Struggling to source Morningside 20mcg Liothryonine tablets....here we go again!

[MacG]

Hi, has been a while since I have posted. Intermittently (probably 2 or 3 times a year) the pharmacy I normally use round the corner (part of a larger chain) tells me they cannot get the Morningside Liothyronine. On these occasions I ask them to put the the prescription "back on the spine" and contact a fantastic independent pharmacy a couple of hundred miles away who have always been able to fulfil the prescription and who without any extra charge post the prescription out to me. (Many thanks to the person on this forum who recommended the pharmacy in question.) That pharmacy too has now been struggling to source the Liothyronine for the last couple of weeks. They have been trying on a daily basis but cannot get hold of it.

Have just rung Morningside direct to see what is going on/make them aware of the issue. Not the first time I have done this and interestingly, on this occasion, was told that members of the public cannot now speak to the sales team directly. Was, however, given the number of Morningside Healthcare (apparently just down the road from Morningside Pharmaceuticals) and had to leave details of the issue with someone who could not answer my question directly but said they would investigate the issue with sales and get back to me. As soon as there is a middle man, I think there is room for slippage/misunderstandings.....

Two things:

1) Is anyone else experiencing problems sourcing Morningside Liothryonine at the moment? (Noticed another recent post where someone said they are struggling to get Teva Liothyronine.)

2) I will report back when I hear from Morningside.

Oh, and it has been suggested to me in the past that I ask my GP to specify Morningside on the prescription. The thing is:

1) I am reluctant to do this as I try to fly below the radar Liothryonine-wise as far as my GP is concerned. I am so fortunate that I still get this on the NHS, but do expect the plug may be pulled any time, so don't want to make waves/open up any sort of discussion about the Liothyronine with my GP unless I really have to- if that makes sense! I just put in my repeat prescription and cross my fingers.

2) IF there are supply chain issues, the fact it is written on the prescription won't make much odds anyway will it??

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi MacG, I’ve just picked up some 5mcg and 10mcg Morningside Liothyronine from my local Boots today. Hope you manage to find a pharmacy who stocks them/ can order them in. How are you feeling?

[MacG in reply to Buddy195]

Oh hi Buddy, lovely to hear from you and thank you for responding. That’s interesting that 5/10 mcg tablets are available at the moment but seemingly not 20mcg. I would love 10mcg tablets, as I do split the 20mcg tablets, but like I said, reluctant to broach it with gp.

Healthwise I am slowly improving thank you. My energy is still not what it was. I have just embarked on some B12 injections as advised by functional health doctor. Got the first done at a clinic and thereafter self administering. Had a brief glimpse of my old self one day last week-energy-wise that is! But no eureka moment yet. I understand it can take a bit of time. Functional health doctor has said that we are going to review thyroid meds as a next step.

Thanks again!

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to MacG]

I hope that your health continues to improve MacG & your functional practitioner is supportive & helpful.

[MacG in reply to Buddy195]

Thank youx

[MacG]

I said that I would report back on Morningside's response. They got back to me at the end of last week with the following, and I quote:

"We can confirm we have no stock issues with Liothyronine Sodium 20 microgram Tablets, and it is being sent to wholesalers as & when orders are placed.

We advise you to stay in touch with your local pharmacy and they will inform you when stock becomes available again."

I have tried several pharmacies (inc those pharmacies listed on the Thyroid UK website) since receiving their response and still no luck. I have been trying for about a month now and unable source Morningside 20mcg tablets.

This begs the question, what is going wrong with the system such that pharmacies are unable to source this product? I have emailed the pharmaceutical company back and thanked them for their response and asked them this very question.

Who are the players in the game and where is the system breaking down??

1) Pharmaceutical company who manufacture the product.

2) Where does it go next......supplier/wholesaler??????

3) Pharmacy

The majority (?) of pharmacies seem to use Alliance Healthcare as a supplier. So....bearing in mind this is one of the major suppliers in the UK one would imagine that Morningside send them their products??? Pharmacists are telling me that they can see Teva Liothyronine and Mercury Pharma Liothyronine but why not Morningside Liothyronine if, as Morningside tell, me there are no supply issues?

Frustrating!! Any help gratefully received.