Zentiva brand Hydroxychloroquine

[Orchidlily]

I have been told by my pharmacy that Zentiva no longer manufacture Hydroxychloroquine. Can anyone confirm or refute this as I am very sceptical. it seems to be an endless battle to get them to supply me with this brand.

[davinafrost]

They do still manufacture them! It seems that the supply has, once again, dried up. My pharmacy cannot get hold of it at present either. Supply of this particular brand never seems to run smoothly. If you haven’t tried any of the others I’d recommend you do this before deciding that you have to stick with Zentiva. Unfortunately I cannot take any of the others. I wish you luck finding what you need - it’s been a battle over the past year or so. You could try and talk to Zentiva direct (Paul Howard has some contact details). Davina x

[happytulip]

It's ironic. Suddenly my pharmacy (Lloyds) are only giving me Zenteva and I am sure the stuff doesn't work on me. My lupus has worsened since I switched brand. I'm in the Anglia region

Has anyone else had experience of Zenteva increasing their symptoms??

[Bakbre in reply to happytulip]

I can’t take Zentiva as it tends to make me nauseous and I agree with you in that I don’t feel well whilst taking it and my symptoms appear to worsen.

However my pharmacy, which is in the doctors surgery, insisted on giving me it even though I had explained the situation. It happened every other prescription that they filled. I started opening the bag whilst still there to have a look what they had given me. I then have to have the same argument over again. The pharmacist usually told me that they had difficulty getting some of the others but then they always managed to, even if it was a day or two late. They obviously don’t have any problems in obtaining Zentiva!

I finally had a word with my Doctor about it and touch wood 3 prescriptions later, I haven’t yet been given Zentiva!

I think you just have to persevere about not been given it, but we shouldn’t have to have these kind of problems every month just to get the correct treatment.

I wish you luck!

[baba]

Useful link with thanks to Paul_Howard

lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychlor...

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Orchidlily ,

As others have said, Zentiva have not discontinued production of their hydroxychloroquine. Unfortunately supply issues for this particular version of the medication are relatively common because Zentiva only supply a small portion of the market and the wholesale suppliers don't order sufficient stock to meet demand. When the wholesalers don't have any available, the high street pharmacies often struggle to order it.

If you are able, it is worth calling other local pharmacies to see whether they can obtain it for you. Otherwise, it may be worth your pharmacist calling Zentiva customer services on 0844 8793 188.

[Orchidlily in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you Paul that is very helpful and thank you to everyone for your helpful responses. .

[Orchidlily in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you

[Gizmok9]

I had problems with the Boots chemist I use, they were saying the same so I emailed Zentiva they confirmed no supply issues. ( email start of July) Then I put a letter of complaint by email to Boots online thing. I Explained I’ve used this for version for 5 years and have supply issues all the time, as they won’t keep It in stock!! So ordered every 8 weeks as needed !!! Many time issues.

it worked my local boots chemist called back now in stock and keeping 8 boxes on shelf for me 😊😊😊and script filled x 🤞🤞

[Orchidlily in reply to Gizmok9]

Thank you.

[Orchidlily in reply to Gizmok9]

Thank you

[Orchidlily in reply to Gizmok9]

Thank you

[Gizmok9 in reply to Orchidlily]

Hopefully be sorted this time,🤞 I’ve had to send script to my dad 90 miles away to get it filled at a independent chemist, Boots have 2 chemists near me and the Gordon’s one refused point blank to order in!!! Right carry on as my script clearly states I need Zentiva! Hope you get sorted some where x

[Poshcards]

We keep hearing this, I had mine delivered from pharmacy only yesterday, I have not been told anything about this stopping x

[Wishie]

I have trouble getting it too, I can’t tolerate other brands so my GP has kindly stipulated to only dispense Zentiva brand, but they can never get hold of it. I’ve queried it and basically was told it’s down to money, the pharmacy will buy whichever is the cheapest as they can only claim so much back from the nhs.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Wishie]

Hi Wishie . If your doctor specifies a version/brand of a medication on the prescription then the pharmacy is not allowed to supply you with a different type without your permission. If they did, it would be a dispensing error which could be reported.

