Medication and Pharmacies - A little rant

[fossyant]

Not one for medication, but the last couple of months I've been in a fair bit of pain from a small operation that didn't go quite to plan.

Anyway....

A few weeks ago I popped into the Pharmacy that's within the Health Centre - run by that big Group begining with an 'L'. Speak to shop assistant, can I have a packet of co-codamol. Is this for you, yes, had if beofre, yes, any other medication, paracetemol, why are you taking it, post operative pain, what operation, mind your own business.

Assistant waddles off, comes back, sorry I can't sell it we don't have a licence. WTF - odd look from me, tell her I'll be back shortly.

Off to see GP (had appointment) who prescribed 30mg tablets, and can take upto 60 mg per dose (8 times the strength of 1 co-codamol), poped back down to pharmacy and handed the same lady the prescription, and said "There you go".

Went in a couple of weeks ago for some more co-codamol, different member of staff, fine.

Happened to be visiting it yesterday, popped in again as I'd rather just take one 8mg tablet in the evening, than the 30's I've got. Same bloody woman I had first time. Well I got a little vexed, explained I'd been on much stronger and I only wanted this for the evenings, she spouted the same crap, went to see the pharmacist. Came back 'we can sell you these this time'.

Well that was it, I said that was crazy. I went off on one and said I'd been prescribed much stronger, but only wanted the low dose over the counter pain killers. I turned round and said I'd be back with my prescription for the stronger ones, and walked out.

The missus was with the doctor, so she popped back into the pharmacy and got a packet no problem. FFS.

I shall wave my prescription under her nose next time I walk in ! What a jobsworth.

Rant over !!

 

[Globalti]

Jobsworth absolutely but sometimes I have got better advice from the Pharmacist than from the Doctor.

 

[Drago]

Lidls sell drugs now?

 

[lulubel]

Sorry to hear you've had problems, but at the same time, I'm glad it isn't just here.

When I was in a lot of pain after my crash earlier this year, I found some painkillers I'd been sold when we first arrived in Spain, when I was looking for Anadin Extra. They were similar to UK over the counter cocodamol, but a bit stronger, and contained caffeine as well. I'd never used them because I thought they were rather extreme for a bit of a headache, but they were great for my post-crash leg pain.

My OH took the box to a pharmacy in town to get some more, and the woman looked at it in horror, and said something along the lines of, "Where on Earth did you get those from? They're prescription only." So, my OH went in another pharmacy, presented the box, and they sold her some, no questions asked.

Quite barmy.

 

[Scruffmonster]

I'd love to try those. I'm a huge fan of Co-Codamol. Something 8 times stronger sounds fabulous. (Something just feels wrong about taking 8 pills).

My Australian friend had Codeine pills (No Para). I liked them a lot too.

 

[Scruffmonster]

[QUOTE 2191030, member: 259"]Cocodamols are strictly prescription only here.[/quote]

Where's here?

 

[fossyant]

Co-codamol is 8mg with 500mg of paracetemol. 60mg of codeine is a bit much - sends you do-lally also quite happy and pain free - I only went to that dose after I was told to take that by A&E. I find 30mg a bit strong, so 1 or 2 co-codamols take the edge off.

It's just bonkers. Real jobsworth.

 

[Jon2]

I'd love to try those. I'm a huge fan of Co-Codamol. Something 8 times stronger sounds fabulous. (Something just feels wrong about taking 8 pills).

The paracetemol in that would probably be an overdose if you took 8, even if the amount of codeine was ok.

I personally feel that drugs sold with paracetemol on them are a bad idea, including those headache cure things that have a mix of everything. Many people don't realise and then take extra paracetemol, resulting in an overdose. My grandmother was on the co-codamol tablets for a while, and kept trying to take paracetemol as well, not realising the problems. We think she took twice the amount of paracetemol you're supposed to. (She was fine by the way, but it can kill.)

 

[Scruffmonster]

The paracetemol in that would probably be an overdose if you took 8, even if the amount of codeine was ok.

I personally feel that drugs sold with paracetemol on them are a bad idea, including those headache cure things that have a mix of everything. Many people don't realise and then take extra paracetemol, resulting in an overdose. My grandmother was on the co-codamol tablets for a while, and kept trying to take paracetemol as well, not realising the problems. We think she took twice the amount of paracetemol you're supposed to. (She was fine by the way, but it can kill.)

Yeah I figured the ratio to Paracetemol must be skewed in higher doses.

Codeine is a wonderful drug. Hugely addictive, but wonderful.

 

[coffeejo]

Urgh, hate the stuff. I did my ankle in a few years ago (blimey, a decade now) and was put on them. I was so off my face that I fell down the stairs and screwed it up even more.

 

[Archie_tect]

Codeine is a banned drug in Cyprus... supposedly!

My doctor has just given me 6 prescriptions for monthly supplies of acid reflux tablets... I said why can't I have a 6 month prescription? She said no, so they can very the dosage if necessary. I'm not convinced but she was adamant...

So, instead of one prescription for £7.30, I've got 6 x £7.30 to pay for the same thing over the same period! Not pleased, not pleased at all.

 

[Crankarm]

Drugs dealers eh .

 

[tadpole]

Codeine is a banned drug in Cyprus... supposedly!

My doctor has just given me 6 prescriptions for monthly supplies of acid reflux tablets... I said why can't I have a 6 month prescription? She said no, so they can very the dosage if necessary. I'm not convinced but she was adamant...

So, instead of one prescription for £7.30, I've got 6 x £7.30 to pay for the same thing over the same period! Not pleased, not pleased at all.

Get one of these.
prepayment certificate
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/PPC.aspx
Save you money if you have to pay for more than 4 scripts in three months

 

[Archie_tect]

Thanks tadpole, but sadly I'll be paying one prescription every month so no saving.

The issue for me is that I could and should be saving 5 x £7.30. It's profiteering and stupid!

 

[Stephenite]

Don't be bringing your narcotics codeine (inc co-codamol etc.) into Norway without a prescription. The police become involved and there'll be a hefty fine to pay.