Hydroxychloroquine shortages

[marie66]

Hi, anyone experiencing problems getting Hydroxy? Local pharmacy says it’s unobtainable and GP will need to prescribe something else. Not sure how that will work as it’s a rheumatology prescription. Any thoughts? M x

[Annscottie]

Just had my hydroxy prescription renewed no problem. I'm in west midlands.

[AgedCrone]

I would speak to your rheumatology nurse..she will explain to the rheumy & get his instructions for the GP.

[marie66 in reply to AgedCrone]

Rheumatology nurse on holiday nobody answering helpline just referring patients back to GP. Still no further forward yet.

[AgedCrone in reply to marie66]

If you can’t get through to your GP….& it isn’t too far to go- why don’t you go in & see what they are advising …they probably have other patients with similar problems…..or there must be somebody in the rheumatology department at the hospital you attend….,speak to the receptionist & ask who is available in that department to give advice..or have you tried the hospital pharmacy?

I know it’s very inconvenient, but keep trying…you’ll get an answer in the end,

[marie66 in reply to AgedCrone]

GP just said awaiting further information. I’ve contacted rheumatology nurse helpline which opened again today so I’m hopeful she’ll phone me soon. M x

[AgedCrone in reply to marie66]

🤞🤞🤞you are in luck today!

[Madmusiclover]

Try different pharmacy. Ring round first. A lot of my female friends are doing this with HRT shortages all the time.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I’m not having any problems getting my hydroxy but I did have a problem recently with a named blood pressure tablet when I used to use Boots - Lloyds couldn’t get it either but recommended that I try an independent pharmacy in a local village and the seem to be getting it ok. Maybe try and find something similar.

[Leics]

In our area (Leicestershire) all the branches of Lloyds pharmacies are closing. Some are being run as independents but I’ve been told all branches are due to close or being taken over. So maybe that’s the problem ?

[Rachmaninov2]

My independent pharmacy is having difficulty getting several of my medications. When I started using them they were helpful and friendly, although recently almost abrupt.

[AbbieWilliamson]

I work in a pharmacy and we are struggling to get them in, I’m on them myself and had to go through 3 different supplies just to get some but got them in the end. Try another pharmacy. X

[AbbieWilliamson]

it’s not the pharmacies that are getting worse, we just stock the medication. It’s the suppliers and doctors putting 100s of patients on them same medication and manufacturers cant keep up with the supply

[Sorren]

I had problems with my supply but found the chemist wanted to change brand because it was no longer on NHS list. Changed pharmacy and they have so far managed to get my particular one but occasionally they try to give me a different one if the pharmacist goes on holiday but that's another story.

[hemsworth]

Yes local pharmacy delivered 5 hydrox short and 12 methotrexate short saying they were having problems with supplies. All sorted now tho. North Yorks

[gillpalmer]

I am in Suffolk have no problem at the moment getting it.

[Rachmaninov2]

Yes, it’s not looking good.

[Poshcards]

BIG yes, spoke to pharmacies two days ago and he said no Zentiva, I cant take other brands they make me throw up. He also said the only way you can get Zentiva is if you are in hospital, I have been frantic, he said to leave it with him and he will look into it further, I don't know what to do either! xx

[Man_Oeuvre in reply to Poshcards]

Yes, friend in Edinburgh with lupus has same - stomach problems with alternative brand, but no Zentiva HcQ in usual local pharmacy. It is all she can take for lupus, so major problem for her. I've come off it because of suspected eye issue.

[marie66]

It’s now no hydroxychloroquine of any brand available. My GP is still waiting on info from Rheumatology on what’s to happen next! What a mess I’m down to my last few so I’ve dropped the dose to 200mgs as I’m now effectively tapering off! What a mess! M x