What s happening in our NHS ?- All the shortages.

[Ern007]

Two examples - I take Amiodarone for AF and other fast heart beats, I have had to have my prescription sent to another village, and they are running short.

Glandosane synthetic saliva spray - Dry mouth is dross to put it mildly. no pharmacy near where I live has any.

Not just the the BCG treatment I receive is not all UK and licensed my last batch was was unlicensed from I think Germany, seemed better but that's not the point.

Sleeping tablets all change - but Amiodarone matters. quite toxic but works and I don't like the alternatives, Flecainide for example.

What next?

[sassy59]

Lots of shortage’s everywhere it seems Ern and not much seems to be done about it. So difficult for you and others. Hoping things change for the better soon. Xxx❤️

[Ern007 in reply to sassy59]

Thank's Carole - the pharmacy did not even let me know, delivered without the Amiodarone - and when I rang them, ask you doctor for alternative. she said no, and I was told to try the other village chemists and they would wire the prescription... I hope for us all things change xxx

[Alberta56]

I'm afraid we're being sold short. Lack of funding is at the root of it. xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Yep, leaving us short having to beg for what should be ours by rights, xx

[Turnipgirl in reply to Ern007]

It's an absolute disgrace having to fight to get basic things isn't it and it's most unnecessary as well!

[Ern007 in reply to Turnipgirl]

It is - Always something missing, this time tablets I need - I have had to ask GP to send a script to another village and they, don't have the full 28 at the moment. Why the shartages ?

[Louiss in reply to Alberta56]

Deliberate underfunding and alleged shortages so big pharma can fleece us more. WEF.

[Alberta56]

It's a plot to make us go private.

[Ern007 in reply to Alberta56]

Won't work - I turned private down to go in my own hospital 14 February - Good enough for me x

[TObby75 in reply to Ern007]

& me !

[Welshcatlady]

These shortages aren't limited to the UK, USA and Europe are also affected, in part it's due to manufacturing issues, stockpiling, and increased demand. It's worrying I know, I just keep my fingers crossed everytime I go to pick up my repeat prescription that everything will be there!

[slram in reply to Welshcatlady]

I cannot think of any drug shortages here in the states and haven't heard of any.

[Welshcatlady in reply to slram]

I'm quoting what I've read in the press, maybe the powers that be are feeding us untruths. 😢

[Treetop33 in reply to Welshcatlady]

I think they are. Europe is largely fine, as is the US. In the UK it is Brexit, partly, but mostly that we have a government who can't be bothered (and I think doesn't like sick people).

[Welshcatlady in reply to Treetop33]

What part of the UK are you in? I'm in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, and health is run by the Welsh Assembly, so it's hard to compare to England or Scotland. We have a fantastic GP practice, in fact they won the best GP practice in South Wales last year. The staff are all very caring and I've always been treated well there. Yes to make an appointment with a particular doctor you have to wait 3 or 4 weeks for an appointment, but if you have an urgent issue then you can phone at 8 in the morning and be seen the same day. I must say though that not all surgeries in South Wales are the same as ours, and if you need an ambulance or go to A&E the waits are dreadful, and this is directly down to the Welsh government. I have had an issue with getting my prescription for Nacsys but was offered an alternative which is exactly the same, just made by a different company, and last time I picked up my repeat prescription it was back to Nacsys. 😀

[Davegt in reply to Welshcatlady]

Well said. There are many medications in short supply. That is not the fault of the NHS or underfunding but the pharmaceutical companies for whatever reason. This problem is not confined to UK. So for once, stop blaming the NHS.

[Ern007 in reply to Welshcatlady]

Exactly - When one chemist can't get one item in, that means changing repeat to a new chemist,

[Patk1]

That's not good.up to press,I've not had a problem in ne lancs .I hope the situation resolves.i have read there's a major shortage of adhd medication xxx

[Ern007 in reply to Patk1]

I live in rural Lancashire Pat and this last few months have been a nightmare - I am supposed to me having my urgent medication delivered today. we shall see.

[Patk1 in reply to Ern007]

I hope u get it.x

[Ern007 in reply to Patk1]

Thank's Pat - came at 17;30 YES xx

[Patk1 in reply to Ern007]

Good! X

[Tiggertheterrier]

I always had some Daktarin sugar free oral gel for times when, despite gargling etc, I would get a bout of oralthrush. Always cleared it up, you could buy it over the counter, brilliant. Haven't been able to get it ffor weeks. All the local pharmacies and my GP surgery say there is 'a production problem'. Now need to bother my busy surgery for course of Fluconazole capsules. Every now and then there is an issue getting hold of my Dymista nasal spray. Argh!!

