"They disclosed their opinion that she is a crazy psycho. And they only disclosed it to her! I don't think that's really against the law."
They are not qualified to "disclose" opinions that she's crazy. And they did it to more people than her (do you really believe the "pharmacy workers"--counter people--didn't whisper it to the other workers in the store? As for it being against the law...who knows, we'd have to review this state's laws. But it probably is. I mean, does it seem fair that anyone connected to any part of a medical enterprise should be able to in effect make your condition or treatment public without penalty?
And now all the pharmacists may leave the room: Pharmacists take pills out of big bottles and put them into little bottles. They work software (doesn't everybody do that these days?) so your new scrip doesn't conflict with your old one and rupture your eyeball. They wear white coats. They get to stand about 18-22 inches above you, on that riser behind the counter, so they can look down on you. They go to pharmacy school but so could you or I. They get paid very well. They don't COMPOUND medicines, they don't create anything. The job has its stress, and sometimes long hours, but it's usually guaranteed high-paid, well-benefitted work that most people respect.
So pharmacists should show more respect for their profession and never let this unprofessional behavior happen again. Not looking the other way, not firing someone when they should be fired...when somebody does something disrespectful or insulting to a patient who has come to you for part of his treatment... you've broken a trust none of us should ever have think about as being anything other than inviolable.
As far as just pouring pills into bottles, that is actually the pharmacy technicians job. The pharmacist verifies the medication is what was prescribed by the doctor, verifies there is no interaction (which is made easier by computers, but still requires judgment calls.) The pharmacist is also responsible for answering any questions about any medication or condition that the dr didn't answer (and there is a lot of that at times.)
As far as compounding medications, there is less and less of that all the time. However some drs will still prescribe that 'special' ointment/lotion.
I totally agree with your statement about professionalism. Unfortunately many chains have really cut resources in the pharmacy, and will put unqualified people behind the counter with little training. It's always the bottom line. I was going to be a pharmacist, but didn't like the direction it was going. Too much emphasis on getting the most number of scripts filled with the least amount of people, and way too much hassle with the insurance companies.