Chemist only sells on prescription??

mountai

Recently tried to get some Solphadine in a local Chemist shop. Was informed that he only sells "on prescription". I am not aware that Solphadine is a "Prescribed" drug. Has a Chemist the right to make this stand .?

Autonomous

Yes it is prescription only.

Edit: its down to each pharmacy to dispense it.

duffman13

Autonomous wrote: »

Yes it is prescription only.

No it's not. It needs to be sold under supervision of a pharmacist. Must have been a misunderstanding

Edit: A pharmacist can refuse to supply if they believe it's being used incorrectly or abused etc.

Autonomous

duffman13 wrote: »

No it's not. It needs to be sold under supervision of a pharmacist. Must have been a misunderstanding

Edit: A pharmacist can refuse to supply if they believe it's being used incorrectly or abused etc.

I stand corrected, forgot its not fully under postscription.

mountai

Does this mean that the Chemist is acting outside the law by limiting sales to "Prescription only"?

locum-motion

mountai wrote: »

Does this mean that the Chemist is acting outside the law by limiting sales to "Prescription only"?

Absolutely not!

The pharmacist is under absolutely no obligation to sell anything, ever.
In fact, if s/he doesn't believe that it is the best thing for you, they are obliged not to sell it.

The reaction when somebody asks for Solpadeine ("Solphadine" doesn't exist, by the way) will depend on what the person says they want it for etc.
Virtually everybody will be reminded, though, that it is only suitable for short-term or occasional use unless under the care of a doctor. Therefore, sometimes a person would be told that the pharmacist is unwilling to sell it to that person unless they produce a prescription.

PS: @ Autonomous: Why did you answer at all, since you plainly don't know what you're talking about?

mountai

When I asked for this Solpadeine (Thanks for the correction) , the Chemist stated from the outset that he only sells it on Prescription. He did not ask me why I required it. As I"m in my mid 60s with a reasonable appearance , I thought it strange that he would refuse me. Does this mean that Chemists have a right to deem any drug to be "Controlled" so to speak,and if so, will they eventually be in a position to put Asprin on Prescription should they desire to?. Smacks of another Greedy practice to me!!

SOL

I'm not sure where this thread belongs but it doesn't belong here, my best guess is consumer issues so that is where it is going...

L1011

Go to a different chemist.

Chemists don't issue prescriptions so I've no idea where you're getting "greedy" from. Zero benefit to them financially, in fact it reduces sales.

Cabaal

Perhaps the Chemist took it upon themselves to bring in this restriction based on this news story?

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/ban-sale-of-solpadeine-over-counter-pharmacist-26366552.html

At the end of the day they can decide to restrict it or not, purely up to them.

hfallada

mountai wrote: »

When I asked for this Solpadeine (Thanks for the correction) , the Chemist stated from the outset that he only sells it on Prescription. He did not ask me why I required it. As I"m in my mid 60s with a reasonable appearance , I thought it strange that he would refuse me. Does this mean that Chemists have a right to deem any drug to be "Controlled" so to speak,and if so, will they eventually be in a position to put Asprin on Prescription should they desire to?. Smacks of another Greedy practice to me!!

Are you aware of what is in solpadeine that makes it an effective pain killer? It has codeine, which is pretty much prescription only in pretty much every country in the world. It's a controlled substance as it's opium based. Meaning it's highly addictive and more people each year are presenting themselves for rehab with codeine being their only addiction. To reduce codeine dependence chemist have to keep codeine products behind the counter and ask everyone a series of questions to spot addiction.

The fact you only wanted solpadeine from the chemist could have suggested an addiction. There is plenty of effective non addictive pain killers. It doesn't matter your age or appearance, an addict can be anyone

Beano

hfallada wrote: »

Are you aware of what is in solpadeine that makes it an effective pain killer? It has codeine, which is pretty much prescription only in pretty much every country in the world. It's a controlled substance as it's opium based. Meaning it's highly addictive and more people each year are presenting themselves for rehab with codeine being their only addiction. To reduce codeine dependence chemist have to keep codeine products behind the counter and ask everyone a series of questions to spot addiction.

The fact you only wanted solpadeine from the chemist could have suggested an addiction. There is plenty of effective non addictive pain killers. It doesn't matter your age or appearance, an addict can be anyone

The amount of codeine in a single tablet. Multiple PACKETS of codeine need to be taken to get an addictive buzz. If you take multiple packets it is the other ingredients in the tablets i.e. paracetemol that cause the problem not the codeine.

rozeboosje

Has the Chemist got that right? Sure he or she has. Just like you have the right to vote with your feet and taking your business to the next Chemist who isn't such a prissy King Canute.

delahuntv

mountai wrote: »

Does this mean that the Chemist is acting outside the law by limiting sales to "Prescription only"?

eh

A chemist can refuse to sell you a bottle of shampoo if they so wish. There is no law stating that you MUST be sold something.