[Ern007 in reply to Tiggertheterrier]

In the last year I have had just one prescription for mouth dryness delivered, I now such sugar free sweets, but not the same.

[Welshcatlady in reply to Ern007]

Sugar Free Chewing Gum is good for a dry mouth and your teeth!

[Dixy]

I get so cross by all of this. The pharmacist and the GP (plus staff) are all at work but who has to do the running around and phone calls? The sick person, the patient. Not everyone is surrounded by a large loving family who are able to drop everything to sort out medication or appointments. There are times when I feel like a ping pong ball being batted around by NHS. Rant over.

[Davegt in reply to Dixy]

But the medicine shortage is not caused by the NHS. For whatever reason pharmaceutical companies are not producing on time. Without knowing why, it is unreasonable to blame them. I am sure they would love to produce the medicines and receive payment from the NHS. But each year, many new medications are introduced and this probably causes a difficult balancing act for producers. Remember this problem also exists in USA and Europe and is not the fault of NHS.

[Kismet23]

Have you tried Xylitol (non prescription)...see reviews on Amazon.

[Ern007 in reply to Kismet23]

No - I will have a look at that - Amazon can't sell Amiodarone though.

[Kismet23 in reply to Ern007]

check it out on you tube "Xyliotol for dry mouth"...may not solve your problem, but many people find it very helpful and it's good for your teeth too.

[Ern007 in reply to Kismet23]

Will check that out, thank you.

[SuziElley]

Sadly, it’s called the effects of Brexit…….

[Ern007 in reply to SuziElley]

Well rather than give into blackmail, I would rather do without.

[6538]

All my inhalers, three of them are sourced from eastern Europe, Poland mostly,. I'm in Lancs

[Ern007 in reply to 6538]

I live in Lancashire and thus far, no problem with inhalers.

[leo60]

I get my prescription sent to Pharmacy2U and rarely have a problem. I guess as a large operation (who I think search around for the cheapest versions of medicines so as to save the NHS money) they are more likely to get hold of the less available meds. I have had a delay on my meds (of 3 days) twice in 3.5 years and was informed both times immediately. The meds are delivered to your door.

Why don't you guys try it? Save you running (!!) around searching 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ xx

[Ern007 in reply to leo60]

I will look into " Pharmacy2U " My problem has been not knowing my med's had been delivered short, nobody told me, I know when I am searching for med's. not there.

[Welshcatlady in reply to Ern007]

That's awful your pharmacy should advise you of any missing meds.

[leo60 in reply to Ern007]

As I mentioned, they always let me know and give me an estimate of how long the delay might be. Good luck xx

[Ern007 in reply to leo60]

I think I may need good luck xx

[katieoxo60]

Hello Ern007, I was reading an article on line a few weeks ago about the shortages , but can't be sure where think it might have been a news flash, even inhalers and aspirin came in the list I clicked through too. No definate suggestion of what to do other than ask for a change. In my case I have allergies so not sure how things would work so looks like we are stuck with change if needs be . Or trying different chemists. So hope you get settled soon with what drugs work best for you.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

Hi Katieoxo60 - I rang the pharmacy to see where my missing items where - I can;t have a substitute for Amiodarone as it would not be safe. I have some coming to day from another village but they warned me they would not have the full 28 tablet today.

[6538 in reply to Ern007]

Hi Ern, I live in Preston, not a problem getting them, they just come with polish packaging.

[Ern007 in reply to 6538]

Hi 6538 - Sorry for late reply - I did get them in the end, last pack - From Croston.

[Threecats in reply to Ern007]

I hope your tablets have turned up, Ern. As you say there’s no substitute for Amioderone and it’s potentially dangerous just to stop it. What a state of affairs we’re in!

[Ern007 in reply to Threecats]

Thank's Threecats -- They brought me some from new chemist at half past 5 - I hope this is a good start, Yea it's not good. Even my last course of BCG was an allowed unlicened brand.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Ern007]

Thats good news , the chemists are very good glad to see you are getting the drug you need. Take care.

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you

[TObby75 in reply to Ern007]

hi ern007 I live in Suffolk & also take amiodarone & have no problem ( fingers crossed ) so far getting it .

[Ern007 in reply to katieoxo60]

I did get my Amidarone at new chemist - I hope it lasts .

[watergazer]

When browsing the internet I saw a list of medicines that are in short supply I take one of them and my husband the other but so far we are still getting them. X

[Ern007 in reply to watergazer]

I have got mine at last, new chemist I will wait and see next time x