WTF is it that pharmacists do?
Discussion
Firstly I'll say that I've had some great advice from pharmacists over the years that's been better than the GP, but recently I've had cause to have to get a number of scrip items and have found every single one in my area to be utterly appalling. The one closest to me is odds on you'll witness an irate customer having a go every time you go there. Another I got some assistant behind the counter wanting to casually discuss my condition. Several I phoned to enquire if they had something in stock and got a reaction like I'd just phoned the tower of London and asked for detailed plans of the security alarm.
But tell me, why does it take 20 minutes for them to walk a few feet, pick up a box of pills, apply their stupid preprinted sticker, walk back to the counter and hand it to me? I mean what the hell is it they're actually doing, all 6 of them when there's like 3 customers in the shop? And if this task is so arduous why can they not prepare it in advance so I walk in and it's ready? And why when the practice forward them a scrip will they not order the item until I ring up and ask them to?
TIA.
But tell me, why does it take 20 minutes for them to walk a few feet, pick up a box of pills, apply their stupid preprinted sticker, walk back to the counter and hand it to me? I mean what the hell is it they're actually doing, all 6 of them when there's like 3 customers in the shop? And if this task is so arduous why can they not prepare it in advance so I walk in and it's ready? And why when the practice forward them a scrip will they not order the item until I ring up and ask them to?
TIA.
I've often wondered this too.
My take would be they're paid to be bothered. Bothered so much, they don't give you the wrong pills and if they do, they know they're buggered!
I think a pharmacist is very much like a CEO\Headteacher\GP\Judge\Barrister etc.
They're paid for responsibility (and consequences of their actions) not their actual output of fillings boxes.
My take would be they're paid to be bothered. Bothered so much, they don't give you the wrong pills and if they do, they know they're buggered!
I think a pharmacist is very much like a CEO\Headteacher\GP\Judge\Barrister etc.
They're paid for responsibility (and consequences of their actions) not their actual output of fillings boxes.
dont go thinking because they have a white coat on that theyre the trained pharmo , chances are theres a few nobodys work there that like to look important , thats who i get the hassle with at our one much like the doctors receptionists that like to feel important , the actual pharmacist is golden
Teddy Lop said:
Firstly I'll say that I've had some great advice from pharmacists over the years that's been better than the GP, but recently I've had cause to have to get a number of scrip items and have found every single one in my area to be utterly appalling. The one closest to me is odds on you'll witness an irate customer having a go every time you go there. Another I got some assistant behind the counter wanting to casually discuss my condition. Several I phoned to enquire if they had something in stock and got a reaction like I'd just phoned the tower of London and asked for detailed plans of the security alarm.
But tell me, why does it take 20 minutes for them to walk a few feet, pick up a box of pills, apply their stupid preprinted sticker, walk back to the counter and hand it to me? I mean what the hell is it they're actually doing, all 6 of them when there's like 3 customers in the shop? And if this task is so arduous why can they not prepare it in advance so I walk in and it's ready? And why when the practice forward them a scrip will they not order the item until I ring up and ask them to?
TIA.
They really should hire McDonald's staffBut tell me, why does it take 20 minutes for them to walk a few feet, pick up a box of pills, apply their stupid preprinted sticker, walk back to the counter and hand it to me? I mean what the hell is it they're actually doing, all 6 of them when there's like 3 customers in the shop? And if this task is so arduous why can they not prepare it in advance so I walk in and it's ready? And why when the practice forward them a scrip will they not order the item until I ring up and ask them to?
TIA.
But tell me, why does it take 20 minutes for them to walk a few feet, pick up a box of pills, apply their stupid preprinted sticker, walk back to the counter and hand it to me? I mean what the hell is it they're actually doing, all 6 of them when there's like 3 customers in the shop? And if this task is so arduous why can they not prepare it in advance so I walk in and it's ready? And why when the practice forward them a scrip will they not order the item until I ring up and ask them to?
Check, double check and triple check. Every detail, every single time. Name, prescription, dosage, use-by-date, exact meds etc, etc. Much rather a few minutes wait than some horrendous error. As much as you may not see it, pharmacists are very highly trained and very good at what they do (they can’t practice as a pharmacist if they weren’t).
