CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You expect your pharmacy to protect your privacy, especially if you're taking medicine for something about which you're embarrassed.
But a former law enforcement officer said he was humiliated when his drug store called out his name and condition.
The man, who does not want to be identified, said he suffers from depression and is sensitive about it.
"You don't want your boss to find out. You don't want you friends to find out," he said.
But he got help.
He went to a doctor and then to the CVS Pharmacy in Hickory to fill the prescription.
He said the pharmacist called out his name and asked out loud if he's taken depression medication before.
"I was humiliated," the man said. "I didn't know what to say. There were people looking at me. I was like, 'I should have never (gone).' You know, you're thinking to yourself, 'Why, why the hell did I even go?'"
He assumes that others can relate -- not just people with depression, but other conditions that may be embarrassing. As a former officer, he is also worried about something besides privacy and safety.
"Maybe somebody's taking narcotics, you know, for pain or surgery and the wrong person's standing beside and hears it. They follow them out to the car and attack them and take the medicines," he said.
CVS officials said they apologized to the man and won't give details, but said "corrective action is being taken ... to ensure it does not occur again."
The man said he hopes his coming forward is a reminder to other health providers.
For more information on privacy laws, click here.