topic Pharmacy Upselling in Community Spirit

Pharmacy Upselling

lloydslights — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:02:37 GMT

I was newly diagnosed with a fairly common disorder these days.

I got the prescribed medications from the chemist shop.

Upon receiving the tablets, the assistant very gravely tells me that due to these medications, my body will react adversely and that I would be best to administer some ongoing supplements to lessen those effects. A small printed leaflet was included in the bag of prescribed purchases.

The impression given was so solemn; like if I didn't take these supplements I would become gravely ill maybe even die. I stress the point to everyone here, that was the impression I got.

She spoke as if she were a funeral director. Or a solicitor ensuring I had gotten my affairs in order.

So with an equally grave face, I mentioned that I'll see how I go for a week or so by adjusting my diet. And if I feel the need I would consider it. And off to the checkout I go.

The young mother in front of me is served. Prescriptions cost about $35. Supplements $55. WHAT!!!!!!

So I come home take the medications and wait for death to arrive.

Whilst "dying" I google. And what did I find. Hallelujah.

Upselling for pharmacies. Lessons from McDonalds. "Make your pharmacy profits grow." Supplement the income with supplements.

What an absolute disgrace is the manner in which a sale is pushed. With the above example of a young mother with 2 sick children; trying to do the right thing by her babies and being hoodwinked into further purchases.

DEB

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

icyfroth — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:13:39 GMT

Upsell em first onto junk food, make em sick.

Upsell em onto drugs to make em feel better.

Thar's gold in them thar hills!

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

nicnacs_4u — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:15:30 GMT

If I was you LLoyd that would be the last time I took my prescriptions to that chemist..I have never had any pharmacy assistent do this to me & I take quite alot of medications too:-(

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

lloydslights — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:23:05 GMT

I had bought some medications from another chemist previously, and they too, were pushing to sell supplements for that diagnosis.

It appears that newbie and naive customers are targetted.

DEB

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

katymatey* — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:46:50 GMT

Upselling is not the only trick used. Several years ago a very large chemist arrived in town. It was in a convenient position so I put my scripts in. I waited 45 minutes. I was also given a buzzer which rang when my meds were ready. The reason for all this I was told by someone in the know. While waiting people will wander around and pick up other things. Hair, skin care, supplements, make up, perfume etc.

Not this little black duck, I go elsewhere.

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

icyfroth — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 00:07:08 GMT

I go to that one and do that very thing, Katey lol. Wander around looking at cosmetics and other stuff. I've never had to wait 45 mins though, 15 minutes max.

Actually with my cosmetics and other pharmacy shopping, I generally wait until my prescriptions are due, because they are mostly significantly cheaper than at the supermarkets.

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

this-one-time-at-bandcamp — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:02:55 GMT

I go on to MyHealtheVet website, indicate which meds I want refills for, and in about a week, they arrive.

Bless the United States Veterans Administration.

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

purple_haize — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:16:50 GMT

I dont have that problem at the chemist I go to, they know me as I have been going there for yrs.

However, I found this odd,one day took my scripts in, left them there, then came back & a new girl served me, I told her I was there to pick up scripts. She came over with them and a pen and then said * does your dr. know you are taking these meds*?.........I looked at her in disbelief and said, *Where do you think I got the prescriptions from?*..........she didnt say anything, just looked at me vaguely........havent seen her since.

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

icyfroth — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:40:15 GMT

@purple_haize wrote:
I dont have that problem at the chemist I go to, they know me as I have been going there for yrs.

However, I found this odd,one day took my scripts in, left them there, then came back & a new girl served me, I told her I was there to pick up scripts. She came over with them and a pen and then said * does your dr. know you are taking these meds*?.........I looked at her in disbelief and said, *Where do you think I got the prescriptions from?*..........she didnt say anything, just looked at me vaguely........havent seen her since.

that's priceless!

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

lloydslights — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:46:52 GMT

Very strange thing to say wasn't it? I think the training she'd had on up-selling was too confusing for her. I think the drug industry could do without that sort of assistance.

Deb

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

katymatey* — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:54:37 GMT

@icyfroth wrote:
I go to that one and do that very thing, Katey lol. Wander around looking at cosmetics and other stuff. I've never had to wait 45 mins though, 15 minutes max.

Actually with my cosmetics and other pharmacy shopping, I generally wait until my prescriptions are due, because they are mostly significantly cheaper than at the supermarkets.

Icy, the chemist I go to doesn't seem to charge the full dispensing rate, so it is actually cheaper for me. I guess there is some leeway. Also my OH had a patch of dermatitis on his knee for years. I went in to buy some calamine and the chemist suggested I use a certain medicated cream instead. Guess what, after about a decade of itching, the dermatitis went. We had tried many over the counter creams before that, and the patch always returned. Upselling that actually worked. lol.

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

cherry*135 — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 01:57:39 GMT

2011

PHARMACISTS have been accused of putting money ahead of patients' interests after the Pharmacy Guild of Australia struck a controversial deal to promote dietary supplements with prescription medicines.

The guild, which represents 94 per cent of Australia's 5200 pharmacies, has agreed to begin recommending a range of Blackmores products to patients when they pick up prescriptions for antibiotics, blood pressure drugs, cholesterol drugs and proton pump inhibitors - used for gastro-intestinal problems.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/pharmacies-to-push-supplements-as-fries-and-coke-to-prescriptions-20110925-1krun.html#ixzz38RQeODOI

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

nevillesdaughter — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 02:19:18 GMT

Whilst I agree that the hard sell marketing approach is cynical in its somewhat predatory practices, we shouldn't forget that supplements can have very beneficial effects if used properly.

However, I will seek such advice from my doctor, not from a sales assistant who has probably done a 2-day sales course sponsored by a supplement manufacturer,

Marina.

Re: Pharmacy Upselling

siggie-reported-by-alarmists — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 04:57:04 GMT

If you eat a balanced diet, you do not need supplements.

In fact, taking them could mean you exceed your RDI and cause more harm

than good. Unless your doctor has advised taking them do to blood tests showing deficiency.... don't waste your money.