Red flags: signs the pharmacy team may notice

Pharmacy staff will usually only see a brief part of someone’s situation, but short interactions can reveal practical warning signs. These may concern appearance, injuries, behaviour, communication, living conditions, or how another person behaves around the patient.

No single sign proves exploitation. Concern is raised when several indicators suggest fear, control, neglect, overwork, isolation or restricted freedom.

Examples of red flags in pharmacy settings

• Fearful or hesitant behaviour: the person seems anxious, avoids eye contact, or is reluctant to speak openly.
• Another person taking over: a companion answers questions, interrupts, insists on staying close, or tries to rush the interaction.
• Untreated injuries or poor health: burns, bruises, pain, swelling, exhaustion, weight loss, or poor hygiene may raise concern.
• Restricted independence: the person may not know their own address, may say they are never alone, or may lack control over money, documents, or a phone.
• Repeated patterns: the same person may present more than once with different companions, ongoing injuries, or persistent anxiety.

Think in patterns, not certainties

Staff do not need to decide whether exploitation is definitely occurring. Recognise when something may be wrong and respond safely. A pattern of concern matters even if no one has disclosed abuse and no single sign is conclusive.

Scenario

Noticing these warning signs early helps the pharmacy team respond safely and escalate concerns when needed.