Pharmacists; Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Live Without 'Em

[Carolyn Marie]

So, I went to see a new doctor today and found out I have a problem which effects an organ that cis women don't have.  He knows my medical history so he understood what's up.  He gave me a RX for a med I've never taken before.

 

My pharmacist, at least the substitute guy on duty today, doesn't know my medical history.  So he's going to need to counsel me about this new med, which is fine b/c I like to know what the side effects are, when to take it, etc.

 

So I'm at the front of the line, and there are customers to the right of me, and customers behind me.  He says,"Ma'am, do you know why you're taking this medicine, because it's usually prescribed only for men, unless you have kidney stones."  He's not speaking overly loud, but someone might have heard.  I got a bit flustered, and said, "Yes, I know what I'm taking it for, and let's just get on with it.  I don't want to talk about it right now."  He gives me the facts about the med, signs off, and I'm soon on my way.

 

I suppose I could have anticipated that little scene and asked for a private consult at the start, but I wasn't expecting to get the "third degree."   I also hadn't realized, or I forgot, that it was one of the few "men only" conditions. Even we "experienced old hands" get caught with our panties down from time to time.  Live and learn, or as we used to say in the PD, "burn 'em to learn 'em."

 

Carolyn Marie

[awkward-yet-sweet]

I kind of dislike pharmacists.  They have one job - fulfill the doctor's orders.  If it isn't toxic, just hush and fill the script.  It seems like they want to be doctors too....  Everything is some new hoop to jump through.  I'd use the pharmacy at the store in my county, but they have trouble getting things that are beyond the basics.  Luckily, the pharmacy in the city has learned not to ask too many questions about my needs and those of my family.  It helps to have a husband with the reputation of always getting what he asks for 😏

 

 

[VickySGV]

Well, pharmacists DO have to have a Doctorate in Pharmacology in order to be owners or managing partners in a pharmacy here in CA.  To have those licenses they do have to abide by state law, which here says they need to discuss new medications with a patient unless it is waived before hand.  The profession does occasionally have some bona fide klutzes in their discussions.  I had a minor problem recently when they refilled the wrong one of two prescriptions that are similar (one is a short acting med, the other a formulation that is time release but it got even more confused because both needed approval for a new set of refills. and the doctor had authorized the refill for one but not the other.  Not terribly relevant to this but it did get straightened out, they are human, and it is one place I have been careful to keep informed.  The pharmacies I use in my HMO do have a private consultation window away from other patients for which I am happy and I do feel bad that this one grated on your nerves @Carolyn Marie because new meds are a stress issue all by themselves.

[Cindy Lee]

I ran into a similar situation when I received my first prescription for my trans meds. Not something a man would take but what I needed. to become the woman I am. Had a very quick conference out of ear shot of everyone else. Quick and done. Surprised the pharmacist didn't take you aside.

Love,

Cindy Lee

[KathyLauren]

The pharmacists here always do a quick briefing if you are taking a new med for the first time.  But they have a little room for that where you can have that conversation in private.  It is the same room they use for giving needles.  I have never had the effects of medication discussed at the counter.  It seems like a no-brainer to me.

[MaeBe]

Here's it's more "do you have any questions about the medication?", but that doesn't necessarily preclude running into the OP's situation--which reads, hopefully, like mouth moving faster than mind moment (hopefully).