Kaolin and morphine

[andolusia]

Hi, I'm new to the site but I have had a conversation with husband this morning about something his mother has said and I wish to get some advice. Basically his mother is in her late 70's and still active. She has been asked by an elderly neighbour whom she has known for years if she would get her some Kaolin and morphine. The neighbour lives with her elderly husband who has had a stroke and she says he can be difficult at times. The neighbour accompanies MIL to the shops on the bus, gives her the money but waits outside the pharmacy. I thought at first it was because she couldn't get out and about, but clearly she can. She tells MIL its the only pharmacy that sells it, but I thought it was an OTC medication. MIL has helped about 5 times recently but its obviously playing on her mind to mention it to us. She doesn't know why she gets it and what it is used for and had never really considered it until now but she is worried its something to do with either the neighbour or the husband. Without confrontation she'll never know. After browsing net I can see it is a medication that can be abused. How can we tackle this problem, if indeed it is a problem.

Thank you in anticipation.

[johnep]

K&M was standard treatment for diarrhoea before loperamide.Because of it's morphine content it has been abused and many chemists refuse to stock it to avoid harassment
of staff. Regular users become known and often get others to purchase on their behalf. In the worst case scenario, you could be accused of supplying a 'drug'.
You could always refer to this forum as having given you advice. It is best for the pt/wife/partner to consult their Dr.
johnep

[DavidS]

On a pragmatic level I think a little white lie might be in order. Next time, come out of the shop without it.

You might say that a pharmacist has said that you mustn't buy it any more for someone else, and has told you to insist that the patient's relative goes in and gets it themselves.

You will be believed. -- Actually, I think that's what ought to have been happening.

And, actually, I just did tell you exactly that, so it isn't a lie, really.

[bleepholder]

i would refuse to sell the K&M. For whatever reason she is using it for, it can't be working if she has bought 5 bottles of it...even if it is to control diarrhoea, warning lights would be flashing in my mind that 5 bottles worth of the stuff isn't enough to control bodily functions.....if it is legitimate you could always recommend something safer...like the loperamide...link sales (thats what community is all about yeah?)

Ask to speak to the neighbour when the customer next comes in, and see what she has to say for the large quantities of K&M being consumed....

Or you could just discontinue your line of K&M so next time you're not put in the position of selling a drug open to abuse

[andolusia]

Thank you for all your replies, I will tell MIL what has been said and suggest that she mentions the alternative medication or encourages neighbour go to GP. Failing that I'll suggest that she tells the neighbour that the pharmacist wishes to speak to the neighbour.

[bobbin]

Thank you for all your replies, I will tell MIL what has been said and suggest that she mentions the alternative medication or encourages neighbour go to GP. Failing that I'll suggest that she tells the neighbour that the pharmacist wishes to speak to the neighbour.

That sounds sensible. If the neighbour reacts angrily or seems agitated you will know that there is a problem.