Only illegal if they refuse to sell to you on grounds of discrimination.

L1011

Beano wrote: »

The amount of codeine in a single tablet. Multiple PACKETS of codeine need to be taken to get an addictive buzz. If you take multiple packets it is the other ingredients in the tablets i.e. paracetemol that cause the problem not the codeine.

Its extractable, going in to the details here would not be advisable though!

rozeboosje

MYOB wrote: »

Its extractable, going in to the details here would not be advisable though!

And I'm sure there are easier ways to get an opioid buzz

Beano

MYOB wrote: »

Its extractable, going in to the details here would not be advisable though!

But the point is that people were not going into chemists here to buy multiple packets just to get high. Most people dont have the knowledge or skills to extract the codeine from a Neurofen+.

Victor

I was prescribed Solpadine at one point. I think it was when I injured myself. 3 tablets over about 24 hours had me buzzed off my head - it was as if I hadn't a care in the world.

'Housewives' are the main Solpadine abusers / addicts.

former legend

mountai wrote: »

When I asked for this Solpadeine (Thanks for the correction) , the Chemist stated from the outset that he only sells it on Prescription. He did not ask me why I required it. As I"m in my mid 60s with a reasonable appearance , I thought it strange that he would refuse me. Does this mean that Chemists have a right to deem any drug to be "Controlled" so to speak,and if so, will they eventually be in a position to put Asprin on Prescription should they desire to?. Smacks of another Greedy practice to me!!

Run this by me again. He refused to sell you something and you think he's being greedy? Surely the greedy thing to do is to ignore the risk to you and just take the cash?

Autonomous

locum-motion wrote: »

PS: @ Autonomous: Why did you answer at all, since you plainly don't know what you're talking about?

You need to get some manners you jumped up <SNIP>

Beano

Victor wrote: »

I was prescribed Solpadine at one point. I think it was when I injured myself. 3 tablets over about 24 hours had me buzzed off my head - it was as if I hadn't a care in the world.

'Housewives' are the main Solpadine abusers / addicts.

3 solpadeine over 24 hours and you got a buzz? thats a tiny amount of codeine. an addict would be taking 20 times that amount.

Zillah

Victor wrote: »

I was prescribed Solpadine at one point. I think it was when I injured myself. 3 tablets over about 24 hours had me buzzed off my head - it was as if I hadn't a care in the world.

'Housewives' are the main Solpadine abusers / addicts.

Codeine does virtually nothing for me. I think I'm one of these people:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2008/06/06/genetic-factors-affect-codeines-work-as-painkiller

People with less CYP2D6 find little or no relief from codeine, because the liver does not convert enough into morphine. This happens in about 6 percent to 10 percent of Caucasians, 3 percent to 6 percent of Mexican-Americans, 2 percent to 5 percent of African-Americans and about 1 percent of Asians.

dudara

@locum-motion & Autonomous - Please treat other posters with respect. No need for pointed comments or insults. If I see any more such comments, I will infract or ban.

dudara

ScouseMouse

I just went into my local chemist and asked did I have to jump through hoops to get solpadeine. Nope she said, 24 box for 7.99.

Ok, they did know me personally....

mountai

For those that are concerned ---- If I want to get a High , I"ll smoke some dope .!!! The whole point I"m trying to make is -- There is a list of controlled drugs that can only be sold on Prescription. These prescriptions make money for the Chemists , ergo , the more Drugs that are prescribed , the more money the Chemists make. Surely a Chemist cannot decide to place a drug into the "Controlled" category just on a whim???

Beano

The point is that the pharmacist is under no obligation to sell you any drug at all. It is possible that they said they were prescription only because they didnt want an argument about it. The simple solution is to vote with your feet.

Tiddlypeeps

mountai wrote: »

For those that are concerned ---- If I want to get a High , I"ll smoke some dope .!!! The whole point I"m trying to make is -- There is a list of controlled drugs that can only be sold on Prescription. These prescriptions make money for the Chemists , ergo , the more Drugs that are prescribed , the more money the Chemists make. Surely a Chemist cannot decide to place a drug into the "Controlled" category just on a whim???

A chemist doesn't get money from prescriptions, they get money from selling drugs. Some drugs require a prescription, so they can only sell when one is present but this is not them making money from a prescription, they are still making money from selling the drugs. Deciding to require a prescription for certain OTC drugs will not make them more money, it will make them less. Some customers will get the requested prescription but most will just go to another chemist, meaning the chemist misses out on sales. There is no possible way the chemists motives here could be greed as they can have zero financial gain for doing this.

dudara

mountai wrote: »

Surely a Chemist cannot decide to place a drug into the "Controlled" category just on a whim???

