Your most embarrassing pharmacy moment..

[fairyofsong]

Hey guys--what's your most embarrassing pharmacy moment?

One day, I was working with the pharmacist, and two other techs. One of the techs was in her 40's. A woman, probably in her late 20's to early 30's, brought in a prescription to be filled. The tech, was looking it up on the computer and she said, "Oh, is it something for your grandfather?" The customer simply replied, "No, it's for my HUSBAND" I couldn't BELIEVE she didn't even say FATHER, she went straight to GRANDFATHER!!! Thought I was going to DIE!!

Oh and I have another one--one slow day in the pharmacy it was all girls, including the pharmacist. We were all talking about something and the pharmacist, who had just recently remarried (she's about 50) was turned to us describing a piece of lingerie she had received from a shower. She described how it had mesh places where your breasts are supposed to fit and hers, since she was a little older, fell somewhat below the designated places. ABOUT THIS TIME, a nice looking, well dressed, middle aged man appeared out of nowhere and said, "I couldn't have been THAT bad." The pharmacist nearly DIED!! She ducked down behind the counter and wouln't come out. Turns out, the man was not even from our town, just passing through wondering where he should get something to eat. So the pharmacist knew she would never see him again, which eased the situation a bit. How embarassing! But that's not the worst of it--

He CAME BACK BY the next day and said, "Just wondering how things were doing." !!!!!!!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[rxgal8]

Here's one:

At my previous intern job, there was this tech who wouldn't stop talking. Like, she would go off on anything with the patients. So, one day this guy in his 50s comes up to the counter (and she was helping out at the cashier/pick-up area), he had a prescription to pick up. So she gets it for him and while she's ringing it up, she starts going off on how he must have reallllly good insurance because NO insurance pays for that prescription. And how he should be lucky and blah blah..she wouldn't stop (plus she was being loud too). The guy just kept nodding and seemed kind of uncomfortable. Then, the pharmacist looked at me (we were filling prescriptions) and whispered, "poor guy, he's picking up his viagra." I'm not sure if he ever came back for refills. Oh also when she had it all bagged and ready, she ended her convo with "have a good night" (it was about 8pm so she says that to every patient, but whyyyy couldnt she shut up this time). Well, it was more embarassing for the patient I think, I felt bad for him.

 

[Caverject]

It was busy where I was working at one day and a close friend who was the lead tech was pretty gullible. I left a "prescription" for Haywood Jablomi by the phone and asked her to page the patient back to the pharmacy. She got super mad because there was no reason why I couldn't do it at me and got on the intercom and yelled "Heywood Jablomi to the pharmacy please, Heywood Jablomi....click" When she realized what she did, we were all crying from laughing so hard. She turned as red as a tomato.

 

[28657]

I had a patient call up once, and her name was "Mary" *****. Pronouced - COONTS. So when I got off the phone with the patient I yell to my pharmacist and techs, "That patient tried to tell me her name is Coonts, but it's really *****!" (Weekends are really slow and we sometimes can get a little rowdy.) Unbeknownst to me, there was a little old lady standing behind a counter where I couldn't see her. I hope to God that she was hearing impaired.....or at the very least, I hope she didn't understand what I meant!

Also, on one of my internships I left my pharmacist/friend, a note saying he needed to call "Jack Mehoffer" (it's from the Howard Stern / O'Reilly show). The next day he asked me who Jack Mehoffer was and what did he want. I was like, "Dude, I am NOT clarifying who Jack Mehoffer is!"

 

[BMBiology]

Oh, this one is funny!!

A patient needed counseling. I looked at the medication and realized it was an antibiotic cream. I said with a smile "oh, this is an antibiotic medication to fight infections". I looked at the instructions on the box and said, "Okay, your doctor wants you to apply twice a day on the lips". It seemed harmless. I then turned the box to read the rest of the instructions and I realize the full instructions is "apply twice a day on the lips ....... of your vagina!!" hehe I then proceeded to tell her to wash the infected area first and make sure it is dry before she applies the medication like for any cream/ointment.

 

[laura_mideon]

Well the first one is pretty embarrassing. I don't think you guys in America have the same pharmacies as us in Canada, but two of the leading drug stores are shoppers drug mart and london drugs and one day when I was volunteering at shoppers drug mart, for absolutely no reason, I answer the phone "london drugs, how may I help you"
And it was the store manager on the phone!! That was embarassing.

