Nurofen and Bloody Chemists

Lightshow

I was in the chemists today desperate for some nurofen for a murderous toothache. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Some nurofen plus please
Chem: Have you tried another pain killer?
Me: Yes, paracetamol. It didn't work.
Chem: Well I'd prefair if you tried panadol extra.
Me: I've already tried paracetamol and it didn't work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: Perhaps you should try regular nurofen instead.
Me: I'd rather buy something that I know will work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: I think you should try the nurofen.
Me: I'd rather not. 12 nurofen plus please.
Chem: No.

WTF??? I know about the new rules and that they have to warn you about the possible side effects / problems associated with long term use, etc, but to downright refuse to sell it to me? She was a fecking Chemist, not a bloody medical consultant.

I walked out and bought them in the Chemist 20 yards up the street without a problem.

Anyone else had this problem? I think some of these people are taking themselves a bit too seriously these days.

OutlawPete

You should have projectile vomited on her.

They'd have given you the plus then.

Morgan Freeman

Back in my day we chewed freshly picked cow grass which helped a bit. The pain was something a man had to accept. Poppa told me if there was "no pain" there would be "no gain".


Red

Lightshow

OutlawPete wrote: »

You should have projectile vomited on her.

They'd have given you the plus then.

The only thing I would have vomited on her at the time were teeth. Would have been quite a sight I suppose.

My rage was due to a combination of extreme agony and the fury at being lectured by some brat barely out of college. The 40 odd year old guy up the street was much more understanding, and willing to sell customers what they ask for.

Sundy

Is the chemist in question boots?

Lightshow

Yes. Why do you ask?

dibs101

Its complete bull****. Either they are prescription or they are not!

If the are for sale over the counter and I am a paying customer then I am entitled to buy them.

This government may have ****ed up this country but they sure as hell arent gonna tell me how to manage my pain.

Now give me the tablets bitch!

theteal

Tell them you need it for its anti-inflamatery benefits - dunno how you mix that into your toothache story though

Id normally go for solpadeine for a toothache, although I did get the inquisition the last time

yammycat

Theres nothing like 12 nurofen plus to take the edge of a tootache.

googled eyes

Just keep saying you've tried all the other options. They legally cant sell it to you unless you show your really in pain and have tried other options.

Or walk in with your arm hanging off ......

bob50

Lightshow wrote: »

The only thing I would have vomited on her at the time were teeth. Would have been quite a sight I suppose.

My rage was due to a combination of extreme agony and the fury at being lectured by some brat barely out of college. The 40 odd year old guy up the street was much more understanding, and willing to sell customers what they ask for.

Me Too Had the third degree went in for a pack of Solpadeine all these stupid questions have you tried Pandol ? yeah didnt work what do you want solpadeine for ?? i have back pain Chem try panadol i already told you they dont work can i have the solpadeine ?? Chem ok after a lot of soul searching I just said dont worry about it im not hard up for these Her face was priceless went up the road like youself to a independent chemist the girl gave me a pack no questions asked

Coriolanus

yammycat wrote: »

Theres nothing like 12 nurofen plus to take the edge of a tootache.

Makes for a cheap night out if you chase them down with a whiskey.

mystique150

The first step in recovery from codeine addiction is admitting you have a problem

Its the ibuprofen that contains the anti-inflammatory benefits, not codeine. Codeine is derived from poppies related to morphine. Its a substance which should never have been made available through the chemist

jos28

My local pharmacist told me that they are not allowed to refuse you. They have to give you the 3rd degree but have to let you buy them eventually.

sandmanporto

Lightshow wrote: »

I was in the chemists today desperate for some nurofen for a murderous toothache. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Some nurofen plus please
Chem: Have you tried another pain killer?
Me: Yes, paracetamol. It didn't work.
Chem: Well I'd prefair if you tried panadol extra.
Me: I've already tried paracetamol and it didn't work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: Perhaps you should try regular nurofen instead.
Me: I'd rather buy something that I know will work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: I think you should try the nurofen.
Me: I'd rather not. 12 nurofen plus please.
Chem: No.

WTF??? I know about the new rules and that they have to warn you about the possible side effects / problems associated with long term use, etc, but to downright refuse to sell it to me? She was a fecking Chemist, not a bloody medical consultant.

I walked out and bought them in the Chemist 20 yards up the street without a problem.

Anyone else had this problem? I think some of these people are taking themselves a bit too seriously these days.

