• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Interrogation has me fuming!

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
We will be finding that all chemists will be asking questions about our repeat perscriptions what ever medical condition you have..

It's a collabriation between the GP and the chemists and does have a purpose to it both for patient safety and to cut down on wastage..

Don't forget when issued a one of prescription such as antibiotics the chemist will run through with you how to correctly take it and ensure that you know you must complete the course before giving it to you, they don't assume that you are an adult, probably can read and that you've probably taken AB's before! It's a reminder

But for many years, the chemist would just hand over repeat medication with the assumption that A, you know why your are taking it, B, you knew how to take it safely C, you were actually taking it!

You would be very surprised, A, how many people don't know why they are taking something, B, know how to take it correctly/safely C, acutally take the medication prescribed! The latter is mainly those who have an excemption cert..

This actually drains a lot of money out of the NHS one way or another

A, well if the patient doesn't know why they taking them there a possiblity they don't need them, or they are unable to indentify if it isn't working or they have another problem!

B, Incorrectly taking medication can cause the medication being ineffective, leading onto more intensive treatment or put the individual's life at risk

C, if the patient isn't actually taking the prescribed medication why bother to prescribe it in the first place!

It's either doing everything that can be done to prevent wastage or finding that we can't have what we need
 
Ellie Jones said:
We will be finding that all chemists will be asking questions about our repeat perscriptions what ever medical condition you have..

ed
Click to expand...

Plus Pharmacies have no interest in reducing strip usage - it would be hitting their profits and of course they have every right to investigate how their regulars are using strips, part of building up a personal relationship with the customer.
 
Sounds to me as if it's the medicine review which all pharmacists are expected to carry out.

The easiest and politest way forward it so ask straight out, is this a medication review?
Then just say sorry I don't have time now but thanks for asking. Then hold out hand for prescription 🙂 If it's not ready then ask for the script and go elsewhere.
There is a government incentive (CASH) for the pharma's to do this service.
 
mcdonagh47 said:
Plus Pharmacies have no interest in reducing strip usage - it would be hitting their profits and of course they have every right to investigate how their regulars are using strips, part of building up a personal relationship with the customer.
Click to expand...

If they have no interest in reducing strip usage then why suggest people are testing too much? Maybe it's the manner of questioning that needs 'training' on.
 
Northerner said:
If they have no interest in reducing strip usage then why suggest people are testing too much? .
Click to expand...

Cos they honestly believe it ? Due to all the research saying T2s not on insulin or sulfonylureas don't achieve lower A1cs despite testing, that they worry over high results, that their fingers get like pincushions, that they do nothing with the results of most tests, that the A1c is the gold standard of measurements. Tosh and flawed research probably. The current campaign to restrict T2s testing on has a genuine element and is not just about cost cutting.
 
How very dare they Steffie - and I'm not being funny is she/he a Dr, does she/he know your routine.

You should have told them to mind there own and if they have a problem speak to your GP's.
 
mcdonagh47 said:
Cos they honestly believe it ? Due to all the research saying T2s not on insulin or sulfonylureas don't achieve lower A1cs despite testing, that they worry over high results, that their fingers get like pincushions, that they do nothing with the results of most tests, that the A1c is the gold standard of measurements. Tosh and flawed research probably. The current campaign to restrict T2s testing on has a genuine element and is not just about cost cutting.
Click to expand...

But the recent conversations seem to show that those on insulin are being 'advised' to reduce, with apparently little knowledge of why a person needs to test.
 
Dizzydi said:
How very dare they Steffie - and I'm not being funny is she/he a Dr, does she/he know your routine.

You should have told them to mind there own and if they have a problem speak to your GP's.
Click to expand...

I know in heinsight I would but im just now that type of person..
 
Last edited:
Ellie Jones said:
We will be finding that all chemists will be asking questions about our repeat perscriptions what ever medical condition you have..

It's a collabriation between the GP and the chemists and does have a purpose to it both for patient safety and to cut down on wastage..

Don't forget when issued a one of prescription such as antibiotics the chemist will run through with you how to correctly take it and ensure that you know you must complete the course before giving it to you, they don't assume that you are an adult, probably can read and that you've probably taken AB's before! It's a reminder

But for many years, the chemist would just hand over repeat medication with the assumption that A, you know why your are taking it, B, you knew how to take it safely C, you were actually taking it!

You would be very surprised, A, how many people don't know why they are taking something, B, know how to take it correctly/safely C, acutally take the medication prescribed! The latter is mainly those who have an excemption cert..

