To find it odd that the pharmacy has my number

[Fedup333336]

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.

Apart from the obvious that as it is a health care service, it is linked with the NHS, maybe they looked you up in the phone directory or something.

Who cares?

If I were you I would be more embarrassed that I had it sitting there for two weeks and made no effort at all to pick them up. It's like you taking them for a ride or something. You don't seem to have any self awareness or remorse. If it were me, I'd be mortified I had left medication for two weeks at a pharmacist. That you mentioned it on here without any hint of embarrassment is very strange. You're priorities are all twisted back to front.

If I were you I would be more embarrassed that I had it sitting there for two weeks and made no effort at all to pick them up. It's like you taking them for a ride or something. You don't seem to have any self awareness or remorse. If it were me, I'd be mortified I had left medication for two weeks at a pharmacist. That you mentioned it on here without any hint of embarrassment is very strange. You're priorities are all twisted back to front.

The Op has stated she was in hospital.

Fine but when she got out she could have picked it up or got an authorised family/friend to pick it up for her. Even if you've got enough at home for a week or 2, you still should pick it up as soon as it's been dispensed, and have it at home ready.

When you think they have your address, name, DOB and medical information, then your phone number is probably the least worrisome in terms of personal data.

Sorry this is fucking bonkers. What do you actually think is going to happen? Like how do you think this is going to negatively effect you? Except for the fuss you're making?

Honesty people focus on these non issues on gdpr and then have devices full of cookies and tracking software. You're focusing on the wrong stuff here.

@Cokie3 why would you be embarrassed at not collecting it for two weeks?

It would be an issue if your pharmacy were using your contact details calling to flog you Botox/the latest 241 deal on shampoo or whatever...
They are operating a service for the NHS, they are provided with the necessary information to do that.

They are using details you provided to the NHS to tell you that your NHS prescription is ready.
They don't have full access to your medical records - they don't know that you have had a recent hospital stay.
But you would prefer them not to use the contact information, let the prescription medication sit on the shelf until it goes out of date?

@Niconacotaco For obvious reasons. It looks irresponsible and like you don't care about your own health. It's simply not the done thing to leave medication at a pharmacist - or anything really - for 2 weeks and make no effort to get it. It doesn't speak well of one does it.

If you’re in hospital, how can you pick it up, though? And how can you authorise someone else to do so?

It’s not passing it without your consent, you gave your details to the NHS and at that time consented to it being used by the NHS for healthcare purposes. The pharmacy have got it from your medical records which they legitimately have limited access to for medication prescribing.

@TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet

It’s not passing it without your consent, you gave your details to the NHS and at that time consented to it being used by the NHS for healthcare purposes. The pharmacy have got it from your medical records which they legitimately have limited access to for medication prescribing.

That’s not true. They don’t have access to your medical records. That would be appalling.

Limited.

When I update my patients phone number or email address it is updated on the central nhs 'spine'.

Certain prescriptions are only valid for 28 days so it’s really better to collect them as soon as possible. Anyone can collect on your behalf with your consent. Your phone number would be on your NHS spine record that the doctor uses to transfer prescriptions to the pharmacy.

I can pick up my dh prescriptions and vice versa. We just give them the full name and address on the stuff.

I also remember the gp surgery trying to phone him and getting no response and they then phoned me to try and get a hold of him.

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

You're curious how an NHS service got the number you provided to the NHS?

Why would you have to wonder how a medical service have access to the contact details you have provided for medical purposes?

The pharmacy rightly wont have access to your entire medical records but why on earth would you think they wouldnt be able to access basic information like a contact number for the person whose prescriptions they are being asked to fill?!

You can be ‘curious of how they got’ your number all you like, but when you registered with your GP surgery you will have given it to them and also consent for your details to be used in order to contact you for medical reasons. Like an uncollected script for important medicines.

That's not odd. My pharmacy texted my dad to say my prescription was ready. Now that's odd since I'm 48 and it was for my hrt . He'd collected a prescription for me a year earlier so can only assume it was that!

That’s not true. They don’t have access to your medical records. That would be appalling.

@ShipOfTheseus you seem to have misunderstood the PP, they said that pharmacists will have limited access to your medical record, which is true. Your name/address/contact number/NHS number will be available to the pharmacist when they are sent your prescription.

That does not mean they can also see you had your smear test 3 months ago and your ingrown toenail surgery is booked for next month. They receive access to the information that they need to have, including your contact details.

@ShipOfTheseus if you’d read my post properly you would see that I said limited access for the purpose of prescribing. I.e. medications you are on, and your contact details. All of which comes under the heading of medical records.

No one is passing your contact details without consent its part if the nhs system and you consented when you gave your details , totally being over the top
Bet you would of been more pissed off if you had gone there and your prescription items had been unavailible

I did read the post properly. And yet I see one people has said that means name, address, contact number, NHS number. And yet another person says it means they can see what medication you are on. So, which is it? What can a pharmacist see?

I would sincerely HOPE that a pharmacist could see exactly what medication someone was taking, as they'd either be supplying that medication or supplying another medication that they'd need to know whether or not there were any contraindications for taking with any other medication!

@ThumbWitchesAbroad

I would sincerely HOPE that a pharmacist could see exactly what medication someone was taking, as they'd either be supplying that medication or supplying another medication that they'd need to know whether or not there were any contraindications for taking with any other medication!

Yes, exactly. Are we now worrying that the pharmacy might see what medication we're on? Outrageous!

@ShipOfTheseus

I did read the post properly. And yet I see one people has said that means name, address, contact number, NHS number. And yet another person says it means they can see what medication you are on. So, which is it? What can a pharmacist see?

It is to your benefit that the pharmacist can see what medications you are in. They are able to ensure that you are not prescribed and dispensed medicines that contra-indicated and can if necessary check with your GP / the prescribing doctor to ensure that they are aware if there is a potential issue. They have a vital role in preventing drug errors. Doctors are fallible like everyone else.

Pharmacists are highly skilled healthcare professionals not just shop workers picking products off a shelf.