Nookers advise needed please.
Published 11 months ago in Local services.O.k, Here’s the story. I work near by to a chemist that dispenses methadone. No problem so far. I’m all for it, it has been a godsend to many families and drug addicts.
I believe that Chemists are paid alot of money to dispense the methadone, and so they should it’s a responsibility, it does bring, many a time, bad elements into their businesses. ( I’ve given my thoughts on this before, that I think it should be dispensed in a factory area where it doesnt bring bad elements to strip shopping)
What is concerning me is I see a person arriving daily for their “Cordial” and am flabbergasted that they come out carrying a plastic cup. Get into their car, rub it on their gums ( for quick absorbtion) Hand it to the passenger who also has a share of the liquid. And then drive off, with the a littly in the back seat…..assuming with liquid still in cup. Hope its not sitting in the fridge at home………could be a disaster if the tot got to the fridge or the plastic cup in any way.
Does anyone know if there is a controlling body, that one may ring, because I dont think this chemist is excercising his duty of care here.
Or should I just go about my work, stick my head in the sand and live by the rule, it doesn’t affect me.
14 Responses to “Nookers advise needed please.”
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I thought that it had to be taken there and then in front of the chemist.
The governing body that oversee this scheme surely must have a set of guidlines that chemists or whomever dispensing methadone must abide by. By nature of the beast requiring it, surely commonsense would say that you wouldn’t hand it out to them to take away and do with it as they wished, pretty much defeats the purpose.
Regarding concerns for a childs welfare, I believe everyone has a duty of care regarding the wellbeing of children so better to err on the side of caution and say something than not.
It’s great that you care so much
It’s a great thing to see in a society that’s sometimes so apathetic.
Try looking up the name of the chemist on google, and they might have an info or questions line you can call on their homepage. I would definitely try calling someone in charge, or even talking to the head pharmacist guy/gal at the chemist. It’s better to do something - what’s the worst that happens? Writing in to your local paper is another idea if they refuse to do anything about it.
The Pharmacist is legally responsible to ensure that the person prescribed on the methadone warrant is the one taking the dose.
If you have real concern report your fears to the Police, they should review the Pharmacist practices and review any warrants. If you see it happen again, report it again.
Trouble is because they are driving, they can be charged for driving under the influence of a drug. Catch 22.
hi winnierose, my dad had a pharmacy for many many years, I worked there from the age of about 11 on and off until he sold it a few years ago. early in his career he had one methadone client and was sometimes called back to give him his dose after closing hours and on occasion in the middle of the night. In the last 15 years he attended a specific training course and had to go through a range of steps to once again have the pharmacy certified to administer methadone and other prescription meds to help people in moving away from substances other than heroin.
throughout the process of catering for methadone clients there were many difficulties, but also much joy at sharing their lives and successes in beating their addiction and moving their lives in directions they chose. I think the administration costs of running the program are accounted for mostly by the time for interaction with the pharmacist, the actual dosing, record keeping (very strict as you would expect) and counselling. (Cordial, disposable cups & patty cake cases are pretty cheap!). Most people paid something like $25 a week, although many were a long way in arrears and some even managed to cash a number of rubber cheques which ended up costing quite a bit. Other pharmacies I believe charge $5 a day or more and do not allow any non-payment options (we were too soft!).
Unless there are special circumstances the clients are supposed to imbibe all substances in your watchful presence - and this really should happen most of the time.
There are definitely Pharmacy Inspectors but I am not sure exactly where they come from . You could call the Pharmacy Guild for advice - there is a register for all pharmacists and they need to behave in a professional manner, etc, like all professionals!!! Otherwise I would consider writing a signed or anonymous letter to the manager or dispensing pharmacist letting them know your concerns. Sometimes our methadone clients could be quite intimidating if they didn’t get what they wanted but they need to know that if the pharmacy is inspected they will be penalised as much as the pharmacy by losing their local base.
You may be interested to know that despite all the success and years of hard work building up a service the people who bought the pharmacy weighed up the profit with the trouble and decided not to continue the methadone service which I think is a real pretty but very much reflective of the Malvern clientele and local society who just don’t want to see that kind of thing! Sorry this is so long - hope it helps somewhat.
if anyone’s made it to the end of my extensive post that last “pretty” should be a “pity”
You can contact the Pharmacy Board of Victoria on 9903 9588. Any drugs dispensed to junkies MUST be administerd in the pharmacy, not taken outside.
I think it’s a sad reflection on the demise of nook that a question that six months ago would have received a least a dozen comments now gets none.
Personally, I think you should dob ‘em in. There are drink, drug and drive laws that make this illegal. What if it was an alky coming out of the bottle shop swiggin on a bottle of Jack Daniels, are they allowed to drive?
Don’t feel bad if you decide to do nothing. It’s tough to put your head above the parapet and speak out.
Thanks everyone. Phew, I’m so relieved- when there were no coments at all, I felt a tad foolish at my concern.
Thanks Gadfly for taking the time to write what you did. And Grumpy- a big thankyou. Mein, lady C and Viv, thanks for the comments. I did believe that it should be consumed over the counter under watchful eyes. And I know that there are thousands driving under the influence. Once upon a time, I believed it was all good and helpful, but over time am now more cynical and know how irrational users can be. I do believe the chemist has a duty of care.
Glad that I can ask my wise council and most of you came through for me.
Gadfly, your comment was not up when i wrote mine, my daughter is a pharmacist and used to have many methadone customers. She was very strict, but caring, with them and would not let them leave until they had finished their dose.
Post note to grumpyoldman. I decided to pick up the phone and ring the pharmacy board. They informed me that I have to put it in writing and then they will act on it. Or I could ring the police. Now I for one, think the police are busy enough without having to police something that I’m sure the pharmacy board is quite capable of, seeing they are the ruling body. As for putting it in writing. I dont think, I have the energy at the moment to pursue something that I just feel is wrong. I dont want to be vindictive, I just thought a simple phone call would have fixed it. But in this day of political correctness, that is not the case.
I think that doing as gadfly advised, and leaving an anonymous letter with the pharmacy, might help straighten this one out. It might be all that is needed.
Better still, I asked the pharmacist………..he told me they left with water in a plastic cup. When I told him they sat in the car and rubbed it on their gums…..he shrugged and looked puzzled and said he had no idea why. When I suggested it was for quicker absorption……..he told me if I see the person to run in and tell him so he will know which one it is. Pure w##k !!
I wanted to know if anything has changed, given that time has passed. The pharmacist is an intelligent man but I wondered if he took the hint and changed his methods…
It is not surprising really that people on the street become apathetic, when those responsible bodies provide little leadership.
oh everything changed Mary. The pharmacist told the guy that we had watched him and dobbed him in, and he came in and threatened us with harm. The pharmacists employer apologised after the incident and said it could have been handled better……..I’ll think twice before I voice a concern again.