No they cannot. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (formerly the Irish Medicines Board) strictly defines what is a prescription drug. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) issued guidelines on the sale of codeine based drugs.

A pharmacist has no financial gain by refusing to sell you a product. In fact, they are losing a potential sale by doing so. They are doing it because of ethical and professional guidelines under which they work.

cat_dog

Just go to a different chemist. It's an over the counter painkiller that is only sold if the chemist think it's suitable for the customer and he or she is not coming in every week for a pack of 24 (That would raise red flags. )

mountai

mountai wrote: »

For those that are concerned ---- If I want to get a High , I"ll smoke some dope .!!! The whole point I"m trying to make is -- There is a list of controlled drugs that can only be sold on Prescription. These prescriptions make money for the Chemists , ergo , the more Drugs that are prescribed , the more money the Chemists make. Surely a Chemist cannot decide to place a drug into the "Controlled" category just on a whim???

I'm a pharmacist. If you are taking solpadeine long term, you should see your doctor because there is an underlying cause. If I was suspicious of your reasoning for buying the medication. I would refuse the sale too. This has nothing to do with greed.

monkey8

former legend wrote: »

Run this by me again. He refused to sell you something and you think he's being greedy? Surely the greedy thing to do is to ignore the risk to you and just take the cash?

If you read the op's previous posts you will see that he has a serious chip on his shoulder regarding pharmacists so he will use any opportunity to have a pop!

how he could try to accuse the pharmacist as being greedy in this situation is baffling but not out of character!

Zillah

mountai wrote: »

For those that are concerned ---- If I want to get a High , I"ll smoke some dope .!!! The whole point I"m trying to make is -- There is a list of controlled drugs that can only be sold on Prescription. These prescriptions make money for the Chemists , ergo , the more Drugs that are prescribed , the more money the Chemists make. Surely a Chemist cannot decide to place a drug into the "Controlled" category just on a whim???

It's like you're trying to not understand. They can insist that no one is allowed to buy aspirin without wearing a mop on their head if they like. They can insist you get a prescription for a blister pad if they want. It wouldn't be sensible but as a private retailer they can put any limitations on their service that they like within the scope of the law.

dudara

@monkey8 Please refrain from making assumptions about the OP

dudara

RoboRat

3 solpadeine over 24 hours and you got a buzz? thats a tiny amount of codeine. an addict would be taking 20 times that amount.

As somebody who has 2 direct members of my family who were hooked on that **** I can say wholeheartedly that you can easily get hooked and not need to take 20 times that amount.

Personally I was delighted when they put stricter regulations as I had been sending emails for about 5 years to highlight the dangers - its been extensively covered in the UK. I would love to see it prescription only as it is a very dangerous product when misused, and it is seriously misused in this country.

These prescriptions make money for the Chemists , ergo , the more Drugs that are prescribed , the more money the Chemists make.

Where are you getting this from? Retailers make money on bulk purchases and prescriptions are generally not bulk and also subject to the drugs payment scheme which actually results in less revenue for a pharmacy.

Beano

monkey8 wrote: »

If you read the op's previous posts you will see that he has a serious chip on his shoulder regarding pharmacists so he will use any opportunity to have a pop!

how he could try to accuse the pharmacist as being greedy in this situation is baffling but not out of character!

I had a read of the previous thread. someone to add to the ignore list i think.

Greenmachine

Had the same thing happen to me when I requested phenergan (an antihistamine ) in the pharmacy. Despite the patient care leaflet saying it is over the counter the pharmacist told it was prescription only.

DeltaWhite

I've a friend who's hooked on them. Very sad, she's only 28 and is properly blacklisted from our local chemists, they're onto her thankfully but she just goes elsewhere for them. We recently went to Liverpool for a weekend and she bought 4 boxes of 48 (all in different chemists) they don't actually have the same rule as we do over here so they just hand them out no questions asked.

Thing about them is, there are alternatives, you dont have to take them! I personally think everyone should stay away from them, can be so easy to get addicted and be unable to stop. I dont bother taking them for anything. I'll use whatever else is out there that's safer!

secondrowgal

I fell down the stairs recently and I was given a prescription for Solpadeine that said "2 tabs, 3 times a day for two days" but also gave me 30 tablets for ongoing pain. My other half had to go to the pharmacy for me as I couldn't walk. The pharmacist/dispensing technician there quizzed my OH as to what happened to me before they would dispense the prescription, and even then she didn't want to give me the whole 30 because theoretically I only needed the 12 for two days. The pharmacist who had to approve the dispensing anyway saw it was for me and said "no problem" - they know me.

