in really not wanting a public discussion about my medication at the desk in Tesco pharmacy?

[eltham]

Grrr...so there I was, head of a long list of people in a queue and wanting to buy an over-the-counter medicine (for myself)(it was a sleep aid pill), only to endure the Spanish inquisition about ...my medical history; did I know the exact reason for my (slight) insomnia? ('because of course there are lots of reasons why people can't sleep'..yes, I do know that, given I'm 44!); how long do I intend taking the medicine?..(well, until I re-establish a decent sleeping habit!....and so on and on while all and sundry listened with curiosity. They might as well as used the tannoy system given the number of people who now know about my health. Frankly, it was embarrassing and condescending. If they're going to bestow upon us the power to self-medicate, then they need to allow us the self-judgement to determine that it's appropriate.

If supermarkets are going to sell over-the-counter medicines then they need to stop their shop assistants acting like doctors and expecting cutomers to disclose their personal details. It is NOT a surgery, behind closed doors. Thank God I hadn't gone in for haemmorhoid cream!

YABU

Was it a pharmacist though? They know their stuff and were just trying to help?

If not a pharm I would prob have been a bit cheeky and told her to mind her own

And yet if you had a massive reaction to it/ became addicted would you be the first person to say that they should have asked more questions so that they didn't give you unsuitable medicine? If you felt that uncoomfortable you could have asked to go into a private room.
The fact you had to ask for it from a pharmacy indicates that there could be reactions to that medicine and they are doing their job properly.

As far as I know pharmacies have to have somewhere private to speak to you about stuff like this if you request it. Next time they start asking you a million questions about your medical history I would politely stop them and remind them that your medical history is personal and private and if they wish to continue the conversation then could you please have it in private.

It is not unreasonable for them to ask a fewsquestions to determine if the mendication is suitable and you don't have any contraindications - they probably have to do this actually - but YANBU to want to have this discussion in private

Over the counter is not the same as straight off the shelf. They are behind a counter because they are medications that that should not be used by everyone and anyone and without some direction. Don't be so silly

YABU. Assuming you were talking to a pharmacist - that is their job.

YABVU
They have a legal obligation to ensure meds are sold appropriatley.

YABU. they are LEGALLY required to ask you. don't be so stroppy and get off your high horse

yabu
it was for your own safety
no-one else was even slightly interested
the assistant was doing her job
not doing it for her own entertainment

YANBU- I absolutely loathe this too, especially as it often isn't a qualified pharmacist, but a spotty 23yr old jobsworth. Some local pharmacists have more discretion, so I always try to use them rather than tesco etc. People are right in that questions need to be asked for dome medication, but they should take you quietly aside (some places have a separate booth even), not put you on the spot in front of a queue full of shoppers. I'm with you on this one!

Dome medication?! Some, I meant.

Even OTC medicines need to be dispensed/given out with care, and he was right to ask you the questions he did to make sure that it was suitable for you. It's not "jobsworthy" to make sure that the medication is safe for you to take, and that you understand how it should be taken.

If you feel uncomfortable, just ask if the discussion can be had in private.

"Over the counter" medication is stuff like aspirin, paracetamol, Benylin non-drowsy that you can buy off the shelf in a supermarket, and you're unlikely to be subjected to the Spanish Inquisition at the check-out in Tesco. Sounds like a bit of over-enthusiasm from the counter-staff. You know, like when they won't sell booze to a 96 year old, because he doesn't have ID on him?

"Pharmacy only" items (eg Benylin original drowsy) can only be sold in a pharmacy, with the pharmacist present, and you might expect a bit of cross-questioning on those items. Then there are prescription-only drugs.

There are a lot of things they question you on now and I don't suppose they like it either, but it is annoying.
I've been in the chemist with a long list for someone else and it's gone something like this.

"Tube of so and so please"
"is this for you?"
"no"
"what will it be used for?"
"I don't know"
"does the person it's for have any other medical conditions"
"I don't know"

"ok next I'd like a pack of so and so"
"is this for you?"
"no"
"what will it be used for?"
"I don't know"
"does the person it's for have any other....

Where's the smilie for banging head on the counter?

Oh YANBU - worse than a doctor's receptionist -

YABU

YABU

they need to check you arent taking any other medication etc etc.

i love my pharmacist though. she is fantastic.

Slightly off topic but I find it really awkward because one of our lovely neighbours works p/t at our local chemists.

Because of various health issues I have been in recently for various odds & sods including a bumper box of condoms, because am on hormone injection which isn't guaranteed contraceptive but not allowed to get pregnant on it.

All very embarassing whilst we are discussing if we have got everything ready for christmas yet etc etc. I'm sure she thinks I'm having an affair....

The assistants on the pharmacy counter at my local Tesco are neither spotty, 23 or jobsworths. There is a private room available should a customer require a bit more privacy. The very reason these medicines are behind the pharmacy counter is because they are obliged to make sure the medicines are ok for you to take based on information you give them. There has to be a pharmasist present within the pharmacy to offer advice if needed and they are not allowed to sell them if he/she isn't there. Otherwise they would just stick them out on the shelves. They wouldn't be paying a pharmacy assistant's wages if they didn't have to would they? So yes yabu..if you felt uncomfortable and wanted more privacy you should have asked. If you did then yanbu, if you didn't then yabu.

there is absolutely no notice up about there being a private room to discuss my personal medical history

the asst was not a pharmacist..unless she left her badge off - cause I looked several times

it can't possibly be a 'real' check as if i had a mind to (which I didn't), I could just fabricate my answers ..which means it's entirely to cover their own backs legally

also to try and delve into my reasons for not sleeping is irrelevant really...what is important is that I get back on track asap...and the medication would help...let's say I couldn't get to sleep because I was in bits about an impending relationship crisis...would Tesco offer free counselling?

OldLday...I don't think op was talking about medication taken from supermarket shelf and inquisition by check out staff....

if it is dispensed by either a pharmaciist or a pharmavy assistent...then they are obliged to check...and shock horror....pharmacy assistent tend to have some training, too....
but yes, privacy should be given!

YABU they were doing their job and why do you think anyone around is remotely interested in the fact that you can't sleep, you don't know why and you intend taking the medication until you can sleep again. It's hardly riveting stuff is it? I also somehow doubt that they asked you for a full medical history and if you didn't want to answer the questions why didn't you ask to go somewhere private or just refuse to answer and accept the consequences that they might refuse you the medication? You could just fabricate your answers, but you could do that with anything, you could go to your GP and do that. Also your reasons for not sleeping were relevant because that medication could have been inappropriate and they could have advised you to visit your GP or a counsellor instead.

YABU

What difference does it make if it's a Tesco pharmacy or a Lloyds Chemist? The same laws apply. They might wear a Tesco uniform but they have to have a certain amount of training and qualification for.

"By FairLadyRantALot on Thu 20-Nov-08 21:42:57
OldLday...I don't think op was talking about medication taken from supermarket shelf and inquisition by check out staff...."

No, she wasn't, but the OP did say that she was buying OTC medication, not "pharmacy-only".