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Why all the questions?Why all the questions?
You’re in a rush, and you just want to grab something from the pharmacy, but the pharmacy staff insist on asking you questions. You’re thinking, ‘It’s only XYZ, I’ve had it before, it’s perfectly safe, I don’t need your questions, just let me pay for it and get going.'
In reality all medicines have the potential to cause problems, including over-the-counter medicines you can buy at pharmacies without a prescription. Usually they are available without a prescription because they have been in use for some time and pharmacists and doctors know a lot about using them safely.
In Australia, medicines are classified into several groups. Two of these, 'Pharmacist Only Medicines’ and ‘Pharmacy Medicines’, can be sold only in pharmacies, and special regulations govern how they can be sold.
When you buy a ‘Pharmacist Only Medicine’, the pharmacist must be consulted. You may be asked questions to ensure the medicine is appropriate for you, and to make sure you know how to use it properly. You may also be given advice about your symptoms, the medicine, other treatments, and what to do if symptoms persist. When you buy a ‘Pharmacy Medicine’, the pharmacy staff must ensure the medicine is appropriate for you. This may necessitate the pharmacist or their assistant asking you questions and giving you advice.
Some of the questions you may be asked and the reasons for them are outlined below. The questions you will be asked will depend on the medicine you are buying and your symptoms. However, all are designed to determine the most appropriate treatment for you and to prevent any problems that could arise.
Questions you may be asked
| Question | Why | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the medicine for? | To find out whether the medicine is for someone, such as a baby, child or older person, who has special needs when it comes to medicines and their doses. | Paracetamol comes in many different doses and brands. The adult dose could be potentially lethal if given to a baby or child. |
| What are your symptoms? How long have you had the symptoms? | To make sure the medicine is the most appropriate one for your symptoms. To determine if you should see a doctor rather than just treating your symptoms with an over-the-counter medicine. | Long-term or frequently recurring fungal infections could be a sign of a more serious health problem such as diabetes. |
| Are you taking any other medicines? | To ensure the medicine does not interact with your other medicines. To see if the new medicine contains the same ingredients as any of your other medicines, which would result in double dosing. | Some cough and cold products can affect your blood pressure and make the tablets you are taking for blood pressure less effective. |
| Do you have any other medical conditions? | To make sure the medicine does not complicate any of your other conditions. | Pain killers can be dangerous for some people – for example, ibuprofen for older people with some types of heart problems. |
| Have you taken the medicine before? | To check that you know how to use the medicine safely and effectively, and know what side effects to expect. | |
| How often do you need to take the medicine? | To make sure you are using the medicine properly. To determine whether you should see a doctor. | People whose asthma is deteriorating may use puffers more often to control the symptoms when they should have their asthma reviewed by the doctor. |
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2005-03-01 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
