more rights for the love of god

[morerightsneeded]

Any body here agree that we pharmacists are treated like animals?

Are there any other professions where the employee is not considered in need of a mental break or a break to eat/drink? I mean are pharmacists not made from flesh and blood like other human beings? Oh hang on ....it's perhaps because we earn such a high salary that our employers think 'screw them'. Do we earn more than Gps (not even half their salary)? so why this treatment then?

Also the rules within which we operate really says a lot about our profession and how we are considered. How many times have you received a Rx missing a signature or date and been put in an awkward situation? Why can't they just give us the discretion to use our professional judgement to save the patients a great deal of hassle.

The other day I got a Rx from a patient with a missing date. I tried to call the prescriber with no luck so i sent the patient back to the prescriber to get it dated. the patient returns 2 mins later with a date on the prescription- she forged it. so i asked her and she admitted. What was i supposed to do? call the cops and accuse her of forgery for a rx for salbutamol, amoxicillin and prednisolone for her sick elderly father? I turned a blind eye and dispensed it and urged her not to do it next time.

BNF orders us to clarify formulation if such information is missing on prescription, why can't we make the decision in such cases in accordance with the patient's preference and our professional judgement?????? Can we be viewed any more useless and incompetent????

I have only qualified this year and already beginning to hate the profession because of the lack of respect we get. Gp receptionists have more discretion than we do and that is a fact.

Any body else feels the same?

[LeftArm]

Are there any other professions where the employee is not considered in need of a mental break or a break to eat/drink? I mean are pharmacists not made from flesh and blood like other human beings? Oh hang on ....it's perhaps because we earn such a high salary that our employers think 'screw them'. Do we earn more than Gps (not even half their salary)? so why this treatment then?

I think this is left over from when most pharmacies where owner managed. An owner manager will work from 5am till 10pm with no breaks (and no Holidays) because it is cheaper than employing another pharmacist.

Now pharmacists are mostly employed and should be given the same basic employment conditions as everyone else. Unfortunately there are two problems as I see it. Ineffective professional representation. There are many pharmacy bodies but they don't seem to effective in getting a fair deal for pharmacists. They are too busy regulating, inspecting, disciplining etc.
Also division within the profession caused by the need to be competitive. If you close for an hour there will be a pharmacy down the road that will take the scripts.

[dizzyb23]

Sounds like you've had a few really bad days. I was ready to walk away from everything after the week I had last week. We had no breaks, no help or support and what's even worse, no thanks from anyone for keeping a busy shop and dispensary running with no staff. It does make you wonder why we bother.
It's easy for me to say this, but don't let all this put you off. I hope things get better for you personally and maybe the new council will finally do the right things for its members and support you all in the way you really need and protect your rights as employees.

[DavidS]

Why can't they just give us the discretion to use our professional judgement to save the patients a great deal of hassle.

You DO have the discretion to make minor adjustments, provided they are in line with the prescriber's intention, and the prescription is not a CD where more consideration would be advisable.

I add dates where necessary, endorse tabs or caps when needed, dispense medication without signatures if the item is a repeat and its obvious from the PMR etc that its not a forgery.

I wouldn't do any of that if specifically forbidden by an SOP, of course.

Its quite true that GPs and their receptionists, as well as the patients, will not be bothered about the minutiae of prescription writing. There are times you will need to refer scripts and patients to the GP and you will want your intervention to be valued: use it sparingly and you will all get along fine.

[Defblade]

I add dates where necessary, endorse tabs or caps when needed, dispense medication without signatures if the item is a repeat and its obvious from the PMR etc that its not a forgery.

I wouldn't do any of that if specifically forbidden by an SOP, of course.

But you will when it's forbidden by either by the Medicines Act or NHS contract??? Or did you miss a smilie on the end there ?

[slocum]

I am seriously considering a new career now. After 5+ years as a Community Pharmacist I have already had enough. It's the way people grind you down...I don't feel like a professional anymore, the way the majority of customers treat you is disgusting. Yes there may be the odd 2 or 3 on a daily basis who are genuinely appreciative of your time and advice. But it's those nasty, impatient, agressive types who seem to be growing in number that make our jobs unbearable when we are trying our best to help them, acting in their best interests. I thought the whole point of being a Pharmacist was to help people and safeguard their wellbeing, instead of protecting yourself from being bullied into letting them have something which clearly is not suitable. But like many people, I have bills to pay, so feel trapped in a job which I hate after all the training I have been through. All of the other healthcare professionals seem to focus on giving the best service to each patient on an individual basis through appointment systems. But not Retail Pharmacists...its like a free for all because we are so visibly accessible, people think they can just interrupt us at any opportunity, because what could we possibly be doing in the dispensary that takes priority over serving them as soon as they appear at the counter, when the counter assistant is busy serving another customer? When I have a bench full of prescriptions I am actually afraid of venturing to the waste paper bin, as this makes me more visible and would start a "baby bird reaction" at the counter when they see my shadow pass by...opening their mouths in hunger.

[Pharmanaut]

Sounds like you have got the 5+ years 'blues'.
Is your work-life balance in need of adjustment?

[culchie82]

I can identify with all that has been said above. The profession isn't afforded any respect whatsoever and you're very often seen as a glorified shop-keeper (even though you may have the same A-level grades as their precious Doctors). The poster above hit the nail on the head with regard to other appointment based HCPs - the fact that community Pharmacy is a retail environment explains why customers have absolutely no patients. Even though the checking of scripts is quite rightly the main aspect of all our jobs, the incessant tutting and sighing of customers drives me bloody crackers (even though I consider myself a pretty fast checker).
From when I go in, in the morning to when I leave at night I work my bollox off with very little gratitude in return from customers or staff. I've worked in some locations where the staff simply wouldn't go out to meet customers and recieve the Rx at the desk, and as usual I'm too soft to say anything and ended up doing it most of the day. As locums we are not there to sell hairspray and make up, if this is the case then staff simply aren't doing their jobs properly! I despise the job and all the hassle that comes with it and given the choice again I wouldn't choose Pharmacy as a career, in a million years.

[morerightsneeded]

This is sad.....and that's because I agree with every point made so far. I feel the same.

With regards to what 'davids' said I think he may have misunderstood me a little. first of all dispensing Rxs missing a signature is technically illegal and if something was to go wrong be prepared to take the blame all by yourself because the prescriber can claim that he didn't not authorise it! if formulation is not stated you are technically required to call the prescriber and clarify and endorse p.c or p.n.c if unable to reach him. This is what the BNF suggests (p2 of bnf58). This is extremely demoralising to our prfession because this particular part we know better than the Doctors (ie formulations and the difference between them etc). so even though you are allowed to endorse p.n.c u are still required to make the effort. Damn hassle!

I know in practice we break the law every single day but this is what i am not happy about. I don't want to bloody break the law every single day and risk my career when im bloody trying to help the patients. We deserve better than this!!!!

[howe928]

is this a phrase? ' more rights for the love of god'

i hope your frustration is not affecting your work, if you are under stress (do not know who is friend who is foe anymore, insomnia, errors) i hope somebody spotted it and give you some advice otherwise you have to spot this yourself to prevent it from deteriorating

your views are the spoken truth of today pharmacy world in the England, however, there is still rainbow and sunshine out there : ), fingers crossed, hope good things will come at last