This actually drains a lot of money out of the NHS one way or another

A, well if the patient doesn't know why they taking them there a possiblity they don't need them, or they are unable to indentify if it isn't working or they have another problem!

B, Incorrectly taking medication can cause the medication being ineffective, leading onto more intensive treatment or put the individual's life at risk

C, if the patient isn't actually taking the prescribed medication why bother to prescribe it in the first place!

It's either doing everything that can be done to prevent wastage or finding that we can't have what we need
Click to expand...

I don't understand what you are trying to say. A pharmacist must have a pharmacy degree and 1 years practical training. Compare that to a GP and you can easily see that a pharmacist is not qualified to query the GPs prescription, only the interaction between medicines. Also the prescription of test strips is not a medical matter and I would doubt very much that the pharmacist is qualified in this area, judging by the number of GPs that arent qualified either.
This is one of several reports we have had of a pharmacist breaching patient confidentiality which shouldn't ever happen and to me shows a lack of professional training - was it really the pharmacist? In chemists like Boots and Lloyds the pharmacist is usually busy behind the counter and 'normal' employees serve the customers.

It's complaint time Steff.
 
Is anyone any good at writing letters or can give me any tips.🙄 ive started about 15 copies all in the bin so far
 
I know I am a bit unusual on this forum, but as a T2 on various meds plus Byetta, I do only test a couple of times a week or so, unless feeling 'odd' in which case I do test more often.

I do not however think that my way is the only way, and whilst it stops me getting depressed or generally annoyed with the world if I have a 'bad' result or two, I totally accept that alot of people do want to be in near total control most of the time. I just prefer to be a bit more relaxed, knowing that as long as I am sensible 80% of the time and keep my running up, then the weight will tickle down and hopefully things should be OK.

Of course I do chat this thru with medics at appointments in case they think I need to be stricter.

As for letters of complaint, then I say crack on. To discuss matters when collecting repeats should be low on the list of priorities as they can check how often things are being used by the ordering and they absolutely MUST not have the chat in the general retail area. All pharmacies have to have a consultation room, so insist on talking in there and only if you have time and inclination to.

Steffi, in terms of how to write one, from being on the end of complaints from time to time, I would recommend exceptional politeness, willingness to have the situation explained to you, but a very firm account of the treatment you got. It probably is an education thing needed, but they need to know, as does your Dr's practice and keep a copy as if no response then the PCt (or whoever it is this week) and Lloyds Head Office should also be advised.

Good luck

Malc
 
spoke to GP today re testing again ...and told him what had happened to you steff ..he didnt look impressed ...he also stated that T1 s have no restrictions on no of strips in his practice as T2 on meds that can cause hypos ...he said if i needed a meter ( i recently lost mine) in future ask the DSN as she has loads given to her for free
 
Hi Steff,

hope things are a little calmer now! Just can't understand this persons attitude toward you. It really has nothing to do with the Chemist how many test strips you are using, that is between you and your doctor.

How is the letter writing going? I really do hope that you get a reply at the very least and an apology, take care,

lv Shirl x
 
Thanks Malc for replying has helped alot

am ty for mentioning it x

Shirl i think ive managed it just got to make sure i got the nounce to post it off.
 
shirl said:
How is the letter writing going? I really do hope that you get a reply at the very least and an apology, take care,

lv Shirl x
Click to expand...

The three rules of Assertiveness ....

1. State clearly what the problem is
2. Say how it makes you feel (without showing your feelings)
3. Say what you want done about the issue.
 
mcdonagh47 said:
The three rules of Assertiveness ....

1. State clearly what the problem is
2. Say how it makes you feel (without showing your feelings)
3. Say what you want done about the issue.
Click to expand...

think ive managed 2 out of the 3 on that basis then
 
With the help of my ex secretery MIL the letter is sorted and ready to drop off tomorrow.

Thanks for all the letter writing tips and sites they helped immensly
 
Steff said:
With the help of my ex secretery MIL the letter is sorted and ready to drop off tomorrow.

Thanks for all the letter writing tips and sites they helped immensly
Click to expand...

Well done Steff 🙂 I went for my prescription today and had no trouble at all I'm pleased to report 🙂
 
Northerner said:
Well done Steff 🙂 I went for my prescription today and had no trouble at all I'm pleased to report 🙂
Click to expand...

Everytime i go back i give the person dirty looks lol
Glad to hear your visit was stress free x
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top