Mercury Pharma search

[Redpoppy79]

For some time I’ve had to really search around ringing different pharmacies to find the Mercury Pharma brand of Levothyroxine (50 & 25mcgs) which is the only brand I can tolerate.

Today I have been unable to source ANY of this brand despite ringing pharmacies far and wide, contacting online pharmacies and even trying yet again to contact Mercury Pharma in Croydon and leaving messages, to no avail. No one from that company wants to speak to customers!

I know I’m not alone here and there are many others who are in this same position.

Can Thyroid UK PLEASE investigate this supply issue for us? I have been told by a pharmacy near this company’s HQ that it is still in operation but even the Pharmacy is unable to ascertain why there is a distinct lack of this drug!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Yes other people have said similar recently

Mercury Pharma brand and Eltroxin brand are identical and both are owned by Advanz

Many pharmacies list medications by company who owns them …..rather than the brand

Have you asked pharmacies if they can get levothyroxine from Advanz rather than just asking for Mercury Pharma

Small independent pharmacies are often more helpful

I picked up my Mercury Pharma levothyroxine, (100mcg and 25mcg) no problem, just this week.

(Small independent pharmacy that has at least 10-12 patients who can only tolerate Mercury Pharma….so they always keep stock)

[RedApple Administrator]

Redpoppy79, Can Thyroid UK PLEASE investigate this supply issue for us?

I suggest that you contact Thyroid UK (the charity thyroiduk.org ) directly about doing this.

Email the CEO Lyn Mynott at [e-mail].

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Mercury Pharma customer care phone number 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The company that you need to contact is Advanz Pharma (who own Mercury Pharma).

Details here:

advanzpharma.com/contact

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I suspect the difficulty it getting Mercury Pharma brand (or Eltroxin) might possibly have more to do with it not being as discounted on price as other brands

Pharmacies get paid a fixed price for supplying levothyroxine. If can supply cheapest brand there’s a slightly higher profit margin

If your GP specifies brand on prescription, pharmacy has to supply that brand

Prescription details on specific brand

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon, 'I suspect the difficulty it getting Mercury Pharma brand (or Eltroxin) might possibly have more to do with it not being as discounted on price as other brands'

Do you have anything (e.g. link to current prices etc.) that might verify your suspicion? Would be useful to know if this actually is the case.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to RedApple]

There’s definitely a price reimbursement issue if you read the red and green text in image I added

I was going to ask Pharmacist2019 if they might know more

[Redpoppy79 in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks for your prompt response.

Yes, I can understand that the issues with costs but I have a private prescription and from my request my GP has written specifically the Mercury Pharma brand! I will try contacting Advance Pharma and let all know the outcome!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redpoppy79]

private prescription

Have you tried Roseway Labs

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

[Redpoppy79 in reply to SlowDragon]

I looked at the list you sent and rang the first company Smartway Pharma who are able to get all my 6 month supply with no problem, it’s still Mercury Pharma but Amco/ Mercury Pharma and exactly the same. I just have to send off my prescription by snail mail and they should receive the order by Monday. Is this too easy after all the searching round I’ve been doing?! So, wish me luck!

Apparently the guy I spoke to said the pharmacies were just too lazy to hunt down a wholesaler!

Watch this space.....

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redpoppy79]

Good news

Just puzzled why your levothyroxine is on private prescription

Levothyroxine is cheap as chips at approx 80p per pack of 28 tablets

Being hypothyroid entitles you to free NHS prescriptions ( if under 60 and in England)

[Buzcat]

myself and daughter have the same problem lots have phoned Advanz about MP they keep saying they have no stock issues with MP so I emailed them and asked if there is no shortage where are they going as it seems they are not available in the UK I got no reply,I emailed our Scottish parliament and they said you won’t get MP now so phone your GP and ask what other brand you can switch to it’s terrible that people have to switch from one that you do well on is it the price does MP cost more than other brands.