Rights concerning brand of levo

[Nico101]

So, once again my 28-day struggle to get Wockhardt levo has come around again.

First off, my computer wiped my stored passwords, so I couldn't get on the Patient Access site to order a repeat script, and the site wasn't working properly so couldn't reset my password. Not a major problem, I thought. I'll just email my GP, explain the issue, and ask her to sort it. That was Monday.

No sign of the prescription at the pharmacy by Wednesday, so rang the GP. My GP has left the practice (she was the one that has Hashi's, so absolutely gutted by that news), so no one had thought to access her emails. Got a duty GP to issue the script BUT today the pharmacy says they have no Wockhardt (they could have mentioned this yesterday when I called, but no).

I have spent the entire day ringing round pharmacies and no one has it. I've left a message with Wockhardt to see if it's a manufacturing issue. Has anyone else had this problem this month?

I've complained on here before about only getting 28 days supply after I was refused longer scripts, and the ridiculously short time between being able to put in a repeat script and running out of meds. I know others said they were getting longer scripts - some for 3 months, but my surgery has refused.

So, I have 2 day's worth of meds left, no chance of a GP appointment until tomorrow at the earliest, no Wockhardt anywhere, the pharmacy wants a new script if I get something else, so I was forced to buy some online. Hopefully that will come tomorrow.

But this situation is a joke. I already pay for my NDTs and my own blood tests.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how this mess can be rectified? I think I need to make a complaint in writing, now. What do you think? Is there a way to get a patient-friendly service from a gP surgery?

[Liyaelize]

I suspect that this is going to be the same for Thyroid meds across the world. With Corona many may even be reformulated if countries are going to be doing it themselves rather than in China. Eesh

[RedApple in reply to Liyaelize]

Liyaelize, Uk brands of levothyroxine are not made in China!

[Liyaelize in reply to RedApple]

Thanks so much.

[Nanaedake]

Unfortunately we appear to have no 'rights' to a particular brand of levothyroxine. However, if you can find an independent pharmacy they might be more cooperative and willing to order a supply of your particular formulation. Then if you can ri g before you collect your prescription to check its ready you may be able to check before you pick up.

[Nico101 in reply to Nanaedake]

Done that. The pharmacy is miles away, but the told me (when this happened AGAIN at my local pharmacy) that they generally had Wockhardt in stock). So I switched to them. The fault is also with the surgery, though. If they did repeat prescriptions say 2 weeks before people ran out (knowing full well there's usually a problem with supply!!!) , it would give the pharmacy time to order from the manufacturer. I stopped HRT because of the same BS. I don't need that kind of stress every 28 days - who of us does! It doesn't help us get well, that's for sure.

[Nanaedake in reply to Nico101]

Your pharmacy should be able to order in a batch for you even if you've got to collect monthly. Can you find out if that's possible?

[Nico101 in reply to Nanaedake]

I'll ask - but they already know I have this every month. They said there's a problem with the supplier. I kept ringing Wockhardt yesterday, but just got the answer machine. I left a message but no one got back to me.

[Nanaedake in reply to Nico101]

That's a nuisance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask GP to writer Wockhardt brand only on all future prescription

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

[Nico101 in reply to SlowDragon]

I've done this. The prescription was for Wockhardt. The problem is, none of the pharmacies around my general area have any in stock.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nico101]

You could try online pharmacies

thyroiduk.org/help-support/...

List of different brands and ingredients

thyroiduk.org/medications-f...

[Nico101 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I did try one - Pharmacies2u or something, and they didn't have it either. I'll try ringing some of those on the list on Monday.

[helvella]

There is no Acacia in Aristo! Only available in 100 microgram tablets but could be of interest/use to some.

The own-label supplier branding can also confuse.

UK Levothyroxine Tablets

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Last updated 30/04/2020.

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

Please note that re-branding (whether by a manufacturer or as an ‘own label supplier’ - which has happened with several products) does not mean any change to formulation.

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🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 Accord-UK (manufacturer)

🥛 contains lactose

  50  PL 0142/0104

  100  PL 0142/0105

White

6mm diameter

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🔹 Advanz – branded both “Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine” and “Mercury Pharma Eltroxin” which are identical (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 Custom Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (manufacturer)

🥛 contains lactose

  25  PL 12762/0016 5.5mm diameter

  50  PL 10972/0031

  100  PL 10972/0032

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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 – (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 Aristo Pharma GmbH (manufacturer)

  100  PL 40546-0159

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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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🔹 Teva – (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 PLIVA Croatia Ltd (manufacturer)

  12.5  PL 00289/1971

  25  PL 00289/1972

  50  PL 00289/0038

  75  PL 00289/1973

  100  PL 00289/0039

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🔹 Wockhardt – (marketing authorisation holder)

🏭 CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd (manufacturer)

🥛 contains lactose

  25  PL 29831/0130

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🔹 – identifies marketing authorisation holder.

🔸 – identifies ‘own label supplier’ products.

🏭 – identifies manufacturers (where known).

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

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Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.

Only products which definitely contain lactose are identified (🥛 contains lactose). Please check other products. Where products are ‘own label supplier’, check the marketing authorisation holder.

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

healthunlocked.com/user/hel...

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This document is updated whenever I am aware of any changes or enhancements are needed. Please check the Last updated date. The current version is available as a PDF here:

dropbox.com/s/6h3h0qi4eqwi6...

[Nico101]

So, I ordered from an online private pharmacy - <pharmacy name removed as per forum guideline 25> - and my order arrived today. They sent me Teva instead of the Wockhardt I paid nearly £60 for. So upset. No meds left now and GP appointment not until Tuesday - not that anything could be done over the weekend.