Pete, I also go from pharmacy to pharmacy.. I have a good story so....here goes
I went to a real busy chemist in the heart of the city. There were heaps of people there getting prescripts and seemed not enough staff to keep the customer moving through... I searched all the shelves for N+, but of course they were behind the counter so I had to stand in line - only noticing 24 packs, and I was wanting a 48...... anyway the attendant asked 'can I help you'. to which I replied 'yes thanks, a box of the N+ please (acting like I was in pain...strain in my voice hehe). she gets the box and I had to pay with eftpos... the cost was $X, and she said 'I am sorry, but u must spend at least $10 to use your card'...Then she said 'we have tissues for $1, right here at the counter, so you can purchase those too', so I said 'I don't need tissues for pain. I need medication for STRONG pain, is there something stronger or more expensive instead?', she said 'oh, so you are in pain then (duh!), hold on I will ask my boss" so I waited while she talked to him and pointed at me and came back and said ' we have a pack of 48 which are like $XX is that ok?", I said 'thanks. I appreciate that'.... then while she was happy with me I asked 'can have some Robo DX too please, I forgot to get this for my mum last night and just rembered, she was coughing all night, poor thing', 'oh. ok just make sure you don't take more than 6 N+ per day' then I swiped my card and walked out, went to another chemist next block, they had N+ 48s on shelf and Robo DX, so I picked them up too and the nice old lady at counted served me with no questions at all!!!! this shows that some pharmaciy attendants are trained to ALWAYS ask even with non-prescription drugs!
Another time at anothert pharmacy, I wanted the 48 pack and they also only had 24s. When I asked for the 48 pack, the attendant said 'oh. has your doc prescribed these for you?'(like that happens all the time! NOT) so I said 'yes, for severe back and neck pain, headaches'. She had to ask her boss where the packs of 48 were!!! and I had a funny feeling that she would come back and say 'sorry. we don't have any left in stock'.....but I was wrong. 'casue I eventually got what I was after!
I am sick of being asked questions when I look very respectable, and don't need a prescription for these drugs anyway....Maybe, if I looked Iike a real druggie then I don't blame them for asking, but really!