Patients worried about being overheard could be given the wrong advice at their High Street pharmacy, according to a group of Oxford GPs, writes Victoria Owen.

Although many people rely on local chemists for advice, they are often too embarrassed to share their concerns while other shoppers and staff are around.

Now the Oxford division of the British Medical Association is campaigning to change pharmacy rules, making sure customers are offered confidential information.

Dr Laurence Leaver, honorary secretary, is worried that many people are bashful about answering intimate medical questions over the counter. The Jericho Health Centre GP said: "Pharmacists are meant to ask you about medical history and a lot of the time it doesn't happen, partly because of a lack of privacy. The pharmacist is too embarrassed to ask and the customer is often too embarrassed to answer.

"Pharmacists have a strict confidential duty, but you can't say that about the staff, who are often just shop assistants." With more medicines becoming available over the counter, Dr Leaver said it is crucial for pharmacists to be able to discuss treatment with their customers.

The Oxford division is due to campaign for consultation privacy at the BMA Annual Representatives' meeting later this month.