Repeat Prescriptions How often?

BallandChain

I've just been to my doctors for my medication and she prescribed one pack of tablets. I collect the tablets at the dispensary at my Dr's surgery and when I asked the pharmacist why there weren't a couple of months supply (repeat prescription) she told me that to prevent wastage they only supply one month of medication at a time for everyone.

This is ludicrous as I have a 3 mile trip there as it is and I've tried to use their online repeat prescription form and it's still not up and running. The pharmacist told me that they are having problems with their soft ware to enable the repeat prescription service to be available. Does anyone else have just one months supply of tablets/medicine at a time? I'm thinking it's a money making scam as now I am going to have to visit the surgery every month and pay the £7.10 for one item each time.

I'm concerned there may be a time I won't be able to get to the Drs and I'll run out of tablets before my next prescription. They only give you 2 months supply if you are going on holiday. Is this now standard practice with all Dr surgeries?

dmg24

My GP only gives one month at a time, with the exception of the pill, where they give three. You can ask for more, but they do not have to give you any more.

A money making scam? Perhaps next time you say something so stupid you should remember just how subsidised the NHS is.

If you are concerned about running out then arrange your repeat in plenty of time. The only way that you will run out is if you are disorganised.

alfiedog_2

My surgery has only been giving out one month's supply for a few years now. It is an inconvenience for me as I have quite a trip to take the form in every month and then go back again to pick up my tablets. They advertise their online service but it never works:mad:

red_bertie

Think GPs apply different repeat amounts according to types of drugs. I take several drugs on repeat, it drives me nuts - some I get 3 months, some 2 months and three particular drugs they only give me on monthly prescription.

I have a pre-payment prescription card to cover the costs, well worth it if you know you are going to get ongoing repeats. Work out if it would pay you to get one.

Tulip

I only get one months supply of medication for myself at a time on repeat prescription only

bank_of_slate

Hi ballandchain
You need to ask your GP about this,
It may be the practice's policy to only prescribe one pack at a time.
You may be able to come to an arrangement that you can obtain two or three months supply.

Some medications require your GP to ensure that you return for regular checks before more medication can be dispensed, in these cases when a patient has a few month's supply there is a chance that they might miss their check appointment which could be a risk to their health!

If your GP feels that you can be trusted to attend for the required checks then they may be willing to prescribe more than 1 month's supply at a time, discuss it with your GP at your next appointment.
...Linda xx

amandada

I get my repeats for 8 weeks at a time

BallandChain

dmg24 wrote: »

My GP only gives one month at a time, with the exception of the pill, where they give three. You can ask for more, but they do not have to give you any more.

A money making scam? Perhaps next time you say something so stupid you should remember just how subsidised the NHS is.

If you are concerned about running out then arrange your repeat in plenty of time. The only way that you will run out is if you are disorganised.

Of course it's just a way to get more money out of you. I used to get 2 packs a month for the same price and now I'm going to be paying double. As for being disorganised, not true. I work and I live 3 miles from the surgery. You have no control if you are ill and I'm the most organised person.

Thanks to the other replies. I used to be able to get 2 packs or 3 and it looks like they've changed their system. It's so annoying especially as this is an ongoing prescription.

BallandChain

bank_of_slate wrote: »

Hi ballandchain
You need to ask your GP about this,
It may be the practice's policy to only prescribe one pack at a time.
You may be able to come to an arrangement that you can obtain two or three months supply.

Some medications require your GP to ensure that you return for regular checks before more medication can be dispensed, in these cases when a patient has a few month's supply there is a chance that they might miss their check appointment which could be a risk to their health!

If your GP feels that you can be trusted to attend for the required checks then they may be willing to prescribe more than 1 month's supply at a time, discuss it with your GP at your next appointment.
...Linda xx

Thank you for that. I will mention it the next time I'm there! I always turn up for check ups/appointments so I hope the Dr takes that into account. I mentioned the pre-payment certificate to the pharmacist but she didn't think I'd benefit if I only have one pack a month. If I have two packs a month of the same item is it just the one charge of £7.10 or do they treat it as two separate items?

bank_of_slate

BallandChain wrote: »

Of course it's just a way to get more money out of you. I used to get 2 packs a month for the same price and now I'm going to be paying double. As for being disorganised, not true. I work and I live 3 miles from the surgery. You have no control if you are ill and I'm the most organised person.

Thanks to the other replies. I used to be able to get 2 packs or 3 and it looks like they've changed their system. It's so annoying especially as this is an ongoing prescription.

Not necessarily!
Some practices may have introduced a strict prescribing policy due to abuse of the system by patients in the past!

Other practices may all be tied in by the local PCT's prescribing policy which is linked to performance, quality and patient safety issues!
How do I know this? I work for a PCT.

Best thing to do - talk to your GP about it!
...Linda xx

Sugar_Coated_Owl

BallandChain wrote: »

Thank you for that. I will mention it the next time I'm there! I always turn up for check ups/appointments so I hope the Dr takes that into account. I mentioned the pre-payment certificate to the pharmacist but she didn't think I'd benefit if I only have one pack a month. If I have two packs a month of the same item is it just the one charge of £7.10 or do they treat it as two separate items?

You pay £7.10 per item, so 1 pack would cost you the same as 2 or more.

The pharmacist is correct, you wouldn't benefit from having a PPC.

I only get a month of medication at a time but have a PPC.