CASE REVIEW

Patient: adult.
Symptoms: unproductive cough.
Duration: > 2 weeks.

A woman came in on behalf of her husband.

“How long the cough has been present?”

She gestured me with her head, thinking hard. I turned around and grab a bottle of Duro Tuss Dry Cough (pholcodeine), still no reply.

“Maybe a few days?”

“Two weeks..”

I wanted to sell her nothing at that point other than try to convince her that probably her husband should consult a doctor. My pharmacist did not interfere. Proceeded with the sale and persuaded her to consult a doctor if the symptom does not improve after he finishes the pholcodeine.

Things I could have done different:
a) Refuse the sale and appeared unhelpful.
b) Sold her Duro Tuss Dry Cough Forte instead. It is three times stronger.
c) Sold her a small bottle of Rikodeine. The strongest cough suppressant one may get OTC, contains dihydrocodeine tartrate and sorbitol)
d) Sold her a combination of cough suppressant and antihistamine to help her husband sleep - Benadryl range.