'I was threatened with a screwdriver for doing my job'
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A pharmacist has described the moment a patient threatened him with a screwdriver because he wouldn't provide the medication they wanted, as a poll suggests staff are facing "escalating abuse" from patients.
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Pharmacist describes being threatened with screwdriver as staff face 'escalating abuse' A survey has found reports of racism, verbal attacks and violence, with claims the problem is getting worse. Thursday 26 March 2026 01:11, UK Why you can trust Sky News A pharmacist has described the moment a patient threatened him with a screwdriver because he wouldn't provide the medication they wanted, as a poll suggests staff are facing "escalating abuse" from patients. The survey found reports of racism, verbal attacks and violence. Around one in five pharmacy owners said verbal abuse was a daily occurrence, according to Community Pharmacy England. Dervish Girol, owner of Healthy You Pharmacy in Saltdean, said he had experienced a patient brandishing a screwdriver and staff being spat on. Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free 'The abuse is escalating' Mr Girol, an independent contractor who sits at Community Pharmacy England, told Sky News: "A few years ago, I had a patient that pulled out a screwdriver on me and wanted to assault me because I wouldn't give him the medication he wanted on the day." The medication, Mr Girol pointed out, required a prescription - meaning he couldn't let the patient have it. "And also, recently in my pharmacy, we have had my staff being spat on because a patient couldn't get what they wanted," he added. "It was nothing to do with us. It wasn't to do our service levels. They wanted to obtain some medication for their liking, which requires a prescription." He added: "The abuse towards community pharmacy teams is widespread and is actually escalating. "Some pharmacies are experiencing incidents daily, and the feeling on the ground is the pharmacy staff are not receiving the same system and support as other NHS services when serious threats or violence occur." Read more from Sky News: Resident doctors in England to strike Woman denies attempted murder of Rihanna Community Pharmacy England is calling for stronger prote...
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