Has anyone ever had meds delivered when away from home. I'm made a general enquiry to my MBC team and they say best offer is three months prescription of palbociclib if I'm stable.
I may want to be spending part of my time here and part in another part of the UK.
They said I could register with a local doctor and a new MBC team. But that wouldn't resolve anything.
I just wondered if anyone had experience of using a courier to collect from hospital pharmacy and deliver?
I guess I'm determined this condition isn't going to rule my life!
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Beryl71
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I got my Palbociclib through my BlueCross/Blue Shield special pharmacy and it was delivered via FedEx to whatever address I requested. I should think your pharmacy could mail it, or could you have someone get it for you and FedEx or mail it to where you are.
I'm in the UK and my hospital works through boots but they do have a delivery service but they won't give meds to anyone else or post them, I got Ibrance delivered today, my partner answered the door and the guy said he had to hand them directly to me as they're a controlled drug (what if I hadn't been in?!?) Could you not ask your consultant for a prescription that you can drop at a chemist if you go away? X
Funny how different countries operate so differently. I got mine delivered federal express and my doorman signs for it. Even when I am home, he signs for it, and then will call me and if I don't want to go downstairs he will put in the elevator and press my floor.
I was told I can only get it through Boots issued direct from hospital. The rest of my meds come by post through echo delivery service. The MBC team said best solution is to get the doctor to prescribe for three months. I'll work on that I think.
Well, they must realize people travel or go away, so I cannot see why that would be an issue. I think here in NY (not sure) that as long as I showed them airline tickets that they would do so. Who knows? but I will not be traveling for a long time. I do not think I could sit in a plane that long anymore and bc I would have to purchase medical insurance and I heard that is super expensive. But I did alot of traveling when I was younger (in my 40s) Africa, Machu Picchu, Amazon Rain Forest, all over Europe. So glad I did that back then bc no way I could do that now for sure.
This is my area of expertise having moved both “down the road” but out of the catchment for my hospital and then to Europe but having to remain under the care of the NHS.
My hospital in Surrey would only deliver to Boots chemists in their area so it meant it was just as quick to drive back to the hospital to collect the meds when they were ready. Obviously this is not an option for you. I was surprised by the lack of a “joined up” National Health Service.
Then I moved again. With the U.K. leaving the EU and with Covid delays this caused unforeseen difficulties and I was off treatment for an additional ten days while my three month supply of Ibrance was stuck in transit! It was rather stressful. So reluctantly I am flying back to the U.K. next week to collect my next three month supply of Ibrance. I have now had both vaccines which should help!
International travel is not for the faint hearted these days. With flight cancellations, expensive flights, (at the end of November I paid £500 for a flight that would previously have been £50), Covid test at both ends (another £300) and ten days quarantine at both ends one needs to have stamina. To say nothing of the need to go from shielding to braving travelling through central London by train or choose the taxi option (another £130 each way!)
Anyway, now I’ve got that off my chest (pardon the pun) back to your question.
What I have found works best (if you can) is to take three months supply with you then have your normal three month telephone consultation with your oncologist. Once the drugs have been prescribed get a friend to collect and send to you. Courier companies usually won’t collect from hospitals and you need contact details of an individual prepared to be the point of contact at the hospital. Let the pharmacy/hospital know who will be collecting on your behalf. This is where it got tricky for me. I used UPS next day delivery service but they don’t work weekends and the delay was 10 days in January (Brexit/Covid delays) and their website up-dates did not match reality so I can’t recommend them. There have been delays in the U.K. postal system as well but that may have gotten better recently. If you’re on the new tablets I’d recommend recorded delivery but someone else might have experience of using a reliable 24 hour courier service which won’t have the hassle of crossing international boarders.
Unless your move is likely to be long term I wouldn’t recommend muddying the waters with changing your medical team/hospital. You could try the telephone consultation/post or courier option initially and decide later on. As long as you are stable it’s the easiest solution. A Covid silver lining for stable MBC patients has been telephone consultations imo.
I almost forgot to mention the blood test. I get my results and email them to my oncologists medical secretary to be uploaded to my patient file in time for the oncology appointment (nimble planning required). So you might want to get those contact details and explain your situation in advance. Once you’ve done it once it will get easier.
I admire you making this move and hope you find happiness.
That's all very useful. My sister has been collecting my pills from Boots Horsham as that's as near as Boots at Redhill hospital will do. So I've already done that bit. And since diagnosis I've only ever had a telephone appointment. I'll work on getting three months supply I think and try to plan round it. We're grappling with the transport issues, as you say flights are reduced and more expensive, and now ferries and car hire overbooked as everyone embraces freedom! We'll get there.. ...
Snap Beryl! I’m also treated at ESH! 😊 Plan A for me was always to use friends to be drugs mules to get my Palbociclib but Covid and boarder closures put an end to that!! 😤
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