Pharmacy Shenanigans

[Sparklingsunshine]

I, like many members have a preferred brand of Levo, which is Accord. I've been using a usually excellent independant pharmacy for several years, who on the whole ( with a couple of exceptions) always get me my named brand. So much so they even had a basket with my name on it full of Accord Levo.

In the last 3 months though something suss has been going on, new staff, new pharmacist at least a couple of days a week, the usually very competent pharmacist has been in much less often. And the difference in customer service has been noticeable. I call them the A team and the B team. And recently when I go in I get the B team. Who don't know their a**e from their elbow.

So I decided to try another pharmacy which is very close to my home. It used to be Lloyds but was taken over by another company last year. I spoke to the pharmacist in early December asking if they could source Accord,he replied they had lots of boxes and I gave him my details and he promised to put the Accord away for me.

So I swapped over to this pharmacy online via my GP system online, ordered my Levo at the beginning of January and went to collect it today They brought out Mercury, which I refused,then said they couldn't reliably source Accord, even though the pharmacist had told me they had some. I explained again that I only wanted Accord as I didn't tolerate the other brands.

I'm starting to think I either imagined the conversation I had in December or it wasn't a pharmacist I spoke to, maybe the cleaner or something. I then asked for the prescription back as I knew I'd have to source it elsewhere 😒 They had also written try Teva on the script 🙄

Anyway the point of this story is,in a very long winded way, and I'll understand if you've lost the will to live by this point, is that Superdrug stock Almus, which is made by Accord. So any fellow Accordites, its worth trying Superdrug if you cant get hold of it from your usual source. I thought only Boots stocked Almus, but apparently Superdrug do too. They have stacks of them apparently.

I've also changed over to Superdrug as the pharmacist was very competent and had already checked all my other meds and confirmed she can get them.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Thanks for sharing Sparklingsunshine; I too prefer Almis/ Accord and have it specified on my prescription. Its good to know Superdrug stock it too! 👍

[crimple]

Sparklingsunshine, my view is that it has a lot to with money. It’s not just about the cost of the meds but what the pharmacist gets paid!

I was recently called by my GP pharmacist trying to persuade me to accept Roma capsules T3 instead of my usual brand Sigma Pharma. As I am very sensitive to fillers, especially acacia powder( Teva) I refused to accept any change and referred her to my medical history. My usual brand was supplied with my next scrip.

Too many folks are fobbed off by being told all T4 meds are the same!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to crimple]

I think I saw a trailer for next weeks Dispatches programme about pharmacists and being underpaid for certain meds... can't see it getting any better without a big shake up

[jimh111 in reply to crimple]

It’s about price. Currently the NHS pays the pharmacist 69 pence for 28 100 mcg levothyroxine tablets. That includes the cost of the tablets and the pharmacist’s running costs plus ‘profits. We can’t blame the pharmacy for trying to keep their costs down.

I find this a difficult dilemma because we want the NHS to keep costs down but we can see it causes problems.

My local independent pharmacist who is excellent told me last month that he is making a loss on prescriptions, they make a living from the other stuff. Maybe the NHS should give the pharmacies an extra 10p or so for each prescription. There’s £10 billion or £20 billion they could save elsewhere with a bit of decent management.

[helvella in reply to jimh111]

There is also a dispensing fee which is, I think, greater than the cost of levothyroxine - but varies at least across the nations, possibly within them.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to jimh111]

I had heard the same about pharmacies making a loss. I think people buying otc meds, painkillers, vitamins, various lotions and potions is where they get the bulk of their income from.

I've been told on a number of occasions that regarding Levo, they are at the mercy of whatever brands they get sent via the wholesaler. Ironic that they offered me Mercury as I've heard some members have had difficulty getting hold of that.

[Thesun]

I use Lloyds direct ( get posted out to me) and my GP made a note a few years ago only Accord/Almus and to date that’s what I have always been sent out. Again I can’t tolerate Teva.

[DandyButch]

I feel for you. You shouldn't have to spend so much time and energy sourcing the right meds. My husband recently had the same problem with a popular painkiller. This was Superdrug, who, to be honest are not the most helpful. Overworked, never enough staff, long waiting times, missing items, won't answer phone, etc. I had to find a chemist who had it. Luckily they did the prescription after a lot of work on my part. A small pharmacy. Service is so much better. Staff are so much nicer.

