Re You can buy ventolin over the counter in an emergency.

Hi there

I found out something last weekend that i never knew.

I went to stay at my nans in Surrey, i thought i had packed my spare ventolin inhaler, when i went too get it out my bag, it wasn't there...I started to panick, searched my car incase it had fallen out the bag, but unfortunately i couldn't find it.

During all the rushing about i started getting breathless and wheezy, so as a last resort i took 1 puff of my Symbicort 400/12, followed by another 10 minutes later, this got me out of trouble, but I knew i should not be using it as my reliever...

I went to LLoyds Pharmacy, the nearest chemist and explained that i had left my ventolin at home, she asked if i had a copy of my repeat prescription, and a form of id, to prove that i was the person named on it.

She then asked me for my doctors name and address, luckily i had all this information in my asthma pack, which has my action plan, copies of repeat prescription items, medical conditions etc.

She said that she can issue a prescription, but unfortunately i would have to pay £5.75, I did not mind paying this at all, they were real life savers...

Just thought i would let you know about this experience and urge you all to keep a copy of your tick sheet repeat prescription list with you at all times, oh and to ensure that you remember to check you've packed your ventolin...

The emergency supply of ventolin i have left at my nans house, and also my spare symbicort.

Hope this helps.

Moschops

[Hidden]

Excellent advice, moschops.

Just to clarify, you can't just buy Ventolin over the counter - the two important bits of info that you were carrying with you were your ID and your repeat prescription. With these two things you should be able to get an emergency supply of Ventolin at any pharmacist.

[Hidden]

In fact, you can get an emergency supply of *any* repeat drug from a pharmacist, provided you have proof of ID and a repeat prescription script.

However the pharmacist is entitled to charge you for this (the cost price of the drug and a pharmacy fee) and most likely will do, if it is not your regular pharmacy.

[Hidden]

Hi Moschops

As Cathbear said a pharmacist can supply any Prescription repeat medicines so long as they have proof that the patient has been prescribed it before and recently (like in the last 6 months), that it is not reasonable for them to see a/their dr and that the person has a form of ID. The pharmacist can supply up to 5 days emergency supply with a few exceptions such as creams, antib's, insulin and inhalers.

I only know this because I only just revised it for my pharmacy law exam lol!

Libby x

[Hidden]

Ooooh a pharmacy-type person...how handy!

I have to confess I wasn't aware that you couldn't get insulin in this way, but I can understand why. Thanks Libby!

[Hidden]

thats a brilliant idea, thanks for that Moschops! I often travel around a lot, and often at the last minuite and have on occasion forgotten medication (luckily not my ventolin, my parents have spare ventolin, seretide and singulair for me, but not atrovent as thats my new one), last christmas I went away and forgot my citalopram and had to go a week without, that was horrible.

But there is a really good bit of advice

[yaf_user681_25820]

I understand that if you get your prescriptions in Boots you will be in there database

[Hidden]

lol cathbear yes but I'm only in my first year at uni so I still hav another 3 years until I'm a proper pharmacist!

Also you can get an emergency supply if you are on the database of a phrmacy as it shows that you have been prescribed that drug before so it counts as proof, so if you went somewhere needed an emergency supply and did not have your repeat slip you could ask the pharmacy to phone your regular pharmacy where you usually go to clarify that you are on the medicine and the dose etc

Libby x