A lady comes into the pharmacy today wanting advice on eye drops. She's holding a packet of Systane eye drops and asked me if it was suitable for her. I asked her what symptoms does she have?
She: There's a lot of discharge, and its all sticky. Its kind of red and a bit uncomfortable.
Me: Its sounds like conjunctivitis to me. Systane eye drops is only for dry eyes. For eye infections, I can give you an antibiotic eye drop which would be more suitable for you.
She: But my friend used Systane and it worked for her.
Me: Well maybe your friend only had dry eyes so that's why she used Systane. You have an eye infection so you will need a different eye drop.
She: Can you show me?
Me shows her Chlorsig eye drops: This is Chlorsig eye drops, which will help with your eye infection.
Holds the Chlorsig and scrutinizes over it for a long time.
She: Oh I don't know about this one, my friend used Systane. You don't think Systane will help me?
Me: No. They are for 2 different things. Your friend needs Systane because she has dry eyes. You need Chlorsig because you have conjunctivitis. You don't have the same problem. But of course, if you don't believe me, you can feel free to take the Systane - that's up to you.
She: So you think Chlorsig will help me?
This went on and on in circles. Eventually she got the Chlorsig, but a 2 minute job turned out to be 10min because she wanted me to say that Systane is good for her. Why bother asking a pharmacist for advice if you don't take it? Some people just trust their friend more......
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