It does make you wonder, not only with chemists, but in every type of business these days, I hear it so much from people I know, that they cut staff to bare minimum, paying minimum wage, expect 110% work ethic, expect overtime, give nothing. It is not a surprise that most people at the 'coal face' are getting burnt out, and change jobs, only to jump from frying pans into fires.

It is the same with the NHS and Railways, and Water etc. They never have any money to pay staff decent wages, always need funding, but can pay shareholders, and management big bucks. If it wasn't for the workers, they wouldn't have a functioning business. Treat people fairly, and nicely, and everyone, including customers, will be happier, dealing with happy staff. Unhappy staff, unhappy customers. Stressed staff, stressed workmates and stressed customers.

I'm moaning again. I need to get my hypo under control, but waiting months between appointments with endocrinologist, it is taking forever. Bit irritable. Sorry

Everything seems so much more complicated these days.

[Brightness14]

CID or what, get detective work, what a pain good for you.

[waveylines]

Yes I've switched pharmacies several times because of them not providing what's on my tin. Went off online pharmacies because if you need a sudden script eg antibiotics you have to wait 48hrs for it to arrive. (RMs 24hrs is really 48hrs) My current one is Boots but theyre not all the same..... You have to pick your branch very carefully. Been with them two years now and they full fill my script fully everytime. They text I collect. I can't tell you what bliss that is!! Still feels like a miracle everytime after all the hassle I've endured. Bless them!!

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to waveylines]

I used to be often housebound with Fibro around 10 years ago. I used Lloyds back then which about 10 minutes walk away, when I could haul my protesting carcass out of the door.

They were dreadful, the meds were never ready even if you'd left it a week or more to collect. So then you could be standing in the shop for upto 30 minutes waiting. Not great when you are strugglung with pain and fatigue.

I did try their delivery service but found stuff was frequently missing and there was no communication. So I then tried Pharmacy 2U who were initially pretty good, and meds were delivered in a timely fashion by Royal Mail.

But they started having diffculties with one tablet, which only one manufacturer produces. I found monthly meds were turning up, minus this one, I got excuses, the comunication was non existent, you could never speak to anyone, emails were unanswered.

They also never said if anything was missing or delayed so it was always like playing Russian Roulette, roll roll up what's not here this time 😥. In the end it was actually causing more hassle than it was saving.

That was when I did some digging, asked around and found my previously excellent ( alas no longer) independant chemist, who other pharmacies used and recommended for difficult to source medications. But now they've gone down the toilet 🚽.

I'll try Superdrug for now, and see how it goes. At the risk of sounding like an old fart why can't things stay like they were?

[Thesun in reply to waveylines]

If you need a script urgently all you do is ask the gp not to sent it out to your usual online one.. they print it out at the gp surgery with a barcode on which you then give to any pharmacy so they can then scan and make up for you.

[waveylines in reply to Thesun]

No I tried that. I was told they could no longer print out scripts as they are all online. All they can do is change the pharmacy but then you are allocated to that pharmacy for all your scripts. The problem with this is that there are are only two chains that can deal with my repeat NDT script: Boots or Lloyd's. So this restricts me. I live in a city so I do have a choice of pharmacies. Before the electronic scripts came in they could do what you said. So I gave up on Chemists4u as it would take 2-3 days for them to get one off scripts to me even on their next day requests.

Not good.

[Thesun in reply to waveylines]

It goes on the NHS spine digital service and it gets given a barcode, if you request it from your gp if you have an urgent script so you can physically collect it and take to a pharmacy of your choice, I know this as I did this before Xmas and mine usually get delivered but I had an urgent script so I collected it from my surgery with a barcode on and got it made up locally. It’s called the NHS SPINE weird name.

[3mmarose]

I am having the same problem with my pharmacy except I need Mercury Pharma and do not want Accord. I haven't tried Accord but I had a bad experience with Teva and would rather stick to what has been working for me. I am too afraid to try anything new leading up to my Wedding.

