Musings of Lil’ Laura

Posted by LilLaura as Lil Laura, True Story, Work Sucks

You can check out Lil’ Laura’s first post here.

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I am 27 years old. When patients come in the shop they ask if I am sure I am the pharmacist….(dare I even point out my name on the registration certificate?). They assume that I am “too young”, “don’t know what real life is like”…..
I’d love, just for once, to introduce my patients to my career to date; I really would.
When I was 18 I got a job as a pharmacy assistant, and went to the best school of pharmacy in the UK. I worked for the same firm for 7 years, finishing my 8th year with them as a pre-registration pharmacist. Naturally when I qualified those years of service meant nothing and I had no job at all. Locum work in Northern Ireland was scarce, so I ended up looking for work in England; landed what I thought was a sweet job with Superdrug. It was HELL ON EARTH. So, I bit the bullet, resigned and the next day got offered my job in Scotland.
My first day, I was told that a local surgery, L, owed the pharmacy a substantial amount of money-nearly £2k, accumulated over the space of a year. As the new pharmacist, I had to deal with it.
What I found out about “L” did NOT surprise me. A surgery on new premises, but full of the same manipulative bitches that usually run the local surgeries-a lick of paint does nothing for atmosphere (take note bitches!).
I arranged for installment payments over 6 months, and invoices generated….practically everything but sort out their financial budget from the NHS! (Now, they don’t teach that in Pharmacy school, so where did I learn that from? Years of working in PHARMACY?)
The next week, a very angry dr from “L” phoned, demanding to know what I wanted to speak to him about (dosage on one of his scripts was dubious, had to double check). So, I explained. He treated me as a child, like I knew absolutely fucking nothing. So I made a complaint about him. Since then, he has been nice and pleasant, phoning for my advice (creepy), and I actually met him the other day. Funny how there are people you hate and end up respecting. I think that he is the only dr up in “L” I can actually treat with ANY regard-apologies.
Anywho, this is all background of the events THIS week (you will find that due to my attitude problem and arrogance that NO week is uneventful….).
MONDAY, 17:20 ANGRY PATIENT
AP: “I went to the dr (at “L”). She says you’re a liar, she never talked to you”
Me: “I beg your pardon, but she definitely did. She told me to cancel your prescription if you didn’t come at the designated time.”
AP: “I believe the doctor. Give me my nicotine patches” (AP is 80 years old and going to give up smoking…Tell me when Elvis gets here)
Me: “I’m only following orders madam. You didn’t adhere to the program.”
AP: “I’m ONLY human…adhere? What REALITY DO YOU LIVE IN?”
AP leaves empty handed before I call the police to get her taken either a) to the loony bin or b) an old folks home. a) is preferable and more appropriate…..
The days following this event have consisted of more designed to REALLY fuck me off!
Tuesday-”L” practcice manager accuses me of doing something without doctors consent.
dr prince charming from “L” calls to let me know that I’d be receiving mail soon from
the surgery, then calls again to tell me what exactly is going on….not good
oh, and a script arrives for AP nicotine patches <laugh derisively>
Wednesday- “L” doctor who called me a liar is back, but I hear nothing. Just get a fax from the
surgery to try and get an injection which I have to go through a chain of command
for and is a REAL PAIN IN THE HOLE
Thursday- Still NO word from “L”. Pharmacy inspector phoned-knows how I have bent over
backwards to accomodate them. Quote: “YOU acted in GOOD FAITH. You OBEYED a
DIRECT order. For all you know she could have been calling from home or a mobile-
hence no record at the surgery. I am backing you 100%”. So is “The Chief” (my boss)
Friday- Only contacted “L” to let them know we have been able to acquire elusive injection.
No outpouring of joy or thank yous…..but then did I expect any?
Today- Letter arrives for me re: complaint made about dr prince charming at “L”. Say they want
to have a meeting with “The chief” and I, at “OUR” convenience….

Naturally, being of a vengeful disposition, I will write a letter of retraction of my allegation against dr prince charming, and say “that it is difficult to express oneself properly on the phone at times, leading to misunderstandings, what a good doctor he is….blah, blah….then attack….
I think I shall see when the pharmacy inspector is free….and she can join the party….I shall wear all black, like the ever intimidating DARTH VADER…..and then the pruning of the dead wood will begin….”Yippeekayae MOTHERFUCKERS!!”

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As for The Angriest Pharmacist, I have an injury to my left hand. I cannot type so well right now, so I’ll be back full steam ahead in ten days or so…

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