I WAS out with my husband during Deepavali when he felt an asthma attack coming and, to our horror, discovered that his inhaler had run out.

We headed for the nearest pharmacy (Guardian at Jurong West) to buy an inhaler as there were no clinics nearby. To our dismay, the phamacist was not on duty. We tried the next pharmacy (Unity) with the same result.

The sales assistants at both outlets dutifully explained that they were not allowed to dispense medicine that needed a prescription. This despite seeing that my husband was turning pale from the asthma attack.

Why is there such rigidity? Wouldn't an asthma attack warrant special consideration as inhalers provide instant relief? How about getting the purchaser to fill up a form to take full responsibility? Aren't pharmacies supposed to complement clinics and to provide convenience? So why aren't phamacists at most outlets on duty on a public holiday, when most clinics are closed?

If a pharmacist were present, would he sell the inhaler to someone suffering an asthma attack but did not have his prescription with him?

I had to take over the driving and head home immediately.

I would like to remind all who suffer from asthma to keep their prescriptions with them, just in case.

Doris Chng Kim Leng (Mdm)