Repeat prescriptions

[lizbeech]

I have a number of medications, icluding for COPD (all the usual inhalers etc for that) I used to go to me G.P surgery every two months and fill out a form for a repeat every two months. The surgery then suggested I ordered the repeats via system online. Ever since then it’s been chaos. Nearly every time there is something missing, or I run out before the 2 months is up and then the buck gets passed between the surgery and the chemist, and I go without medication until they sort it out. I presume these medications are supposed to keep my condition/s stable and, as I said to the chemist I don’t think of carboscisteine, for example, being sought after on the street! Though I need it. Does anyone else have problems with the online’service’?

[moogle]

I use it but order one week before I need it. Takes upto 2 days for gp to send. Then Boots do it offsite and deliver to shop which takes more days.

[Ergendl in reply to moogle]

Yes, I use The Well (formerly the Co-op Pharmacy) and they do the same. Usually no problems.

[moogle in reply to Ergendl]

Trouble is they send all prescriptions this way - by hitting the button to send. If I ever need something fast, I will be in a mess. They are quick on that button!

[Ergendl in reply to moogle]

I think that depends on the GP practice. I have no problem ordering part of my prescription list, but my husband, who uses a different surgery, usually gets the whole lot and ends up with too much amlodipine.

[kathbrad3]

I do mine online just put my order in a few days before I need it doesn't have to be everything at the same time then it's delivered to my home

[poppit1946]

I do mine online and get it delivered to home (give them 2 full working days for completion) I am lucky our surgery has its own pharmacy. Sometimes they are short on a drug but still get it before I run out

[Hidden]

We have a brilliant local pharmacy and reasonable GPS but we often have issues with scripts. We don’t order online, (can’t do that in our area yet), but the issues are similar. It’s easy to work out who’s at fault, and the way to find where the problem lies is to check what you receive against what you should be receiving according to your prescription: if you receive less of something than the prescription is requesting, the pharmacy is at fault and owes you meds. If you’re receiving the amounts specified on the script but still running out, you need to speak to the GP and get them to amend the script to give you more. As per others, I always order a good week in advance to ensure specials can be ordered ahead of being needed and resolve any issues - our gp provides the prescription but doesn’t have any say in what my daughter is prescribed (that’s down to the respiratory team), yet they still unilaterally decide to change her scripts from time to time 🙄

[caroleoctober]

My surgery has used this system for about 2yrs now and the only problem I have had is when they don't have the item in stock but it usually only takes a day to get it. I use Lloyds in my local Sainsbury's. There is a list of pharmacies that your doctor deals with on the order page so you can nominate which one you want to use. Keep smiling

Carole x

[sassy59]

We use system online and generally have no problems at all but I always make sure medication is ordered ahead of time so as not to run out.

Check online and see when you can reorder your meds and keep an eye on that. Good luck. Xxxx

[chubby2x22]

I have the same problem. You cannot order online until the box is highlighted. Trying to tell the surgery there's 31 days in the month not 28 as most tablets are packed in 28's in unbelievably

[gingermusic]

I order everything I need once an item gets down to the last weeks supply it is then all done and delivered to me before the medication has actually run out. For me it all works perfectly as long as I remember to order

[Nickcv in reply to gingermusic]

I'm exactly the same. I simply drop off my prescription in a purpose made box at my doctors practice which is a short walk from me. I pick up everything a week later from the chemist.

[gingermusic in reply to Nickcv]

I just have to order mine online and even if I need my meds early say due to going on holiday just pop a note on there explaining and they are all done early

[MoyB in reply to gingermusic]

Works well for me too! xx Moy

[inhaler1]

Yes this is a problem with electronic system' very frustrating!! I asked for an appointment with the GP pharmacist who sorted out all medication and made notes for the chemist explaining the importance of not running low on certain meds.

To be honest it worked for a while but still not right as med have to be ordered 48 hrs before needed but surgery don't take into consideration Bank Holidays and weekends, so withhold prescription which causes delay, I do not think there will ever be a solution.

[MisUse]

I use on line too. Had a few issues, but sorted out quickly by surgery. One issue I do have is there is a “cannot re order before date”. Whcan be a pain because things run out at different times, but on the whole It works well. Pharmacies have had to stop doing repeats.

[1hopefuture]

I used to have this problem but I now order from chemist.

Much more convenient ring order and arrange delivery check if your nominated chemist offers this service.

[Inamoment]

Mine works faultlessly. I order it online now, much easier for the surgery, and do it a week before i run out. And pick it up from the pharmacy in the surgery a few days later

[Superzob]

Tell me about it! Even using the more traditional system of ordering batch prescriptions from the chemist for my wife, there is always a problem. At one point, I was using the chemist's phone to have a row with the surgery - turned out they had both made a mistake.

I have now come to the conclusion that a mistake is inevitable every time I go, so I build in some slack by ordering repeats early. But it is very irritating and frustrating, and does little to improve my view of the health service if they can't get even the basics right.

[Carnival567]

I have always ordered online two weeks in advance both with my last doctor and current one and have never had any problems. If I am going away I tell them if I need a prescrition early. It is sent to a local independent pharmacy and I pick it up from there. If I have an urgent script the dr sends it straightaway and I can collect it a couple of hours later. The pharmacy will deliver if necessary.

[Badbessie]

I tried the online system but after six months of missed prescriptions I asked to be put back on the old paper method. There was a bug in the online system which caused horrendous problems. I keep being invited back but as they cannot find the cause of the bug I refuse.

[Dibola04]

I also use the online system very successfully although I had to change Chemists before I found my current one; they vary in efficiency!

[cornflake57]

I use Pharmacy2u they are an NHS pharmacy on line. You just order prescriptions on their app, and you don't have to do another thing. They get the prescription from your GP, and dispense it when ready. They will leave your medicines in a safe place if out. Send reminders. Put things right if you have s problem quickly. Have a call centre. Even refrigerated items can be ordered. Once you placed all your medicines in the app you just press one button each month and they are all ordered.

[northernlass in reply to cornflake57]

Hi all, just thought I’d put my two penneth in, Pharmacy2u are not NHS pharmacies.

They don’t use local chemists, they’re basically a large pharmacy warehouse so if you’re happy with them, that’s great but I did some research a while ago after getting mail-shots in the post which were claiming to be NHS.

They have worked with NHS in trials of electronic and repeats but they are not endorsed by the NHS.

The downside of them is that if everyone uses them, we will lose our chemist shops, which provide more than just prescriptions, they offer advice and oft’ relieve the beleaguered GP’s.

They were also fined a few years ago for selling customer details.

Not meaning to offend anyone, I just hate it when companies abuse the treasured history of the NHS.

[cornflake57 in reply to northernlass]

March 2016 from the NHS Business Services Authority, Pharmacy2U was the largest NHS contracted Pharmacy.

[lizbeech in reply to northernlass]

Thanks northernlass- there is a notice about this company on the door of my chemist saying it is not the nhs and please don’t use them otherwise they will close. I just wish somewhere between them and my g.p. I could get something sorted out.

[lKeith]

lizbeech,

Hi a little late but saw your posting and couldn't ignore it. I have had various leaflets thro' the door, tv advertised and even on prescriptions these days. The sight of the prescription is much more settling. I will keep to the old tradition and take it to the surgery.

IKeith