ERFA Thyroid; nhs supplies problem?

[Sallyplum]

Is anyone else having a problem getting their ERFA Thyroid tabs from the NHS due to nhs suppliers not getting stock?

My GP practice normally supplies these and has done for many years; but have in the last 2-3 months started saying they have a problem getting it through their normal supplier.

I have like most people had several years battling with my GP and CCG regarding prescribing this medication. I have seen a specialist who says absolutely I should have it....since then and never previously.....they have a problem with their suppliers. Is this a coincidence?

I don’t know whether they are playing silly buggers with me or whether this is genuine.

When I take a script to an independent chemist, they are able to get it the next day?!? In all the many many years I’ve been taking this medication I’ve never had a problem getting it via nhs suppliers. If they are playing games, then they’re loosing out on 1/3 of the cost going into heir purses; haha

So ERFA suits me then they got me Armour; which doesn’t suit me....I didn’t ask them to substitute my ERFA as if there is a problem with supplies I’m happy going to the chemist to cash my script. So now I have 50 Armour tablets which are absolutely no good to me. I’ve covered my surgery details on the ERFA pot photograph. !

Please can you let me know what’s happening to you if you get ERFA scripts are you still able to get them.. Thank you,

[RedApple Administrator]

Someone else posted about Erfa supply problems yesterday. See here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Sallyplum in reply to RedApple]

Thank you.

That post was private script stock issuefor2 grain tabs.

So I was keen to see if nhs is having stock problems.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Sallyplum]

Have you considered that both "private" and NHS prescriptions, whether dispensed at a surgery or a pharmacy, rely on the same supply chains?

Hospital pharmacies might tap into these supply chains a step higher up, but they also rely on those supply chains. Any issue from original manufacturer through to UK distributor would impact all supply.

[Sallyplum in reply to helvella]

I can take my nhs script to high street chemist and they get it the next day....they don’t have any problem with supply or suppliers. So ERFA is coming into the Uk ok.

[lisabax]

I know your post was over a week ago, and I’m sure you’ve had replies to say that there are indeed problems with Erfa supply that have been going on for several months, but I wonder if you’d mind sending me a PM as I’d love to know how you persuaded your GP and CCG to prescribe it on the NHS. I’ve trued and got a point blank refusal so am paying for it privately even though it costs less than the T4/T3 combo I was getting on the NHS before making the switch ! Good luck with getting your Erfa back. Thank you LB

[Sallyplum in reply to lisabax]

Hi, I know this sounds daft; how do I PM you?

[lisabax in reply to Sallyplum]

if you click on the little picture next to my name, you should get through to my page to be able to PM. Thank you!

[Sallyplum in reply to lisabax]

For anyone wondering how I got nhs scripts; it’s taken me years of stress and anxiety, arguments and being bullied and deleterious acute health problems when I reduced by the tiniest dose.

I was referred to Dr Boelaert at QE Brum would said pig Thyroid is a nonsense and I must stop both ERFA and replace with Thyroxine and reduce Liothyronine. She is on Nice committee.

After initiating her programme within a month I was very ill and 6/52 had emergency admission to hospital and followed 6/12 of a series of acute problems and illnesses; 18/12 later I’m still not fully recovered.

I have since seen another consultant who said I should stay on medication which has suited me for many years and so I’m back on ERFA and Liothyronine.

I know I’m incredibly lucky but we should t be put in this position; I cannot tolerate Thyroxine and need the T3 but also do best with some ERFA too. Why should I think myself lucky?

So the answer I suppose is find a ‘sympathetic’ Endo who will write to your local CCG. It did help that I’d had 14 years of nhs prescriptions for the stuff .

[lisabax in reply to Sallyplum]

Thank you and well done!