Hi all. I don't believe it but Zentiva has gone walk about again. My pharmacist said , no problem last time, it will be OK now. Guess what , I got IPCA again this time . He wasn't there and the lady was very unhelpful .
Not sure what to do now, may try Boots again . Grrr.
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Potatoheat
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I have the same problem. I tried 2 pharmacies yesterday who tried their suppliers one of whom was Alliance and both were out of stock. I now have a paper prescription to trawl around town with. Boots couldn’t help me before but I ll try them again today if I can. So frustrating.
I would try the smaller pharmacies to be honest. Boots always told me not available, but at the small pharmacy I don't get anything but zentiva so it is available.
That’s awful, we shudnt need to search around, I’m usually ok with other brands but recently I found IPCA is definitely upsetting my stomach, I got one box zentivia and one ipca. I called my GP and receptionist told me I can only get what the pharmacy has in stock 🤔 and also I can’t get any more ordered as the computer says I’m not due any. Honestly so I’m supposed to just keep taking a tablet that upsets me. I’ve had to cut it back to one a day to spread my zentivia out then I may still not get any that agrees with me. My Rheumy told me to tell them to change to Zentivia as she has had quite a few complaints with hydroxy. I’ve been on it for years now with no problems till I took ipca. If I go into a flare I won’t be a happy bunny.
On the advice of your rheumy you should request that your GP specifies Zentiva on your prescription, then the pharmacy is obliged to dispense exactly that. However, there are currently supply issues with many types of medication, meaning that pharmacies can be unable to source the brand required. Contacting the manufacturer directly can sometimes give more information as to supply availability.
Hi, well I thought that when I said I’ve spoken to my Rheumy and told receptionist that it would be ok, but it’s a total nightmare just now, our GP is a small country practice and are usually very good but since they have went all automated it has gone to the wall, I did eventually get to speak to her then she called me to say they can’t guarantee it. I just despair atm 🤷♀️
I totally agree about this changeover to an online way of working in GP practices. I haven't actually seen my GP face-to-face for several years, and her usual form of communication to me is by a text message that you cannot reply directly to. However, the NICE guidelines regarding levothyoxine state that if a patient has an adverse reaction to a particular brand or brands, their GP is able to stipulate on the prescription the brand which is tolerated by the patient, and the pharmacy is obliged to dispense exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately this is sometimes not possible due to current supply issues with many meds, but the pharmacy should do their best to comply. I do hope that you can get your GP to acknowledge and act in the NICE guidelines, if not, a complaint should be made to the practice manager. Good luck!
I got my prescriptions moved to WELL pharmacy. They are the only pharmacy locally that got me Zentiva and I have had no problems since switching to them 6 months ago. They use more than one supplier and will order direct from Zentiva if needed.
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