Chemist reluctant to sell generic non-prescription medication

rachelles

I regularly use two medicines which were initially prescribed but the GP advised me that I could buy them over the counter without prescription. One is an allergy medicine called certirizine and the other is 1% hydrocortisone cream. If I buy the non branded versions of these medicines from the pharmacy they cost a couple of pounds, but if I buy the branded versions the allergy tablets cost six times the price and the hydrocortisone at least double. Some pharmacies will sell me the cheaper versions that they use for prescriptions but others, such as boots and sainsburys refuse saying that they are prescription only. I know that they are not and as they are willing to sell me the branded versions it appears that they are just not willing to sell the cheaper versions. Are they allowed to do this?

Stompa

Just buy online, for example:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cetirizine-hayfever-tablets-zirtek-equivalent-6-x-30-tablets-0-84-delivery-2-85-1176747

jenniewb

Agree, change where you shop. I find Local pharmacies are better at finding the best option for you. You could also try mentioning this to the head office of the Boots/Sainsburys/wherever and seeing what they say, and also mentioning it to your GP who may be able to get a bulk order in so your not oaying over the odds per prescription.

Sagz_2

I stock-up on certerizine when it's on special offer online, from memory, the last lot I bought (12 months worth) was under a fiver including postage!

rosie383

I agree with above posters. Change where you shop as you can easily find what you need over the counter in generic brands. As they are things which you can plan for long-term, definitely look online and save a packet.

arbroath_lass

Don't know about the cream but you can buy own brand cetirizine off the shelf in Sainsburys (as well as other supermarkets, lol). No need even for an instore pharmacy http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1332702634374

Blackpool_Saver

I am a year round cetirizine user too, I find the bargain shops the best place, especially after summer, as most people just take them for seasonal allergy whereas for me it's dust/fragrance you name it.. 1% steroid cream in a way I can understand their reluctance, but again it's cheap online.....

Caroline73_2

Remember when you shop for OTC medications you are usually dealing with an untrained person, not the pharmacist.

I always speak to the pharmacist in this situation. Ask them to check the BNF (british national formulary) which is basically a full guide to medications.

barbiedoll

I've just bought 14 certirzine tablets for around 97p in Wilkinsons, that's two months supply for less than a fiver.

1% hydrocortisone cream is indeed available off-prescription and you will be able to buy a generic cream at any independent pharmacy. I used to work for the Co-op pharmacy group and we used to sell it for around £1.30 a tube. (That was around 6 years ago though, it may be dearer now!)

If you want to complain about the Boots pharmacist then there is guidance here.....

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/pharmacists/Pages/pharmacistsandchemists.aspx

It may have been the pharmacy assistants who gave you the incorrect information though, if they do again, always ask to speak to the actual pharmacist, they are usually willing to sell generic brands if you ask for them. Don't be fobbed off, if you know what medication you want, tell them that you want to speak to someone qualified to sell it!

floss2

Home Bargains sell cetirizine, for about 95p; not sure about the cream though.

anguk

I get my cetirizine from Tesco or Asda, it's made by the same company just in a different box and normally costs about £1 for a two week supply. You can often get it cheaper online. I would ask the doctor not to put the cetirizine on the prescription and just buy it yourself from the supermarket or online.