The other one was just kind of funny. After we finished filling a prescription, it was late at night and me and another tech and the pharmacist were trying to figure out how to say the patients last name and we couldn't figure it out (it was a realllllllllllly hard one) and the pharmacist said she was just gonna say the first part and muffle the rest, over the speaker. And me and the other tech were laughing, then when she went to say it she said "prescription ready for Barish...ahahahahahahahahahahaaa" and she couldn't stop laughing, and the lady came and was like "you shouldn't laugh at other peoples names you know!"......we felt so bad!! At least it was the pharmacist and not one of us though!

 

[endlesslove]

I once asked "How can I help you, sir?" when the patient turned out to be a female...

She was not thrilled... "Excuse me?? What did you just say? Sir?"

Ain't my problem you are dressed like a man in big overalls and lack apparent figure (aka boobs and hips)

 

[bananaface]

My most embarassing pharmacy moment happened with an SDNer. Best not to repeat it here!

 

[fairyofsong]

The post about the male/female misconception reminded me of another one that probably has happened to a few of you. Ever "assumed" someone was pregnant and said something to that effect, when they really weren't?? Happened at my pharmacy, lol!

 

[mystiqx]

It was busy where I was working at one day and a close friend who was the lead tech was pretty gullible. I left a "prescription" for Haywood Jablomi by the phone and asked her to page the patient back to the pharmacy. She got super mad because there was no reason why I couldn't do it at me and got on the intercom and yelled "Heywood Jablomi to the pharmacy please, Heywood Jablomi....click" When she realized what she did, we were all crying from laughing so hard. She turned as red as a tomato.

 

[PharmBug]

Hi, I'm new to posting but I couldn't help but add to this thread.

I was working at a Walgreens only on weekends a few years ago and it was only my second weekend to work. I was very new to the pharmacy world. A woman came to pick up a prescription of Provera for her daughter but just as I was about to give it to her she answered her cell phone. She hesitated and then said, "Oh, She just got IT. Honey, we won't be needing the prescription." I was confused and went to the pharmacist and said "What, did she just get it in the mail?" The pharmacists laughed and said no..... She probably just got her monthly. I was totally embarrassed and from that day on I just kept my mouth shut whenever I was confused.

 

[mystiqx]

The post about the male/female misconception reminded me of another one that probably has happened to a few of you. Ever "assumed" someone was pregnant and said something to that effect, when they really weren't?? Happened at my pharmacy, lol!

yeah that happened to me, only thing it was the patient's tumor/acites that made her look 15 months preggers, i wanted to crawl in a hole.

 

[OSURxgirl]

I'm all for humor and fun, but some of the staff and things they've done described in these posts are unprofessional. Try to put yourself on the other side of the counter...would YOU want someone making fun of your name? Would YOU want to hear innappropriate sexual conversations when you come back to the pharmacy to pick up your prescriptions? Would you want to feel singled out because of the specific medication you are on? If we really want to have a more favorable view in the public eye as professionals, then we need to act that way.

 

[sarahjth]

Phones are a tricky little device especially with cell phones. Since I am from a rural area, cell phones are hard to hear from especially from it breaking up. An elderly man calls me, I assumed he was female. "Have a great day ma'am! We'll have your script done soon" It happened to be my neighbor who has a very feminine voice.. (My mom has also confused his voice for a female's). My town is also rodeo central. We have many rich Southern people come to the rodeos. A cowboy walked in the pharmacy and we began to talk. He had a prescription for some pain pills and I was getting his information:

Since he had a heavy accent and we were quite busy, he kept saying:

"HOOO - NEE BOYS" which sounds like horny boys... I snicked and asked him to spell it, it was "Harney Boise"

 

[laura_mideon]

I'm all for humor and fun, but some of the staff and things they've done described in these posts are unprofessional. Try to put yourself on the other side of the counter...would YOU want someone making fun of your name? Would YOU want to hear innappropriate sexual conversations when you come back to the pharmacy to pick up your prescriptions? Would you want to feel singled out because of the specific medication you are on? If we really want to have a more favorable view in the public eye as professionals, then we need to act that way.

Hmmmm.........that's probably why the thread is titled the most "EMBARRASSING" pharmacy moment....cuz we were EMBARRASSED that we acted that way. (Althought the name one was pretty funny cuz the lady was so mean to us when she came in)

 

[ZpackSux]

My first day in a pharmacy as an intern, the quiet female pharmacist told me to shake the bottle before I poured the medication into another bottle.

It was Rifampin syrup compounded for pediatric patients at Childrens Hospital LA. I gladly took the big bottle started shaking it...

The lid was not on very tight...and the next thing I saw was the thick gooy red syrup all over the ceiling..floor...counter top...computer...and all over the pharmacist.. She patiently helped me clean up...

