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.
Written by
lrrb1800
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🌱
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.
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.
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.
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GP No Longer Prescribing T3
It's a worry when you have to explain the difference between Liothyronine and Levothyroxine to your Pharmacist
Been busy - GP vs. FM GP
GP not prepared to prescribe a brand of T3
Update and thanks - oh and pharmacists!
