BAD, bad, stupid pharmacist!

[Levanna]

Definately a rant!
I developed cystitis today and as docs were closed called out of hours who wrote me a presctiption for antibiotics to collect. Collected prescription and took it to local 'Asda' as all other local pharmacies were closed for a half day. Got there to find that they don't fill prescriptions and I really didn't feel up to travelling to the nearest one that did, so asked if there was anything I could take over the counter. I pointed out that I'm pregnant (needlessly at this stage ) just to make sure they suggested something safe. Pharmasist picked up a packet of treatment and told me it was absolutely safe to take during pregnancy. While he was procesing my money and receipt I had a quick look at the box which said "DO NOT TAKE IF PREGNANT!" I pointed this out to pharmasist who looked a little hot under the collar and went off to get something else. He returned with another box, said it was definately safe to take while pregnant (he even seemed to check the box right in front of me). Lo and behold, I double checked the box while he was sorting out the till to find it had exactly the same warning! I showed him, so he looked flustered and said hang on while I get you something else. So I told him not to bother and that if he didn't know what he was talking about I wasn't prepared to risk taking his advice (politely! - Damn it, I missed a proper opportunity for an irrational and hormonal moment!)
Now feel that I really ought to make a formal complaint - what if he puts another unborn babe at risk and the mum is in pain or too ill to read the box?
What would you do/have done?

I would complain to the pharmacy and to it's HO without a doubt.

I would write a letter of complaint. It doesn't exactly fill you with confidence when a pharmacist can't be bothered to read the back of the box. Maybe he needs an eye test?

God, what an awful experience. Well done to you for being so cautious and not relying on the assistant's advice.
Apologies for the stupid question, but are you sure the person who served you was a pharmacist and not just an assistant on the pharmacy counter? I just don't understand why a pharmacist wouldn't make up prescriptions.
Whatever they were, do do do complain, outrageous that the store is allowing staff to supply clearly contraindicated drugs. Whether or not they are over the counter or pharmacy drugs, all medicines have risks and potential unwanted effects and the store that supplies them has a responsibility. And find out from the store what qualifications their staff have ? if they are pharmacists there is a Royal College which could handle complaints.

Thank you. Yes eddm, unfortunately definately a pharmacist as I always ask to double check (for al lthe difference it apparently makes ), whichever chemist I'm in. But, good point, thank you . Thanks also for the tip about the Royal College.
Thing is, I don't have a receipt or the name of the pharmacist or the assistant who saw and heard everything. I was a bit flustered by then! Would it be best to go back tomorrow and find out their names do you think? Or should they be able to trace who he was from the time and date and that what happened should be on cctv?

Dosen't sound like he was too hot in his job, but one thing to consider... most drugs/prescription items state they are not safe to take during pregnancy (unless otherwise indicated by your GP). I think this is to cover their backs more than anything else in our 'suing society' and with the tradegy of themeldahide.
So they are trying to protect themselves (and you) by stating that the drugs may not be safe to use while pregnant although they may well be the same branded products that your doctor prescribed!!
You were right to not take the products, but this might explain the poor chaps apparent incompetence, everyday he poors out the same pills in to those little bottles for the pregnant women, and yet when he tries to sell them to eagle eyed you wallah! Not supposed to be safe!!
Look at your prescription and find out what the active ingrediant is of these products, this will tell you if they may be the same. As your pregnant I would get your prescription rather than over the counter for above mentioned reasons. It's best to be overcautious during these few months!
To restore some faith in pharmacists, I found that my GP had been prescribing me the wrong dose of folic acid! It was the pharmacist that noticed, and he was from an asda! So they can protect you from dodgy prescriptions too!!!

I think this is a bit worrying. We are being encouraged more and more to use pharmacists so we don't clog up GP waiting rooms. Being preg (and evidently so as you say) really should be a straightforward thing for a pharmacist to consider, and just what was he basing his judgement on? Not reading the packet, that's for sure!

I would "raise my concerns", deffo.

Good luck with it, please let us know what they say.

I don't know about the CCTV but they should definitely be able to find out who you spoke to. Their name would be on their rota/duty list, and they usually have to log-in to the till using their own password so that transactions can be traced etc.

Hi, I spoke with the customer care manager about what happened yesterday. He approached the head pharmacist, who was "mortified" to hear about it. The pharmacist yesterday is a 'locum' who covers the pharmacy sometimes apparently. From the times I gave they will be able to find out who the assistant was too. I've sent a letter detailing what went on, and from what this man was saying on the phone they will take steps to sort it out. We did talk about the liability possibilities (ie over cautious warnings on packaging) but the head pharmacist pointed out that even if this were the case, I should have been spoken with about it at the time, so either way, he's not happy with the conduct of this other pharmacist at the least. I was pleased with their reaction and pleased with how the complaint was dealt with today. I don't know if I will hear anything further following the letter I sent today (I'll let you know), but they thanked me for bringing it to their attention and I'm confident they'll take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again . Thanks for your advice, and for reading my rant! MIL is kindly taking care of DD now so I'm off to bed to try to recover from a cystitis which has fast turned into a kidney infection .

I would agree with eddm...make sure who you talked to and get their name and job title before you take cation. I would complain but all medications isued by a pharmacist are thoroughly checked, often by two people, before being issued as this is what they are legally obliged to do. I find it unlikely therefore that you had dealings with a qualified pharmacist.

Apologies...hadn't read the full thread...oops! Time for my bed I think.