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AIBU?

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Original poster

I don’t want anyone to get into trouble what do I do?

59 replies

b0mbayb1cycleclub · 27/11/2025 22:42

I’m a cancer patient and I went to the pharmacy in my village today to pick up my regular prescriptions. Because I have nerve damage from my cancer operation I get 100 tablets of codeine every 2 ish weeks. So usually 3 boxes of 28. With a lot of other drugs

I went to put my tablets in my pill boxes for the week ahead and I’ve noticed that on the prescription label with my details on it. They all say 28tabs but each of the 3 boxes is actually a box of 100 tablets so I’ve been given 300 tablets of codeine 30mg but they had checked the all and signed them off as having 28 per box. I’ve checked each box and they do all contain 100 tablets.

I really don’t want them to get into trouble because it’s one of my life lines as it’s a small village and one of them
will drop off my medication for me if I’ve had chemo and my head is in a bucket, but I equally don’t want their counts to be off

Do I;

A. Just don’t order the codeine for a while and use up this over supply? Or

B. Take the boxes back and tell them they made an error?

I don’t want anyone to get into trouble what do I do?
OP posts:
Original poster
b0mbayb1cycleclub · 27/11/2025 22:43

Second photo to show it says 28

I don’t want anyone to get into trouble what do I do?
OP posts:
MincePudding · 27/11/2025 22:44

Just tell them. I got given too much once and they just asked me to bring it back.

You can't keep it or they might bot have enough for others or might think staff are nicking it.

Lmnop22 · 27/11/2025 22:45

Could you call and say I think you’ve given me too many - I have 300 - should I keep them or bring them back?

It’s clearly a mistake so I don’t think anyone is getting in big trouble over it but calling and asking allows it to be rectified without someone being accused of anything if they’re suddenly down 200 pills of codeine when they stock check.

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 27/11/2025 22:45

I would just keep them if it were me OP.

AgentPidge · 27/11/2025 22:45

I think I would take them back and show them.

Edit: yes, or ring them.

Rooroobear · 27/11/2025 22:45

I’d just go back in the morning and say you think they made a mistake. They’ll let you know one way or another what to do xx

TrousersOfTime · 27/11/2025 22:45

I'd let the pharmacy know - they won't be able to reuse them, but at least they'll know where they've gone and that they haven't been pinched by a staff member

mumofoneAloneandwell · 27/11/2025 22:46

I'd just keep them

It could be a blessing, maybe there is a codine shortage coming x

IOweMySanityToBasilParsley · 27/11/2025 22:47

Take them back to the pharmacy, or phone, if you have a delivery, and ask for them to be picked up. It will have to go on the 'near miss' records. Let them know so that they will be more vigilant in future

Strictlycomeparent · 27/11/2025 22:47

You won’t get in trouble but the staff could if they think they have stolen them. So it would be a kindness to tell the pharmacy.

Peclet · 27/11/2025 22:48

I am so torn because if you return them they will destroy them. But also they should know of their mistake.

sorry not very helpful!

HoskinsChoice · 27/11/2025 22:54

I'm struggling to see why this is a question. Just call them and tell them. It's just a mistake. Keeping them makes you dishonest and will cause all sorts of problems as those tablets will not be accounted for.

MidnightColours · 27/11/2025 22:54

Let them know by phone, this is the right thing to do in any case but especially as this is a village pharmacy and you are a regular customer. They will appreciate it.

MNLurker1345 · 27/11/2025 22:56

Take them back in the morning! It
is so important that it is addressed and documented. These are controlled drugs!

Hopefully no one will get in trouble but if they need more training or need to up their diligence,
you taking them back will allow this.

Peclet · 27/11/2025 22:57

Yes ring them. And then you don’t need to return the tablets perhaps and then no wastage?

PatThePenguin · 27/11/2025 22:57

Tell them because if you stop picking up your prescriptions, the doctor will think you don't need them.

Mistakes happen so don't worry too much about someone getting into trouble.

HollaHolla · 27/11/2025 23:00

I was once given the completely wrong controlled drug. At a dose which could have been fatal. In the box of the first - say it was supposed to be 3x50mg; and they actually gave me 200mg tablets of a different drug. It was just as well that I knew exactly what the tablets were supposed to look like, as I take them daily.
I also was given too few of a different controlled drug; so similar to you, but the box said 28, and there were only 21. (I was accused of lying by the pharmacist on that one.... in front of a long queue of people. I now open every box in front of them!)

Anyway, these were both in Asda's pharmacy. Same little nyaff of a pharmacist. I now only pick up on weekends, when the lovely woman pharmacist works there.

But, each time I reported it, filled in an incident form, and heard not another peep. I suspect your village pharmacy will just review it, and check their practices, unless it's happening all the time.

forgivingfiggy · 27/11/2025 23:01

I’d be tempted to keep them as a buffer, but as it’s codeine they may presume they have been taken by staff so I think I’d probably tell them (reluctantly)

Ladamesansmerci · 27/11/2025 23:02

Take them back. It's not about getting anyone into trouble, it's about reflecting on where errors have been made, so everyone can learn what went wrong and where systems can be changed to improve safety.

Imagine if they accidentally gave excess tablets to a patient who was a suicide risk?

Dollymylove · 27/11/2025 23:05

Tell them, and ask if you should reduce the frequency of your scripts until you have used them up

NerrSnerr · 27/11/2025 23:13

They’re much more likely to get into trouble if you don’t tell them as their stocks won’t add up and they are likely to think a staff member has stolen them as that’s a common issue.

Beedeeoh · 27/11/2025 23:17

I'd tell them but not offer to return them, I'd be annoyed they'd be going to waste. They should be able to adjust your script until you have used them up.

It's poor by the pharmacy but unless someone is regularly making mistakes no heads will roll.

Whowhatwhere21 · 27/11/2025 23:23

You need to tell them. I've worked in pharmacy for years now, you won't get anyone into trouble as the blame ultimately lies with the pharmacist who did the final check, they won't bollock the dispenser when they've cocked up themselves.
Their stock count will be massively out now though so if you dont inform them, a staff member could be wrongly under suspicion for stealing.
Those boxes come in various pack sizes but the box itself looks exactly the same. its a very common mistake.
Please do make them aware, for others peoples sake as well. If its happened to you it will likely happen to someone else, next it could be someone with dementia or suicidal tendencies.

Terrytheweasel · 27/11/2025 23:24

I would have just thought A and wouldn’t have even considered the other factors tbh

Terrytheweasel · 27/11/2025 23:25

Whowhatwhere21 · 27/11/2025 23:23

You need to tell them. I've worked in pharmacy for years now, you won't get anyone into trouble as the blame ultimately lies with the pharmacist who did the final check, they won't bollock the dispenser when they've cocked up themselves.
Their stock count will be massively out now though so if you dont inform them, a staff member could be wrongly under suspicion for stealing.
Those boxes come in various pack sizes but the box itself looks exactly the same. its a very common mistake.
Please do make them aware, for others peoples sake as well. If its happened to you it will likely happen to someone else, next it could be someone with dementia or suicidal tendencies.

Surely though they would not automatically assume theft and are more likely to assume the incorrect amount had been given out.