Supply of meds problem

Ames

Hi all,

I was just wondering if there's anywhere I can go to find out about problems with the supply of one of my medications? I've been all over tonight and been told that it's really hard to get hold of at the minute, the same thing happened a few months ago. It's not a controlled drug or anything, just a fairly common anti depressant. Obviously if I'm going to have to keep missing doses because pharmacists can't get it in then I'll have to change, which I don't want to do as it's the first one I've tried which has worked without side effects.

I just want to be able to check that it's just a temporary glitch or if it's going to become a bigger problem.

Owain_Moneysaver

NHS Leeds Medicines Management Team can be contacted at 0113 203 3402. If they can't help you ask who is the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at Leeds NHS Board (I can't find that on their website).

[Deleted User]

Most major chemist can order any drug,however if theres some interuption to supply then you may have no choice than to try something else

sunnyone

Ames wrote: »

Hi all,

I was just wondering if there's anywhere I can go to find out about problems with the supply of one of my medications? I've been all over tonight and been told that it's really hard to get hold of at the minute, the same thing happened a few months ago. It's not a controlled drug or anything, just a fairly common anti depressant. Obviously if I'm going to have to keep missing doses because pharmacists can't get it in then I'll have to change, which I don't want to do as it's the first one I've tried which has worked without side effects.

I just want to be able to check that it's just a temporary glitch or if it's going to become a bigger problem.

Is there a reason why a normal regular script cant be filled by the same chemist every month?

My chamist makes sure the drugs Im on are their even before the script is ready and if there was a problem they would lend me the meds I need, AD's shouldnt ever be missed as it takes time for them to build up and work in your system, like so many other drugs.

Ames

I used to have Boots collect and fill my script, but they were terrible, I had to complain twice and probably had grounds to complain even more. I lost count of how many times they lost my script, or didn't order the repeat. The final straw was when I was going to stay with my mum for a week when she was dying and wouldn't last long so they said they'd fax it through to the branch local to her - and didn't. So the day after she died I had to drive home to pick it up.

So if a big chain like them can't get it right then I'm wary of others. I think that because I have them weekly it's too much hassle for them.

Plus, the only two that would collect is the one nearest my GP practice, which is the one who told me tonight that they're really struggling to get hold of them, or the next nearest which have quite restricted opening hours - they shut at 6pm and aren't open weekends. It can take me hours to build up to going out to collect them. So it's much easier for me to keep the scripts and get them from Tesco when I do my shopping - two birds with one stone, and it's usually quieter late evening.

Woodbine, I don't think I could just change to something for a few weeks/months then change back? I thought I'd have to taper off and stuff. So I'll have to either change permanently or put up with the problems.

Owain, thanks for that - I didn't realise that the NHS board would know anything about pharmacies supply. I'll try and find an email address as I'm scared of using the phone. If I can't manage it I'll be seeing my GP next week anyway.

cit_k

Any reason for weekly prescriptions? Can the docs not just give you a 2 monthly prescription? Mine does, keeps things much simpler.

Local chemists are better than big chains, last time I went in boots, I had to wait ages for a prescription, the local ones are always fast.

MrsManda

As Owain suggested the easiest way is to contact your local medicine management team. Otherwise, if you received a particular make of your medication you can contact the manufacturer to ask about it.

What is the medication? (I ask only because I thought I could see if I could find any information)

Ames

cit_k wrote: »

Any reason for weekly prescriptions? Can the docs not just give you a 2 monthly prescription? Mine does, keeps things much simpler.

Local chemists are better than big chains, last time I went in boots, I had to wait ages for a prescription, the local ones are always fast.

It's because I have a history of overdoses, they don't trust me with more than a week's worth, and I dont trust me either!

The two others are chains too - Lloyds and another I can't remember the name of, but that's the one that can't get them.

Mrs. Manda, it's escitalopram, 20mg.

Thanks everyone for the help.

MrsManda

Ames wrote: »

Mrs. Manda, it's escitalopram, 20mg.

Having a look at recent news articles it seems that the company who makes it has been fighting some patent issues which were resolved in September. Not sure if that is particularly relevant but they have a office based in Milton Keynes so it may be worth you emailing or calling them to ask about supply.

Their email is: united_kingdom@lundbeck.com

Tel + 44 1908 649966

http://uk.lundbeck.com/uk/products/default.asp

WhiteHorse

I had this problem with a prescription drug. The pharmacy ordered it time and time again, but it never appeared. I decided to find out what was going on, so I contacted the manufacturer who was genuinely shocked to discover that the pharmacy couldn't obtain it.

There was an investigation and it was found that the wholesalers were buying from the manufacturer and then shipping their entire stock out to the EU because they could obtain a higher price there.

DanE2010

Ames wrote: »

It's because I have a history of overdoses, they don't trust me with more than a week's worth, and I dont trust me either!

The two others are chains too - Lloyds and another I can't remember the name of, but that's the one that can't get them.

Mrs. Manda, it's escitalopram, 20mg.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Im having the exact same problem with escitalopram, I get monthly supplies and often when I go to pick it up the pharmacist says its out of stock at the moment, then I find myself having to make a tor of all the local chemists to see if they have any in stock.

I send my repeat through online on my surgeries website and then its 4 working days before it will be ready at your chosen chemist, I dont see why they cant ring in to say actually we avent got it before me going down there only for me to be told they dont have it, very frustrating!

Funnily enough ive just been put on Amitrilyne also and its was out of stock when I went to get my repeat