REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS ON INHALERS

[elanaoali]

Just a quick question. I have two inhalers, having been switched to the MART regime. First I was told I couldn't have 3 of my combination inhaler Fostair 100/6. However when the nurse asked for it I was able to have 3 at once. The reason for a possible refusal was that if they give you one inhaler then if you run out before you request another then they can keep at eye on your asthma. Using more obviously means your asthma may be not controlled.

When I did my mediation review with my doctor I question whether I could have 3 again. I had used up all 3 within 6 weeks due to recovering from pneumonia after being in hospital with it. The doctor didn't have any problems with me having 3 at a time.

Have any one else been refused multiple inhalers at one time?

[Troilus]

Yes. Bit of background. I was on Fostair 200/6 but had predictable dips. My consultant told me to take additional doses of my Fostair to prevent a big slide and reduce the need for prednisone. However, my surgery refused to put my Fostair 200/6 on open repeat as I was already taking the maximum dose and one per month was enough for that. I muddled on as best I could with the few spare doses I had, saving them up, but it still wasn’t really enough. I contacted my hospital clinic and between us we decided the best route forward was to prescribe an additional Fostair 100/6 as this would also give me more flexibility in the amount I took. This was emailed to my GP sugery. I now have Fostair 200/6 one per month and Fostair 100/6 on open prescription alongside salbutomol. When I have my annual review at the surgery (a different nurse each time) they do not understand the system. However, I do 😁

[Homely2 Administrator]

Yes, it is definitely an issue. My dosage of alvesco means I use an inhaler up in 15 days.

I can order an inhaler now every 15 days and a nurse is always happy to prescribe an extra one, but at present I cannot order 2 inhalers at a time.

However I am hoping my expected consultants letter will sort it out.

[Showgem]

My surgery will only allow one Fostair 100/6 at a time.

They have taken Salbutamol off of my repeat prescription altogether, when I asked why, I was told so that we can monitor how often you’re using it. My previous asthma nurse put me on the MART system so I don’t use Salbutamol that often but like to have one with me in case I need to use it when I’m out and about or when my asthma is particularly bad.

I think they’re cutting back on prescribing and trying to stop people stockpiling. It’s annoying to have to keep asking for a prescription. It’s not only asthma medication that they’re cutting down on, I’m on other medications and if I order “too often”, it is sometimes automatically refused and I have to contact the surgery online through “ask my GP” which is very inconvenient and time consuming against just ticking a box.

[Singinglouder in reply to Showgem]

At my surgery, I’ve worked out it’s much simpler to go in and ask the receptionist, who gets things sorted. The one time the (urgent) request got sent to someone who went off sick and I had to chase it, the receptionist got one of the doctors in clinic to sort it there and then, and he came out to apologise! Much easier than e-consult 😊

[Thomas45]

I use DuoResp Spiromax 320/9 inhaler. Each one lasts 15 days. My prescription for them has always been 2 inhalers per 28 days.

[Bagpiper0304]

i always had 2 salbutamol inhalers then my asthma nurse told me that they were cutting it to 1 so they could monitor my usage which stressed me out, i moved to a different NHS area and get two without any problem.