Standoff Between GP & Pharmacist

[lrrb1800]

I find managing by hypothyroidism very challenging, but I the do best on Accord (Actavis) Thyroxine, and a few years ago when I was under a consultant who despite his best efforts, really struggled to get me at the correct dosage, I was advised not to switch brands. If I do have a different brand, I go downhill quite quickly.

Having tried a number of pharmacies in my local area, I have found one which I have been with for a few years now that seem to be the most successful in getting hold of the Accord brand.

The GP has written on my prescription 'Actavis if possible' - Actavis is now Accord.

The pharmacy have now advised me that they only have to order me Accord if the 'if possible' is taken of the prescription, and have told me to ask the GP to do this.

I sent a message to the GP with this request who have now come back with the following:

"We have asked about having just Actavis on the script for your Thyroxine and have been told we are unable to do this it is at the discretion of the pharmacy that you collect your tablets from. With the words Actavis if possible please on the script we are advising the pharmacy to try for this product first if they have it in stock".

I popped in to the surgery and had a chat with the reception this morning, and we agreed the next step would be to get an appointment with a GP to discuss. In the meantime, I have been unsuccessful in finding another local pharmacy that would be successful in getting hold of Accord. Most either do not order this brand, or they say they can only order what is on their system at the time, therefore switching pharmacies to one which is more helpful isn't really an option.

I would be interested to know if anyone has had similar experiences, or if other people have a brand on their prescription without the words 'if possible'.

Many thanks.

[helvella Administrator]

I've had issues with our local branch, but Boots usually supply Almus.

Although theoretically Almus could switch to another supplier, in reality it always has been Accord and likely will continue to be.

[Star13]

I have a number of medications which have the brands written on them and after the name of the drug it has the brand in brackets. I use an independent pharmacist who understand why I need those particular brands. My understanding is that if written with that brand name they should supply it unless there is a very good reason why they can’t, like a real supply issue.

[lrrb1800 in reply to Star13]

Thank you. I think if you have a good independent pharmacist you get a much better service. In my area it seems to be all the big names, and they have a high turnover of staff.

[HealthStarDust]

Try Boots. Their products are Almus but it actually Accord.

Also, according to NICE guidelines they can specify the particularly brand in your script (I have other medications that have such specifics), so it’s worth challenging especially when your previous endocrinologist has said not switch brands.

[lrrb1800 in reply to HealthStarDust]

Thank you, I will check out the NICE guidelines.

[HealthStarDust in reply to lrrb1800]

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levot...

See the section on Important Safety Information.

[humanbean]

When I was being prescribed something that was very difficult to get hold of I found my best bet was one of the independent pharmacies in my town i.e. non-chain pharmacies. It would be worth trying one of those, if you have one available.

[lrrb1800 in reply to humanbean]

I will keep phoning round 👍

[Sparklingsunshine]

I get Accord as a named brand, my wonderful indpendent pharmacy orders it in and keeps it in a little basket with my name on it. Lloyds chemist own brand Northstar is made by Accord and they also make Boots Almus own brand. If you have either pharmacy near you maybe try them.

[lrrb1800 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Really useful information about the own brands - thanks!

[helvella Administrator in reply to lrrb1800]

Northstar is no longer produced and will no longer be available anywhere (unless somehow there is a pack down the back of the cabinet).

[lrrb1800 in reply to helvella]

Ok, thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

The prescription has to be written in particular way in order for pharmacy to get paid for sourcing named brand

annoyingly it’s not letting me add the image

helvella can you add image

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Asda pharmacy gave me Accord when I didn’t want it, I switched to the pharmacy linked to the GP surgery and they put the one o do want on my records, they’ve kept stick for me and been super helpful. Do you have an Asda? You can ask the GP to give you a paper script and take that round if it’s easier, then you could assign a new pharmacy once you find a helpful one. 🌱

[Zephyrbear]

My prescription for Levothyroxine includes (Wockhardt) after it and for Liothyronine includes (Advanz) and they have always supplied these brands. I had a lot of trouble with the T4 in the early days where I was being supplied with all sort of brands, but then I got the Wockhardt and I never looked back. Whenever I ordered a repeat prescription online, I would always ask for Wockhardt until they actually added it to the prescription itself. T3 was always Advanz or its previous incarnations.

[Ellie-Louise]

LloydsDirect online always send me Accord now that Northstar is no longer available. Sign up for online, it’s much easier.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Ellie-Louise]

Online can be fine.

But we have had several members say how what started out OK went downhill.

And, if we don't use our local pharmacies, they will disappear. Thus ending up without ready access to medicines required rather more urgently than a few days.

I'm trying to be balanced here. Clearly when individuals want Thybon Henning, they are pretty much forced to use online pharmacies. But for everyday medicines, local pharmacies are important.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to helvella]

Lloyds in stores has disappeared, they all closed recently. Nothing has gone into Sainsbury’s near me yet. It’s not that easy for me to get to other pharmacies and the one closest to me was diabolical at getting my Levo wrong. That is the reason I chose online and I have nothing but good to say about them. If there is any kind of a query the pharmacist will ring me, such as the time my doctor made a stupid error on my prescription a couple of weeks ago.