Ezetimibe shortage?: I’ve just been to... - British Heart Fou...

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Ezetimibe shortage?

Petitlady profile image
17 Replies

I’ve just been to Boots to pick up a repeat prescription (ordered online via my GP) and was told they could not provide Ezetimibe and there is a manufacturer’s shortage. Handed me an iou and that was that! Store is understaffed and unhelpful.

Have others had difficulty getting this drug? I take alongside a statin to control what is probably a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol. The two together have been very effective

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Petitlady profile image
Petitlady
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17 Replies
MB1969 profile image
MB1969

Yes I take it and was also told by Boots they had trouble obtaining it. I need it alongside Stations too as statins alone do not keep my bad cholesterol levels down.

Art-99 profile image
Art-99

Hi, I live in Cyprus I have been taking Ezetrol for about a year and if not available, Ezetimbe which the pharmacist tells me is a generic form of the drug. I see that these drugs are available online with a prescription but it might be worthwhile trying different pharmacies to see if they still have some in stock. I also take warfarin which for some while has been impossible to get in Cyprus, my usual pharmacist was not helpful and I found a nearby pharmacy that managed to find me an equivalent anti coagulant within 24 hours.

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62

Hi I’ve recently started taking ezetimibe, 2 weeks ago. I take it on its own. I’m hoping I won’t have future problems getting it. My surgery put me on it, so I wont be able to contact my cardiologist to get some if my pharmacy don’t have it. Worried now.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie in reply toDeejay62

Go to Tesco if you can. They always seem to have the drugs when other Pharmacies don’t. 😃 PS l also prefer Boots. My late husband worked for them in Nottingham. Small world. 😀

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62 in reply toCavalierrubie

My Gp usually sends my prescription through to to my pharmacy. I had problems with entresto years ago. My pharmacy said in the end he had to give my hospital number as proof I was actually on it. My pharmacy told me certain meds had to be accounted for as to if they were actually going to those who needed it on prescription.

I have a good supply at the moment.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie in reply toDeejay62

What are we coming to?

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62 in reply toCavalierrubie

I know, but it doesn’t surprise me no wonder the NHS is struggling. I would hate to see it end at my age. All the best.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie in reply toDeejay62

Me too. The chaos is very worrying. Mistakes will inevitably be made because of lack of care. The world is crazy and man is destroying himself don’t you think? Thank God l am of my generation. PS my sister’s name is Diane!

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62 in reply toCavalierrubie

I agree with everything you’re saying. I feel the same the world is on a fast downward spiral even the days are moving so quickly. I don’t know if exhaustion is because of my heart or if it’s because of the way things are. Was she born in the 60s. It was either Diane or Julie😀there were a few others but those were the names in school😀

Petitlady profile image
Petitlady in reply toCavalierrubie

Thanks! Having only recently started to need all these meds I am having to adjust to a world where you don’t get a paper prescription. I am wondering whether I did the wrong thing by nominating a pharmacy so I’m locked into this relationship.

There does seem to be a shortage of pharmacists in our area. The local Boots is being covered by staff from different branches.

I’m feeling my age, because my mindset is different to young people. The pharmacy has shelves of prescription drugs behind the counter. The pharmacist helping me yesterday was searching for ezetimibe and kept pulling out random drawers. I could see, just idling standing waiting, that everything was stored alphabetically. Made sense to me, but she obviously didn’t realise. I tried not to be too impatient, but in the end I couldn’t help pointing out where to look, which is how she found a couple of half used packets, which is better than nothing!

Survivor1952 profile image
Survivor1952

Had a renewal prescription about a week ago, no issues at all getting my ezetimibe. I use a small, local, independent chemists.

Petitlady profile image
Petitlady

thanks everyone. I walked to Boots again this morning and they managed to find 25 tablets so I’ve got a bit of space to sort this out. Boots is my nearest chemist and I have some ( misplaced) loyalty to the brand as growing up in Nottingham we had friends and family employed by them.

It’s thrown up another issue for me though. I have a digital prescription renewal service from my GP. Strongly encouraged by them, with local Boots as my nominated pharmacy. When a problem like this arises I have no physical prescription so I can’t go to another pharmacy and the pharmacist confirmed that only this branch would honour the “iou”. A bit like internet banking, it’s great - until it goes wrong and it’s “computer says no”

Finally, my local Boots cannot get pharmacy staff. There is someone different there every day. I live in a London suburb, not in the depths of the countryside. If the government really think pharmacies can relieve the pressure on GPs they are going to have to find some more Qualified staff pretty quick!

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

LOts of things temporarily out of stock or delayed. My husband couldn't get his diabetes tablets this week. My opiate painkiller has been o ut several times and I'm allergic to the generics. I usually ring round various chemists to see if they have any in stock then I have to get a new prescription sent to them b y the GP

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie

I meant to reply to you. Please see further down to my post.🤔

Catmum23 profile image
Catmum23

Still a shortage, Boots told me to ask GP for alternative but GP and another pharmacy told me there is no alternative. Was prescribed ezetimibe by endocrinology at hospital so have called them to see what they advise. They also just started me on Repatha a few weeks ago so hoping I won't need the ezetimibe any more

Petitlady profile image
Petitlady in reply toCatmum23

it’s worrying isn’t it? I hope you get it sorted soon!

Mutabilis32 profile image
Mutabilis32

Ezetimibe not available in Hertford either - pharmacist says 'blame Brexit'

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