uk biologics deliveries in 2024

[Huguen]

Hi there good people,

Just a quick question for those of you who take monthly biologics injections. I take 50mg Simponi for AS.

How many injections are provided in each delivery (in the UK) these days?

I'm living outside the UK looking at returning. When I left in 2019 the system was (from memory) 3 pens delivered 4 times a year. Is that still the situation?

Thanks in advance,

Huguen.

[Zip1]

Hi, I’m not on the same biologic as you but I get 3 months supply delivered each time! Hopefully it will be the same for you!

[Huguen in reply to Zip1]

Thanks I think it looks likely mine would be the same as you. Cheers for getting back to me. 😊

[Chester1975]

I am on adalimumab and I receive two pens for a month taken every two weeks. Xx

[TheDocProf]

I am on adalimumab which I take once every 2 weeks. I get 4 pens delivered every 2 months.

[Huguen]

Here in Ireland it's 1 pen each month, collection no sooner than 7 days before injection day, from your nominated pharmacy.

To have more than 1 at a time you would think you'd asked to borrow the crown jewels! You have to supply travel dates and a letter from employer.

Thanks for replies 🙂

[JulieAndrea]

I take Cimzia and inject every two weeks. Sometimes I receive 1 months supply and sometimes 3. Whatever takes the hospital’s fancy as there seems to be no reason for it.

[Huguen in reply to JulieAndrea]

Yes, here in Ireland I've been told all different things about what to expect about my simponi supply, half of which turn out to be inaccurate.

I don't know about you, but I find the randomness of getting the meds very stressful and frustrating... I'm sure lots of the medical staff mean well but I sometimes feel nobody realises how restrictive being on these meds are...

[Leics]

I’m on abatacept and I get my meds every month. I have to inject every week so get 4 pens at a time. I’m lucky the delivery system seems to work well they always ensure I have 2 pens instock, so I haven’t ran out yet. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I go to stay at my daughters whilst she goes away for 3 weeks honeymoon but hopefully I can sort it out 🤞.

[oldtimer2]

It does depend on where you are and the local arrangements for supply.

Here (in Wales), I ask for a prescrition via the rheumatology secretary four weeks before I need it. The prescription is sent through the post (usually takes a week), I take it to the pharmacy that I use and who has set up an order with the supplier. They order it for me and it usually arrives a week later. I get eight weeks supply of weekly injections to keep in the fridge which I collect with a cool bag.

I need to be organised to ensure that I don't run out, but this system seems to work better that some other systems I have read about.

[Lisamac7414]

Hi I'm in the uk and on Simponi, and get 2 pens every other month.

[Huguen in reply to Lisamac7414]

Just to confirm you're on monthly simponi and get 2 injections delivered every 8 weeks? That's interesting especially given the earlier reply... hmmm I guess I'd need to check with my local rheumatology department to be sure. Thanks for your reply 👍 🙂