GP doesn't believe he can't write Roaccutane

A boy with bad acne comes in with a script for Roaccutane written by his local doctor.

I circled the doctor's name and said his not a specialist, go back and get a referral.

The boy goes to see the doctor and comes back and says: "the doctor says the law has changed and that they can write it now."

Me: "The law has been the same and it hasn't changed."

The boy wanted me to call the doctor.

I thought about doing that, but why should I go explain to the doctor why I'm not dispensing the script. I took an extra step and decide to print out a copy of the Poisons Schedule from the Department of Pharmaceutical Services NSW site, highlighted the relevant section and then gave it to the boy.

Him: What's this? Did you call the doctor?

Me: No I didn't call the doctor because if he has a problem he should call me. Anyway, your doctor seems to be confused about the law, which I'm a bit concerned, so I've printed out the law for him to read so he will understand. Please don't come back with this script because for the final time I'm saying it, its invalid.

Ritalin lady swears at me over an invalid script

General practitioners need to learn their laws and stop writing medications such as Ritalin as they don't have authority to do so!

It happens all the time... and the other night, a lady comes in with a script for Ritalin from the local GP. I explained it to her why its invalid and that she should go back to her GP for a referral to see the specialist. She says her specialist is on holidays and that her specialist has gave the GP the authority to write it.

The thing is, its a private prescription and no CNS number was found, therefore there is no documentation that the GP has got the approval. Drs can't just write a script for Ritalin based on 'word of mouth'.

I refused to dispense it coz the doctor should know better.

The patient argues that I must dispense it because the GP wrote it.

Ummmm no sister. GPs can't just write any medication, and me as the pharmacist ain't going to dispense any prescription the GP writes if they are not authorised.

So that's my final answer.

She walks out swearing and complains to my assistants that she waited an hour for her script (which was actually 5min) and that I refused to dispense it.

Well if your doctor knew his laws properly in the first place, you wouldn't have to have wasted so much time. So if you want to swear, go swear at your doctor.

Everyone knows my boss - what's your point?

I understand as a consumer you would want to get the best price for things, but just don't like how some people approach it. 

A customer I haven't seen before (mind you I work everyday and been there a long time) walks into the pharmacy asking for assistance with blood pressure machines. I spend a good 10min explaining to him the differences and my recommendations. 

In the end this is what he says: "I know Michael (my boss)."

My response: "Great. A lot of people know Michael too." 

He didn't say anything and he said he'll think about it and walked off.

Yeh what's your point bringing out my boss' name. You want a discount, you'll have to come in when my boss is here. Random customers thinking they're bum-chums with the boss (which in most cases my boss don't even know them) and expects a discount.

If I don't know you, then you are not a regular customer. 

Stubborn Eno man

A man walked into the pharmacy and wanted to know if we sell Eno. I told him we don't sell it. He asks me how much it would be?

From the top of my head, I said it should be less than $10. 

Him: How much exactly?
Me: I don't know because I don't sell it here.
Him: Can't you search up the price?
Me: I can't because each chemist sells it for a different price.
Him: How much?
Me: Less than $10.
Him: What's that mean? That could be $4 , $5, $9 ...... that could mean anything
Me: I can't tell you the exactly price because each chemist charges a different price, but it should be between $5-$10 from memory.
Him: No, you said it was less than $10.
Me: Yes, its between $5-$10.
Him: No it should be between $5-$9. It can't be $10 coz you said its less than $10.
Me: Well, if its $9.95, that would be less than $10.... 
Him: But......
Me: Look sorry sir but I really don't know the price. Its best to ask a chemist that actually sells it. If you don't mind, I gotta help these other customers here.


Waste of my time.  

Claratyne man being rude to my assistant

A man asked me where's the Claratyne Syrup and I told him its in the 3rd aisle on the right hand side.

Him: Why is it not next to to the tablets?
Me: Because Claratyne Syrup are for kids so we keep it in the kids section.
Him: Ok where's that?
Me: Its in the 3rd aisle on the right hand side.

My assistant was about to show him where and she says: "Its just overhere on the right, I can show you."

The egotistic man scolds her: "Did I ask you?!?!?! I'm talking to her (points to me) - I never ask you!"

Everyone in the store turns around and my assistant backs off all scared. I got so angry, I stood up and defend her.

Me: Excuse me sir! You cannot speak to my staff like that (me points finger at him). If you are going to be rude, I will ask you to leave.
Him: She should mind her own business!
Me: No. She is doing her job and trying to help you. You, on the otherhand, are being extremely rude and you are not welcomed here ok?

He gets angry and walks away. I shake my head and mutter 'what a rude man' - loud enough for other customers to hear so they know what a jerk he was.


Hate when men treat women like that. Lucky we have the power to stand up for ourselves. Do not let them ever to step on you. If they do, you stand up and step back down on them. After all, how is an uneducated man ever superior than an educated woman? Never.

Excessive sex enquiry

A random man walks into the pharmacy and asks me a weird question: "Do you have any medication to stop you from having too much sex?"

Me being professional: "You mean medications to reduce arousal?"

Him: "Yeh too much sex you know."

Me: "Could be too much testerone. There are some hormone tablets you can take. Or perhaps you need counselling. Just see a doctor and they will be about to help you."

Who complains about having too much sex?

Patient offended by me asking a simple question

A psycho lady came in probably forgot to take her medications - because she got offended by me asking if she wanted everything on the prescriptions she's given me. 

She gave me 3 prescriptions with 5 items on them. Ideally, we ask the patient first what items they want because they might not necessarily want all of them and if you just 'assume' they want all, you will have to do more work to cancel them in the end if they don't want them.

Me: "Would you like all these medications today?"

Her: "Did I say anything?" 

Me: "Excuse me?"

Her: "Did I say anything? I give you the prescriptions, I didn't say anything so you just dispense them all" (she snapped)

Me: Well that's why I'm asking you because not everyone wants everything they want on the prescription. 

Her: Well I would tell you if I didn't want them. But I never said anything, so you shouldn't ask.

Me: Excuse me? A lot of people just give me the script and don't tell me anything until the very end when I do everything. That's why I'm asking you first.

Her: Well that's some people.

Me: Look I'm just asking ok? You need to calm down.

So I walk off and do her script. 

When her scripts were ready, I didn't even talk to her or say thank you. I point to the bottom of the script and signal her to sign. 

All of a sudden she says: "Look I'm sorry for what I said before."

Me (rolls my eyes and stares at her like is this some kind of a joke look): Ok. 

She gets annoyed at my reaction and lack of response coz frankly I don't care if she apologises. She was rude and that's enough for me to give minimal service.