Originally posted by tim60 So you went to the hospital to get some strong antibiotics, . . . .
Actually, hospitals here don't generally dispense prescriptions. Sure, they all have a pharmacy, but the primary reason for its existence is to support the hospital business, for emergency room, surgical and long term care needs.
There are drugstores, several national, and regional chains, some independent stores, and some grocery stores have an in house pharmacy (Safeway, WalMart, Costco). They serve the public at large to fill prescriptions, and also supply over the counter drugs, various healthcare paraphernalia, bathroom and hygiene supplies, greeting cards, and in the case of the national chains, lots of stuff that has nothing to do with medicine, and consuming most of it will give a doctor reason to prescribe you something for the health issues it will cause.
Oh, and they also have candy bars.