Zentiva hydroxychloroquin: Hi all, Today my Tesco... - LUPUS UK

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Zentiva hydroxychloroquin

Petrof profile image
16 Replies

Hi all,

Today my Tesco pharmacy gave me another brand, thinking that I will not notice? Anyway, I checked and then they said that Zentiva brand is not manufactured anymore. I told them that it is still manufactured but there are problems with supplies. I returned the one they gave me as I have enough supply for now. A question for admin or anyone who knows, please. Are there any updates, please?

Many thanks

Hana

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Petrof profile image
Petrof
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16 Replies
Potatoheat profile image
Potatoheat

Oh not again ! Thought it was sorted a couple of months ago. I need to collect mine tomorrow so will be interesting to see what happens. Hope they haven't stopped producing! Fingers crossed. Do you have a Boots near you, they said they could get it in August. Good luck.

cobsie profile image
cobsie

Zentiva most certainly is still manufactured. They made some kind of arrangement with Alliance to distribute it. On the system there is the option to order Zentiva brand and it should be supplied. Should is the word as not much is guaranteed. Through my local pharmacy I now have my backlog of hydroxy. I never thought I would get excited at the sight of the pink and blue boxes sitting right next to IPCA ones on their shelf - been in so many times that I know where they stock them. Tell Tesco about Alliance and hopefully they will get the right brand for you. Take care x

Petrof profile image
Petrof in reply to cobsie

Thank you.

Petrof profile image
Petrof in reply to cobsie

Thank you.

kt11 profile image
kt11

It is still being produced and they are obliged to order Zentiva if your prescription states it. I had trouble getting it and emailed my MP, eventually the head pharmacist rang me , he said it;s in the terms and conditions of pharmacies to order the meds that are on the prescription. If you can get your GP to prescribe a batch order you have a better chance of getting it.

It;s exhausting! I hope you get it Petrof, good luck x

Petrof profile image
Petrof in reply to kt11

Thank you for your reply.

KittyJones profile image
KittyJones

I've been fobbed of with alternatives, mostly because they are cheaper than the Zentiva brand. But I can't tolerate the alternatives. Had to move to another pharmacy, my GP put a note on my script explaining that I couldn't have the alternatives. Occasionally I still get sent the wrong brand - my prescription medicines are delivered. So now I check the box before the driver leaves. I read a rheumatology article a few years back that was about a study into the various brands and formulations of hydroxychloroquine. Around 98% of people who couldn't tolerate hydroxychloroquine were taking a brand called Quinoric. I also had major problems with that and a couple of generics with the same formulation

Petrof profile image
Petrof

Thank you. Yes I tried Quinoric before and had stomach problems. I have just received a reply from Zentiva to my email re supplies. They said no problems with supplies anywhere. Will go and show the Tesco pharmacy the email.

KittyJones profile image
KittyJones in reply to Petrof

Relieved to hear there are no problems with supply. Supermarkets in my experience try to push people onto the cheapest available brand of medications, that's why I stopped using Asda's pharmacy.

I lost a stone in weight over 2 months that I was on Quinoric, because of the stomach issues. A lot of the generics in the UK are the same formulation as Quinoric. Zentiva is the same formulation as Plaquenil. There are a couple of fillers and stabilisers in Quinoric that are not in Zentiva which are known to case severe gut problems. For me, a stone was too much to lose, as I was only 8 stone to start with. Hope your problems with getting the Zentiva from Tesco is resolved quickly

Petrof profile image
Petrof in reply to KittyJones

Thanks

Petrof profile image
Petrof

Well, when I went back to the pharmacy with an email from Zentiva, they said: oh, we have it. They just changed the packaging! Really? Anyway, seems all is well. Thanks for all your messages that motivated me to contact Zentiva.

Paul_Howard profile image
Paul_HowardPartnerLUPUS UK in reply to Petrof

Hi Petrof ,

I'm really pleased to hear that your pharmacy has now supplied you with Zentiva. I'm sorry that you had to go through that palaver though.

My colleague Debbie_kinsey is continuing to work hard, liaising with the manufacturers and pharmacies to keep track of what is happening and update our guidance. She'll be pleased to see that you got hold of yours.

Poshcards profile image
Poshcards

No problems with Zentiva at all, I get my monthly ones OK now, crisis is long over, I think they cant get from their wholesaler!!

Petrof profile image
Petrof in reply to Poshcards

Thanks.

Potatoheat profile image
Potatoheat

Same problem today. They have given me IPCA again. Not my usual pharmacist , she was very unhelpful. Might try Boots again.

Petrof profile image
Petrof

Oh no. But let me reassure you that there are no supply issues or shortage of Zentiva HXQ, as per reassuring email from Zentiva

Hope it helps.

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