So I took the first two and within a half an hour I was high as a kite!!! It took at least 6 hours for this "high" to wear off and I only took one tablet every 8 hours after that. I was completely out of it, I didn't like it one bit (I think I'm safe enough on the addiction basis on that front ) Anyone saying that you need a lot more to get a "buzz" is probably talking from their own experience, which is fair enough, but from my experience, 2 tabs were enough to knock my socks off. I can't believe that this stuff used to be OTC.

Beano

They still are OTC.

former legend

Greenmachine wrote: »

Had the same thing happen to me when I requested phenergan (an antihistamine ) in the pharmacy. Despite the patient care leaflet saying it is over the counter the pharmacist told it was prescription only.

Phenergan is OTC but widely misused, wouldn't blame the pharmacist at all. As an actual antihistamine, it pretty much went out with the dinosaurs.

(Not saying you'd misuse it, just that a lot of people do).

L1011

mountai wrote: »

For those that are concerned ---- If I want to get a High , I"ll smoke some dope .!!! The whole point I"m trying to make is -- There is a list of controlled drugs that can only be sold on Prescription. These prescriptions make money for the Chemists , ergo , the more Drugs that are prescribed , the more money the Chemists make. Surely a Chemist cannot decide to place a drug into the "Controlled" category just on a whim???

A pharmacist makes the same money whether they sell an OTC product OTC or on a prescription. Stop looking for conspiracies.

The pharmacist decided not to sell you codeine, as is their right. That is all.

Greenmachine

former legend wrote: »

Phenergan is OTC but widely misused, wouldn't blame the pharmacist at all. As an actual antihistamine, it pretty much went out with the dinosaurs.

(Not saying you'd misuse it, just that a lot of people do).

Really can't imagine them much good for what they are meant for.

mountai

Ahh the wagons are beginning to circle !!! .Lets address the "Point" . Which is ---- . Has a chemist the "Right to put a non prescribed drug , on Prescription only" ???." Answer the Question Chemists. Nobody is disputing his right to "Refuse Service" .

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

The answer is that he has a right to tell you that, if he doesn't want to sell to you OTC. So, yes.

dudara

It might have been the chemist's polite way of telling you that you weren't getting it without a prescription. Your GP can add non-prescription drugs to a regular script. This should reassure the pharmacist that you are seeking it for valid reasons.

mountai

Tiddlypeeps wrote: »

A chemist doesn't get money from prescriptions, they get money from selling drugs. Some drugs require a prescription, so they can only sell when one is present but this is not them making money from a prescription, they are still making money from selling the drugs. Deciding to require a prescription for certain OTC drugs will not make them more money, it will make them less. Some customers will get the requested prescription but most will just go to another chemist, meaning the chemist misses out on sales. There is no possible way the chemists motives here could be greed as they can have zero financial gain for doing this.

So do they give the prescription charge to charity?

mountai

MYOB wrote: »

A pharmacist makes the same money whether they sell an OTC product OTC or on a prescription. Stop looking for conspiracies.

The pharmacist decided not to sell you codeine, as is their right. That is all.

So do they give the prescription charge to charity?

rozeboosje

dudara wrote: »

reassure the pharmacist that you are seeking it for valid reasons.

I'm assuming the OP is an adult, right? I think the pharmacist should assume an adult will decide for him- or herself what constitutes a valid reason for procuring an OTC drug such as "solpadeine", and consider their decision to buy such drugs to be none of their business. But if they want to play silly buggers, they have every right to do so. As has been pointed out several times already: just vote with your feet. For every pharmacist who gives you a hard time you'll be able to find another one who doesn't. So give them the business instead.

monkey8

rozeboosje wrote: »

and consider their decision to buy such drugs to be none of their business.

Thats the pharmacist job! so even though according to the op the pharmacist didn't ask what he was using it for in this case, it is very much the pharmacists business to make sure they are using it for the correct reasons.

They are also only licenced over the counter for certain conditions so again, very much the pharmacists business to ascertian these reasons

mountai

Madilyn Plump Soloist wrote: »

The answer is that he has a right to tell you that, if he doesn't want to sell to you OTC. So, yes.

Read what I"m asking ---- I"m NOT disputing his right to refuse service. Again -- Has he the right to place a non prescription drug on prescription only???? . What do you not understand about this point!!

former legend

mountai wrote: »

Ahh the wagons are beginning to circle !!! .Lets address the "Point" . Which is ---- . Has a chemist the "Right to put a non prescribed drug , on Prescription only" ???." Answer the Question Chemists. Nobody is disputing his right to "Refuse Service" .

Would you rather he had said "I'm not selling it to you because I don't think you will use it appropriately"? Would that really have sat better with you?

He doesn't have the right to refuse to sell it you if he thinks it inappropriate, he is obliged to refuse to sell it.

If you come in with a prescription and later go into liver failure because you're a codeine fiend, then the doctor takes the flak.