Couple of years later...I was playing golf with a pharmacist...and told him about the incident. He said..."that was you?" "Yeah..my wife Sandy told me about the idiot intern who spilled rifampin all over her...I think she's still pissed about that...ruined her brand new shoes and her new jeans.

Sandy.. wherever you are..if you're reading this.. forgive me dear.

 

[xfactor1127]

My first day in a pharmacy as an intern, the quiet female pharmacist told me to shake the bottle before I poured the medication into another bottle.

It was Rifampin syrup compounded for pediatric patients at Childrens Hospital LA. I gladly took the big bottle started shaking it...

The lid was not on very tight...and the next thing I saw was the thick gooy red syrup all over the ceiling..floor...counter top...computer...and all over the pharmacist.. She patiently helped me clean up...

Couple of years later...I was playing golf with a pharmacist...and told him about the incident. He said..."that was you?" "Yeah..my wife Sandy told me about the idiot intern who spilled rifampin all over her...I think she's still pissed about that...ruined her brand new shoes and her new jeans.

Sandy.. wherever you are..if you're reading this.. forgive me dear.

ZpackSux, Who are you trying to kid dude? It's all over this topic. You're a racist, plain and clear.

Actually, one last question I like to ask racists. What makes a ma Japanese? Is it narrow eyes, "yellow" skin, and dark black hair? Or is it where he was born? If two German's move to Japan and have a child whom they raise there, is that child Japanese?

 

[fairyofsong]

I'm all for humor and fun, but some of the staff and things they've done described in these posts are unprofessional. Try to put yourself on the other side of the counter...would YOU want someone making fun of your name? Would YOU want to hear innappropriate sexual conversations when you come back to the pharmacy to pick up your prescriptions? Would you want to feel singled out because of the specific medication you are on? If we really want to have a more favorable view in the public eye as professionals, then we need to act that way.

The purpose of this thread was purely for fun and conversation. I have posted several stories that have happened and I do not see the harm in that since they are not directed towards any individual and do not have any names attached to them. I understand where it could be considered unprofessional if we (myself and fellow coworkers) were to constantly talk about such stories or talk about them in front of customers. The point of the thread was to have a little fun with life. The fact of the matter is, THESE THINGS HAPPEN! Your comments made me feel as if you believe we should neglect discussing certain topics if they may be read by anyone as being "unprofessional". These are things I have discussed, as I said, with my fellow co-workers and pharmacists. Am I the only one that has a group of co-workers who laugh over these situations (as the ones I described) after they have happened? I didn't say we "DWELLED" on them, which could certainly be unprofessional. Personally, I don't have the time to dwell on instances like these. I simply don't understand why you were offended by the subject of this thread.

 

[DrugMan]

My most embarrassing moment working in a pharmacy happened on my second day on the job when an older man was trying to reach in his back pocket to grab his wallet without any success. He tried for about a couple more minutes and turned around and asked me to dig out. I was pissed...so when I was trying to get his wallet the old man Forted on my hand as I was pulling it out .

 

[laura_mideon]

My most embarrassing moment working in a pharmacy happened on my second day on the job when an older man was trying to reach in his back pocket to grab his wallet without any success. He tried for about a couple more minutes and turned around and asked me to dig out. I was pissed...so when I was trying to get his wallet the old man Forted on my hand as I was pulling it out .

Eww!! Oh my god!

 

[npage148]

I got a few of them.
1) people always think im a woman on the phone (im a guy), i just have that voice. They always call me ma'am. I just go with it now, i never correct them. The bonus is that it saves me the trouble when they come in and there is a problem. They said a woman told it would be ready on the phone. When it was really me.

2) some old man had me get his wallet from his back, but he didnt fart on me. I didnt think anything of it, but my girlfriend is still making fun of me.

3) I took one of my first phone orders as an intern and the MD called in Elavil 25 and i spelled it alazel 25. The pharmacist finally figured otu waht it was and teased me for a good day.

4). I was unpacking a bottle of tegrtol susp and proceded to drop it and have it shatter all over a carpeted floor. It took me an hour to clean it up.

I got some more bit thats all i can think of

 

[dghrx]

My most embarrassing moment happened about a year and a half ago. I had just started working in the small town that I was going to school in. I had transferred stores when I went off the college. The store that I worked at contracted out to a mental health hospital in town. Therefore, we had a lot of customers that were troubled you might say. I had been working there about a week when this one lady came in to get her medicine refilled. I looked up at her and did not think anything about it. When she saw me, she went nuts for some reason. She then started screaming at the top of her lungs “I do not want him filling my prescription, he has long hair and that is unacceptable.” I have shoulder length hair by the way. She also then went on to say “I have a friend who just got raped by a male nurse who had lost his license in another state.” I do not know where on earth that statement came from! Well, I realized by looking at her rx that she was a schizophrenic, obviously a paranoid one. She finally left. After that, the pharmacist called the mental health clinic and told them she was not to come back in there again. However, she did come back in about a month ago. I guess she did not recognize me though, thank god. However, this time she was talking about how she was still feeling the spirits of dead people with her!

