Question time at the pharmacy

UNDER a new pilot scheme involving community chemists, pharmacy customers seeking hangover cures or the morning-after pill are to be questioned about their drinking habits and offered help with alcohol problems.

The scheme no doubt means well and is intended to provide a form of "early intervention" in identifying alcohol problems. But, for many, it will present the spectre of a presumptuous and humiliating interrogation. Many women might find it degrading to be asked about their drinking habits when requesting a morning-after pill. What right has the pharmacist to make a connection between a reasonable request for contraception and drinking habits?

And what of the routine request for a humble aspirin when feeling feverish or with the symptoms of a cold? "Been at the bottle again, is it?" would seem to be the new reaction. "Enjoyed the amber fluid, did we? You'll need to fill in this questionnaire – if you're up to it." And why should pharmacists stop at hangover cures or morning-after pills? Similar intrusion could well be made on requests for sticking plaster, or even mouth freshener. "That'll be to hide the booze fumes, then? No mint chewing gum till you've filled up this form."

Pharmacists will need to be on their guard that the public may respond to such intrusion with some robust suggestions on the questionnaire.