customers to consider their purchases.

I am shocked i would complain, its got nothing to do with anyone if you are trying or if it was an accident! the fact you can but them off amazon but sometimes they are more expensive that way plus all other non ESSENTIAL ITEM shops are now open from today so it shouldn't matter if you wanted.

In response to a couple of comments - yes, she really told me I shouldn’t be trying to conceive. I’ve read such comments on Mumsnet recently too.

I AM TTC but I think that’s an awful thing to say as I could have been raped, had failed contraception etc. I also don’t think that a pharmacy assistant has any right to tell me I should have a baby or not! Utterly bonkers.

I rang the pharmacy to complain, I think it was the assistant who answered from the sound of her voice. I asked to speak to the manager and she just said he wasn’t there. I asked if he could phone me back and she said no. 🤷🏻‍♀️

That's unbelievably rude and I would actually make a formal complaint about how you were treated and I don't think I've ever complained about anything before!

Please complain. There are many women and girls who can't buy pregnancy tests on Amazon as they might be testing in secret.

I'm ttc and I've bought pregnancy tests from my local pharmacy lately. I also bought conditioner in my local pharmacy this weekend. She's making up her own rules.

Considering that non-essential shops are open today you're a bit late with your lockdown tale of woe, OP.

Catch up!

EatsShootsAndRuns - yes, I am aware that non-essential shops have opened. Not really sure what point you are trying to make?

I rang the pharmacy to complain, I think it was the assistant who answered from the sound of her voice. I asked to speak to the manager and she just said he wasn’t there. I asked if he could phone me back and she said no.

I would be ringing repeatedly until the manager spoke to me. Completely unacceptable behaviour on her part.

I would register a complaint about the comment about conceiving. That is NOT on.

Ask when the manager will be in.

I'd ring another day or write.

One of my parents had to go to pharmacy - as GP and pharmacy fuck up -and was asking about delievery options in future - over 70 both in poor health and they woman was really rude.

They rang next day - pharmacist couldn't have been more helpful.

I was once so fucked off with an estate agent who couldn't repeatedly arrange a visit for a house - that I tracked down CEO who was very interetsed especailly as we mentioned how we kept find they close hours earlier than stated office hours and claimed not to work saturday afternoon.

Name and Shame

Make a complaint to the GPC , that's shocking behaviour and the phone conversation is unbelievable, she has no right to decide whether or not the pharmacist can call you back.