On holiday on Kos island

[Laundretta]

*Admin please delete if not allowed*

Many pharmacies are ‘out of stock’ here but I managed to get some t3 tablets today. 2euro 30 for 30 25mcg tablets.

Pharmacist in total shock when I told her it would cost c. 320 Euros in the uk.

[shaws Administrator]

It is known that you can buy thyroid hormones in Greece over-the-counter. There has also been short supply since last year and some pharmacists now require a prescription.

Why have the three pharma companies who supply T3 to in the UK, permitted to exorbitantly raise the price of their T3s.

It is due to the high cost in the UK, that T3 was withdrawn and I suspect that the Association was 'happy' that it had a perfect excuse to 'at last' withdraw T3 from being prescribed and especially from patients who were well upon it. They did so without any notice causing immense worry and consternation as well as returning crippling symptoms.

I'd like a Survey to be taken of those on levothyroxine alone (and I do know millions seem to be fine on it) and of the 'extras' they take to try to relieve continuing symptoms.

[knitwitty in reply to shaws]

A survey would be a great idea as I think endo's and GP's turn a blind eye to people who self source T3 and in doing so they can pretend that no one needs it officially.

I was actively encouraged to buy my own T3 off the internet as they were told they could no longer prescribe T3 in my CCG.

It is a scandal of immense proportions as many who are not able to self source are being left to suffer ongoing hypo symptoms which may be being treated with a variety of drugs to suppress those symptoms.

I can only surmise that someone, somewhere is making a great deal of money from the extra drugs that are being supplied to alleviate those symptoms.

The price of T3 does seem to be coming down, it will be interesting to see if prescribing resumes when it falls even further.

[shaws Administrator in reply to knitwitty]

Let's hope so but it is still very expensive for a thyroid hormone replacement. On this forum we were so excited that another 'two companies' were putting their T3s on offer only to be 'shocked' at the prices they were asking the NHS to pay for a month's supply. Also, we thought, "is there no competition at all" as three are approx the same price.

How is it that the Greek Pharma Company and other companies can provide a far cheaper T3.

An investigation would be in order, I think.

[knitwitty in reply to shaws]

Completely agree,I think an investigation is long overdue.

The fact that it has not happened raises even more questions, re. vested interests.

[saloplass134 in reply to shaws]

Just a thought. The more established consultants seem to understand far more about T3 than their younger counterparts. This removal was totally about cost and each CCG varies in its workings which is very destructive to those of us who need T3. The NHS should not be purchasing from set producers unless the price is similar to elsewhere. Procurement panels using lay people as well as CCG staff should make a tremendous fuss. This all needs changing. Patient power needs to come into play.

[MaisieGray]

The price of T3 has continued to fall, albeit slowly, and the drug tariff price for 28 tablets is now £206 / 225 euros. However, if a small island such as Kos, with proportionately limited resources, has its stocks of T3 depleted such that some pharmacies have none and therefore the indigenous population is at risk presumably, of having difficulty sourcing it for its own needs; it becomes a moral question for me whether health tourists should further deplete limited stocks.

[greygoose in reply to MaisieGray]

Couldn't agree more.

[Laundretta in reply to MaisieGray]

I think there is more to it than health tourists depleting stocks, I didn’t seem to me that there was a true shortage at all. More than half of the pharmacists went straight to the drawer, sold me t3. One ordered it in the morning and I collected it the same day. Some of them just said they didn’t have it, without checking and couldn’t get it. One pharmacist bluntly said that he sells any he has ‘spare’ on eBay because he is aware of the issues in the UK. Nobody asked me for a prescription or enquired why I needed it.

[Marz in reply to Laundretta]

That's exactly why Uni-Pharma are restricting supplies in August - the main tourist season - also at other times. Supplies are shipped from the factory to Distribution Centres and Pharmacies order and are replenished on a daily basis. This is why stocks are low and orders can be obtained swiftly.

I have lived in Crete since 2004 and could once buy it over the counter for years - then suddenly when it was being abused and people were buying loads - things changed. I now have to obtain a prescription from a Doctor - and can only order enough for a month for both Hubby and myself. I rang Uni-Pharma to express my concerns and was told that the system has changed to protect the people that really need it ...

By the way you were overcharged ! - I pay 1euro 15cents for mine

[Laundretta in reply to Marz]

I got two types of boxes. I posted on here after getting the first box (which was big) with the relief of success! The newest dated came in a larger box (same 30 tablets) and the price was higher for those. The price is on the box. Imagine if UK supplies went up by over 100% overnight 😳

[Blissful in reply to Laundretta]

Uni Pharma T3 is only available in one box size. T4 used to be produced in the same size box but probably in the last 12 months, the packaging was changed and T4 is now in a bigger box. What colour is the bigger box - 2euro 30 for 30 25mcg tablets - that's the price for T4 not T3 - T3 is just over one euro.

[Laundretta in reply to Blissful]

I got a mixture of the two box sizes. They’re all uni pharma t3 30 x 25mcg. The big boxes have longer dates and are €2.30 the small boxes were €1.15.

[Blissful in reply to Laundretta]

I will check with my local pharmacist - one box 30 x 25mcg lasts me for 4 months - in the last few months, perhaps Unipharma has now also re-packaged their T3. What colour is the larger box?

[Laundretta in reply to Blissful]

It’s identical other than the size

[Blissful in reply to Blissful]

I've just bought 25mcg T3, it's in the small box. The pharmacist confirmed that T3 is not supplied in a different box size. Can you post of picture perhaps?

[Laundretta in reply to Blissful]

I can’t seem to attach a photo to a reply I’ll try to add it to the og post.

[Laundretta in reply to Marz]

Just re reading your post. Do you consider people such as myself, buying a personal supply and saving several thousand pounds a year as abuse? I don’t think you having to get a script for a months supply at a couple of Euros is really that much of a hardship in comparison, do you?

Of course, a crazy differential in consumer cost will always be a black market driver, but even then there are people with need who cannot travel. I’d still prefer to buy black market than pay £££££ for a UK supply if I had to.

Greek locals can clearly get the supplies they need. Have you ever not had a stable supply of t3? Because that’s a scary reality for many of us.

It’s NHS procurement that is at fault here, not ordinary patients trying to get well.

[Marz in reply to Laundretta]

People were not just buying for their personal use ...

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Laundretta]

Selling it on eBay is terrible!