Any issues getting Hydroxychloroquine

[Staceylouise90]

Hello,

My rheumatologist had said on the 03rd March that she is happy to start me on 6 months worth of this to see whether this improves my symptoms which she stated in a letter to my GP.

My gp has said that the medication has to issued from the rheumatologist and I am struggling to get hold of her for the last 3 weeks.

I am now having a flare up and really struggling but I am concerned with the current pandemic that trying to get this drug as it’s being used for some trials for coronavirus is anyone having any issues receiving this medication and also does your hospital issue this?

Any advice would be helpful.

Many thanks

[Kevin53]

Supplies are returning to normal. A statement from Wales:

WRITTEN ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS

FOR ANSWER BY

THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

ON 07 APRIL 2020

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What steps is the Minister taking to ensure a robust supply of hydroxychloroquine to patients reliant on that medication to manage: lupus; scleroderma; rheumatoid arthritis and other serious autoimmune rheumatic conditions, during the coronavirus pandemic? WAQ79753 (e)

Vaughan Gething: I not aware of any problems with the supply of hydroxychloroquine in the UK at present.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has advised prescribers that hydroxychloroquine must not be used for treatment of COVID-19 outside clinical trials, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has advised pharmacists that they should not dispense private prescriptions for this medicine unless it is for a patient using it for lupus or other pre-existing conditions. Arrangements are in place for wholesalers to alert the UK Government to unusual ordering patterns for all medicines and in particular those which may be affected by COVID-19.

Whilst hydroxychloroquine has been suggested as a potential treatment for COVID-19, it is not licensed to treat this disease. A UK clinical trial called RECOVERY has started which will involve some patients being treated with hydroxychloroquine but stock for this trial is not coming from the normal supply chain so usual stocks should not be affected. Welsh patients are taking part in this trial.

[Staceylouise90 in reply to Kevin53]

Thank you very much xx

[MissusTee]

I haven't had any problems getting mine.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Staceylouise90 ,

As others have kindly stated already, the short-term issue with stock appears to have been resolved. You can stay up to date on this at lupusuk.org.uk/covid19-hydr...

Hydroxychloroquine doesn't usually have to be issued by your rheumatologist. GPs can prescribe it. It may be worth checking with your GP again about this.

[sarahsch]

Hi,

My last repeat hasn't been fulfilled. Pharmacy unable to obtain from their suppliers. They will keep trying. I can tolerate anything except Quinoric/ Bristol Labs.

Sarah x

[HedgeEnd]

I'm in Wales and my chemist hasn't been able to get any hydroxychloroquine from their two suppliers. They have put in an urgent request for me to both suppliers and told me to ring in a week to see if it has come in. Luckily I have enough left for a week or so x