1mg e/c pred not available, here we go again

[Slowdown]

Is anyone else having problems getting this yet AGAIN, I have now run out completely - come on, Phoenix Labs, get your production up to speed so Spring and Autumn does not always herald a shortage. Please.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you written them a begging letter!?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Some else did contact them last year and had good reply from their customer services…can’t remember who at moment, but might find it later …l

[Kendrew in reply to DorsetLady]

I think it was me. I spoke to the commercial director of Alliance Healthcare who alerted me to the change of packaging which had changed the PIP code for ordering. I'm having no problem with my 1mg pred being dispensed, so not sure what the problem is this time. May be a regional problem.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

Thanks -are they based in Ireland? If am I thinking of another company?

[Kendrew in reply to DorsetLady]

I've actually no idea...I know Alliance Pharmaceuticals is based in Wiltshire but not sure about Phoenix Labs....they may be based in Ireland...that sounds familiar.

[Highlandtiger in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes Phoenix Labs are based in Clonee, County Meath, Ireland.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Highlandtiger]

So was it you who contacted them.. was dashing off to Pilates earlier,,,

[Highlandtiger in reply to DorsetLady]

No not me. The address is on the packaging and I remember someone contacting them a year or more ago and saying it was Ireland…

Trying very hard not to mention the (potential) elephant in the room… 😉

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Highlandtiger]

Ahh, yes……with you there!

[Shiv14 in reply to DorsetLady]

I live in Ireland and we did have a temporary supply issue also on the 1mgs. So it’s not a case of us refusing to share our ball in the playground🤣🤣🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shiv14]

Does Ireland also use enteric coated? I thought it was just the UK.

If anyone is refusing to share the ball it's the UK surely?

[Shiv14 in reply to PMRpro]

I have gotten 5mg and 2.5mg enteric coated produced in Ireland. Have always been given uncoated 1mg which has suited me so I’ve no idea if they are available coated. I just noticed the last batch of 1mg I got are actually produced in the uk but my 5mg are from here. So looks like all kids have learned to play together😁

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Shiv14]

Didn’t suggest it was 😊… but best not go into that whole shenanigans…..

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Highlandtiger]

I contacted them about 2 years ago as the licence was about to move from Alliance Health care in Wiltshire to Phoenix Labs in Ireland. So managed to track them down and emailed a nice man called Ken who reassured me we would be getting hold of the e/c 1 mg soon, which we did. But what a blimmin fiasco I remember! Sorry to hear the problem is rearing yet again. Good luck to you all in getting them if you're having difficulty.

[Purpleprimate in reply to DorsetLady]

I did after my chemist said they couldn’t get coated 1mg, which they then did.

[Slowdown in reply to PMRpro]

more of a 'begging your pardon' letter - went into pharmacy just now and they'd arrived. Relief all round. Supply chain issues as suggested - mustn't be so quick to jump to conclusions!😱

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Slowdown]

Phew!!!! But a useful bit of info for when it is claimed AGAIN that they aren't being made ...

[Highlandtiger]

My pharmacist (who is normally very good at sourcing medication quickly) took 3 weeks to get the 1mg e/c ones this last time and told me the problem was supply chain issues between the pharmacy and the wholesalers rather than from the manufacturer which fitted in with what someone else posted about them recently (I can’t remember who it was either but someone did post). There is a notice up in the pharmacy asking people to request repeat prescriptions a week earlier than usual because it is taking them longer to get all medications just now. Of course it may not be the same issue in your region.

To be fair it did coincide with Christmas and New Year so that probably made things worse.

[AshPen9 in reply to Highlandtiger]

I think it will have been me, Highlandtiger. I spoke to Phoenix Labs just before Christmas. Couldn't get 1mg g/r from any chemist. Boots told me that their system said unavailable short term. Phoenix said they were definitely producing and supplying to the wholesalers. Eventually Boots found a note on their system saying tgat they would be available yo order in a few days, and they got them for me. I'll need some more very soon so keeping fingers crossed! It's difficult enough getting the GP to prescribe them in the first place due to the cost.

[Bluey-1]

Just picked up a prescription and was given uncoated 1mg pred. Pharmacy say they’ll have to order in coated but as the prescription request from the doc’s just stated prednisolone they’ve given me uncoated. Hey ho, back to the doc’s. I specifically requested coated pred. Guess it’s the prescribing nurse sending off the request. I had a run in with her in the summer when I insisted on coated pred. I’ve done well on it so far in terms of no stomach problems and don’t want to rock the boat. Enough going on with GCA without added stress. Managing your medical admin is like a full time job.

[Highlandtiger in reply to Bluey-1]

You’re right. It's very wearing…

[Slowdown in reply to Bluey-1]

GPs sometimes reluctant to prescribe coated pred but I've had no stomach issues, except for a couple of hospital stays where, despite clear instructions on steroid card, they gave me plain plus stomach protection... keep persevering and good luck.

[Bluey-1 in reply to Slowdown]

All sorted, the prescription was re-sent and the pharmacist has ordered coated pred for me. I am well stocked with un coated 1mg pred for future use if I need to have 0.5mg. It is a pain chasing up prescriptions when you’ve been so organised and underlined enteric coated in the request. I’ll underline it in red ink as well next time.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This problem has been rumbling on since 2019 [and you know what] and I think the issue is more pronounced with the 1mg dose..although there have been glitches with the 2.5mg as well.

My view is that the 5mg is the most popular/profitable size with the manufacturers -so when they are low on the components [usually from China and India] they concentrate on that product and the smaller dose have to wait….

[Slowdown in reply to DorsetLady]

I think you're right, luckily we're an adaptable bunch here even though most of us don't possess you Freya-powers...just a little back-up emergency plan. And I also think the current wave of strikes has slowed everything down, I had a Christmas card delivery yesterday! Cheers 🍷

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Slowdown]

Did you see an article the other day that an item posted in 1916 has finally been delivered?

theguardian.com/uk-news/202...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Ironic intended recipient was married to a stamp dealer! 🤔

[Slowdown in reply to PMRpro]

ah, got 'lost behind some furniture' when the PO was closed...I love all these faded epistolary stories, whatever did Christabel say at the Circle she was so ashamed about?!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Slowdown]

We will never know!!!! Maybe the basis for a novel ...

Surprised the PO didn't demand the excess postage ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

…and storage! Pity Agatha Christie not around - “The case of the missing letter”

[Lyndaki]

In Spain where I now live, the lowest available tablet is 2.5! I’m currently on 2mg a day so problem! Thankfully I moved here under the WA so I have reciprocal health care in both Spain & U.K. so I had to register with a U.K. doctor & get my 1mg tablets there….the problem comes when I need more than 2 months at a time!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lyndaki]

Or there is something wrong with them! I used to get my prednisolone in the UK and stocked up while visiting which we did regularly then. I got a large batch of 5mg enteric coated ones that turned out to be duff - the 2.5mg ones worked fine, the 5s didn't and I flared in them! I had to switch to Medrol here and that was a whole different and unpleasant world!

[Lyndaki in reply to PMRpro]

🥴🥴