Brands of medication

[Rocky]

Has anyone else been fobbed of with different brands of their medication at the moment. I can't take other brands as I have had reactions to some of the ingredients. I have to have the same brand of Levothyroxine and Blood pressure tablets. I feel so anxious at the moment and every month when I go to pick up my prescription. The pharmacy say my brand is listed on their computer but they still get it wrong. They say the Doctor is not allowed to write a brand on the prescription, and I wanted to ask if anyone has been able to speak to their Practice manager to sort out the problem

[helvella Administrator]

Luckily for me, I got my last prescription a few weeks ago and won't need another for a couple of months.

So you and anyone else knows what levothyroxine tablets are at least theoretically available, have a look below.

I was under the impression that if the doctor believes a specific brand is required, then it can be written. However, it might be more difficult than usual to get that done at present.

UK Levothyroxine Tablets

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Last updated 24/03/2020.

This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine tablets in the UK.

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🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer)

50

100

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🔸 Almus (an ‘own label supplier’ brand owned by Walgreen Boots Alliance – Boots pharmacies and Alliance distributor)

50 – This is repackaged Accord – formerly Actavis.

100 – This is repackaged Accord – formerly Actavis.

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🔹 Aristo (manufacturer)

100

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🔹 Mercury Pharma (manufacturer – part of Advanz) includes both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical.

25

50

100

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🔹 Teva (manufacturer)

12.5

25

50

75

100

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🔸 Northstar (an ‘own label supplier’ brand owned by McKesson – Lloyds pharmacies and AAH distributor)

25 – This is repackaged Teva. ❗

50 – This is repackaged Accord - formerly Actavis. ❗

100 – This is repackaged Accord - formerly Actavis. ❗

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🔹 Wockhardt (manufacturer)

25

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🔹 – identifies manufacturers.

🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.

❗ – Take particular note of the actual product which varies by dosage.

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Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.

If there is anything inaccurate in this information, please let me know by Private Message:

healthunlocked.com/user/hel...

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[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to helvella]

Luckily for me, I got my last prescription a few weeks ago and won't need another for a couple of months.

Wow, you're lucky. Our surgery has only allowed 4 weeks at a time for years. Luckily I have a bit of a stockpile as I don't use all of the 150mcg prescribed so it's built up over time.

The surgery released this statement today, posted on the local networking group (I've only included what's relevant)

If you’re thinking of calling your GP surgery please remember this -

1. We can’t do prescriptions early or give you more just in case - the pharmacies are struggling already, you don't want the pharmacies to be like the supermarkets.

3. We cant give you paracetamol on prescription just because you cant buy it over the counter.

And we can no longer drop our prescriptions off at the box in the pharmacy, we have to now send an email to the surgery listing what we require. Not a bad idea as my son had to queue for 25 minutes last week to drop my prescription in the box, and he was 2nd in the queue! Local First Responders are doing a delivery of filled prescriptions to the homes of the vulnerable/elderly if you text a certain number which is good.

[helvella Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

My current surgery allowed me two months and at my last appointment I rather flippantly asked if it could be made three months. And he did! Said he would get into trouble if he made it any longer.

Each time, though, I am likely to have to check more than one pharmacy. Lloyds used to be reasonable, but not now there is the new 25 micrograms Northstar is Teva (which I won't accept). I prefer Mercury Pharma. So off to Boots - at least last time.

[Treepie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Wife got delivery of paracetamol at home today ,I have to stay inside.

We order online.

[bantam12]

Your pharmacy is wrong, Drs ( or whoever does the scripts) can and do write the preferred brand on the prescription, just make sure every time you request a repeat you remind whoever prints the scripts to add the brand, I do this every time.

[Rocky in reply to bantam12]

I was told a last year to stop writing which brand I needed on my repeat prescription request online and by the Doctor who I saw during an appointment. They said that the pharmacy have it written on their notes on the computer and would try and get the brands. My previous Doctor always sent the prescription through with the brand names written on. That's why I wanted to know if I should write to the practice manager. It causes me really bad anxiety every month when I go to pick up my prescription. I have had rashes, and swelling round my joints with the reaction and struggled to even put my shoes on at one point it was that bad, and it took me ages to feel right again. I feel that the pharmacist just thinks I am being awkward asking all the time and refusing to take a different brand

[bantam12 in reply to Rocky]

Three of my meds are named brands only and Boots have it on their computer records but the pharmacist told me they would only dispense the brands I need if it was also printed on the repeats.

Maybe speak to the person who does the scripts in your practice.

[Rocky in reply to bantam12]

I have just spoken to another pharmacist and he said that all it says on their system is that a patient has a preferred brand and they don't have to supply it because of cost and supply. I have been told to speak to my Doctor again and ask them to go back through my notes of when my previous Doctor wrote my brands on my prescriptions and hopefully they will read the problems that I had, and start writing it on my prescriptions again.

