Damaged medicine refusal to replace

[hemel]

AALA 199 Thanks for your advice. We have already changed Pharmacies, and we have been to the Dept of fair trading, who although admit the laws exist cant enforce them . We did get a letter from C S L Biotherapies, as a result of complaining to environmental health, as one of the pills was chipped. The letter denied all responsability for the damage, it just couldnt happen, (as if).
As for the chemist, parts of his answer to fair Trading, virtually blamed my husband, implied that he had damaged them himself. Why on earth would he do that, he needs the pills, and had to pay to get some more. The pills were all there, one was still sitting in the blister pack open, and the chipped one was loose in the box, and the C M I sheet was missing. It had obviously been tampered with.As pensioners we should not have to go to court at our expense to make traders obey the law.

[aayla199]

Hemel

I would suggest changing pharmacies. Nothing speaks better then taking your business elsewhere.

In my pharmacy, if a customer were to contact us regarding damaged script items then we would ask for the product back and contact the manufacture. They would need to be aware of batch numbers and such just incase it is a processing issue. The fact that this pharmacy did not offer this shows how much they care for their customers.

Have you contacted the company direct? You should have a CMI sheet in the Flomaxtra box with the company details other wise I would goggle them. CSL Biotherapies is the company name and they have a 1800 number available for customer service.

With regards to your treatment in the pharmacy I would contact the pharmacist board of queensland and file a complaint against the pharmacist. Pharmacists and pharmacy staff have a duty of care to their customers and if that isn't upheld then they need to be held accountable. However, if you do go down this path you need to have everything documented regarding this incident and include all details such as dates, times of conversations and all names involved. Having never worked with anyone who has gone thru this process I could only guess that you, the customer, would have to be absolutly sure this is the path you would like to go down.

Good luck

[hemel]

Thanks computerflyer , will check it out

[computerflyer]

Check saw palmetto for the prostate (not offering medical advice here, just a suggestion for you to research it). Much cheaper herbal supplement that often works a charm. You can search the net about it.

[hemel]

The Medicine is flowmaxtra, which is a pill for prostate problems, a condition which affects thousands of men. It is vital that this pill is taken, and we have to pay $60 for 30 pills, ($2 per pill). This is hard on pensioners, and although the Government has been lobbied to put it on the PBS, this has not happened. Because the chemist refused to replace a damaged packet, we had to pay twice, in spite of the box saying not to be taken if they show signs of damage or tampering. Not Happy

[wilrc1]

Just wondering, what type of pill was it? I think its shocking we still have so many medications not covered by the PBS, especially for pensioners.

[hemel]

Further to my original post, the missing pill was located lodged in the side of the box with a chip out of it. The matter has now been referred to the dept of environmental health, who is most concerned
about a chipped pill. We cant know if these pills have been tampered with, but who would take such a chance. We think that the chemist should have replaced them instead of blowing my husband off,what if it had been an old person who couldnt afford to pay $60 again and was forced to take them. Give SULLIVAN PHARMACIES in Queensland a big miss, their policy is no refund under any circumstances, and this is illegal. This matter is going as far as we can take it, playing russian roulette with someones life is not on.

[hemel]

Good advice Thing, I'll wait untill the shop is full. This chemist is in Marsden in Queensland.

[Thing]

That sucks - just to be sure, when you get your pills from the chemist open and inspect the packet each time in front of them.
If anyone asks tell them the story and how they refuse to come to the party...

If its in front of other customers you will at least get some satisfaction

[hemel]

My Husband is an elderly pensioner who relies on some essencial pills to keep him going. These pills are not on the PBS, and cost us $60.00 each time for 30 pills. Today when he got them home, the packet was damaged , with a couple of pills missing. He went back to the chemist, who gave him a short shift, and said there was nothing they could do, they had a policy of no refunds. Having rung fair trading who didnt know, but said they would look into it, we are not holding our breath. Now we have to go out and spend another $60 to get him some more,
not an easy task on a pension. How come every thing else can be returned if faulty but not pills. We dont know if they were tampered with and under consumer advice will not risk using them It really is not good enough, but we have no power to make them replace the pills we just have to wear the cost.

Disgusting way to treat the elderly
who have no choice.