Medication packaging

hi guys,

A tad off topic but a little bit of relevance.

Can anyone explain to me why my prescription ( and maybe in some cases non prescription) medication ( tablets and capsules) come in packets of 28.

Only one month in a year has 28 days (except a leap year) ! 7 months have 31 days and 4 months have 30 days.

So why not put 31 or 32 tablets/capsules in a packet. I understand potential problems associated with 31 days but I'm left wondering.

Clearly, some of you would understand that Sunday evening TV is wanting and I need some mental stimulation and a light hearted approach to my medication is needed.

Yes, I've just been cutting up my 'pill' supply into its appropriate little boxes for the week ahead.

John

[BobD Volunteer]

Not all mine are John. I often get one or two pills left at the end of a week when I do my possett box.

[BrettonLass]

Flecainide doesn't! I always have one strip that's been cut short when my 28 days' worth is dispensed - or a whole load of offcuts!

I often have to go back to the Famous Nottingham Pharmacy because they don't have enough Flec to give me it all in one go, which can be a pain if I'm not at work or I'm working away from the usual place on the days in question. That's one thing that does need sorting nationally.

[falah12345]

I think it depends onthe drs.some put 4/52 and others put 1/12 you have to emphasize to them to write 1/12 as the chemist take it literally while 4/52 should indicate a full moth supply as far as I know!!

[Hilly22]

In hospital, prescriptions come in weeks, like one or two weeks, to keep patients going after discharge, so maybe it’s because 4 weeks is easier to divide. But having said that I do sometimes get packs which originally had 30 tablets.

Exciting TV at 9pm John, hope you didn’t miss bodyguard - great for our hearts ... not 😬

[Norm]

Must admit, seeing as slightly off topic, that it appears different pharmacies get their drugs from different manufacturers. Probably to do with price. But then same tablet can and does come in different colour and or shape. Makes it a bit confusing for me at times as have to check if it right tablet. May be because I'm getting old.

[Bagrat]

My pharmacy rang surgery so I could have 60 tabs of flecainide prescribed to avoid cutting the strips. Apixaban of course is 56 so the point at which I can reorder on line ( 3 weeks after last request or 7 days before I should run out) is different. I have had no trouble getting flecainide for ages however because of brexit looming I am accruing a smalll stash ( hopefully by then a month or two) just in case.

[Buffafly in reply to Bagrat]

My health centre has suddenly started to put the date when the next order is due, maybe to discourage hoarding? Which is awkward if one repeat prescription started later than another. Also I only get one month's supply at a time instead of two.

[opal11uk]

Yes, I too have noticed this and just thought they had run out of fingers and toes when they got to 28 but then I would only get 20 lol. I am having real problems getting my drugs as the pharmacy I use has twice left me without any Pradaxa for a couple of days until the order came in so with all the hype going around re Brexit I am concerned that I may not get any at all lol

[CDreamer in reply to opal11uk]

Find a Rowlands Pharmacy branch as they are owned by Phoenix - the company that manufacture Pradaxa in Europe. They have supplies when no-one else has them.

[opal11uk in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you so much, I had decided after having 'words' with my pharmacist, that if they fail me a 3rd time I will indeed be moving on so again many thanks, good to know.

[CDreamer in reply to opal11uk]

The worst offenders for not having Pradaxa in our locality are Boots - who say they buy from only one wholesalers who doesn’t stock Pradaxa and Tesco who told my husband they had decided not to stock it period - because it was expensive and very few people are prescribed it.

[opal11uk in reply to CDreamer]

I am concerned what will happen post Brexit as a lot of these drugs come from Bayer, I guess we will have to wait and see.

[Bolander in reply to CDreamer]

Boots merged with Alliance Unichem, a wholesaler, in 2006 so my guess is that they have to buy solely from them to keep it in the family, so to speak.

[Vonnieruth]

Blister Packs (Bingo Cards, Bubble Packs) are the most commonly used packaging for solid oral medications in longterm care facilities. Medications are packaged in a unique 28 day cycle. We began using this format at the request of our longterm care clients. The 28 day packaging allows facilities the opportunity to have cycles delivered on the same day every four weeks. Administrators, nurses, or managers do not have to come in on the weekend or holiday to deal with the “switchout” of medications. They can now accomplish this task during the week when staff is at full strength.

Could this be the reason So all tablets are ordered same day of the week and not run out over weekend when most chemist are now closed due to doctors surgery being closed also.I know this is for care homes but it's easier if it goes across the board

[CDreamer in reply to Vonnieruth]

Good point.

[sleeksheep]

I only have one script that has 28 days - Rivaroxaban

Even has the days Mon - Sunday on the foil strip.

My thought was its value adding to the Manufacturer , in our case each script is the same price no matter what the script quantities 60 / 30 or 28. ($6.40 )

Actually like that it is 28 days as it is apparent straight away if I miss a dose.

[momist in reply to sleeksheep]

On those of mine which don't have the days of the week ready printed, I write them on with a fine permanent marker. I find this the most convenient way to keep track whether I've taken them when I should. Why can't they all come with that?

[CDreamer]

28 days = 4 weeks rather than a calendar month?

[sleeksheep in reply to CDreamer]

13 scripts a year for 28 days - 12 and a bit for 30 days.

I always start Rivaroxaban on a Monday and all other tablets I take after.

Miss a day - its 7 to a strip , I know which day and what others I forgot.

Doesnt happen much but over a year I get approx a week extra.

[Buffafly]

I notice some of my meds - Apixaban, Slozem - come in strips of 2 X 14, making it easy to tell whether you missed one. I pick up meds on Friday and start new strip on Saturday. However Ranitidine and Cetirizine come in blister packs of 10, convenient for dispensing a month but not so convenient for the patient.

[jaycee65]

because prescriptions are due to renew ever 4 weeks and not every month.

[Buffafly]

While we are on the subject of meds, my HC has stopped my Cetirizine prescription, presumably as part of cost cutting exercise. As it was prescribed for my asthma I shall have to buy it myself. I was horrified to find Boots were charging about £8 for a month's supply but then saw Superdrug advertising same brand I usually get for £1.99 !

[Hidden]

Surely it's 4 weeks and not monthly??

[sleeksheep in reply to Hidden]

Ours (Australia ) are monthly except for 28 day scripts , mostly it says if needed before #.date contact Pharmacist if he knows you its ok otherwise a Drs ok is needed.

5 months supply script is very common.

[meadfoot]

Lost on this one John, to be honest I hadn't noticed. I would like to say there is a method to it all but possibly not. It's the Bodyguard for me on Sunday evenings currently, a bit violent but action packed.