Pharmacy Upselling

[lloydslights]

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

[katymatey*]

---

@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.

[cherry*135]

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...

[nevillesdaughter]

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.

[siggie-reported-by-alarmists]

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.