Pharmacy script. What to say

This guide is harm-reduction information. It is not medical advice. We provide it because most readers do not have access to an informed clinician.

These are real scripts the collective has used. Every pharmacist is different. Adapt to the situation. If you feel unsafe, leave. There is always another pharmacy.

Each script below is given in the form a pharmacist might encounter. Colloquial Iraqi Arabic followed by English translation and notes.

Script 1. Straightforward request, showing the photo

This is the simplest approach and works most of the time. You walk in, you show a photo of the box on your phone, you ask for it.

Customer (showing photo):

أريد من هاي. (I want this.)

Pharmacist (one of three responses):

Response A. They have it:

اكو، شكد تريد؟ (We have it, how much do you want?)

Customer: Buy what you need. Pay. Leave.

Response B. They don’t have it but can order:

ماكو، بس نطلبه من المذخر. (We don’t have it, but we can order it from the warehouse.)

Customer:

لو سمحت، اطلبه. متى يوصل؟ (Please order it. When will it arrive?)

Note the day, give them a phone number that is safe to receive calls on, return when it arrives.

Response C. They refuse outright:

هذا مشهي / مو موجود / ما نبيع. (This is restricted / not available / we don’t sell it.)

Customer: Thank them and leave. Try another pharmacy. Do not argue. Pharmacists who refuse rarely change their mind, and arguing draws unwanted attention.

Script 2. When asked why

If the pharmacist asks why you want the medication (most common with cyproterone), the prostate cancer cover story is medically plausible and has a high success rate.

Pharmacist:

شتسوي بيه؟ (What are you using it for?)

Customer:

اخوي عنده سرطان بروستات وشعره يوگع، يحتاجه علمود يتعالج لأن التيست ماله عالي كلش. (My brother has prostate cancer and his hair is falling out. He needs it for treatment because his testosterone is very high.)

Why this works: Cyproterone is a legitimate, FDA-approved treatment for prostate cancer. Hair loss combined with high testosterone is a real prostate-cancer-related symptom pattern. A pharmacist who is suspicious but not actively hostile will usually accept this and complete the sale. If they push back, you can add:

الدكتور كاتبه، بس الوصفة عند اخوي بالبيت. (The doctor prescribed it, but the prescription is at home with my brother.)

This is enough plausible deniability for most pharmacists.

Script 3. “for the household”

For Estrofem and similar medications that have legitimate uses for cis women (menopause symptoms, hormone-related conditions), you can deflect with:

Customer:

البيت يريدوه. (The household needs it.)

This is intentionally vague. It implies the medication is for someone at home. A wife, mother, aunt, sister-in-law. Without specifying. Most pharmacists will not push further. If pressed:

أمي تأخذه للأعراض. الدكتور كاتبها. (My mother takes it for her symptoms. The doctor prescribed it.)

This works well for Estrofem because menopause is a common, accepted indication.

Script 4. At a pharmacy that knows you

If you go to the same pharmacy regularly, the “for someone else” story stops being plausible. At that point you have two options:

1. Rotate pharmacies. Use a different pharmacy each visit so no one builds up a pattern.
2. Find a friendly pharmacist. Some pharmacies, especially in larger cities, are run by people who are themselves quietly supportive. Once you find one, you do not need a script. You just need to be a regular customer.

If you would like help finding a friendly pharmacist in your city, the community channel can sometimes refer you. We do not list these pharmacies publicly because publicity is what would make them stop being safe.

What NOT to say

A few things that will end a pharmacy interaction quickly:

• Do not mention transition, gender, or any LGBTQ-related word. Even at a pharmacy that might otherwise be helpful, the wrong word in the wrong moment can shift the social dynamic.
• Do not name the chemical compound by its scientific name (cyproterone acetate, estradiol hemihydrate). Use the brand name (Androcur, Estrofem) or just point at the photo.
• Do not pull out a printed paper that says “transition” or “HRT” on it. Even in English. Pharmacy staff often have basic English literacy.
• Do not bring a partner who is visibly transitioning. This dramatically increases scrutiny.

If you feel unsafe

If a pharmacist’s body language or tone shifts in a way that worries you, leave immediately. You can say:

آني راجعة بعدين، شكراً. (I’ll come back later, thanks.)

You do not owe an explanation. Walk out, walk to a different street, and try another pharmacy. The risk of staying to “smooth things over” is higher than the risk of leaving.

In the worst case. If a pharmacist threatens to call your family or the authorities. Leave the pharmacy and the area immediately. This is rare, but it has happened. Do not return to that pharmacy. If you can, tell us so we can warn others.

A closing note

These scripts work because Iraqi pharmacy practice is mostly a transactional one. Most pharmacists are not your enemy, but they are also not your friend. They are people doing a job in a society that has made queer existence dangerous, and they are calculating their own risk just like you are. The script is a tool to make the transaction simple for both of you. Use it kindly.