Save money

Hi I am using spiriva that will use replacement cartridge, I have asked my surgery via email why the practice keeps sending complete set together every time , surely it will be cheaper for just the refill seems a waste of NHS resources

[CDPO16]

I used to have this inhaler and had the same problem. Although when it was introduced it was said that a refill should be issued monthly with a complete unit every 6 months, my surgery didn't seem geared up to prescribe it in that way. I don't know what the answer is I'm afraid. Perhaps someone who still uses spiriva will be able to give you more information.

[Hidden in reply to CDPO16]

thank you for reply , yes exact same setup

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I agree with what you are saying , I think the same about ventalin and Trimbow. We only need the cartridges not a neww dispenser every time. So much money could be saved. Have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[peege]

I totally agree, especially when the plastic container will be here many many years after we've left the earth

[HungryHufflepuff]

I have the new Spiriva respimat too. It’s supposed to be reused 6 Times. The first time I got the cartridges and no device. The second time I got 2 devices. It shouldn’t be this complicated. I think it’s now been resolved as I’ve got 2 separate entries on my prescription, I can either request just the cartridges, or the cartridges with device. There’s no point having a reusable device if you keep getting a new one each time. Hopefully your GP can get the prescription figured out.

[ninelives in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you so much for that tip.Have raised this issue with both my local surgury and our pharmacist to no avail.

It's so wasteful to have both the cartridge and the device every time...

[catlover54]

When this happened to me I was told that the cartridge on its own cost the same amount as the cartridge and dispenser. I am not too happy with my pharmacy, but that is what they told me.

[Linsforbes]

It took my surgery months to get it sorted. But each month I asked the question and eventually it was sorted.

[MoyB]

I'm prescribed a complete one every time too! xx Moy

[Spotthejock]

I asked my chemist why I couldn't just have a Spiriva refill as the delivery device shows clearly it is safe to reuse 6 times.The chemist replied she agreed completely with me but the practice has refused to sign up to the procedure?

[Kate124]

I had this for first few months. Then they started just sending refills. I have had the same applicator for over a year now. Didnt realise they had a shelf life.

[Hidden in reply to Kate124]

6 refills marked on mine

[katieoxo60]

Hello whixallad, I take Spirava every month I get drugs with dispenser. I have raised the matter of the cost and the last few months I have been getting different named ones I presume are cheaper but the same drug . The new dispensers are much harder to use for people with arthritic hands as the packageing is different and so is the dispenser shape and button size. I found the Acopair dispenser was faulty so I used my old spirava dispenser. The new one this month is supplied by Glenmark and is similar to the spirava dispenser, so guess whats given depends on prescription and chemist choice of brand. The chemist is oblidged to supply what the prescription says. Maybe one day some one will sort out how frequently we need a new dispenser and only dispense the capsules in between.

[Lutontown]

I took this up with my pharmacy, and they tell me the price is the same for the cartridge as for the whole device, which amazed me. The NHS needs to tackle the makers, Boehringer Ingelheim, about it. As long as the price of the whole thing doesn't go up like everything else seems to be.

[pickingflowers4u]

Hi. Yes. I too kept being prescribed the inhaler device every time I requested a repeat of the capsules. I think the receptionists process the repeat prescriptions. Then a Dr gives them a cursory glance and signs them. Twice i put a note on my repeat online prescription order, asking why this was happening, as I felf it was wasteful. The message seemingly was ignored (by gp or receptionist???) I had to speak to a gp via phone to get it sorted. My very good pharmacist said he couldn't change what was on the drs prescription. He advised tslking to them.

[corriena]

I had spariva and my surgery got round the problem by giving me two seperate perscriptions one for compleate set the other for refills only. So i only orderd the one i needed lots less cost and waist

[P-i-n-k]

Maybe speak to pharmacy who dispense it.J

[Hidden in reply to P-i-n-k]

pretty sure surgery group make the purchase

[Angora]

Hi - same problem here - eventually resolved by talking to receptionist at surgery who arranged for a GP to put 2 sep entries on repeat scrip - one for device + cartridge and one for replacement cartridge. I will query with pharmacy about the costs - and would be horrified if transpires for both to be same price !!! xxx

[DJS6]

Seems a lot of us have the same issues (I have Ventalin/Salmol inhaler)- it is a waste of money and produces needless plastic waste. I'm not sure if refills are available for this, certainly the plastic capsule holder is washable, so must be re-useable.

I did mention this to my pharmacist - she told me that I can now recycle the inhalers, through the chemist....though, thinking about it now, I don't know if she just meant the aluminium capsule or the whole unit. Will have to check!

[P-i-n-k]

Hi I'm interested in the answer as I was employed by a pharmacy for a long time. Changed days if that's the case as we did all we could to save money 💰 J

[farnie]

Agree a typical waste of taxpayers moneyThe refill cartridge must be cheaper than whole dispenser, but as others have pointed I have been told by pharmacy that refills are not available.