Here's a typical dialogue that works:
You: Can I have nurofen plus please
Chem: Have you tried another pain killer?
You: I have severe sinus pain. I have paracetemol combined with ordinary nurofen and it has a limited effect.
Chem: Ok are you taking an antibiotic have you been to the doctor
You: Yes I am taking clavamoxcillin but I still have severe pain in the cheek area and a combination of nurofin and paracetemol doesnt work.
Chem: Ok. you want 12 or 24

I am not a junkie but I suffer severe migraines and nurofen plus curbs it down to ordinary headache pain. I can't afford to visit the doctor for a prescription because I get these headaches on average once every two months and some last for 2 days!
I use that excuse when I'm not at my local pharmacy or my regular

Lightshow

googled eyes wrote: »

Just keep saying you've tried all the other options. They legally cant sell it to you unless you show your really in pain and have tried other options.

Or walk in with your arm hanging off ......

Is that actually true or just something you've heard? Doesn't sound like something you can realistically police to me.

TanG411

The first step to success is, I suppose, a difficult one.

Good stuff OP.

Lightshow

jos28 wrote: »

My local pharmacist told me that they are not allowed to refuse you. They have to give you the 3rd degree but have to let you buy them eventually.

That's exactly what I thought. This little bitch was having none of it though. Just downright refused to sell me the product I asked for. I'd say the owner of the shop would be furious to find out they were losing customers due to her attitude.

pockets3d

ITT: Junkie scum

Lightshow

pockets3d wrote: »

ITT: Junkie scum

Thanks for your input.

FTGFOP

Go in screaming for morphine and then bargain down to Nurofen+? Would that work? :pac:

Boxoffrogs

I encountered this for the first time yesterday. Although I had heard about the new rules, had completely forgotten so was taken unawares. I asked for some solpadeine and was hit with a barrage of questions, i.e. what are you taking it for?, have you tried regular paracetamol?, have you consulted your doctor?. At this point, the assistant still wasn't happy, so behind she goes to get the pharmacist and out she comes and repeats the same questions. WTF, were they trying to see if I would change my story?

I was fit to explode in a menstrual rage when thankfully the chemist gave the nod and I was finally allowed my fix. As I'm paying, the lady serving me then suggests that I should get a note from my doctor to avoid having to go through this ritual in future.

So I should pay my doctor 55 quid for a note saying that I might require a box of solpadeine on occasion? This is stinky.

jos28

Lightshow wrote: »

That's exactly what I thought. This little bitch was having none of it though. Just downright refused to sell me the product I asked for. I'd say the owner of the shop would be furious to find out they were losing customers due to her attitude.

Had a look at the Pharmacists of Ireland site and got this
http://www.thepsi.ie/Libraries/Consultations/Final_Codeine_Guidelines.sflb.ashx
At NO stage does it say they can refuse to supply a customer. I use nurofen plus for back pain and got fed up being treated like a junkie so I stock up every time I leave the country. Most meds are half the price in the UK anyway

thetonynator

Lightshow wrote: »

She was a fecking Chemist, not a bloody medical consultant.

The whole point of the new regulations is that your chemist is your first stop medical consultant. They should never have been allowed sell codeine over the counter to anyone who wanted it anyway.

Coriolanus

They can refuse to supply a customer whatever they want whenever the fúck they want, provided that the refusal isn't on the grounds of ethnicity etc or that there is a real danger to the patient. And if there was a real danger then it's a fúcking hospital they need not a chemist. They're not a vending machine.

Faith+1

I'm f*cking sick of these new rules. It'd be easier to drive up north and stock up then having to deal with these assh*les.

yammycat

thetonynator wrote: »

They should never have been allowed sell codeine over the counter to anyone who wanted it anyway.

start with alcohol, that has no medicinal value, then worry about codeine

steddyeddy

Lightshow wrote: »

I was in the chemists today desperate for some nurofen for a murderous toothache. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Some nurofen plus please
Chem: Have you tried another pain killer?
Me: Yes, paracetamol. It didn't work.
Chem: Well I'd prefair if you tried panadol extra.
Me: I've already tried paracetamol and it didn't work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: Perhaps you should try regular nurofen instead.
Me: I'd rather buy something that I know will work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: I think you should try the nurofen.
Me: I'd rather not. 12 nurofen plus please.
Chem: No.

WTF??? I know about the new rules and that they have to warn you about the possible side effects / problems associated with long term use, etc, but to downright refuse to sell it to me? She was a fecking Chemist, not a bloody medical consultant.

I walked out and bought them in the Chemist 20 yards up the street without a problem.

Anyone else had this problem? I think some of these people are taking themselves a bit too seriously these days.

that chemist shouldnt have refused you nuerofen plus for a tooth ache you should ring her superior...........or joe duffy

Paparazzo

Here's your mistake

Lightshow wrote: »

Me: Some nurofen plus please
Chem: Have you tried another pain killer?
Me: Yes, paracetamol. It didn't work.
Chem: Well I'd prefair if you tried panadol extra.
Me: I've already tried paracetamol and it didn't work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: Perhaps you should try regular nurofen instead.
Me: I'd rather buy something that I know will work. Can I have nurofen plus please?
Chem: I think you should try the nurofen.
Me: I'd rather not. 12 nurofen plus please.
Chem: No.

