Problems getting Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine

[ThyroidCurious]

Hi all

Having a very stressful time getting Mercury Pharma, which the GP prescribes after I found by experience that it worked better than other types. I take 100mcg. Last time I had to accept 4 x 25mcg per day. Getting worried about future supplies I rang the manufacturer and learned that their brand Eltroxine is exactly the same (but of course more expensive). I asked my GP to change the prescription to "Mercury Pharma or Eltroxine if unavailable", which they did. Today I took the new prescription to the chemist, who will only accept it if it states Eltroxine as the required medication. I am hoping the GP will reissue it, but there is no guarantee. 2 local pharmacies will accept a prescription specifying Eltroxine, but are saying that I cannot specify Mercury Pharma and I have to accept what I get.

Apparently another customer at my usual pharmacy also specifies Mercury Pharma for the same reasons as me. Are there other people out there in the same situation?

#mercury pharma #eltroxine #levothyroxine

[Roma2975]

I’m not sure where you are. I got it from Boots who ordered it in for me.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Roma2975]

Thank you, Roma. I will try Boots.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes loads of members are on specific brands of levothyroxine

I rang the manufacturer and learned that their brand Eltroxine is exactly the same (but of course more expensive).

That’s not true.

Government pay same regardless of brand.

Pharmacy aim to buy cheapest to maximise profit

Suggest you try other pharmacies until you find a helpful one

I go 10 miles to small independent pharmacy in middle of housing estate attached to a small GP surgery……zero passing trade

Found by looking on Google maps about 6 years ago…..after my regular fruitless trawl around all the large supermarket pharmacies and chemists in search of MP

This wonderful Pharmacy has about dozen patients on Mercury Pharma brand. The pharmacist guarantees to always have Mercury Pharma in stock for us all

[ThyroidCurious in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow, they sound amazing. Unlike my pharmacy where the helpful and understanding people seem to have retired. I will do a trawl... I'll publish details and area if I find a good one.

[Anthea55]

Here's a link to a similar post about a week ago.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Good luck.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Anthea55]

Thanks Anthea, I read loads on there and it was very helpful.

[Fliplaar]

I go to boots as well and they’re great with me and always check it’s Mercy Pharma for me x

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Fliplaar]

Thank you, Fliplaar, I'm just about to post an update...

[misschris]

Hi Thyroidcurious,I too have Mercury Pharma on my prescriptions and so far not had a problem getting them from my pharmacist. I wouldn't accept that you should take anything that you know you don't do well, as in my case some brands can make you feel quite poorly.

They have to give you medication that makes you feel well, not unwell. I know this because I reported to CQC care quality commission that I was refused medication that I done well on and left to take a brand's that I had reactions too and it was there that I learnt that if you do well on a brand the GP should be able to put this brand on your prescriptions and the chemist has to order it in.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[ThyroidCurious in reply to misschris]

Thank you Chris

After visiting my usual pharmacy, I visited the one nearest my GP surgery where I was told by the sympathetic pharmacist that she had been told not to order medicines by brand, but only the generics. The pharmacy had recently been taken over and this was an instruction from the new owners...

Update on my latest follows...

[Kimkat]

I have exactly the same issue with my pharmacy, I have been to roughly 8 in my area with no luck. I went to Boots but because I’m on 100 mcg and they only had 50s in them wouldn’t give me double the amount, saying that they have a problem with suppliers. A small independent pharmacy near me actually called their suppliers whilst I was there with no luck. I had to accept Accord in the end as I have been away for a week and I just about tolerate it, I can’t explain how the change makes me feel but I’m incredibly fatigued, no energy but at least I don’t get the constant headache that Teva give me. I’m hoping a better result with my next prescription.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Kimkat]

Thanks, Kimcat. I had trouble with Accord, I think it was, from Boots, which is why I will only accept Mercury Pharma now. I hope you are able to get the right medication soon. Does your prescription specify MP?

[Kimkat in reply to ThyroidCurious]

Yes I had to go back to my Gp to make sure it was on my prescription, I always had Mercury at first but just recently it’s becoming more difficult to get hold of it. Lloyds in particular don’t seem to hold it.

[ThyroidCurious]

Update: Drs have reissued my prescription specifying Eltroxin, and I should be able to pick it up tomorrow. I took my last Mercury Pharma on Sunday, but have also got some OTC T3, which I have continued to take. I am going to ring round and try to find a good pharmacist that will order me Mercury Pharma, so I am prepared next time.

[Nikkisnow in reply to ThyroidCurious]

I had same problem. Phoned all pharmacists nearby, no-one could supply me with Mercury doseage required although Boots said they could only get 25mcg but dr. would have to specify this on prescription. I did not like the idea of taking multiple tablets to make up the doseage. My usual pharmacist told me eltroxin is same and he could get that if it was written on prescription, my g.p. agreed to do this. Regarding the amount pharmacist gets from government, I read somewhere that a set amount is paid to pharmacist for levothyroxine but if brand is more expensive the pharmacist can claim extra amount back but this can take time and more hassle for them.

Hope you soon get it sorted.

[ThyroidCurious]

Thank you Nikkisnow! I'm hoping to pick up my Etlroxin tomorrow, roadworks on my way home stopped me today...