OTC Hydrocortisone prescribed by a doctor

[edhawleyj]

Hi I'm a fourth year pharmacy student. I have an Ethics case to do and I was just interested to know what a community pharmacist would do if...

A patient comes in with an Rx for 30g Hydrocortisone 1% cream bd for use on the eyelids, but the doctor has said its cheaper to buy the cream OTC. I know you cant sell it OTC for use on the face and I have checked a price for 15g which is around 3.50 (theres no pound sign on this keyboard) so they'd be saving 20p if they bought the full amount (30g). Would you refuse sale and make them pay the Rx charge or sell the cream OTC? or what else would you do?
atm I would be inclined to make them pay the Rx charge for the sake of 20p
or would it be a possibility for the doctor to prescribe it privately? would that be cheaper?

[Pharmanaut]

Hi I'm a fourth year pharmacy student. I have an Ethics case to do and I was just interested to know what a community pharmacist would do if...

A patient comes in with an Rx for 30g Hydrocortisone 1% cream bd for use on the eyelids, but the doctor has said its cheaper to buy the cream OTC. I know you cant sell it OTC for use on the face and I have checked a price for 15g which is around 3.50 (theres no pound sign on this keyboard) so they'd be saving 20p if they bought the full amount (30g). Would you refuse sale and make them pay the Rx charge or sell the cream OTC? or what else would you do?
atm I would be inclined to make them pay the Rx charge for the sake of 20p
or would it be a possibility for the doctor to prescribe it privately? would that be cheaper?

You'll get a few different opinions here.
Mine is : If you know that it is going to be used for an indication outside the product licence then you shouldn't sell it. Even with a "nudge and a wink".
Why : If anything goes wrong the no-win-no fee solicitor will be after you and it will cost more than 20p to fight your case.

Prescribing it privately would that be cheaper : Have to look at all the running around that has to be done to arrange this; 20 mins of pharmacy time to save 20p?

Just my 2cm of cream worth.

[crit care]

i wouldn't sell it to them, if they hadn't told you were it was being used then thats a different story and you may be able to get away selling it to them. But for peace of mind, make them pay the extra 20p and be done with it!

[johnep]

Another one is where GP says ;Go to the chemist and buy a tube of betnovate/eumovate to apply to your itchy anus.
What is really happening is that Dr and pt want you to break the law on their behalf and it is you who will go to prison.
johnep