That bit should have went like this:
Chem: Perhaps you should try regular nurofen instead.
Me: I tried that and it didn't work either.
Chem: Here's the nurofen plus then

Improbable

Do pharmacies not fall under the same law that protects regular shops, i.e. that your offer to purchase something is merely a response to their technical invitation to treat? Which means that legally speaking, they don't have to sell you anything they don't want to.

missingtime

Prenderville, is that you boi?

thetonynator

yammycat wrote: »

start with alcohol, that has no medicinal value, then worry about codeine

Other way around actually. people know the effects of alcohol and tobacco, and they don't take them for their medicinal effects. People do take Nurofen Plus for its medicinal effects, and therefore should be warned and advised of alternatives when they go to buy it.

Johro

Lightshow wrote: »

That's exactly what I thought. This little bitch was having none of it though. Just downright refused to sell me the product I asked for. I'd say the owner of the shop would be furious to find out they were losing customers due to her attitude.

'This little bitch' most likely had your welfare in mind. She asked you a number of questions to which you replied ' No, I want Nurofen PLUS', and from what you say I get the impression you came across as a little desperate for the more potent stuff, especially since she asked you if you had tried ordinary Nurofen and you said 'no'.
There's been a lot in the media about certain pain-killers, their over-use and their dangers, being careful does not make her 'a little bitch'.
I think your experience is down to your own attitude.

yammycat

thetonynator wrote: »

Other way around actually. people know the effects of alcohol and tobacco, and they don't take them for their medicinal effects. People do take Nurofen Plus for its medicinal effects, and therefore should be warned and advised of alternatives when they go to buy it.

I meant alcohol is a bigger cause for concern than the odd chap popping a few nurofen plus for the buzz, there aren't hordes of people on nurofen plus out on the weekend crashing cars and stabbing people in the face.

Perhaps when you go for a pint the barman should ask if you have tried coca cola and advise you that prolonged use can cause you to become addicted and binging can turn you into a homocidal maniac.

Logical Fallacy

Lightshow wrote: »

That's exactly what I thought. This little bitch was having none of it though. Just downright refused to sell me the product I asked for. I'd say the owner of the shop would be furious to find out they were losing customers due to her attitude.

Yeah, they'll be living they missed out on your 8 euro.

Keep telling yourself that.

Sounds to me like you have a major chip on your shoulder because someone younger than you help a momentary position of power in a social exchange.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Take the high road and head north, and feck this nanny state.

That's a joke.. Codeine is great stuff and instead of telling people they can't have it, maybe they should just educate people and tell them it's an addictive opiate. God forbid you let somebody make their own decisions and be responsible.

OutlawPete

Deleted User wrote: »

Something something - should really be shagging Saigon girls rather than posting on Boards - something something

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gZefW4yEA

gingernut79

jos28 wrote: »

Had a look at the Pharmacists of Ireland site and got this
http://www.thepsi.ie/Libraries/Consultations/Final_Codeine_Guidelines.sflb.ashx
At NO stage does it say they can refuse to supply a customer. I use nurofen plus for back pain and got fed up being treated like a junkie so I stock up every time I leave the country. Most meds are half the price in the UK anyway

Half the price? its 57p in asda for 16 ibuprofen. no chemist required

Jesus Wept

Vote with your feet, tell them you are doing so. The tune will change.

Something something - should really be shagging Saigon girls rather than posting on Boards - something something

It's 10.58am and it's boring waiting for a job to come along.. The backpacking's over and there's nothing to do before drinking at 6pm..
Party Party Party. I'm in Asia so it must be a party everyday or I'm doing it wrong.

OutlawPete

Deleted User wrote: »

It's 10.58am and it's boring waiting for a job to come along.. The backpacking's over and there's nothing to do before drinking at 6pm..

Better than being stuck on a bus dying for a leak

Can you get Nurofen Plus there?

You can buy anything here.. If I don't drink, I just get valium so I can sleep.

Radharc na Sleibhte

mystique150 wrote: »

The first step in recovery from codeine addiction is admitting you have a problem

Its the ibuprofen that contains the anti-inflammatory benefits, not codeine. Codeine is derived from poppies related to morphine. Its a substance which should never have been made available through the chemist

Yeah, but they work, so....

wyndham

Hope they don't start doing this with Calpol. I can't get enough of that sweet stuff.

Kimono-Girl

Lightshow wrote: »

WTF??? I know about the new rules and that they have to warn you about the possible side effects / problems associated with long term use, etc, but to downright refuse to sell it to me? She was a fecking Chemist, not a bloody medical consultant.

actually pharmacists get quite a good bit of medical training in their long college course, so they can consult with their customers about the drugs, (example: the over the counter morning after pill) in my personal experience with a pharmacist i know, he knows the drugs better if not more then any doctor i have met, because he deals with them everyday!

