They seek it here, they seek it there, but Uniphyllin is nowhere!

[TeachKat]

I’ve just totted up the time I’ve spent this week trying to get my usual Uniphyllin Continus 300 and it’s come to more than 20 hours of ringing pharmacies and doctors and repeatedly explaining, as clearly as possible, that all I wanted was to get the Uniphyllin.

I had put in a prescription request before new year, but the local pharmacy is always slow , they just kept saying that it was nearly ready. It wasn’t till Tuesday that they said they couldn’t get it and also refused to give me the other medications from the prescription until they had everything!

Luckily I had enough of the other stuff, but by today it was 3 days since my last Uniphyllin dose and I’ve been getting quite unwell- short of breath and coughing. After advice from the lovely Asthma UK nurse, I phoned 111 who phoned my gp, who has finally grasped the problem (I think my messages hadn’t been passed on) and he has tracked some down!

Now I only have to persuade my headteacher to cover my class tomorrow first thing so I can pick up the tablets! 👍

Sorry for the long story- I needed to let it all out!

[sassy59]

I’m so pleased the message finally got through TeachKat and you’ll be getting your Uniphyllin tomorrow. The pharmacy should not hold back your other medication. We have our meds delivered by Lloyds Direct and they’re happy to send whatever they have especially if there’s a holdup with a particular item. I’m sure your head teacher will help you out.🤞🏼Xxxx💜

[madonbrew]

That’s terrible that they wouldn’t even give you your other meds too! Seriously! I really hope you can go get them first thing tomorrow! You can totally do without that to add to everything! 🤗

[whit]

I would change pharmacy.

[watergazer]

Bad state of affairs. Glad you got the meds out through. We have a good pharmacy who orders everything and will deliver if needed x

[Alberta56]

Thank goodness you've finally got them. Not a good situation at all.

[TeachKat in reply to Alberta56]

I am definitely going to! As soon as I get them to give me the other meds. It’s a nuisance as the pharmacy is literally 3 minutes walk from our house, but they are so inefficient!

[helenlw7 in reply to TeachKat]

I use my local independent pharmacy who bend over backwards to fill my most of my prescriptions, mind you I’m a good customer because I take 22 different meds! My rheumatologist asked me who delivered my biologic because she’d heard bad things about Lloyds reliability. Fortunately my biologic is delivered by Health at Home, now called Sciensus, who have had their problems, but for me are ok. Good luck with further deliveries.

[Cloudancer]

Golly how stressful for you.Am also on uniphylline for many years but so far my pharmacy hasn't had a problem sourcing it -although I heard a rumour in the Autumn it is getting harder to obtain.

Wonder if it's a widespread issue or local shortage.

Hope it doesn't happen again to you.

[TeachKat in reply to Cloudancer]

The Asthma UK nurse contacted the manufacturer and apparently it should be sorted in a week or two. I suppose is may be because of some other versions of theophylline being discontinued and people having to start on Uniphyllin instead. At least being without it has convinced me that it works and that I need it! I hate it because it makes me shake and keeps me awake- but I’ll have to try to appreciate it now 🤪

[Cloudancer in reply to TeachKat]

Totally understand those side effects but like you am unable to be without it. Hope your symptoms settle down soon.

Thinking of you.