call from my GP surgery re Private prescription (EDITED)

[Simplyred57]

just had a call from my GP surgery asking me to book a telephone appointment re my private prescription.

My usual GP is on long term sick and he had no problem issuing me T3 after my consultant wrote to him, so what do I say to this GP ?

I haven’t used the last 2 prescriptions as I have a good supply can they check if I’ve not used them?

I can’t believe the problems we have to go through to get medication I’m furious !!!!

*************EDITED *********

Last week I sent an e consult to the GP I was due to have the telephone appointment with tomorrow re the above, stating I had a private prescription and this was at no cost to the surgery and to contact my Endocrinologist if he wished to discuss my treatment that I was doing well on and I got a msg this morning from the surgery to contact them , the message was my telephone appointment has been cancelled , and was I ok for prescriptions? very relieved and thank you to everyone who gave me advice.💗

[SarahJane1471]

so your normal GP issues the prescription on a private basis? If that’s so it will still be in your medical notes. The new GP will be able to see that. Do you have enough to last until your old GP comes back?

[Simplyred57 in reply to SarahJane1471]

Yes I do it’s just so frustrating that we have to justify our need for T3 , I’ve now got a week before I can speak to him , this makes me so angry 😠

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Simplyred57]

I know it’s wrong. I’m sure all the stress this produces in people can’t help with thyroid function. Maybe this new GP will be happy to give you a private prescription should you need it in the future.

[Simplyred57 in reply to SarahJane1471]

the message the receptionist said was regarding cost ?

[humanbean in reply to Simplyred57]

I don't understand that...

The cost is only relevant if the NHS is paying, but if you are getting private prescriptions then presumably you are paying for your T3?

[Simplyred57 in reply to humanbean]

Yes I’m paying its just very frustrating having to go through this, aswell as not being able to get Mercury Pharma this month and having to accept Accord , they don’t make life easy for us do they 🤦‍♀️.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Simplyred57

I haven’t used the last 2 prescriptions as I have a good supply can they check if I’ve not used them?

How old these prescriptions? If I were you I'd get them filled to ensure you have a stock of T3.

As for the new GP, he will be able to see that the other GP has been issuing you a private prescription but I very much doubt that he is obliged to do so just because the other one did, you might have to persuade him to but the evidence that you need it and do well on it is there in your records, along with the consultant's letter. If he is reluctant maybe suggest he contacts your consultant.

[Simplyred57 in reply to SeasideSusie]

thanks Susie yes I will just ask him to contact my consultant , I’ve spoken to this GP before and he’s very arrogant so I’m not going to argue with him, if he refuses would my consultant be obliged to prescribe T3 on NHS? Just wondering if I should email him today ?

Is there a time limit on the prescriptions ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Simplyred57]

Do you see endocrinologist on NHS or privately?

Too qualify for T3 on NHS

You’re entitled to NHS prescription for T3 if NHS endocrinologist initially prescribes it for 3-6 months via hospital pharmacy….then they formally request GP take over prescribing and cost. With annual review back with endo

[Simplyred57 in reply to SlowDragon]

I saw him privately and he transferred me to his nhs clinic - he knew I had some T3 and back then he said he couldn’t prescribe on nhs - so he asked my GP to do a private prescription, do you know what the current cost is on the NHS and I could throw that at him ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Simplyred57]

How much T3 are you currently taking

Are you taking as divided dose ?

Current prices here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

which CCG area are you in?

(Now called a Sub ICB)

59,000 prescriptions for T3 in England in last year

Searchable by area

openprescribing.net/analyse...

website to check price drop each month ….

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp...

[Simplyred57 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m taking 10mcg in a single dose splitting a 20mcg tablet.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Simplyred57]

So it’s far cheaper to carry on with 20mcg tablet and split

Which brand of T3 are you currently taking?

Thybon Henning is cheapest on private prescription at 50-60p per tablet

Thybon Henning is lactose free

Do you need lactose free…..if so NHS T3 tablets Teva is lactose free

Roma capsules are also lactose free

Have you tried taking as 2 x 5mcg doses?

[Simplyred57 in reply to SlowDragon]

yes Thybon and splitting 20mcg tablet.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplyred57]

Simplyred57

the message the receptionist said was regarding cost ?

If it's a private prescription there is no cost to the surgery, the burden of cost is yours.

Is there a time limit on the prescriptions ?

I understand that it's 6 months for both NHS and private.

if he refuses would my consultant be obliged to prescribe T3 on NHS?

That would be up to your consultant and what your CCG allows. Probably not obliged to but if you've been having a private prescription then he might not be willing to transfer the cost to the NHS.

It's probably down to this new GP knowing nothing about T3 so not wanting the responsibility of prescribing it even though your records show you need it, it's been recommended by your consultant and that you are fine on it.

[Simplyred57 in reply to SeasideSusie]

thank you slowdragon @seaside susie do you think I should email my consultant prior to my telephone appointment and explain the situation to him ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplyred57]

That could be a good idea, at least the consultant would know the situation and you could ask him that if the new GP refuses the private prescription would he be able to speak to him or, if necessary, issue the prescription himself.

This really is a situation that shouldn't arise, but shows what might happen when a new doctor has different ideas from the usual doctor.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Simplyred57]

How long is a prescription valid for?

A standard prescription is valid for 6 months from the date on the prescription, unless the medicine prescribed contains a controlled medicine.

The date on the prescription can be:

- the date it was signed by the health professional who issued it, or

- a date that the health professional has indicated the prescription should not be dispensed before

If a prescription shows both of these dates, the 6 months starts from the later date.

This applies to medicines prescribed both on the NHS and privately.

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

[Simplyred57 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I got a great result thank you see edited post 👍🏻