A lady came into the pharmacy with a hospital prescription for Mifepristone aka the abortion pill.
Now its not something that's very easily accessible by any pharmacy or any doctor. Go through training and application to actually prescribe and supply it. So what I don't understand is why the hospital just gave the prescription to the patient and told them to get it from 'any pharmacy'. For all I know, I'm not even sure if the doctor is authorized to prescribe such item.
Anyway, patient insisted me to call the hospital pharmacy. So I called the hospital switchboard asking for the outpatient pharmacy, this is her response:
Her: errrr, no because we don't even have an outpatient pharmacy here.
Me: Is there a pharmacy outside your hospital?
Her: errr no?
Me: Is there another hospital nearby that you direct me to that actually has an outpatient pharmacy?
Her: Well you try XX or XX /hangs up on me....
You can so tell she was rolling her eyes on the other side of the phone. She hangs up on me before I could reply.
So I tell the patient and I ended up calling XX or XX.... they either didn't have an outpatient pharmacy or they don't supply it. *sigh*
Patient tells me to call the clinic she was in at the hospital.
Called the first hospital with the b*tch receptionist.
Me: Can you please patch me through to the XXXX clinic?
Her: Its closed.
Me: What time does it open?
Her: Its open from 7.30 to ...
Me quickly slams the phone in her face.
That felt good. Anyway, after numerous phone calls, couldn't get it for her. So I told her to see her GP for a referral to an abortion clinic and they should be able to supply it to her directly there.
More information here: http://www.tga.gov.au/hp/information-medicines-mifepristone-gymiso.htm#.U9MLcOOSz74
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Saturday, 14 June 2014
Medicare Fraud
A lady just came in for a script for Tramal and another script from another doctor for Codeine Linctus. Both written on the same day. Now I was thinking - why on earth did she see 2 different GPs on the same day to get different things.
I dispensed them and then counselled on her that Tramal and Codeine Linctus interacts and both can cause drowsiness and respiratory depression etc blah blah blah. Her response?
Her: Oh that's ok, coz the Codeine Linctus is not for me, its actually for my sister. The doctor just wrote it in my name.
She had a Centrelink concession card.
I just hate it that people abuse our healthcare system like that. And doctors are in on it just to keep their patients happy.
That's why, for people like that I don't feel sorry that the government will be charging them $7 for a consultation.
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Man thinks pantyliners are condoms
A man in his 30s asked me where the condoms were and so I directed him to the aisle it was in. He comes back holding a packet of Kotex pantyliners and asked me: "Is this it?"
Tried so hard not to crack up laughing.........
Imagine he bought it without asking - probably start wrapping the sticky side around the area lol
Sunday, 13 April 2014
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, 22 March 2014
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.
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.
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