CLICKS PHARMACY MALPRACTICE: NO COMPENSATION FOR MY SUFFERING DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE??

I encountered an unfortunate situation OF UTTER MALPRACTICE at Clicks Pharmacy, in Pretoria north, WHICH HAD SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS AND WAS IGNORED BY MANAGEMENT!!!

On 6 January 2020,I presented the pharmacist with a Dr's prescription for Dianne 35 Contraceptive pills, but when they dispensed the medication, they failed to info me that the original was unavailable, then without my consent, gave me the generic version of it, being Diva 35.

I took the generic medication for 2 weeks unknowingly. So as a result of this, I experienced a very bad reaction in the form of severe, red, itchy acne on my entire face, I experienced pains and a tight chest for several days, i ALSO EXPERIENCE SEVER ABDOMINAL PAINS which let me to be on a 4 day sick leave from work!!.

I confronted clicks pharmacy and all they could do was to give me back my script. They did not entertain the fact that they gave me different medication without my consent. They refused the refund me! They refused to compensate me for the allergic reactions. They refused to cover my dermatological costs. They refused to refund me for the faulty medication they dispensed.

Their defense was that the generic medication they dispensed has the same indications and side effects as the original one, therefore, had I taken the original one, perhaps I would have experienced the same side effects.

But my argument is that I have used the original version before and it never had any side effects. My second point is that they never informed me that the original is not available and subsequently didn't obtain my permission to dispense the generic version. Isn't this malpractice????

Though the pharmacist manager was soft spoken, I was not treated with compassion and dignity as a paying customer who has rights. And though they acknowledged that they made a mistake by not getting my permission, they were not prepared to take accountability for the damage and inconvenience they caused to my livelihood.

They called my Dr and the Dr said I should stop the medication asap. He said what he had recommended originally for me was meant to improve my skin condition, not have such harsh side effects.

When I started with the medication, I didn't have acne, I just had a fine rash which I wanted to refine with this medication, but yah, the generic version just gave me the worst nightmare.

I had to ask my GP for advice and she conceded that I am having an allergic reaction, so she recommended some meds to counteract the reaction... At my cost.

This is how I have been negatively affected by this:

1. This situation has brought on a lot of stress on me. Walking around with a face full of bad acne has caused me shame and embarrassment. I don't want to walk in public like that, I don't want to go to work looking like that. Im afraid I might end up falling into depression because of this.

2.I have a tight chest, I struggled to sleep Last night. Now I'm worried about its cardiovascular side effects on me.

3. I have been experiencing sever abdominal pains, which could possibly be period pains due to this medication...mind you, I have never had period pains in my life!!!

This is the outcome I expect from my claim:

1. A refund for the wrong medicine they dispensed without my permission 2. For clicks to cover all my dermatological consultations and meds until my face is back to normal. I have already consulted a dermatologist at R399.40 from my medical aid benefits, as well as a R500 consultation levy. On the prescribed medication, I spent R315.32 from my medical aid and R179 cash. I NEED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR ALL THE COSTS I INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR MALPRACTICE. 3 I also need Compensation for the inconvenience that caused me,my time, transportation, heavy make-up that I have to use to cover up the reaction, the emotional stress, disturbances in my private life and the 4 days sick leave I had to take, being in pain.

Clicks has always been my pharmacy of choice, by this time ,they have shown me that the customer is not right, they are right and they can get away with anything because they are such a big reputable brand.

MY CLUB CARD NUMBER IS ***