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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this Pharmacist was a bit unprofessional?!

57 replies

mylifemykids · 17/03/2009 11:59

DS (4) has been to the docs today. The GP told me DS has blocked sinuses and swollen glands. He said he could prescribe some antibiotics but Junior Sudafed was probably more suitable and that I could buy it at the chemist.

So, off I go to the chemist and ask for Junior Sudafed only to be told it's now illegal for under 6's unless it's on prescription OK that's fair enough, can I have some Tixylix cough and cold instead then? Nope that's for over 6's too. I then asked if there was anything at all DS could take. The pharmacist replied with 'nothing that will work, if it works it's banned. But, if you come back in and tell me it's for your 7 year old I'll sell it to you'

I told him I'd see how DS is tonight and might go back tomorrow. I can understand his thought that, if it was ok 2 weeks ago for a 4 year old to have the medicine, then it's still ok now. But wasn't a bit unprofessional of him to tell me to lie to him!!

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 17/03/2009 12:00

He was trying to be helpful.

MinkyBorage · 17/03/2009 12:02

no, he credited you with enough intelligence to make your own decisions about what medicine your ds needs. I would have been very pleased that he had been so helpful. Bet he doesn't say this to everyone. #
yabu

Niftyblue · 17/03/2009 12:03

I get the impression he was trying to help you out

If you were overheard saying your dc was under 6 and he sold it to you he would be in BIG trouble

The docter and him know its safe for your dc to have it BUT with new regulations he can`t sell it to you unless hes 7

nickytwotimes · 17/03/2009 12:03

Ah, yes, what MB said.

Grammaticus · 17/03/2009 12:03

Not if he knew you were asking on medical advice, he was just trying to save you a return trip to the gp.

fizzpops · 17/03/2009 12:23

Can't understand why the doctor didn't prescribe it so you didn't have to pay - this would also have solved the age problem.

Maria2007 · 17/03/2009 12:25

Yes, I think YABU. He was trying to be helpful & also expressing his opinion about these medicines being OK one week & not OK the week after.

OhBling · 17/03/2009 12:28

I would be annoyed with the GP - he should have known that you wouldn't be able to buy it over the counter.

justaboutback · 17/03/2009 12:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

prettybird · 17/03/2009 12:31

It's not the pharmacist who was being unreasonable - it was your GP. If he felt that Junior Sudafed would be helpful, he should have prescrbied it.

Go back to the GP.

mspotatochip · 17/03/2009 12:43

our gp will never prescribe anything that's available over the counter at reasonable cost e.g. piriton syrup etc. I've never questioned it but I assume its because he's trying to keep practice drugs bill down. Also v hot on generic equivalents.

However, GP may not realise Junior sudafed is no longer available otc for 4 year olds!

Pharmacist was probably trying to be helpful and could potentially get in difficulties if overheard so I wouldn't be too hard on him!

The whole situation however is descending into farce and is probably more dangerous than what they were trying to fix so you are not being that unreasonable

laweaselmys · 17/03/2009 12:46

Our GPs are now more or less not allowed to prescribe over the counter drugs that aren't very effective (like jr sudafed) as it costs too much.

If he recommended it though, like go back to the pharmacist and say the child is 7.

laweaselmys · 17/03/2009 12:46

I don't know where that like came from.

Chellesgirl · 17/03/2009 12:52

for instance the National Pharmacutical Agency has banned selling over the counter decongestants to under 2's. it now illegal to sell or prescribe sudafed or other decongestants to under 2's. Now they can only give paracetomol, ibuprofen, saline drops.

This is becuase of the adverse affects that they can give to a young child.

Chellesgirl · 17/03/2009 12:55

The pharmacist needs to read his NPA magazine again as its not illegal for 3+yrs.

He is probably being precautios.

Chellesgirl · 17/03/2009 13:02

oh yes and the junior sudafed is off the cards for under 6s. So your GP shoulnt prescribe it. Its a shame i know. If she has swollen glands the anibiotics would help and also giving her calprofen. To ease pain and its an anti-inflamatory.

'Following a review of the data on the efficacy of some cough and cold medicines in children, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued new advice and restrictions on the use of these medicines in children under the age of 6. This latest advice is related to lack of evidence of efficacy rather than concerns about safety.

Reacting to the new advice from MHRA John Turk, NPA Chief Executive said:

?Firstly it is important that parents are reassured that cough and cold remedies are safe and there is no reason to be concerned if you have treated your child recently with one of these medicines. The advice from the regulator not to use cough and cold remedies for children under 6 is based on a lack of evidence that these medicines are effective in this age group, rather than concerns about safety.

"Parents who are looking for advice about how to treat cough and cold symptoms in children should have a discussion with pharmacists and their staff in order to make an informed choice about treatment'

StarlightMcKenzie · 17/03/2009 13:27

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Message withdrawn

Original poster
mylifemykids · 17/03/2009 13:34

I do really like the pharmacist so it's not as if I'd report him, I was just concerned by his comments. I haven't read enough information to know WHY the age restrictions have been raised so appreciate the comments here. The thing with the GP, he's actually the manager of the surgery so you'd think he'd be up to date with his legislations!

OP posts:
FairLadyRantALot · 17/03/2009 13:48

op , I agree with the others..he was trying to be helpful and obviously considered you responsible enough to make your own judgement!

When I read recently about these changes it was this bit

"The advice from the regulator not to use cough and cold remedies for children under 6 is based on a lack of evidence that these medicines are effective in this age group, rather than concerns about safety."

that really didn't make all that much sense at all...
why would something that is, presumably, evidenced to work on a 6+ not going to work on say, a 4 year old....surely either it works or it doesn't?
If it was safety concerns it would make more sense, wouldn't it?

StarlightMcKenzie · 17/03/2009 13:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
mylifemykids · 17/03/2009 13:54

I agree FLRA. Like I said, he told me that anything that would work on my 4 year old is banned for his age group but he couldn't really explain why.

OP posts:
Chellesgirl · 17/03/2009 14:00

It used to be safety concerns, thats why they retracted decongestants for under 2's off the shelf. But they now have a lack of evidence to say whether pseudophedrine has an adverse effect on 3+. Thats why the pharmacist is covering himself.

FairLadyRantALot · 17/03/2009 14:04

well...why are those that don't work on the market at all... starlight? If tehy don't do what tehy say they do, than they should be banned full stop...simples...

SenorToucan · 17/03/2009 14:05

YABU

Madmentalbint · 17/03/2009 14:17

YABU