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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To find it odd that the pharmacy has my number

121 replies

Fedup333336 · 19/03/2021 23:20

I’ve not picked up my prescription that was sent there two weeks ago. They have called me today I definitely didn’t give them my number.

OP posts:

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 20/03/2021 07:22

Damn that pharmacy for looking out for your health and wellbeing! How DARE they phone you to see why you hadn't collected your scrip!

You're being ridiculous, OP. As has been said, if they didn't get it off your computerised GP records, they would have just phoned the GP surgery (and that would have been from your scrip) to get your number to call you.

It's a legitimate use of your data.

thosetalesofunexpected · 20/03/2021 07:25

I am Confused why you are making a issue of this !

Its a non-issue !

Moondust001 · 20/03/2021 07:28

@Fedup333336

Well I would prefer people don’t past contact details without my consent yes.

You did give consent! When you sign up for NHS prescriptions being sent direct to a pharmacy, it's part of the terms and conditions that nobody bothers reading! Because actually, your GP cannot send even you prescription and address details to the pharmacy unless you have given them permission to do so. FFS how did you expect the Pharmacy to manage your personal prescriptions without giving them permission for data sharing? Osmosis?

You should read what you sign.

MRex · 20/03/2021 07:28

@Nomorepies

This isn't a stranger off the street with nefarious intent. It's a medical professional obtaining your number from another medical professional to make sure you get essential medication. They're doing you a favour. YABVU.

You might want ask yourself some difficult questions on why you're looking for something to complain about.

All of this. It would be better to politely thank people who help you OP, especially when they're performing a job the NHS has asked them to do.

I wonder if @Fedup333336 got confused thinking that because the pharmacy sells toiletries they're just a shop. Pharmacists are actually highly trained medical professionals, providing you with a government funded NHS service and offering minor private medical support too (selling NSAIDs, vitamins, cough medicine, giving advice etc). They actually need your contact details in case of a drugs recall, a prescription error, or just to ensure medication isn't wasted when you don't pick it up.

NewPapaGuinea · 20/03/2021 07:31

You’ll be shocked at how many other companies have your phone number.

Berlioz23 · 20/03/2021 07:36

I’m a pharmacist and we can get your phone number from the electronic prescriptions, we don’t have to access any medical records. I would say it was just excellent service you received. Many pharmacies have limited space and I would say at least a 1/5 of prescriptions don’t get picked up, which adds up very quickly. Also if it was something expensive the pharmacy doesn’t get paid until you pick it up, the pharmacies I’ve worked at usually lose about 30,000 on expired drugs per year.

dropthedeadhorse · 20/03/2021 07:43

Wait, you are complaining because our (free) healthcare system is organised enough during a pandemic to give you a reminder to pick up your medication?! Of course the NHS need a contact number for you - it could be used for all sorts of things and some of those could save your life.

diamondpony80 · 20/03/2021 07:45

I definitely gave them mine - they wanted to text me when prescriptions were ready. They weren’t given my number by the doctors surgery.

Eviethyme · 20/03/2021 07:50

You did give permission - _- you just didn't read it. Accepting your prescriptions to go elsewhere accepts that your details will be forwarded

butterpuffed · 20/03/2021 07:54

I can't remember the last time I used my landline but I had two calls on it this week, one from my pharmacy and one from my surgery, both about the same query I'd made from my mobile [!] so there must be a central register somewhere.

LemonTT · 20/03/2021 08:03

@Fedup333336

Well I would prefer people don’t past contact details without my consent yes.

You have given your consent as part of your registration. This is part of the process to provide health care to you. Prescribed medication followed by dispensing of medication.

You have a condition, you need medication and they are ensuring you have it.

LemonTT · 20/03/2021 08:05

Be warned also, some bastard will also text and call you about getting a vaccine.

Make sure you have a letter penned and ready for the information commissioner.

borntobequiet · 20/03/2021 08:05

@Fedup333336

Well I would prefer people don’t past contact details without my consent yes.

You probably gave your consent by ticking a box somewhere. It’s a good idea to read these things before ticking.

5zeds · 20/03/2021 08:07

I'm confused as to why you have a prescription you can wait 2 weeks for. That's more of an issue that the NHS sharing relevant information.
Utterly unremarkable if you a receiving long term medication.

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 20/03/2021 08:13

perhaps the GP wrote it on your prescription.

TroysMammy · 20/03/2021 08:13

We don't have electronic scripts but if a patient has agreed for the script to be sent to the pharmacy I ask them if they would like to be informed when it was ready. I will then ask for their mobile number and check our records to ensure they are up to date. I would never do anything without asking the patient's consent.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 20/03/2021 08:18

You aren't seriously bothered by this, are you? Dear God...

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 20/03/2021 08:47

the chemist gave me my prescription recently without me even telling them my name!
the check out girl knew who i was

how would that make you feel op.

i cannot believe you mind that a pharmacy called you

ImTheWolfToday · 20/03/2021 08:51

You provided your details to the NHS (assuming UK), they are providing an NHS service and so accessed them in an appropriate way to provide that service to you. Complete non issue and no need for the drama.

MumW · 20/03/2021 08:51

You probably consented to it when you signed up for electronic prescriptions.

LubaLuca · 20/03/2021 08:54

I hate to break it to you, but as well as your contact details, they know what medication you're taking.

Gee29 · 20/03/2021 08:56

It’s very normal tbh. Maybe you’ve given it and forgotten? Maybe from your gp records. I would say it’s quite important to let you know.

I get a text when prescriptions are ready. But the dispensary is at the doctors surgery...

ExcusesAndAccusations · 20/03/2021 09:08

I agree that being two weeks late is not a huge deal if you’re on a routine long term prescription. Like a lot of women I’m on levothyroxine and will be for the rest of my life. My prescription arrives at the pharmacy every two months but my prescribing cycle is a bit ahead of my use so I don’t always pick it up straight away. The pills are not going to go off any time soon.

Obviously not picking up your prescription at all is bad for the pharmacist. But some people might need to wait until they have a spare tenner or a lift into town.

Original poster

Fedup333336 · 20/03/2021 10:15

I was just curious of how they got my number. I don’t think it’s odd to wonder.

OP posts:

VerityWibbleWobble · 20/03/2021 10:19

I may have misremembered or imagined this but wasn't there a campaign a few years ago where if you didn't want your details on a centralised database then you had to opt out?

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