Prescriptions halved from 56 to 28 - is this right?

newgem

My Gp is very firm on the 28days, they will not budge even though they know I work away and long hours and struggle to get the medication and have had rely on emergency private prescriptions, they don’t care. I’ve been on the same medication for over 5years my conditions stable but would be have to admitted to hospital if I was left without for 24hrs so it’s essential but they won’t budge. It’s crap and must come down to money the 28 day rule is def not I’m my best interest 

Murphybear

Unfortunately this is a Government ruling.  I think there were a lot of people getting 6 months worth then sadly dying and it was a big waste as when the meds were returned to the pharmacies they had to be destroyed.   Older people tend to have a lot more meds than younger ones. 

Our GP will only give 28 days at a time.  I asked him once if I could have 6 months my my long term diabetes meds as it would save him time and the NHS money.  Sadly he said “you let me worry about that”.  

I can’t see the new Government changing it any time soon.  

DullGreyGuy

Murphybear said:

Our GP will only give 28 days at a time.  I asked him once if I could have 6 months my my long term diabetes meds as it would save him time and the NHS money.  Sadly he said “you let me worry about that”. 

Your case is slightly different as presumably you have a medical exemption certificate given you have diabetes mellitus (though diabetes insipidus also qualifies for free prescriptions). For those without medical exemption the patient pays £9.90 per medication that goes to the NHS and the pharmacy gets paid £1.49 dispensing fee per medication and so the NHS is better off with more smaller prescriptions from a fees perspective plus then also avoiding waste with meds that never get used.  

olgadapolga

Murphybear said:

Unfortunately this is a Government ruling.  I think there were a lot of people getting 6 months worth then sadly dying and it was a big waste as when the meds were returned to the pharmacies they had to be destroyed.   Older people tend to have a lot more meds than younger ones. 

Our GP will only give 28 days at a time.  I asked him once if I could have 6 months my my long term diabetes meds as it would save him time and the NHS money.  Sadly he said “you let me worry about that”.  

I can’t see the new Government changing it any time soon.  

I don't think it is, I think it's up to the GP or maybe the integrated care board. I've had consultants and GPs prescribe me two months' worth medications this year.

Murphybear

DullGreyGuy said:

Murphybear said:

Our GP will only give 28 days at a time.  I asked him once if I could have 6 months my my long term diabetes meds as it would save him time and the NHS money.  Sadly he said “you let me worry about that”. 

Your case is slightly different as presumably you have a medical exemption certificate given you have diabetes mellitus (though diabetes insipidus also qualifies for free prescriptions). For those without medical exemption the patient pays £9.90 per medication that goes to the NHS and the pharmacy gets paid £1.49 dispensing fee per medication and so the NHS is better off with more smaller prescriptions from a fees perspective plus then also avoiding waste with meds that never get used.  

Yes, I got free prescriptions for diabetes but would have got them free from an age point of view, I’m 72 now 

Katiehound

My surgery routinely prescribes one month's worth of medication and it is ordered by the pharmacy, I just have to remember to collect it!
. If I am going to be away  (on holiday) when the next prescription is due I ask for 2 months' worth. It's never been a problem.

silvercar

My surgery does 56 days as standard following the first prescription of 28 days.