[Stanleydoggy]

Hello I totally empathise as I have had problems. My GP practice say they don’t specify brands and it took me a few goes to get them to change it on my notes, however, the pharmacy were being difficult so I have to take my prescription to another pharmacy. At the moment I am registered with an App and order from a pharmacy by mobile phone. This system has worked so far and is free. It saves me going out during isolation. The meds are posted direct to my door.

[Hookie01]

My script specifies Activas brand only as cannot take Teva or Murcury Pharma, not been a problem at all for either Drs or Pharmacy so it can be done.

[Chromegirl32]

My Doctor issued a twelve month prescription to Boots but I only get two months worth of medication at a time. He does name a brand on the prescription but I never have that brand because they don't suit me. I spoke to Boots and they altered their records to show my preferred brand.

[SarahJLD]

My repeat prescription states the brand I need after a number of consultations with GP due to symptoms and erratic blood results from certain brands.

My medication is dispensed at surgery and at one point there was a dispenser who insisted I could only have what they had on shelf despite prescription, she used to suggest I took the script to pharmacies to source it. As it’s a rural practice they are funded for dispensing medication so her attitude probably didn’t go down well with surgery.

When we moved to this area 30 years ago I was told it was the local CCG that determined length of scripts. Where I came from had been 3 months and here it’s always been 28 days.

[kazb1966]

I can only tolerate Teva and although it’s noted on computer at the pharmacy very often when they deliver if they don’t have my 3 different strengths in stock at time of dispensing they mix brands so I have to ring them, of course any other brand delivered to me then has to be destroyed by pharmacy which is such a terrible waste of money as they say It cannot be used. . I’m always happy to wait for my brand to be ordered. On an occasion recently I happened to take my prescription in (it’s usually done electronically) I mentioned the whole ‘brand’ thing and she told me to ask my doctor to write the brand on the prescription so maybe they are allowed. The minute I request my repeat prescription I call the pharmacy to give them the heads up that I only want Teva, that seems to be working.

[Shusky]

I’ve just been given my 25mcg Levothyroxine decanted loose in a bottle. Apparently Zeus brand? I think it’s an Indian pharma. I’d turned down the Teva offered.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Shusky]

Please tell me that you asked for, or were given without asking, the Patient Information Leaflet for those tablets?

It is your right to receive the appropriate PIL for the products dispensed. I suggest you always make sure you get the PIL - every single time.

Can you describe the tablet? Size, shape, colour, markings?

[Shusky in reply to helvella]

No details!! Small white tablet , LT on one side and 25 on the other.

I was frustrated as I’d had to go back to pick up 4 items owed me and I’ve still got to go back for my inhaler and bp meds. I know we’re in unusual times :/

[helvella Administrator in reply to Shusky]

LT on one side, 25 on the other - that is a description of Mercury Pharma 25 microgram levothyroxine. See here:

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

There is never an excuse for not providing a PIL. But still less when all you need to do is jump to a weblink to get the right one!

[Shusky in reply to helvella]

Many thanks for that. That is a relief. It did pass my mind that it was possibly Teva repackaged as I know it’s been mentioned in my pharmacy that I’m not the only one not to accept it. I will make sure in future to ask for details. My pharmacy is a trusted one but I’ve not seen my usual 2 pharmacists.

[Shusky in reply to helvella]

I’ve saved a copy of the link thank you helvella. Where would we be without you ❤️

[Lora7again in reply to Shusky]

I just looked at the company Zeus Pharmaceuticals Ltd and it is quite an established company in India. If you google the name information will come up about the company.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lora7again]

But does not hold a UK licence for levothyroxine.

Pharmacies should not be dispensing medicines which are not licensed except under special circumstances. I was not aware that there were declared shortages of levothyroxine in the UK. (Though that means little - I don't know what is in short supply.)

[Lora7again in reply to helvella]

I didn't realise that it was not licensed in the UK. Strange that Doctors refuse to give us NDT because it is not licensed in the UK but they are allowing Pharmacists to dispense this.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lora7again]

The pharmacists might NOT be allowed to do so.

I suspect they are doing so without authorisation. But we don't know.

[Shusky in reply to helvella]

That’s what I wondered when I tried looking the pharmacy up. I do know there is a business based in Redditch where some medication is relabelled in English before delivery out to the pharmacies. I never have trouble with the other Levothyroxine, 100mcg and 50mcg. I do know I don’t tolerate Teva. Hope I don’t have any issues. Thank you helvella

[helvella Administrator in reply to Shusky]

No UK-licensed levothyroxine product is manufactured in India - so I have no idea why they were supplied.

Would you, please, post a description of the tablets: colour, size, shape, markings (both sides)?

Might be able to positively identify what was supplied.

[Lola2003]

Where I live in the UK my GP is only 'allowed' to prescribe 28 tablets ! Which is such a pain, but they have to follow the rules because there is so much waste. I don't know why because in our case we are chronic and will take Levothyroxine for the rest of our lives.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lola2003]

It is iniquitous and the only real beneficiaries seem to be the pharmacies who get a fee every 28 days!

Try quoting this:

Levothyroxine Tablet Products: A Review of Clinical & Quality

Considerations

07 January 2013

9. Levothyroxine should be prescribed and dispensed in quantities covering three months supply, where appropriate, in order to address issues of continuity of supply and also to improve convenience to patients.

