Been called to an in person PIP assessment - questions about private medication

holidaypain

Hello,

Firstly I apologise for asking and very kind of mindful it may not be the right thing to do. 

I've been to hell and back this year. I'm not holding out much hope for the pip assessment and I'm still waiting for a formal diagnosis from one clinic.

I just wonder what happens when you are taking medication privately as opposed to that prescribed by the GP. I do have access to the nhs and cost them a lot already this year in hospital stay, operation, IV antibiotics down to wound care, but just like a lot of people out there don't find my GP supportive or accessible if I can leave it there, so I've had to start buying medication, the likes of anti depressants just to help with the trauma post surgery. Does the PIP assessor just reach out to the pharmacy who you are purchasing from? 

Thank you in advance. 

swingaloo

PIP is not based on what medication you are taking. The assessor will ask you what you take but you dont get PIP points for taking medication. Its all about how your illness/disability affects your day to day life.

However if you are claiming to have problems with depression then you really need to show GP input on your claim.

gwynlas

It is of course okay to pay for appointments with a private psychiatrist who can write you a prescription for anti depressants if they diagnose you as requiring same.

You should not however be purchasing them from a pharmacy as many are addictive and have side affects that can worsen your problems.

born_again

What you take or your diagnosis is (unless terminal) are not something assessor will give you points on (This is media fault for the stupid is you have XXX you can claim PIP)
PIP is based on how you manage daily over the tasks listed in the questions.
If they needed they could contact the clinic you used, although like contacting GP's it is a bit of a waste of time, as they have little/no idea how your daily life is affected.

Muttleythefrog

As above.. a little concerned you may be getting prescription medication without prescription but I can appreciate your predicament. (I know there are non prescription drugs/supplements considered anti depressant but it's unclear what is involved here). As above though... focus on the activities of PIP and which descriptors (point scoring statements of disability) apply to you and then make a case explaining how you are affected.. examples help...that should be your approach at all times for PIP from initial disability form to any independent appeal tribunal. For new claimants of PIP often it is that lack of focus on what the criteria is and how it is applied that causes issues.

Diagnoses are useful to underpin explanations of the disablement and enable assessors/DWP to justify opinions on disablement... but not essential. Barring terminal diagnosis considerations diagnosis does not determine award. I would however have been very keen to get such before applying for PIP ordinarily unless that diagnosis could be difficult to obtain or take a long time. Medication and treatments will be considered as they look at how you are affected and what outlook is etc... plus of course there is a relevant Daily Living activity. The PIP assessor is not likely going to reach out to a pharmacy for information... they can ask for factual reports from medical professionals involved with you but that also is not routinely done.

The CAB website is good for general guidance and info on PIP if casual reading needed.

Spoonie_Turtle

gwynlas said:

You should not however be purchasing them from a pharmacy as many are addictive and have side affects that can worsen your problems.

I can't imagine any actual anti-depressants are available to buy without a prescription.

peteuk

Spoonie_Turtle said:

gwynlas said:

You should not however be purchasing them from a pharmacy as many are addictive and have side affects that can worsen your problems.

I can't imagine any actual anti-depressants are available to buy without a prescription.

You can buy most meds online - it’s not legal but it’s easily done.

holidaypain

Thanks will take on board what has been said. 

holidaypain

peteuk said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

gwynlas said:

You should not however be purchasing them from a pharmacy as many are addictive and have side affects that can worsen your problems.

I can't imagine any actual anti-depressants are available to buy without a prescription.

You can buy most meds online - it’s not legal but it’s easily done.

Huh. Really do not like the inference that I am buying medication illegally. 
I pay £65 a month for a high street pharmacy with a long-standing reputation, who do regular check in's themselves as it is. 

My GP surgery is on the down turn - using old past templates to record new consultations and then getting historic things left in so the records end up a mess.  I disagree that taking 14 days worth of sleeping tablets is ever going to get me past the horror of a near amputation.  

When I tried to get help for alcohol abuse in the past - I actually got told because the bloods of liver come back to not support this, I received no help on the matter beyond what I could do for myself.

All very sad. 

As said I really am in two minds about this pip.

Muttleythefrog

holidaypain said:

peteuk said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

gwynlas said:

You should not however be purchasing them from a pharmacy as many are addictive and have side affects that can worsen your problems.

I can't imagine any actual anti-depressants are available to buy without a prescription.

You can buy most meds online - it’s not legal but it’s easily done.

I pay £65 a month for a high street pharmacy with a long-standing reputation, who do regular check in's themselves as it is. 

What I would do is get some printout of medications like this in documentary form (receipt?) as I would imagine standardly produced (especially if prescription meds) and supply with application for PIP. I wonder though if you're past the point of filling in the 'Disability' form... if so it can be later supplied if they want confirmation.

On your last point about being in two minds. PIP can be very difficult to get... and be a long process to get right award.... it can be a bit hit and miss but clear cases for the applicable descriptors and supporting evidence will usually win the day eventually.

peteuk

holidaypain said:

peteuk said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

gwynlas said:

You should not however be purchasing them from a pharmacy as many are addictive and have side affects that can worsen your problems.

I can't imagine any actual anti-depressants are available to buy without a prescription.

You can buy most meds online - it’s not legal but it’s easily done.

Huh. Really do not like the inference that I am buying medication illegally. 
I pay £65 a month for a high street pharmacy with a long-standing reputation, who do regular check in's themselves as it is. 

My GP surgery is on the down turn - using old past templates to record new consultations and then getting historic things left in so the records end up a mess.  I disagree that taking 14 days worth of sleeping tablets is ever going to get me past the horror of a near amputation.  

When I tried to get help for alcohol abuse in the past - I actually got told because the bloods of liver come back to not support this, I received no help on the matter beyond what I could do for myself.

All very sad. 

As said I really am in two minds about this pip.

I wasn’t implying that I was just suggesting you can buy anti depressants, sedatives on line.  I was replying to

Spoonie_Turtle said

I can't imagine any actual anti-depressants are available to buy without a prescription.