ethical dilemna

Ask yourself these same questions about warm clothes, nutritious food and safe housing.  In other words: no, no and I think you're fine.  Good luck finding your medicine.

Frankly, it's none of her freaking business what medication you are on, and to do that is a blatant violation of your privacy rights (that's why they have the little "wait back here" signs at pharmacies).

You are not taking medicine out of the mouths of babes.  No moral dilemma here

That's idiotic. You are not responsible for the shortage and have a valid use due to your medical condition.

I am pretty sure that the dosages you would require for RA and the dosages used for cancer are quite different. And that dosages at the level for cancer treatment would be administered in a clinical setting such as a hospital, not at home. So you're talking two different supply chains too.

Agree with the above.

Correct response: "That's my business."

I agree with all of the above.

I am sorry you are having trouble getting this drug, and very sorry that the incident in the drugstore happened and caused you worry.

I think the woman was horrifically out of line.

Did some research: http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/Chemotherapy/31211

New supplies expected today.

"Product will be allocated to oncology clinics, hospitals, and pediatric facilities beginning Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, and will continue over the next several weeks. We hope this supply will help address near-term patient needs while other companies licensed to manufacture methotrexate increase production," according to a Bedford statement."

Other patients get first dibs because of distribution, and I hope some arrives at a local pharmacy for you soon.

ETA: Let the pros do the allocating. If it's there for you, you should not feel badly at all for taking it.

Wow... I don't think I would have found myself speechless, but what I did say would probably rhyme with:

Kiss doff, witch!

As others have said, Wow. I'm actually glad that you remained speechless--for your sake. Sometimes in these situations we later think of hurtful replies that we should have given when the offending party was clearly in the wrong--her in this case, obviously.

But then we've stooped to their level. And again, as everyone else has pointed out, this is not a moral dilemma. You have done nothing wrong and she was WAY out of line. Hopefully someday she realizes that.

This is all you need to know. You are a health care consumer, exercising your choice. Other actors in the market will decide whether that choice needs to be restricted.

By the logic of the butt-insky, you should also start buying all the meth and crack you can, to keep it out of the hands of innocent children.

Perhaps they were out of her meds, too.

I hear public scoldings are all the rage, but I wouldn't assume from her behavior that your behavior should be questioned.

AWESOME....made me laugh out loud!!!

No moral dilemma here...my dream version of a "correct response" would have been a big smile and a, "%^&* you, have a great day" as I walked past her...but I too would have responded the same way you did.  

Weren't we recently talking about crazy stranger scolding?  If this aint it, I don't know what is!   

No dilemma in my book.  As the others have said, the supply side isn't your concern.

Not sure why you would even consider hearing this crap from a stranger. My wife has RA since she was 7, we meet in 1997 and even not having the problem, I feel her pain. 

don't be speechless, just tell the person to &*%@&#^$ off 

RA SUCKS!

That lady is a knucklehead!  And undeucated on how drug allocation and distribution works.  You are in no way taking meds from a child and should put your worries to rest asap.  You are equally as entitled to that medication as anyone else and should not feel bad using it.  I'm glad you've found something that makes your RA more manageable.  Rest easy Velcro,  I'm sure the kiddos who really need it are receiving it - hospitals and cancer centers have plans for how to deal with drug shortages.

I also have the Arthur brothers visiting me (arthur and Ritis) and take Methotrexate. 

I received a call from my pharmacy to tell me they were out and looking around, and would let me know when and if they found a supply for me.

If that "lady" has spoken to me that way, I might have born the brunt of the pain from kicking her with my swollen and bent toes.

I used to be soooooo mellow and patient, but as I age......look out

It's so nice that she is taking up a cause she saw a 1 minute segment about on the nightly news.  Maybe instead of confronting all those at the pharmacy she should learn a little more about the subject and not be such a d-bag.