.

gov.uk/government/uploads/s...

[Rocky in reply to helvella]

Thanks for that information and I will definitely be quoting it

[helvella Administrator in reply to Rocky]

This article is also of possible use/interest:

Dr Sarah King, Research Fellow at RAND Europe and lead author of the study, said: “Currently, the UK Department of Health and Social Care advises that the frequency of repeat prescriptions should balance patient convenience with clinical appropriateness, cost-effectiveness and patient safety but does not specify a recommended period. Given our study results, CCGs and local NHS may wish to reconsider current recommendations for 28-day prescription lengths for patients with stable chronic conditions.”

phpc.cam.ac.uk/pcu/28-day-p...

[Maramonro in reply to Lola2003]

Omg, that is terrible. I don’t have a thyroid and wouldn’t like to be on a less than a month supply. In America you can get it for 3 months and now given Coronavirus I was able to get it for 6 months. I have to admit I am so disappointed in UK medical system, when I see how people suffer on this forum because of lack of knowledge and control that doctors have over someone’s health. Good luck guys!

[Lola2003 in reply to Maramonro]

You just have to be organised and order in advance. I know it's a pain but we have to put up with this here. And at the moment we have got a lot more to think about and try and make the best of all this spare time.

[Glanfield in reply to Lola2003]

I’ve tried to order in advance and it’s not possible as the doctors look at your medical notes to see when you were last prescribed and won’t give out a prescription

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Glanfield]

Same with mine. Only 4 weeks supply allowed, and it's printed on the repeat form that if you order more than 10 days before your next prescription is due then it will probably be refused. It's been like this for years.

[teacherspet]

I need a repeat prescription and am dreading it. I can take any brand but Teva and there have been times when I've had to try at least 2 pharmacies. I order repeats online but have always preferred to collect the script from the surgery as opposed to nominating a pharmacy, which I think they'll want me to do.

The pharmacy next door to the practise has only had Teva when I've been in - only been able to get the prescription filled twice in the past year and we can get 2 months at a time.

I think I'll have to put a note on the request and hope they contact me about it. I know phoning up is a nightmare at the best of times and right now is impossible.

[Rocky in reply to teacherspet]

I have just spoken to the prescriptions office at the surgery and asked for a phone consultation with the Doctor. She asked if it was anything she could sort out and I explained how my previous Doctor had always written the brand on my prescription before. I explained how the reaction to the different brands affects me and she is going to send a note through to the CCG and let me know what they decide. She is also going to ring me to let me know what they decide. I will let you all know

[Angelic69]

I use a independent pharmacy that gets me Almus and Wockhart, occasionally they deliver a different type but as they have i can only tolerate those brands they usually get them for me without any trouble. You find that with chain pharmacy s they wont and will only supply what there head office buys. Try a little independent pharmacy in your area.

[Rocky in reply to Angelic69]

Thanks for that advice

[Bypassjohn]

The doctor is allowed to put what's needed on the prescription I have three meds (of 21!) That must be a particular "brand" I did try the generic brands but couldn't handle them so the doctor made it clear what I should have & the pharmacy agreed, if you tell your pharmacist certain meds don't agree with you thy should offer an alternative if they don't move 5o another pharmacy also if it says say clopidogrel(Plavix) on the script they can only dispense the brand. Same for any medication.

[mumellis]

My practice put the brand name that I requested on my prescription, but the local pharmacy are having difficulty, getting the Wockhart 25mcg at the moment. I can't take Teva. I haven't had any problems with others in the 19 years that I have been taking it. At the moment I am waiting for the rest of my prescription as he didn't have enough. Tried to get me to accept Teva and I said no no no!

[Rocky in reply to mumellis]

The prescriptions office at my surgery have called me back and the CCG say I can't have a brand written on my prescription by my Doctor and it's up to the pharmacy to supply the brand preferred. I have picked up the prescription from the pharmacy now for Teva brand of Amlodopine and managed to get it from a nearby pharmacy who say they stock it. I will just have to phone round now to see who supplies the Actavis Levothyroxine. I agree that we should be allowed at least 3 months supply of our much needed regular medication even before this crisis. Surely it makes sense rather than someone having a reaction and then wasting Doctor's appointments trying to sort the problem out, when we already know what has happened.

[Francis1957]

I have coeliac disease and teva was upsetting my gut very badly and when I asked my surgery to put a brand name on my thyroxene medication including T3 they said that it is not allowed and they will not allow me to order earlier than a few days before, my hrt is also 1 that I stick to the same brand as I have been on it years and it suits my gut why won't they listen !!! I was recently in hospital with pneumonia and the surgery stopped prescribing my T3 until they got a stern letter reminding them to refer to guidlines regarding T3 scripts ordered by a Endo because I need it(not converting).

[Rocky in reply to Francis1957]

It is very frustrating when they used to be able to put the brand on. I too can only order a week before and only 1 months supply. I don't think things are going to change anytime soon!!