Lightshow wrote: »

I walked out and bought them in the Chemist 20 yards up the street without a problem.

Anyone else had this problem? I think some of these people are taking themselves a bit too seriously these days.

of course they are taking addictive drugs seriously, are you seriously wondering why they are not letting people just walk in off the street and buy these addictive drugs? the only reason you could before is because it only emerged recently these were extremely addictive. they are now trying to remove peoples dependency on them hence reluctance to hand them out.

it's not rocket science: addictive drug + addicted people = reluctance to hand them out without knowing you.

in fact it was extremely irresponsible of the one down the street to just give them to you, imo they should be reported for it.

/rant

Deleted User wrote: »

That's a joke.. Codeine is great stuff and instead of telling people they can't have it, maybe they should just educate people and tell them it's an addictive opiate. God forbid you let somebody make their own decisions and be responsible.

i really do not understand? how is allowing people who make a decision to take an addictive drug responsible? how can someone be called responsible when they decide to take an addictive substance?

deelite

I think it depends on which chemist you go to - I needed Solphadine yesterday (tooth and headache) the girl behind the counter said "you know about the Codeine don't you?" I said I did and she gave me out the box. I said to her "no third degree then"- she said "well once you're over 18 - we feel that you're allowed to make your own choice"....

Lightshow

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Yeah, they'll be living they missed out on your 8 euro.

Keep telling yourself that.

My 8 euro, my next 8 euro, the 8 euro after that whenever it happens again and every one of the hundreds of euro that my girlfriend used to spend in the place every year. That adds up to a lot of euro.

Sounds to me like you have a major chip on your shoulder because someone younger than you help a momentary position of power in a social exchange.

"Sounds" like that dose it? Load of rubbish. I was my usual polite self during the entire exchange. I've been through these questions before and was happy to play along as I understand they have to do this before selling the product to comply with the regulations. It's only since then that I became annoyed about it the more I thought about it. The girl made me feel like I was trying to trick her into selling me the stuff. As I said previously, the older, more mature guy up the street went through the questions as required and then sold me the product without a problem.

Johro wrote: »

'This little bitch' most likely had your welfare in mind. She asked you a number of questions to which you replied ' No, I want Nurofen PLUS', and from what you say I get the impression you came across as a little desperate for the more potent stuff, especially since she asked you if you had tried ordinary Nurofen and you said 'no'.
There's been a lot in the media about certain pain-killers, their over-use and their dangers, being careful does not make her 'a little bitch'.
I think your experience is down to your own attitude.

Again, there was no attitude on my behalf. I was a thorough gentleman throughout. And as for looking out for my welfare, I was clearly in distress and in considerable pain. How is selling me an inferior product to quench my obvious pain looking out for my welfare? This was a power trip, nothing else. Don't assume you know anything about my attitude during an event which you weren't present for.

Lightshow

Kimono-Girl wrote: »

they are now trying to remove peoples dependency on them hence reluctance to hand them out.

These rules weren't introduced as a result of lobbying by Pharmacists. In fact they were dead against them from the start due to the effect they would have on their profits.

It's not a Pharmacist's place nor concern to police what painkillers people take. This is just a combination of silly nanny state rules and a particularly anal individual on a power trip.

Kimono-Girl

Lightshow wrote: »

These rules weren't introduced as a result of lobbying by Pharmacists. In fact they were dead against them from the start due to the effect they would have on their profits.

It's not a Pharmacist's place nor concern to police what painkillers people take. This is just a combination of silly nanny state rules and a particularly anal individual on a power trip.

If you felt this individual was on a power trip i cannot argue with that BUT i don't think you understand it IS the pharmacists place to police what painkillers people take, in fact it's their job to do that, as mentioned previously they now recommend when in pain you take the following route

Pharmacist > Doctor > Hospital.

so for pain killing they would rather you go to a qualified pharmacist then your doctor, thus giving the pharmacist the right to treat you as they see fit. just like your doctor would. you wouldn't demand your doctor hands over a prescription for a drug would you? i personally would wait and see what he/she thinks is best as that's their job.

Fittle

U should do what I do.

I take nurofen plus for back pain, but have been told by 2 pharmacists that they can't sell it to me for back pain.

So now, I find the youngest, pimple-ist, ginger, insecure male person who works in a chemist. Say 'Can I have a large box of nurofen plus for period pain please?'
Works every time - he gets so embarrassed he almost sells me the whole shelf load;)

Having said that, obvioulsy I'm female so this mightn't work for the OP, but perhaps do the same in reverse - find a young, pimply, bespectacled 17yr old and tell her you have a pain in your groin?