Hi
I'm on 87.5 mcg Levothyroxine and although I request no Teva on my prescription it keeps being dispensed. The 50's are never Teva but the 25's and 12.5'sare.
It's Lloyds pharmacy and they say they can't get anything else. Does anyone know of an online pharmacy or chain that is less likely to dispense Teva? It's driving me potty every month!
Your pharmacist should be able to order what you require. For another medication I take, I asked my pharmacist only to order a particular one as another did give me unpleasant symptoms (it wasn't a thyroid hormone). Change to another pharmacist and your doctor should be able to state on your prescription Teva and you are entitled to get this.
I open my packet when in chemist and if it isn't what I want I tell them there and then.
My last 2 prescriptions I have had to have back from Lloyds for the same reason.
First time around, I was prewarned they only had Teva, but second time, despite the script specifically stating not to dispense Teva, they dispensed it anyway. very naughty in my view.
On both occasions, I took my script to the next nearest pharmacy which is and HBS Group: hbspharmacy.co.uk/branches/
They dispensed Mercury Pharma for both my 100 and 25 mcgr requirements.
I have switched pharmacies for the time being - both on the basis of the lack of non-Teva, but even moreso on the Lloyds atitude to complying with the prescriber's instructions - especially as they blamed the Doc, the tried to cover it up.
I think I'm going to have to request a paper prescription and start calling around.
Sadly, that is what I have always done. I never accepted the "send to pharmacy" option.
It wouldn't be so bad if, having been sent to a pharmacy that cannot supply, that pharmacy could simply give you a paper prescription to take elsewhere, but I don't think that is possible.
Lloyds did this for me last time and I had to take it to 3 different pharmacies. In the end it was Boots that ordered for me. But I was told 12.5 is only made by Teva. So I accepted those but I'd rather they gave me half a pack of 25's and I'd take on alternative days.
Are you absolutely sure of that?
I was under the impression that the pharmacy will not be paid more than the tariff price but did not have to go for the current least cost.
holyshedballs
Hi,
I also had a brand change to Teva which didn't work for me at all. I usually take actavis. I rang around the local pharmacies and one was kind enough to order in my specific dosage and had it in the same day. If your current pharmacy won't, I'd suggest calling around. I only had to try 2 chemists, so hopefully you should have some luck. The one which helped me was not a chain.
I occasionally get Teva for the 25mcg (I take 125mcg) and just this time when I was back to another brand beginning to think that Teva was not working for me. I have been back on the other brand for just over a week and feel so much better, a completely different person and actually feel like doing things. I was going to put a note when I ordered my next repeat prescription for the GP to state not to be Teva. I know there was an issue with it a few years ago but thought it was all sorted recently, but the way I was feeling I just wondered.
Two completely separate issues.
A few years ago, Teva levothyroxine tablets were withdrawn from the market because they failed to delver the claimed dose of levothyroxine. This left people under-dosed.
The "New formula" Teva levothyroxine tablets are an entirely different formulation but a considerable number of people feel bad when taking them. It is suspected that the replacement of lactose (present in all other UK levothyroxine tablets) by mannitol in Teva is behind the problems but this has not, so far as I know, been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
I had to have 125mcgm of levo at one point and as Actavis, my preferred levo only comes in 100 and 50mcgm, I asked for scrip for 100mcg and 50mcg and cut the 50 in half just so I could have same brand.
I now take some T3 with 100mcg levo and get 20mcg T3 tablets which I quarter and everything is fine.
As I read it, this statement from the Drug Tariff means that pharmacies usually get paid the drug tariff price for medicines. What the pharmacy pays for that medicine would appear to be irrelevant.
Therefore, if some distributor offers a BOGOF (buy one, get one free), or other offer, the pharmacy will be dead keen on it as it opens up a margin to their advantage. Equally, if the pharmacy has to pay more than the drug tariff price, tough.
But that does NOT mean they have to dispense the cheapest product. Just that it is likely in their commercial interest to do so.
However, I am certainly no expert on the complex rules governing pharmacy payments. If there is such an expert here, please dive in and keep us on the straight and narrow.
CLAUSE 8 BASIC PRICE
A
The basic price for those drugs, appliances and chemical reagents ordered by a name, or a synonym of that name, included in Parts VIII or IX shall be the price listed in the Drug Tariff.
I have the opposite problem as I can only have Teva as I cannot have Lactose .The times I have been given other makes so I usually check it before leaving the shop.Last week I forgot as I was buying other things .When I got home and realised their mistake I rang them and took them back .Iwas then told I was at fault as I had not checked in the shop.I pointed out that on the label they have put on the box it says Please supply Lactose Free ,two people have checked the order and still got it wrong but they would not accept it was their fault (it never is ) I am going to ask the GP to state Teva on the Prescription .
Sainsbury do mine
Teva levothyroxine
Teva Levothyroxine
TEVA Levothyroxine 
TEVA Levothyroxine 