Check, double check and triple check. Every detail, every single time. Name, prescription, dosage, use-by-date, exact meds etc, etc. Much rather a few minutes wait than some horrendous error. As much as you may not see it, pharmacists are very highly trained and very good at what they do (they can’t practice as a pharmacist if they weren’t).
Cotty said:
Why do they have to tell you the doasage. The doctor told me what to take and its printed on the box.
The doctor may know the drug, the approximate dosage and the desired outcome, but it’s the pharmacist who will check it to make sure the dosage (quantity, frequency, type, concentration etc) is correct against what’s known about the drug in the BNF.My ex is a pharmacist: the knowledge they have and the responsibility they carry is quite something.
Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 15th May 21:00
You do know they don't just sit there, waiting on tenterhooks so they can fight over which one wants to complete your prescription?
They are dealing with all the other people that want their's too, plus checking their stock, making sure they have the right drugs for their regular patients etc etc, as well as dealing with drop in people who think they're more important than anyone else.
And who says scrip? Are you too busy and important to use the correct word as well as wait your turn?
They are dealing with all the other people that want their's too, plus checking their stock, making sure they have the right drugs for their regular patients etc etc, as well as dealing with drop in people who think they're more important than anyone else.
And who says scrip? Are you too busy and important to use the correct word as well as wait your turn?
Cotty said:
Why do they have to tell you the doasage. The doctor told me what to take and its printed on the box.
My daughter is a senior pharmacist in a Teaching hospital in the North West.What she does is stops doctors from making stupid mistakes. Checks and rechecks patients history, so that they don't end up with a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs.
Argues with senior consultants, to my stop them going rouge. Teaches junior doctors how to do their job. Advises Nurses on the best way to administer drugs.
A few years ago she did a year in "community" ... A shop... Where most of us get our medicine.
In the arse end of Bootle, Merseyside.
Customers often self entitled, obnoxious, and ungrateful. Mostly getting prescriptions free, but wanting them now. Nice people.
And then. There's the methodone regulars. A wonderful bunch of customers.
If you want decent service. Be nice. Be polite. Be reasonable. Say please. Say thank you. Plan in advance.
I have repeat prescriptions every 4 weeks.
They get sent to my home pharmacy.
I work away. Sometimes I need my prescription to go to a Pharmacy in Nechells near where I work (in Birmingham)
All I do is ring my usual place, explain I need them from a different pharmacy. They reverse the prescription back to the system and give me a code number. I phone the Pharmacy in Beruit. And they tell me to come tomorrow.
The staff are all Asian. And why wouldn't they be? I got my last 2 flue jabs and Last 2 covid jabs there..
My summary. An average pharmacist will save your life. A good pharmacist will review your tablets and talk with your GP about better more recent drugs.
Don't mess with pharmacists https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/mo...
Podcaster expresses views similar to some of the posters above and it becomes one of the most compalined about events on TV.
For the record, my pharmacy is great!
Podcaster expresses views similar to some of the posters above and it becomes one of the most compalined about events on TV.
For the record, my pharmacy is great!
If there’s six people there’ll be five dispensers and a single clinical pharmacist who is responsible for checking every drug that leaves the shelf. I don’t know why anyone wants to be a pharmacist tbh. The pay is ok but people’s perception is you just pick a shopping list and put it in a bag and you get abuse for it taking a while. Meanwhile doctors never make any mistakes so why does anyone need to check medications anyway? NHS could save a fortune cutting all pharmacists, right?
If you hate it I’d strongly suggest switching to an online pharmacy. If I put an order in on Monday my insulin will be on the doorstep on Wednesday wrapped in a woollen cool bag. Then you won’t be entangled with what will likely be the rest of the local population waiting in the pharmacy for their medication and all your complaints will disappear.
If you hate it I’d strongly suggest switching to an online pharmacy. If I put an order in on Monday my insulin will be on the doorstep on Wednesday wrapped in a woollen cool bag. Then you won’t be entangled with what will likely be the rest of the local population waiting in the pharmacy for their medication and all your complaints will disappear.
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