Why does Boots gatekeep over the counter medicines?

[Waferbiscuit]

My local Boots has moved all over the counter medicine to behind the counter in the pharmacists section. Items like Nurofen, Calpol or Imodium now have to be obtained by standing in line and requesting it from the pharmacists assistant or pharmacist who then quiz you on need, give instructions for use as if I've never used it before or can't read the label etc. (see photos)

The areas where these items once were available in the main store now are filled with first aid, vitamins and foot files and creams.

The queue at the pharmacy counter is already nuts and all this does is make the queue longer.

Why does Boots do this?

Duty of care? Nanny state?

Concern about customers bulk buying medication?

Genuine concern that staff aren't reading instructions and taking medication properly?

One thing I miss about North America is the easy access to over the counter medicine!

I don't understand this business of no pain killers for arthritis pain. I have had problems with my knees for years, diagnosed, tried naproxen, diclofenic etc, no use and for the last 8 months I have tramadol and it works perfectly in a flare up.
Anything else medical, I buy in different shops, never Boots.

I don't bother with ours unless there's no other alternative either. It's just too shite.

@Precipice 2 paracetamol containing products eg paracetamol 1 G and Lemsip taken concurrently. There are numerous warnings on the box but a pharmacy should not sell the two at the same time without ensuring they are for 2 different people and would normally give advice on any paracetamol products are not to be taken with paracetamol. I understand the vast majority of people on this thread would be able to deduce this themselves but a staggered accidental paracetamol overdose remains a relatively common admission to hospital.

Our Boots is about to be taken over next month - will be interested to see what difference it makes. I thought Boots were about to close lots of stores?

Oh we have had this for years in Ireland. if you want anything other than plain paracetamol you have to go to the chemist where they give you the Spanish inquisition. Two chemists in my town - have severe endo and neurofein kills my stomach only sopaldine works. yet they won't give it to me. have all my preceisptuon history since I was 10 but no I have to take paracetamol even though I know at 40 odd years old not string enough. only take one or 2 so a pack last ages. I have to go to the chemist across the road. they give me the spiel of being addictive etc. but will sell it. it's unreal. it's not like we are living like.dopesick. but drives me wrong. same with motlium and imodium

It’s nothing to do with shoplifting, it’s licensing. Some medication is licensed as GSL so can be sold virtually anywhere - supermarkets, petrol stations etc. Other medication such as those in your photos are licensed as P meds - pharmacy only. Legally they can only be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist. You can find it as annoying as you like but the assistants would be breaking the law and putting their jobs on the line if they sold you a P med without asking some basic questions to make sure it’s appropriate - some things aren’t licensed for certain genders or indications for example.

Went into our local small Boots branch to buy some Otex a few months ago. You'd have thought I was trying to buy heroin. The assistant was determined that I should first try olive oil ear drops that they would sell me at £6 for a tiny bottle. I said I've got a litre of olive oil in my kitchen that I've been trying for the last 2 weeks and I'm still deaf in one ear, so I'll have the Otex that I asked for thanks.

Our local Boots used to be brilliant but the pharmacist left. Not sure if it's just because of her leaving but I have now stopped having my prescription going there. They have recently started shutting in the lunch time ( doors closed 5 minutes before they state they are shutting). There are two other pharmacies so I've moved over there. They recently also over prescribed - gave me too many tablets.

I know it's their ' the rules ' but the pharmacist in Boots once wouldn't give me my antibiotics because the dentist had handwritten the script and put the wrong date on it ( think 31st Jan instead of the 30th )
They suggested I got a new one made up or waited one day and go back. I had dry socket syndrome after an extraction and was in agony and it was bucketting down , so I wasn't happy at all. Never been back although it wasn't their fault and they couldn't break the rules or change the date themselves etc.
so many rules!

If the date is incorrect, then the script is invalid.

Yes, I was just annoyed at that time that it wasn't my fault !

Then be angry at the dentist for getting it wrong. Though I think the pharmacy could have handled it better.
I used to work in pharmacy. In this instance I would phone the prescriber and ask for a correct prescription to be written. If they do it electronically, then it can be in the pharmacy within minutes. If it is handwritten they can email or fax a copy of the prescription and put the original in the post. The pharmacy could then give you what is known as an emergency supply and reconcile it when the correct script arrives in the post.

My local boots have them in locked cabinets and it's always busy.

I went back to the dentist to get a new one
The pharmacist wasn't prepared to do anything to help me. I know it's their rules and guidance
Now things are sent electronically, which must stop this kind of mix up somewhat !

If shoplifting continues to get worse then will shops turn to the Argos style?

Just looked this up and you're right:

This study suggests that loperamide (active ingredient in immodium) is being used extra-medically to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms.

For all those struggling with the service at Boots if you can try your community pharmacy. I switched during Covid (as wfh so closer) and I’ve never gone back as they are so good. Polite, great service, and open later than Boots. They never try to upsell me, and I see how good they are with some of the other regulars who are struggling to get the medications they need. I appreciate not all are that good.

That was my thought too.

Bizarre!

Boots have always been overly paternalistic twats. 20yrs ago they wouldn't sell me urine strips because I admitted I was trying the atkins diet.

I hate Boots, along with WH Smith, when they are the last 2 shops left on our dying High Streets, the sky will fall. Both awful shops, understaffed and understocked, it's an ordeal to use either. So I don't.

Same in my small market town with a relatively low crime rate (though appreciate shoplifting is an increasing problem). Last time i needed mascara i could only find one shop assistant, on the till, and had to twiddle my thumbs while she fetched the key. Made me feel really awkward. Use Superdrug instead now.

It’s more to do with the doctors no prescribing these meds so the pharmacy have to do that job and want them at easy reach not running round the shop after people who can’t be bothered to look.

The Boots at Martlesham Ipswich didn't even have a Pharmacy the last time I went in!
Had to go to Tesco.

I can't believe how many of you have gps that refuse pain meds. Mine gives them out like smarties, which also isn't particularly good but im not in pain and don't have to buy 2 packs of paracetamol at a time and it saves loads of money.

I know, I'm shocked too. GPs denying pain killers to people with arthritis so bad its bone on bone pain. Cruel bastards. I've had 1 hip replaced, awaiting 2nd one and a knee. I can't imagine life without painkillers. If I don't take mine, I cannot sleep and DH says he can hear me crying every time I move in bed.