Cost of private prescriptions

[Poppy128]

Hi all. My cardiologist has prescribed me 5mg of Nebivolol as Bisoprolol makes me wheezy. My GP won’t prescribe as it is to expensive. The pharmacist has charged me £100 for three months supply. After looking online one of the big chain chemists is quoting £9.90 for three months supply. Is it normal to get such a price difference or are they of a different quality? Waiting for a cardioversion in July and my consultant does not want to change my drugs again before the procedure. I was only diagnosed at the start of May and am finding all the information very confusing. Any advice would be great. Thanks

[rosyG]

I would check with your CCG about this as they will have told GPS which drug they prefer but usually allow more exoenslve alternatives in medical grounds

[Poppy128 in reply to rosyG]

Thanks for the information. I will check with them.

[Finvola]

Nebivolol pricing is the most peculiar I’ve come across. The 5mg tablet costs about one tenth of the 2.5mg one and many people who take it are prescribed the cheaper 5mg dose, which can be cut if necessary. I think your GP hasn’t done his homework as I remember the difference between a cut 2.5mg Nebivolol and a similar dose of Bisoprolol was minimal.

The only experience I have of on-line medication is for my Collie. Her anti-inflammatory costs £41 from our vet and about £13 from a large on-line vet.

It might be worth getting the comparative costs based on 5mg tablets and discussing it again with your GP.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Poppy, I'm shocked and annoyed to hear that your GP won't prescribe you Nebivol! Other people are, so why not you. I'd certainly look into this a bit more.

Please let us know how you get on.

Jean

[Poppy128 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean, I have made an appointment to see a senior doctor at my practice next week. Hopefully I can find out why they won’t prescribe. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks

[cassie46]

The first thing I would do change your GP - but see what the senior doctor has to say next week first. Your GP should have adhered to your EP's instructions. I am on Nebivolol 5mg and as others have said there is this cost issue with the 2.5mg. I have looked at prices of the 5mg for both and the cost is not that much more. I had a battle to get mine changed from Biso, Cardiologist would not, never said why but I know he is a great believer of Biso (because its cheap I think). It was my GP who eventually put me on it, which is unusual as I thought they were only allowed to change your meds if instructed by a Cardiologist or EP! Good luck with the outcome, the change certainly helped with the breathlessness.

Cassie

[secondtry]

Anti-coag Edoxaban varies around 20% in my area of Hampshire, the cheapest I found was at Morrisons. Short story.....I managed to persuade my Cardiologist to give me a prescription (it had to be private as my annual check-up was private) on the understanding it was to be held until I decided to use it (i.e. after an AF episode). The lowest cost was around £55. Fortunately, I did not pick it up straight away and when I went to my efficient surgery for the usual Flecainide, they had got the Edox issued free ready and waiting for me as well!