[Misc] Repeat prescriptions

[Paulie Gualtieri]

The problem is that if too many people use them, you can lose your local pharmacy. My pharmacy is right opposite the surgery, so handy if the doctor has prescribed something new, but also has a little room where you can drop in to ask for advice, which is invaluable if you don’t need to see a doctor.

Issue I have unfortunately is that the three local pharmacies to me have an absolute appalling rate of having the required stock in when I visit. One even closes at lunchtime which you’d think would be peak footfall

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Issue I have unfortunately is that the three local pharmacies to me have an absolute appalling rate of having the required stock in when I visit. One even closes at lunchtime which you’d think would be peak footfall

Understandable. We have a Boots but that closes at lunchtime.

 

[Eeyore]

Saves me about £40 a month.

The NHS don’t seem to promote or advertise this facility. I found out about it in a newspaper article.

I think I my have found out on NSC ! I promote it us much as I can.

 

[Eeyore]

The problem is that if too many people use them, you can lose your local pharmacy. My pharmacy is right opposite the surgery, so handy if the doctor has prescribed something new, but also has a little room where you can drop in to ask for advice, which is invaluable if you don’t need to see a doctor.

Yeah, my chemist (I just can't call them pharmacies ) is next door to the surgery. O'Flinns (still using the (RIP) owner's name after all these years). I've had the same doctors for almost all these years since 1971. I found out last year that the chemist was next to the surgery on Southover Street and moved when they did in the late 60s/early 70s. They have a little room too. Really good.

As you can tell, I don't like change.

 

[Nigella's Cream Pie]

I made a repeat request today using the NHS app, like I do every month.
However, I noticed 12-month review date is next week.
Does this mean I won't get the medication unless I see my GP?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Yes in buckets.

But it can be easier!

I’m on 13 different prescriptions believe it or not and up until 2 years ago it was a nightmare - I frequently got prescribed wrong medication, had missing meds in my deliveries, had 5 separate deliveries a month instead of all together monthly because they were all out of sync and meds falling out of my cupboards because they kept over prescribing on some.

Finally after monthly phone calls for 2 years, 2 face to faces with the Prescriptions Team to sort it all out, (the 3rd party that manages prescriptions and sends requests to pharmacy), I finally had enough.

I went to the surgery to complain that my meds were constantly wrong and asked them why they seemed incapable of getting it correct after me trying for several years to get it sorted and them saying each time they would. Was sent a letter the next day removing me from the Practice list on the grounds that ‘there was an unreconcilable breakdown in relationship and they didn’t feel I believed the practice could look after my care‘. I was royally pissed off because I was in the middle of cancer treatment and various other things and had absolutely no issues with my GP or receptionists - it was the pharmacy team that were the issue..

Enrolled with another surgery and found another brilliant GP. The Practice uses the NHS App so no more phoning monthly for meds, wrong prescriptions nor failed deliveries. The GP/new Prescription team reviewed all my meds - and synched every one of them.

Sometimes though it can take up to a week to get meds so I have to order them in plenty of time. It is so easy though.

The only med now that isn’t on repeat is one I that have to have monthly Liver and Kidney tests a week before it’s prescribed for the next month so getting blood results and ordering meds a few days after that in time for my monthly prescription can be a bit stressful. But they do deliver it at short notice if necessary.

I would ask about a telephone call with the Prescription team at your surgery H to get some help and also see if they use the NHS App that you can order your meds on.

Just as a heads up:

Phoning 111 if you run out of meds because your prescription is late - a 111 doctor can send a prescription straight to a chemist which you can pick up same day/immediately. It will only be an emergency supply for 2-3 days but enough to tied you over until you get your regular prescription.

Thanks for that. I remember your mentioning getting bounced by your GP practice (probably a PM),
when you were in understandable high dudgeon about it.
I am going to do the APP thing. Mrs T says I already put it on the phone.
Will just have to take the time to learn to use it.
I am a Modern Man after all. Not some crusty Luddite

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Yes, the NHS online pages and Patient Access are my goto. I order repeats from there and when I turn up at the chemist they are there a couple of days later. The chemist is nominated by you in the app/Patient Access site.

