Aussie is baffled over the unusual products stocked in American pharmacies

An Aussie mum-of-one was lost for words after visiting an American pharmacy for the first time.

Ali Clarke, founder of Melbourne brand Bondi Blades, shared her experience in a TikTok video – and to her surprise the CVS Pharmacy stocked far more than vitamins, drugs and medical supplies. 

The store also stocked clothing, souvenirs, travel mugs as well as ice cream and alcohol, which aren’t available in pharmacies across Australia. 

‘Today I had my first American pharmacy experience – and let me tell you, it was such an eye-opener,’ Ali said in the clip.

To her surprise the CVS Pharmacy stocked far more than vitamins, drugs and medical supplies. Ali also found it bizarre that ‘basic’ products like hair care were locked inside glass cabinets (right)

Ali said there were ‘so many cosmetic brands’ and miniature samples of products for customers to try – but one aspect she found bizarre was how ‘basic’ products like hair care were locked inside glass cabinets. 

‘You would literally have to press a button for customer service to come and help you get these products out,’ she said.   

She also noticed the huge amount of items sold in bulk or in bigger tubs.

‘There were so many big and bulky items as well that you could buy, like large, supersized products that we don’t have in Australia,’ she said.

Perhaps the most confusing aspect of all was the fact that the pharmacy sold clothes, ice cream and even alcohol in store. ‘They sell drugs and alcohol and you have to show ID. Then I waited 30 minutes in this queue at 10pm at night and got wine and tampons,’ Ali said

Perhaps the most confusing aspect of all was the fact that the pharmacy sold clothes, ice cream and even alcohol in store.

‘This was weird – they sell clothing and souvenirs in a pharmacy. I can’t deal, it’s so funny,’ Ali said.

‘It’s literally a supermarket as well, they sell ice cream and alcohol – how good is that?!

‘They sell drugs and alcohol and you have to show ID. Then I waited 30 minutes in this queue at 10pm at night and got wine and tampons.’ 

In Australia, alcohol is usually only sold at bottle shops and food is sold in supermarkets and convenient stores. 

In Australia, alcohol is usually only sold at bottle shops and food is sold in supermarkets and convenient stores 

The video has since been viewed more than 30,000 times and many other Australians seemed just as shocked.   

‘Wow it’s huge!!!’ One TikToker wrote, another added: ‘America is another world! like what’

‘Alcohol in a pharmacy oh wow lol now that’s very different,’ a third said.  

‘The eye opener for me would be how many people are out and about at CVS at 10pm,’ another wrote. 

Another Aussie shopper pointed out how some Coles and Woolworths store have started to lock up certain products in store too, such as deodorant and razor blades.