Last Friday when I went to collect my prescription I was told by the pharmacist that she had requested my prescription be reviewed. Apparently Incruse Ellipta and Montelukast should not be on prescription together (I'm also on the high dose Relvar). She wanted to know what I was being treated for Copd or asthma? I have asthma and bronchiectasis. I appreciate the marvellous work pharmacists do but was surprised that someone who has no idea of my medical history could make an assumption that the medication that I'd been prescribed was not correct. I informed her that my treatment plan was agreed by my consultant and after sometime of trying to get my asthma settled it was at the most stable it has been been without the need for oral steroids or frequent use of the reliever inhaler. After listening to me she agreed that there shouldn't be a change to my prescription and that doctors do not always follow guidelines. I was miffed! Would you have been?
Discussion with pharmacist - Lung Conditions C...
Discussion with pharmacist
I think pharmacist was doing a gd job flagging it up.thats what he's trained to do.chatting to you,she wld prob make note on Yr record.
I would have been annoyed too. I also have bronchitis and asthma. I am on montelukast and Incruse Ellipta. The Ellipta was prescribed by the asthma nurse at my drs surgery, but was supposed to approved by the dr, who obviously knows my list of meds.
Many years ago I had gone to the pharmacy after work to get a prescription only to find out then that the doctors had refused to issue it claiming I needed a check up and they hadn't discussed this with me first and I was extremely annoyed!
The pharmacist rang the surgery and demanded they give me the medication and they did back down and said we will give you one more but then come in for a check up!
If they had said earlier with the previous prescription can you book an appointment for a check up I wouldn't have been cross!
No it's the disrespectful they went about it that upset me!
Needless to say I changed surgeries and will never go to that surgery again!
It's something that happens time to time, if you're under the care of a consultant, their advice superceeds that of your gp or pharmacist. And the stability of your condition should be paramount, if it's stable and well controlled, leave it aloneI've had gps try to change my asthma drugs from time to time. I just remind them my condition is stable and controlled and I've had no episodes of needing emergency treatment etc.
Medication reviews are obligatory at 6 months but are usually, just tick box exercises, NICE and nhs guidelines dictate this and gps are judged by meeting these targets.
Most gps will pass it down to pharmacists and these days will be conducted over the phone. If you're confident in your treatment that's ok, if not, then is the time to see a gp.
I do think that one of the risks with pharmacists is that they know quite a bit about the conditions which they usually dispense for and very little about those which are rarer and require different combinations of drugs. Such as bronch.I have had many pharmacists argue with me over my ( specialist prescribed) drugs for bronchiectasis. Stick to your guns.
Thanks Littlepom, although I was surprised, I've been on this medication for 2 years plus, I did put my case across. The pharmacist admitted that I was right and that she'd learnt something from me. I just don't think it was necessary. I would never request medication that hadn't been prescribed by my consultant which was what she was worried about.
I think that she was trying to do her best. Anyway, she learned something and will know next time
The pharmacist was trying to keep you safe- My son had a mock stroke cause by Stemetil - his mouth had dropped, he was given a Parkinsons Drug, Chemist rung up and asked why at 12 was he on this, a big danger, we told then he said ok, the drugs would counter each other, He was looking out for my son.
Well done the Pharmacist. They are highly qualified to check what they are giving out is correct. There are an awful lot of drugs that cannot be mixed and others that are brilliant for one person and deadly to the next. Have a good day, Chris.
i would be ok with it as she will know a great deal about the correct combinations of drugs and what is ok, and that is what she was questioning, for your safety. Pharmacists and GPs are part of a team and work closely, especially where the surgery and pharmacy is in the same building. But yes - she needed to raise it with you too.
I've got to be honest with you it was my pharmacist that spotted two of my medications that were interacting with each other which gave me even more short of breath. Its just them being vigilant.
My mum's chemist phoned the gp after she changed her medication after heart failure, we were very grateful to the chemist for this as I think it could have caused damage, her gp phoned to apologise after so think she may have learned something too x
I`d be glad that pharmacist took the time to look at it. Doctors aren`t always up to date and not all doctors liase with consultants. Keep well. 👍
hi I haven’t read all the comments but regarding pharmacists I recently had a review with a pharmacist who was checking my meds and what they were for. The appointment was made via my surgery and I think he may pop in there to do reviews. Mine was over the phone. I think it was to check they were having the correct effect and I was happy with them. Take care x
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