I had the misfortune of encountering a pharmacist named Angel on 8th March, 2012 at about 5:00 PM. I had a dry, persistent cough. My doctor had recommended a specific product when I had had the same cough previously. I asked a shop assistant for this, who relayed the message to Angel. While I was waiting to speak with Angel, the shop assistant provided me with the prices for both sized bottles of this cough mixture. I requested the larger one. She conferred with Angel who said I could purchase the smaller bottle.
Angel came to the counter and I asked If I could purchase the larger 200ml bottle as it worked out proportionally, cheaper than the 100ml bottle.
After answering many questions relating to the cough, other products tried, dosage and frequency of dosage, Angel decided that she would not be prepared to sell me either size bottle of the requested product as she had decided " it wasn't warranted in my case. "
She told me I would now need a prescription for her to sell me either size bottle.
I asked to speak with the pharmacist in charge/ owner. At first I received a definite NO.
I asked for that person's name and phone number.
This request was refused at first, then it was explained that the owner was currently overseas. A business card was given to me with the person's details on.
At this point, another shop assistant or pharmacist (she didn't identify herself and no ID visible) came over to me and tried to convince me that Angel had acted correctly.
She had overheard different parts of the exchange and didn't have all the facts to justify her intervention. I suggested this to her and she smiled and walked away.
Then an older lady came over, identifying herself as the owner's mother.
She knew even less about the relevant details, which I politely explained.
At this point I had been talking with four different employees of this pharmacy for about 15-20 min's and it was becoming a total farce.
I explained I would be writing a letter of complaint to the person identified as the owner/pharmacist in charge and I was far from happy.
The staggering thing about this incident was Angels behaviour. After she had decided she wasn't prepared to sell the product to me, she walked away and left it up to the other staff to attempt to explain her decision. No apologies or attempts to suggest an alternative product or to adequately explain her sudden change of mind.
That is the key point here. The completely unprofessional way in which I, the customer was treated.
I would suggest that anyone contemplating going into this pharmacy, go a few stores further to the Chemist Warehouse pharmacy.
This is what I did and requesting the cough medicine exactly as I did in the Charman Road Pharmacy, I walked out 5 minutes later after purchasing the 200ml bottle for $14.00...as opposed to $20 (approx) price at the original pharmacy. read more
