Buyer, beware: There's no refund on drugs!

We pharmacists in the retail community have a challenge regarding refund or exchange of medications. Many consumers do not know that pharmacists shouldn't refund or exchange medication which consumers take back to the pharmacy. They purchase drugs in good faith, thinking if something unexpected happens, they may return drugs for cash. But it appears some medics don't know either.

I recently filled a prescription for antibiotic injections for a hospitalised patient. Days later a relative returned to the pharmacy to say that the doctor changed the prescription after three days of using the product (three ampoules of 10), so I should take back the remaining seven. I called the doctor to inquire; she 'commanded' me to take them back, since the medical team had decided to change to another product.

Pharmacies should display signs which inform clients about this before they purchase drugs.

Scenarios for refund request

Some pharmacists feel they should be compassionate and refund for drugs in these harsh economic times. Others suggest they will exchange drugs for other items, but they won't refund. Here are typical scenarios:

A client purchases expensive medication for an ailing relative; patient dies after taking few doses. The mourning client returns to the pharmacy with remaining items, asking for refund since he now has to pay for burial.

A client buys drug and upon using it, has an allergic reaction, or experiences major side effects. No point in having this drug at home. He wants his money back.

A patient fills prescription for an expensive drug. Days later he discovers that he'll be required to refill this prescription every month in order to get better. He realises he will not be able to afford it. He returns for a refund.

A client purchases medication, and after leaving the pharmacy, realises the product is cheaper elsewhere or he realises he had got numerous free samples of the same product from the doctor.

All sales are final?

To protect safety of the public, the pharmacist should not return drug products to the stock, once the products have been out of his or her possession and control. Pharmacies purchase drugs from registered manufacturers, importers and distributors, whose products are assumed to be wholesome.

The pharmacist who receives drugs from clients for refund are, in effect purchasing the drug from a customer, to redistribute to an unsuspecting customer. That pharmacist cannot be assured of the identity of the drug, its strength, quality, integrity or purity.

There are more questions than answers here since in Jamaica there is no regulation, legislation or policy which addresses the issue of return and re-distribution of drugs.

Dr Dahlia McDaniel is a pharmacist with a doctorate in public health. She is the chief executive officer of two pharmacies and a medical practice in Kingston; email:yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.