Funny looks at the chemist's !!!

[BaliRob]

She was only trying to be helpful and did not realise how you would feel

[abs]

Great suggestion Anna, and that means we can punch them in private without causing a scene too

Boots staff are notorious for nonsensical comments or as they call it 'advice'. I hate topping up my painkillers as I get the suicide watch comments about not being allowed to buy x amount of this painkiller or Codeine is addictive etc etc (I mean are there not warnings on the flipping packets...?)

I deal with my local Rowlands it's near my house and open pretty late, also the Boots near my work kept running out of oh I don't know important things like Ketone test strips. I'm beginning to re-consider Rowlands these days, I appreciate I'm more of a regular in the local chemist than in the pub As I'm in there so much, some of the girls are starting to get a bit friendly which is ok, when they ask 'How I am' and know exactly which is my perscription without asking me all my details, which is a nice touch.

The other day I went in to order 2 months worth of the pill, and one of these friendly girls blurted out 'are you ok for insulin?' I politely told her yes but I must admit I was a bit annoyed as I think I'm going to ensure I have enough of a medecine designed to keep me alive!

What next? 'You're nearly at the end of your 6mth long once a a week anti thrush medication, will you make a GP appointment?'

What's that saying from the cartoon Futurama? (a bit of an odd reference but I do like cartoons from time to time)

"You're not paid to think so shut up and do your job".

The reason you are asked questions in boots is because we legally have to ask you them i do not work for boots i work for another leading pharmacy. There is a set of questions we have to ask before we sell them to you, especially as we can be held responsible if we have not asked these questions. They are as much for your safety as yours, a lot of people do actually want to buy something that will in fact make there conditions worse or are not safe with other medications. Anything behind the counter we have to ask questions ok some of it is more common sense like olive oil would not go through all the wham questions. And actually it is kind of offensive to say that quote about not being paid to think - considering all the time what we handle and the affects if someone buys something that they are unaware has the strength to do them serious damage. For the elderly generation personally i know we like to double check they have ordered and have enough of things like insulin because we know how serious it is that they have it and we need to order some things in and depending on where its coming from may take up to a few days therefore we do double check at times.

[borofergie]

I once had to pick up a Canestan pessary for a previous partner. The chemist asked me "is this for personal use?".

You'd have thought that the beard would have been a giveaway.

[anna29]

I once had to pick up a Canestan pessary for a previous partner. The chemist asked me "is this for personal use?".

You'd have thought that the beard would have been a giveaway.

So funny, thanks for sharing it with us all.
Anna.

[phoenix]

More seriously, I think I've discovered the vaue of qualified pharmacists here in France. There are no chains because pharmacies have to be owned by pharmacists and they have to be on the premises when prescriptions are dispensed. There are no big companies so if you use the same place you get to know your pharmacist , mine knows me , my present problems and what I need (and has helped me out when I've had to make emergency visits to the UK)

At a more serious level, my friends husband was dying of bowel cancer, his pharmacist was very much part of the palliative team He joined in meetings at his home to help alleviate pain and allow him to die with dignity.

I do wonder why we train our pharmacists well but then the system makes them (at least those out side hospitals) to become little more than drug dispensers and shop managers.

[anna29]

Hi All.
I know chemist/pharmacy staff have to ask clarifying questions etc...
But its when the questions can turn into intrusive interrogations and some questions are a bit
embarrassing and even 'barmy' at times! They can be too - as had them asked to me!
Worse is when other people are standing "right" behind you listening in with amused interest too
and the questions just keep being asked...
So uncomfortable and embarrassing for the person being asked all the questions
You would think staff would be trained with person sensitivity awareness - of persons feelings whilst asking
the questions.
Had to mention this point as it is a valid one here...
This is why my own perception is there should be a place of privacy available in ALL chemists
and pharmacys. [ and NOT in a cupboard either! ]
So then they can ask all the questions they want to the person concerned in private, and if
we disagree or have anything we need to say its said in confidence and private (without the bashing
them ! sanober)
Anna.

[Apricot]

Am doing my own monitoring by testing..and as I am not allowed strips...I buy on a popular auction site etc.

What bugs me...is on the popular site..you can find what are clearly goods supplied on script..openly on sale.

OK..its a free choice by those choosing not to test and retain some sort of good health (!).

Someone say something to make me feel better....

Oh as an aside....have seen order for goods (through a popular high st pharmacy)..600 times too large.
Without my staff spotting error...could have supplied all of a small town...what a waste.
These people deal in dangerous drugs.....
With best wishes

[hanadr]

I buy mine from Abbott Diabetes Care. they give WONDERFUL service.
Hana

[iainf1]

These stories about difficulty in getting strips on the NHS - I guess in England - are so depressing. I am glad that all I need to do is call the surgery and pop in to pick up a repeat prescription for two 50 strip pots the next day which I get dispensed free within 20 minutes at the Co-op next door. I suspect it could be quicker but you then have 20 minutes to kill in the Co-op supermarket and travel agency next door........

[borofergie]

Next time you feel embarassed, just fill your basket with a jumbo box of condoms, a big pot of vaseline, some rubber gloves, and a length of industrial strength hose pipe, and see who is blushing then...

[IanD]

Can anyone answer these impossible requests I ask my local pharmacist:

Please can I have my cough mixture without the elderly-proof lid?

Please can I have left-handed nail scissors?

[swimmer2]

Next time you feel embarassed, just fill your basket with a jumbo box of condoms, a big pot of vaseline, some rubber gloves, and a length of industrial strength hose pipe, and see who is blushing then...

Boots don't sell industrial strength hose pipe - I have to go next door to Robert Dyas for that .

[lizmartin]

I am on a diet and exercise plan with Diabetes and when I asked the pharmacist in Boots for strips he said I did not need them as the blood sugar goes down eventually after eating !!!!!!!!!!!! Yes there is a lot of ignorance about Diabetes but one does not expect a pharmacist to have so little knowledge. I shall get them by going on the internet in future.

[xyzzy]

I am on a diet and exercise plan with Diabetes and when I asked the pharmacist in Boots for strips he said I did not need them as the blood sugar goes down eventually after eating !!!!!!!!!!!! Yes there is a lot of ignorance about Diabetes but one does not expect a pharmacist to have so little knowledge. I shall get them by going on the internet in future.

[borofergie]

When I was first diagnosed, I almost had a fist fight with someone in Boots because they tried to refuse to sell me Ketostix in case I was on the Atkins diet.