Why are customers referred to as patients by pharmacists

Carlow52

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0507/pill.html refers where it says

The Irish Pharmacy Union survey said the average number of requests from patients per week is 2.4 in those pharmacies where a request was made.

The requests in question are for the MAP [morning-after pill].

On what basis can they designate a purchaser of the MAP to be a patient?

bhur

Differentiates from those buying perscriptions versus those buying fake tan etc.?

drkpower

Carlow52 wrote: »

On what basis can they designate a purchaser of the MAP to be a patient?

'Patient' is a fairly broad term in fairness; it often refers to someone underoing/seeking medical tratment, care or relief. One could reasonably argue that someone taking the MAP is seeking 'medical relief'.

And does it really matter?

ejmaztec

I don't see why pharmacists shouldn't use the term patients, as they are after all "doctors of pharmacy", which is medical related. They also know more about the drugs being prescribed by GPs, and how different combinations of drugs act together. My father-in-law was prescribed a cocktail of drugs in the UK a few years ago, and took his prescription to the local chemist, who then had to phone the doctor to let him know that the particular combination of drugs would be lethal.

dudara

Moved to Health Sciences

dudara

Slasher

Pharmacists refer to customers as patients as it gives them an inflated view of their importance.

A bit like teachers referring to themselves as a "profession".

Or the so-called "Legal Profession", most of whom are grubby, money-obsessed, tax-evading ambulance chasers with little or no sense of right and wrong.

All of which enables people to charge more to their Customer ("client", "patient").

drkpower

Slasher wrote: »

Pharmacists refer to customers as patients as it gives them an inflated view of their importance.

A bit like teachers referring to themselves as a "profession".

Or the so-called "Legal Profession", most of whom are grubby, money-obsessed, tax-evading ambulance chasers with little or no sense of right and wrong.

All of which enables people to charge more to their Customer ("client", "patient").

The bitterness is strong in this one....:pac:

Paparazzo

Slasher wrote: »

Pharmacists refer to customers as patients as it gives them an inflated view of their importance.

A bit like teachers referring to themselves as a "profession".

Or the so-called "Legal Profession", most of whom are grubby, money-obsessed, tax-evading ambulance chasers with little or no sense of right and wrong.

All of which enables people to charge more to their Customer ("client", "patient").

Except pharmacists don't charge customers

sam34

slasher, this is not the forum for you to have a potshot at pharmacists, or anyone else for that matter. take it elsewhere. if you post in that manner here again you will be banned, no further warning.

angeldelight

I would refer to someone getting a prescription or the MAP as a patient because I have a duty of care to the person whereas someone buying a pack of tissues or make up is a customer because I don't

drkpower

angeldelight wrote: »

I would refer to someone getting a prescription or the MAP as a patient because I have a duty of care to the person whereas someone buying a pack of tissues or make up is a customer because I don't

Yes, you do (although the nature of that duty differs to a degree).

blankblank

Slasher wrote: »

Pharmacists refer to customers as patients as it gives them an inflated view of their importance.

A bit like teachers referring to themselves as a "profession".

Or the so-called "Legal Profession", most of whom are grubby, money-obsessed, tax-evading ambulance chasers with little or no sense of right and wrong.

All of which enables people to charge more to their Customer ("client", "patient").

You've got to love it when someone with no insight gives their arrogant opinion on other peoples professions. How mighty you are typing such sweeping comments. Idiot.

sam34

zombie thread.
locked.