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.
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Ern007
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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❤️
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
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 ?
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!
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).
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. 😀
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.
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
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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