With generic medications pharmacies do tend to dispense the cheapest version they can get as they usually get a set reimbursement from the NHS. However, if the version/brand is specified on the prescription then they will get reimbursed the full cost of that type, rather than the usual set rate. This prevents them from losing any money as a result.

You can find more information about this at lupusuk.org.uk/hydroxychlor...

[LalSD in reply to Paul_Howard]

This is most valuable Paul. Because my GP told me that they can not prescribe a brand even though I repetitively told them I get very ill. My consultant recently wrote to my GP clarifying the same. I get the Zentiva brand and it is a pure luck and I am at the mercy of my pharmacist who changes its staff rota. It leaves me with begging and praying for my medication. It infuriates me to read they can specify the brand. I will write to them. This adds serious of mistakes they have been doing riding our care and treatment. Also puts more pressure on our consultants in hospitals as this particular GP is not fulling their duty of care.. many thanks for this. With best, Lale

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to LalSD]

Hi LalSD ,

It is very frustrating that they aren't listening to the experience of people living with the condition and making these simple adjustments which would improve their health and quality of life. I hope that you are able to get it sorted.

[LalSD in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you Paul. Much appreciated. Yes, I eventually get the right one. Many thanks for your support. With best, Lale

[LalSD in reply to Paul_Howard]

Just to confirm, once again, how useful this platform is and how important is to get/know the right information and how grateful we are to have you. The platform does not just offer a support role, it saves lives. Having this independent platform gives us detailed information as well as a level of coping mechanism by supporting each other.

[Wishie in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks, yes I’ve explained this to them, they agreed to ring me in future if they couldn’t dispense Zentiva, however that doesn’t happen, they just deliver whatever, this month I got one strip of Zentiva, then a total mix of quinoric & bristol 😩 I’ve had to ask my GP to give me a script for anti sickness tablets to counteract the problems the other brands cause me. I’ll even buy the medication privately myself if there’s a way? I get so stressed out about it every single month😙

[Potatoheat in reply to Wishie]

I had to go to an independent pharmacy ( local fortunately) as Lloyd's and Boots only get what's cheapest at the time !

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Wishie]

Hi Wishie ,

If you are able to try a different pharmacy, it may be worth it. Otherwise, you may wish to consider mentioning to them that if you are provided the incorrect version in the future you will report it to the General Pharmaceutical Council - pharmacyregulation.org/rais...

[Wishie in reply to Paul_Howard]

I’ve tried lots of different pharmacies, even to the point of ringing around in different towns and driving there to collect. But unfortunately the system at my GP has changed and they provide the pharmacy with a six month rolling script and the pharmacy just deliver 28 days supply each month, so I no longer have a physical script to take elsewhere. This has been done to cut down on the GP s workload which i understand . I might ring the pharmacy today and see what they can do, it’s a nightmare 🤯 Thanks for information. Tbh it causes so much stress that at times I’ve just felt like giving up and not taking the hydroxy at all.

[Potatoheat]

My pharmacy didnt have any last time. So he insisted I had Accord , never heard of it. I dont like Quinoric so changed pharmacy to get Zentiva . Hope it comes back again .

[catno1]

Hi,

I've got the Zentiva brand myself. Think it depends on how hard the pharmacy work and make phone calls to obtain, most don't.

Paul Howard's advice is worth reading, others have pointed you towards that.

I reacted badly to Quinoric. Also try the Black Rock Pharmaceutical brand. This one caused no reaction.

Obviously we're all different. Good luck and keep strong. After now fifteen years of trying to get support from pharmacies who have tried to palm me off with excuses I do know it's hard work. I printed Paul Howard's advice re what brands that would be worth a try and made my pharmacy read it. They suddenly became more helpful. It's worth a go.