Pharmacy visit leaves customer ‘humiliated’

At a local drug store on Nov. 19, I was publicly humiliated to the point of tears after asking for an over-the-counter pain reliever which I have purchased on a regular basis for over 30 years.

For some time now, one’s personal purchase history of this over-the-counter product has been tracked online and shared throughout all Nova Scotia pharmacies. Before purchasing, I provided my MSI card as usual and stepped aside to wait while an assistant checked my computer record against daily recommendations on the label.

After my purchase was approved, the pharmacist could have called me to a private area. Instead, she came around the counter and, in full view and hearing of several customers who were now in line, proceeded to (however sweetly) question my usage of this and other medications, and to lecture me (however well-intentioned) on side effects, etc.

The core of the problem is not with this nor any pharmacy, but with Health Canada, which seems stalled over the issue of requiring a doctor’s prescription for this over-the-counter product. I am neither opposed to the tracking, nor to requiring a prescription. In fact, I implore Health Canada to hurry it along.

In the meantime, I would ask pharmacists to please make use of their print-outs and consultation booths rather than interrogating and lecturing their customers about very personal issues in public view. Donna Troicuk

Glace Bay