I'm a walking chemist at the moment. Statins, blood pressure meds and now one for a thyroid that has gone on strike.

I had an interesting experience yesterday. The doctor put me on a thyroid med and told me that I no longer have to pay for prescriptions for ANYTHING because I am on this tablet. I'm confused as to how this happens. He was even more confused when I told him that I wanted to pay and not get them free. This is because I have the £11 a month direct debit running that covers any prescriptions. If folk who need regular prescriptions aren't on this I would really encourage them to sign up. I save so much money I felt like a cheating thief by going to free prescriptions thus I declined.

I hope all this is sorted for you. But as you are a very competent chap doing it all online from your own PC will be a breeze. When I was once stuck and in urgent need in Suffolk I manged to change the chemist and get a repeat sent there. So much easier.

OK, I am suitably buoyed by you and other lovely people..... no excuses anymore....

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Yes, the NHS online pages and Patient Access are my goto. I order repeats from there and when I turn up at the chemist they are there a couple of days later. The chemist is nominated by you in the app/Patient Access site.

I'm a walking chemist at the moment. Statins, blood pressure meds and now one for a thyroid that has gone on strike.

I had an interesting experience yesterday. The doctor put me on a thyroid med and told me that I no longer have to pay for prescriptions for ANYTHING because I am on this tablet. I'm confused as to how this happens. He was even more confused when I told him that I wanted to pay and not get them free. This is because I have the £11 a month direct debit running that covers any prescriptions. If folk who need regular prescriptions aren't on this I would really encourage them to sign up. I save so much money I felt like a cheating thief by going to free prescriptions thus I declined.

I hope all this is sorted for you. But as you are a very competent chap doing it all online from your own PC will be a breeze. When I was once stuck and in urgent need in Suffolk I manged to change the chemist and get a repeat sent there. So much easier.

Thyroid disease is covered by free prescriptions because it is classed as a chronic disease. I dipped out because I was already 60 when I started taking thyroxine.

 

[Cotton Socks]

I go one further and use Pharmacy2U, an online supplier who deliver via Royal Mail 48 hour.

No more time wasted hanging pharmacies forced to listen to in depth life stories greater than those seen at an Albion fans forum

I tried that but they continuously sent me the wrong 'brand' & I have to one (very annoying as I don't like to line the pockets of 'Big' pharma if I can help it). What sealed the deal for me to stop using them was when I needed antibiotics on a Fri. I'd done a phone consult with my GP, but didn't think to ask them to change the pharmacist. Once the prescription has been sent, it's very difficult to change & involved lots of arguing that I could be dead by Tues (slight exaggeration) when the earliest delivery could be. So I went back to the traditional method of a local pharmacy.

 

[Eeyore]

I tried that but they continuously sent me the wrong 'brand' & I have to one (very annoying as I don't like to line the pockets of 'Big' pharma if I can help it). What sealed the deal for me to stop using them was when I needed antibiotics on a Fri. I'd done a phone consult with my GP, but didn't think to ask them to change the pharmacist. Once the prescription has been sent, it's very difficult to change & involved lots of arguing that I could be dead by Tues (slight exaggeration) when the earliest delivery could be. So I went back to the traditional method of a local pharmacy.

Can't beat the local chemist. I'd always use them where it's possible.

I still don't know why we call the pharmacies now though.

 

[Cotton Socks]

Can't beat the local chemist. I'd always use them where it's possible.

I still don't know why we call the pharmacies now though.

Maybe it's an American thing?
I have just realised that in real life I never use the word pharmacy or pharmacist's just 'the chemists' as a catch all term for the place & dispenser. Are the local chemists actually 'local' though? Kamsons seem to have bought most of the ones in Brighton. Western's & Ashton's who used to be the only 24/7/365 chemists are owned by a big company.
It reminds me of the vet surgeries that pretend they're independent but are actually owned by a massive company. That's my random tangent for the day!