Being the frontline of UK healthcare brings a lot of pressure to community pharmacy and its workforce, not least working with the public. But a lengthy discussion on Reddit has revealed some “insane stories” from those working in the sector. 

Victor Meldrew 

One user said a colleague had “lost his sh*t” when dealing with “an impatient, moaning old man”. 

Read more: ‘Weird and wonderful tales’ of Pharmacy First

He added he was a “proper Victor Meldrew”, referring to the fictional character from the BBC One sitcom One Foot in the Grave who was perpetually grumpy. 

When he brought out the blister packs the bloke said ‘about bloody time’ or something similar. 

So in fury, he volleyed the blister pack through the air across the pharmacy, called him an old ****, and promptly left.” 

Safety risk 

Pharmacies check medicines to check they are dispensing to patients safely. 

But one staff member revealed a different type of safety risk that presented in the pharmacy. 

The ceiling fell on my patients. They were doing work on the flats above the pharmacy. I had two patients in the consult room with the pharmacist getting some vaccines. I was working in the dispensary alone at the time.  

All I heard was a massive crash, I look to my left and I see a huge dust cloud coming through the hallway. I ran through and saw my patient protecting his kid with his body close to the door, I get them out of the pharmacy, then back in for my pharmacist.  

She was standing shell shocked right at the back of the room, I had to climb over a rubble pile, through a mist of dust, trying my best not to breathe, grabbed her, and gave her a massive hug as she cried. 

Luckily everyone was okay, but part of the ceiling did hit my patient on his leg, the child was unhurt but shaken. I was blowing dust out my nose for days. The patients were very kind, understanding, and didn't cause us any issues."

Diagnosis 

A frequent theme to some social media users was patients interacting with patients explaining or showing their symptoms to pharmacy staff. 

One said:

I was forced to look at a picture of a grown man's sh*t riddled, and I mean riddled, with threadworm, all because he didn't think I could diagnose from symptoms. I still can't get the image out of my head years later.” 

Another said:

My colleague asked a patient if their haemorrhoids were bleeding, so the patient stuck their hand in their pants to check.” 

 And one added:

Old man comes in complaining about constipation, we give him meds. He returns after a while with a black bag, the pharmacy was busy at the time and he tries to hand it over to my colleague.  

The poor guy had scooped his poop and wanted to show the pharmacist because it looked funny. I told another pharmacist this story and she had a similar instance, but it was number one and the liquid had tipped over and split all over the pharmacy carpet floor.” 

Suppositories 

Patients can often have trouble taking their medication, but one social media user recalled one angry customer complaining about some suppositories he’d purchased. 

Had a guy storm into the pharmacy once, clearly not happy. He slams a packet on the counter and says, 'these constipation tablets are useless and impossible to swallow'.  

I take a look, they're suppositories. He'd been swallowing them whole for 3 days. After explaining where they're actually meant to go, he turned red and bolted out the door like he'd just remembered an urgent appointment with his dignity. Honestly you can't make this stuff up.” 

Complaints 

One user said they had received a lengthy complaint about the pharmacy which evolved into much more. 

Once received a complaint from a patient. Page 1 was related to the pharmacy, the other 23 pages were directed at the Illuminati, Free Masons, Lizard People, The Royal Family and paedophiles.” 

Morning-after pill 

Back in March, the government announced the morning-after pill will be available free of charge at pharmacies in England. 

One social media user shared a story of a mother urgently trying to purchase the medication for her daughter. 

Used to work a hatch shift on a Sunday night - only pharmacy open for miles. Had a mother drag her teenage daughter and boyfriend down as she’s caught them shagging and was demanding the morning after pill. 

The queue of people behind them was about 10 people, [they] all heard as I couldn’t bring the poor kids inside as was alone working. They were mortified. Did try telling mum that it could wait till tomorrow, but she was having none of it.”