Zentiva rears it's ugly head

[Poshcards]

Looks like it's here we go again, I could only get 7 of my 56 tabs last Friday and today the pharmacy, which is a Well pharmacy says my hubby will have to traipse around them all again as they cannot get anymore!! anybody else having problems, I am so fed up with it all x

[Lizard28]

I could be joining you.I am usually ok with the other brands but this new IPCA brand is really upsetting my stomach, I spoke with my Rheumy consultant and she said I had to ask for the zentiva brand which I did. I got a call from the receptionist saying it’s up to the chemist what they give me. Told me I wasn’t due anymore for another month so wouldn’t let me order more. I have had to cut my dose to one tablet to make them last longer. Unfortunately my rash has appeared and my hands have started getting worse again. I sent them an email saying I need to order more. I honestly don’t know what I will get given. I stay in the country, if they don’t give me it I will need to collect my prescription next time and take a train journey to try and find a pharmacy that supply it. It’s all so frustrating.

[MaximumRide]

Hi, your pharmacy is lying to you. It all comes down to cost. Because Zentiva is pricey, no one wants to pay for it. There is a helpline and email address for pharmacies to use to contact Zentiva directly to source the tablets. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post it here. But this is what I was given...08448793188

[e-mail]

I'd put in a complaint or change pharmacy. Too many pharmacies are refusing to do what's best for the patient 😔

[Lupievic in reply to MaximumRide]

I called Zentiva directly 0844 879 3188 to ask them who had a supply in my area as I was unable to get any from 3 different pharmacies including Boots as previously recommended. They told me there is no shortage even though the pharmacies said they couldn’t get any from their suppliers. The lady I spoke to was very helpful and suggested I try Rowlands pharmacy who they have a contract with. She also told me to call back if I still couldn’t find any. My local Rowlands had 4 boxes and I was able to collect them from there. Be aware this is not a free phone number though.

It’s such a stressful process which does not help any of us with our mental or physical health at all. 😭. Good luck. Let us know how you get on. X

[Poshcards in reply to Lupievic]

Thanks for replying, I really don't know if I can cope with it all, all over again. I don't think we have a Rowlands around here, but will look. My hubby is just about off to doctors to try and get a 'ticket' as the pharmacist called it x

[cobsie]

After feeling happier that i was almost caught up on my backlog of Zentiva from May, now the pharmacy has not managed to get the last box in over a month. Zentiva were supposed to have done a deal with Alliance as the biggest distributor of meds, and it would be reasonable to assume that was based on price. This a really bad situation to be in worrying about availability and having to trail around. Good luck everyone- my next bi-monthly script due in about 3 weeks x

[Pinky1go]

My prescription says Zentiza only. I had trouble a while back, but my local boots seems to have it sorted now. They get me 6 boxes in, and keep them on the shelf with my name on. I can see the pink boxes from the counter. When I get down to one left I normally remind them that I will need a new order. I went to collect my prescription the other day and there were 6 boxes back on the shelf with a note on my bag saying please inform Wendy we have restocked 6 mths of Zentiva for her. It did take a lot of perseverance to get to this stage, and I gave them Zentivas contact details. 🤞 it continues. Good luck.

[dg70]

I was having trouble but my well pharmacy have been so kind that when they order hydroxychloroquine and happen by chance to get zentiva, they put my name on it and keep it for me. Before putting my prescription in I check they have it. If they don't it's back to ringing round to see if any other chemists have it. It's tiring and upsetting. If you can, try and find a chemist who can put it by for you if they happen to get some. I only recently found out that if you only get half your prescription from a chemist they cannot give you anything to get the rest somewhere else, you have to wait for them to get it. It's frustrating!!

[Larks0ng]

Yes, Poshcards, it's a lottery. Last week my (usually helpful but not always) independent pharmacy gave me the dreaded IPCA. For once I decided to refuse to accept it. I was questioned whether my prescription specified Zentiva (I've been going there for about 5 years now), to which I replied yes. After some discussion, miraculously there appeared from the back room a box of Zentiva. I had actually phoned them the day before to check this but was met with "Oh I don't know what we've got on the shelf". As well as "we don't always get what we want" - I don't know if that was directed specifically at me!! It's all very frustrating. In addition, before I went in to my pharmacy to return the IPCA, I popped in to Superdrug and they had Zentiva and confirmed they were usually able to get it. I may have to change pharmacies, as I have other things on my repeat prescription as well. 🤷‍♀️

[Poshcards in reply to Larks0ng]

Thank you, our nearest superdrug with pharmacies is about An hour each way, will have to keep driving to different ones x