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Canadian pharmacy sold me some PG
submitted almost 12 years ago by onions_can_be_sweetMixologist

This may not seem like a win for some, but every time I've asked for PG at pharmacies in my area I've gotten dirty looks and probing questions, at best (mostly I was just told "No.") But I've been getting to know a guy at a local pharmacy (which gives 5 minute service on filling most prescriptions, BTW... a level of service that has almost disappeared in Canada in recent years) and the other day I told him, nobody will sell me propylene glycol... I need it to make juice for e-cigarettes. I then whipped out my Shreber to show him what I meant. He was impressed, but was oblivious about e-cigs. I explained what went into them. Anyhow, he looked up PG and said the smallest he could get was 500ml (I think he must have assumed it was too much for me). I told him I'd take a liter, he said it'll be here tomorrow.

And it was! As he gave it to me he told me he was obligated to point out the warning on the bottle, "CAUTION: May cause irritation to skin, eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract." I responded, "And yet, I could be smoking."

TLDR; got 1L of PG at my local pharmacy for $15.99. Just needed to find a friendly pharmacist willing to order it.

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3 points
 
by PejorativePenguinalmost 12 years ago

That's awesome! I can pick up a gallon of PG at Tractor Supply for about 20 bucks but it just doesn't feel right. I know it is USP grade but it also says "For animal use only". I'll have to give some pharmacies a try once I move.

Also, I never get tired of looking at your Shreber. It's so amazing.

0 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

I've finally found a TSC nearby... well, not nearby, but I drive past it sometimes. I should really go in and find out if they have it. I know they ought to ... lots of husbandry around here.

Thanks... whipping it out usually gets peoples' attention ;)

2 points
 
by telijahalmost 12 years ago

This just 0 nic PG? Is PG that difficult up in Canada to obtain or something? Genuine question, just curious.

2 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

Yes, this is 0 nic PG. I've tried and tried at various pharmacies... Wal-Mart even, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall... all have given me dirty looks before telling me "No!". I suppose they think I'm making injection crack laced with heroin and plutonium niborg, or maybe they're just being protectionist - there has been controversy in Canada, especially the Province of Ontario, about pharmacies and their justification for dispensing fees. I think this is why the level of service has gone down... 5 minute prescription service does not convince the consumer that high dispensing fees are worth the price, but if you have to wait 45 minutes or a couple of hours for your prescription you might be more convinced that it is a lot of work to put it together. So, maybe the pharmacies are just jealous of DIYers of any kind.

But from the looks they give me, probably they think I'm actually some kind of Heisenberg guy (maybe I should take it as a complement!)

2 points
 
by turkourjurbsalmost 12 years agoFrugivore

I walked into a Rexall, went up the the pharmacy counter and asked for it. No problem, showed up the next day. 500ml USP for $8.

2 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

Well, they should all provide such service. Lady at my local Rexall just told me no.

What Province are you in? I am in Ontario.

2 points
 
by turkourjurbsalmost 12 years agoFrugivore

Ontario. I did try 2 Shoppers before that, they thought I was nuts and didn't appear to know what PG was.

2 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

Lady at Shoppers nearby gave me such a dirty look... she said she wasn't sure she was allowed to sell it to me. I insisted, she took my information and promised to call me after she clarified. She never called. I wonder who she might have passed my info on to.

2 points
 
by obsidianchaoalmost 12 years ago

I don't understand why PG would be so hard to find in Canada. I've never heard of it used in any drug solution or anything... except maybe complex THC/CBD tinctures? Weird.

1 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

I think it has to do with pharmacists being protectionist about their racket. I hate to lump them all in the same category... but the issue of dispensing fees has been a hot political topic in recent years, especially in Ontario, and I think that especially the large chains (Shoppers, Rexall) have a policy to deny many services like ordering bulk or raw chemicals for consumers.

2 points
 
by joekerr37almost 12 years ago

What's wrong with dispensing fees?

three months of my drugs cost a 1.50... a 10+ dollar dispensing fee seems reasonable (that's only makes the dispensing fee 700% more than the cost of the actual drugs).

Seems reasonable to me.

1 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

I suppose Pharmacists need to eat too, eh? They should have a tip jar!

2 points
 
by Hexariualmost 12 years ago

Just tell them it is for your cigar humidor. They will probably sell it to you.

1 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

That lady at Shoppers seemed to have never heard of anyone ever asking for it, and was so immediately suspicious... I don't know what to think, she made me feel like a criminal.

Maybe I'm too sensitive. Yah, that's it...

2 points
 
by rhionaeschnaalmost 12 years ago

I just tell them I need it for soap and cosmetic making. No problems getting it ordered in at Shoppers.

1 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

I actually told them I was making flavour extracts (I am). From her look, she didn't believe me.

2 points
 
by LlamaOfLuciferalmost 12 years ago

Where can I get that Shreber

2 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

It's the only one in existence at this point in time.

Offer me money, I will make you one :)

1 points
 
by LlamaOfLuciferalmost 12 years ago

Take my wallet and make me one.

1 points
 
by onions_can_be_sweetalmost 12 years agoMixologist

Why don't we take this to PM and make a deal.

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