It is fair to say most pharmacists don’t get this sort of problem. It is also fair to say that I never had this sort of problem before, either. It all began with a phone call....

“Is that the pharmacist?” the voice enquired.

“Yes” I replied.

“I need you to make something for me…”

“Umm, what is it? I’ll see if I can help.”

“It’s a bit unusual...” I got the feeling in the pit of my stomach that you get at the top of a rollercoaster. “I need to transport some trout sperm!”

Last time I checked, I wasn’t offering a fishy IVF clinic. Nothing in the training, or the Code of Ethics that prepares you for a query like that. The local fish farmer wanted a mixture made to extend the life of his rainbow trout semen, so he could transport it more easily. I like a challenge as much as the next man, but could I really have met my match?

I got on the phone, first to the NPA, where I think I won the craziest query of the month award, then to the ever unflappable Craig and Hayward. They couldn’t help, but I did get a warning: some specials companies won’t touch veterinary products because some of them can be quite explosive! Things were getting better and better...

I finally tracked down a supplier who would be prepared to make it, but after all of that I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle. Trout 1 Mike 0.