I would have to say that was my most embarrassing moment in a pharmacy. I really hope that I, nor anyone else, has to ever go through something like that again. It is really embarrassing, especially in a small town where you see the same people day in and say out.

 

[off2skl]

Oh also when she had it all bagged and ready, she ended her convo with "have a good night" (it was about 8pm so she says that to every patient, but whyyyy couldnt she shut up this time). Well, it was more embarassing for the patient I think, I felt bad for him.

Actually, that's one of mine too....except with me it was an elderly couple together (it had been a new script). It was late and I wished them a good night, just out of habit. They started giggling, looked at each other, and then said, "We hope so!"

My other is another ED med (they seem to always allow for embarrassing moments). My pharmacy manager had counseled on Cialis. The patient had used it before, but this was a new prescription. So, she asked as always, "Do you have any questions." He said no, but seemed unsure. So, she thought that maybe he did have a question, but didn't feel comfortable asking it. So she said to him, "Well, if anything comes up let me know."

I just about rolled on the floor laughing when she told me that story.

 

[msalinasrx]

I will never forget my incident. When I first started as a tech 8 yrs ago something happened to me that freaked me out. I was a brand new rookie, didnt know the game or laws at all. So, this man comes in and wants to pick up rxs for himself . I said I dont have anything for you, but I have something for your wife-he said oh ok, what is it. Dumb me, I didnt know about confidentiality issues back then. I said, ortho-tri-cylen, birth control. He had a blank look on his face. He said, shes not on birth control!!! He wanted to know what dr, when it was filled, and all this other info. Then he said wait let me call her. So he got on the phone, said hes there at the pharm picking up rxs and said, ARE YOU FRIGGIN CHEATING ON ME! ? I CANT BELIEVE YOU...and on and on. By that time my heart was pounding, i was sweating, I was like oh my gosh, i wrecked this guys marriage. My mind was racing.Then a moment of silence, he looked up at me, and said, hey im just kidding!!!! AGGHHH!!! I was so red and he was laughing so hard. I was mortified. He became a regular after that. He said I was a good sport. I will never forget him, sometimes he tells me, HEY IM STILL DIVORCED BECAUSE OF YOU! We have been joking around ever since then. You gotta laugh back there sometimes- or you will lose it.

 

[28657]

Yesterday I had a patient call up wanting to know if her prescription was ready. She said it was for Clarmytin. I said, "Hmm, I've never heard of that before. Will you spell it for me?" So she starts spelling C-l-a-i-r-m-a-r-t-i-n. Again I said I didn't know what that was so I put her on hold to ask the pharmacist. Both the pharmacist and I were thinking that she was trying to spell Clarithromycin. So I get back on the phone and ask her if she's spelling it based on the physician's handwriting or is it typed that way? And she's like, "What? It's my name!" I felt SO stupid!!!! Clair Martin, yep, should've known......

 

[laura_mideon]

Yesterday I had a patient call up wanting to know if her prescription was ready. She said it was for Clarmytin. I said, "Hmm, I've never heard of that before. Will you spell it for me?" So she starts spelling C-l-a-i-r-m-a-r-t-i-n. Again I said I didn't know what that was so I put her on hold to ask the pharmacist. Both the pharmacist and I were thinking that she was trying to spell Clarithromycin. So I get back on the phone and ask her if she's spelling it based on the physician's handwriting or is it typed that way? And she's like, "What? It's my name!" I felt SO stupid!!!! Clair Martin, yep, should've known......

That's a funny one!!! I could so see myself doing that too though, so don't feel bad!

 

[off2skl]

Yesterday I had a patient call up wanting to know if her prescription was ready. She said it was for Clarmytin. I said, "Hmm, I've never heard of that before. Will you spell it for me?" So she starts spelling C-l-a-i-r-m-a-r-t-i-n. Again I said I didn't know what that was so I put her on hold to ask the pharmacist. Both the pharmacist and I were thinking that she was trying to spell Clarithromycin. So I get back on the phone and ask her if she's spelling it based on the physician's handwriting or is it typed that way? And she's like, "What? It's my name!" I felt SO stupid!!!! Clair Martin, yep, should've known......

Funny, but at least she gave you her name (albeit not clearly). I can't tell you how many "me's" I get both on the phone and at the out window. ummm...care to elaborate just a little?????