Has anyone else had problems getting their medication?

[askyourgran]

I ordered my prescription but I have received a note from the chemist to say that they are struggling to get some of the tablets on my prescription. I think I saw a thread recently about this. Is there a reason why our medication is becoming scarce? I am completely without my cholesterol tablets now.

[bednobs]

if they can't get it, you need to get a prescription for something different. Sometimes things happen (eg a fire at the factory) that means some drugs are unavailable

[Eve]

Yes I've had it with Questran sachets for my malabsorption. I tried pharmacists all over town until I found one who had some to keep me going in the interim, supplier problem apparently. I got an owing note to go and get the rest which weren't expected in for a few months.

[Hymie]

You could try another chemist to see if they have any stock.

But as bednobs says, you need to get an alternative prescription form your GP – the chemist cannot substitute something that they think might do just as well.

[ubasses]

yes local surgery is struggling to get one of my OH's Micardis tablets

[boxtops]

I'm not saying this is the reason in every case, but GPs' prescribing budgets are very tight - either it's a problem with the cost of what's being prescribed, and GPs are being advised to consider cheaper alternatives - or there is a problem at the manufacturers. I think the thread gran may be referring to was one in the Mediterranean, where the supplies of cholesterol medication hadn't been ordered (I'll see if I can find it).

[askyourgran]

Thanks everyone, I've got an owing note to get "the rest" but there are none at all with the rest of my pills. I'll have to ring the docs for an alternative. I don't think I can go elsewhere to see if they have any in stock because all I have is the owing note. Good job I'm not in dire need of them.

[mayennaise]

My MIL is a recently diagnosed cancer patient and she dropped off her prescription at her local chemist and I went to collect her meds 3 days later only to be told that there were 'supply' problems and they couldn't get hold of them. Told me I would have to try elsewhere for them! Three chemists later we finally found some! Good job it was me and my nibble legs and not MIL who can hardly walk, that went to get them!

[Nibble]

^ Are those my legs you're talking about?!

[mayennaise]

Could be...............but they were not so nimble by the time I had finished!!

[DrFilth]

strange why this should happen up and down the country


jenna there is a lloyds near you and you can check online

http://www.lloydsphar...P6k56oCFcRO4QodPVFj7w

[daisya]

I know this isn't today's date but wondered if this is something that could be affecting any shortage that people are finding?

http://www.guardian.c...drugs-supply-pharmacy

[mayennaise]

The breast cancer drug that is mentioned in that article is the one that I had to trail around MIL's home town to find!

[Hymie]

There really is no excuse for not getting your act together when you have a repeat prescription.

My mother is housebound and I organise her medication.
She has two weekly dosette boxes – which I replenish each weekend.
If after filling the dosette box, there is insufficient medication remaining for a complete week – I fill out a repeat prescription form for her GP and organise 4 weeks worth of medication to be collected from the chemist during the following week.

If there are any issues with my mum’s medication – there is well over a week in which to sort things out.

[jno]

AYG has her act together, it's the chemist that doesn't. They source their pills from all over the world these days, wherever's cheapest, so it might be England one month and India the next. But India's a long way and things go wrong.

[DaisyNonna]

For the past 4 months have had difficulty sourcing Asasantin Retard (dipyridamole and aspirin). Told that the problem was with the manufacturer.

[karenmac60]

After mr mac's transplant he got a prescription for his anti rejection meds which he took to the local Boots. They told him there was a manufacturing problem and they would be delayed (he can't not take them, or take an alternative). He got them short term from hospital and we checked with Boots on a daily basis - they eventually said they would contact him as soon as they got them. He took his next prescription to a small independent chemist and got them no problem. 4 years later, we've still never heard from Boots and he has never had any problem getting them from the other place. Try a different chemist AYG.

[Jemisa]

I've got a load of 'Simvastatin' gran, any good?

Jem

[DaisyNonna]

Have tried three different chemist shops. The latest was the biggest branch of Boots in the town centre. Same reply. I try to organise my repeat prescriptions 10 days before I know that I will need my tablets/capsules. THe prescription clearly states, "Do not hoard drugs." It also says, "Keep in original packaging." Boots now offer a service to package drugs in bubble packs marked, "morning, afternoon, evening, night," for each day of the week.
Any comments?

[Mamyalynne]

I always try to keep well ahead with my reordering as one of my eye drops is sometimes not available, I know you should not hoard, but as I will need them for life, I do not feel guilty.