The Pharmacy told me that they "get what they are given" and don't know what brands come in.

When I was on Teva and they only had Mercury, I was told "Mercury is the best one". Now I am on Mercury and they only had Accord, I was told "Accord is the best one".

Can I ask what experience did you have with Mercury?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to 3mmarose]

Its a shame we can't have a Levo swap scheme, rather like the seed swap my neighbour has with her allotment buddies. I nearly ended with Mercury yesterday when I wanted Accord 😄.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to 3mmarose]

Mercury caused itching, I'm very med sensitive and I assume it was the acacia powder they use in the fillers. Accord doesnt have acacia powder.

[Vizslaaddict]

Hello Sparklingsunshine,

I feel for you. I requested Accord with my pharmacy for the first time and it took a lengthy discussion and frankly close to begging on my part to be heard on this. They are going to try and fulfil this for me but if there are inconsistency I will have to look for another pharmacy. This shouldn’t be so hard for people who are already struggling with daily life and chronic fatigue. Change is needed in the way Thyroid conditions are cared for across the board.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Vizslaaddict]

100% agree and what's more annoying is that my old pharmacy used to be so good but whether they are under new management or they have expanded I'm not sure, but the drop in efficiency has been duly noted. And it always seems to be the B team whenever I go in.

I dont drive so its a 15 minute walk at least, which is fine, but then you find out they've not fulfilled the prescription and they've tried to fob you off with another brand, then they say they'll have to order it in so you end up going back again😪

I have Fibro so I sympathise with you, my health is up and down too and frankly I dont always feel up to the extra hassle.

[waveylines in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I ended up ringing round pharmacies to see who could oblige. This was over two tears ago and in fairness pharmacies are in even more busy now and have so much to do.. I don't know how my pharmacy manages it but they do, including ordering in my Armour Thyroid. I took them in a Christmas present this year.... as a thank u..

[Britpol]

Asda pharmacy routinely dispense Accord because they have a large contract with them , but I persevered with Boots, having contacted Accord and asking why their product is not available. They said it was readily available and offered to help Boots to order it . I also complained to Boots Central management and had several talks with Boots staff at my pharmacy to emphasise the government guidelines that say they should provide a brand that suits the patient . After they that started to dispense Accord regularly. Don’t give up!

[Craigd101]

Hi, I've been having similar problems of late in sourcing Accord, which I recently posted about. Its a nightmare when you can't get the brand you need, especially when you're close to running out.

I know it shouldn’t be required, but I purchased a 3 month supply of Accord from a reputable online pharmacy, which I'll keep as back up to tide me over any future issues with the chemist. The ordering process was easy (maybe i got lucky), and it cost £39 which I think is reasonable for a 3 month supply and peace of mind. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to name online pharmacies due to posting rules, but feel to direct message me if you want the name of the pharmacy.

Craig

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Craigd101]

Its so wrong that people are being driven to purchase essential medication that is free on the NHS, just because they can't get what they need.

[irishacres]

hi, I have had the same problem as you. I’ve been on Teva for 30 years without any problem. I recently found out that the new Pharmacy my doctor had sent me to was giving me Mercury Pharma. Since changing over in August, my blood tests are all over the place and after speaking to my doctor, she said that another patient has had the same problem. I have my medications in a plastic dated tray. So I had no idea they had changed them over. The pharmacist said they do not and will not stock Teva.

Do you think they are changing over to a cheaper brand or it’s just different pharmacies? I need to get back on Teva as soon as possible but can’t find anyone who stocks them. Do you know if there is a problem with supply of Teva and that’s why the pharmacies are changing over?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to irishacres]

Maybe you could contact Teva direct and ask them if there are supply issues , unfortunately I've seen a lot of posts on the forum where members have been strung a yarn from pharmacists coming up with unbelievable excuses as to why they can't source the specific brands patients request.

At least the failed pharmacy I tried yesterday were honest enough to admit they were at the mercy of whatever their wholesalers send them. There was no attempt to flannel me or make me appreciate all the brands are the same, honest 😧

[Auders]

Hello, I prefer Accord too. My independent pharmacy is normally very good and change it if they’ve dispensed MP. On one occasion they couldn’t change it so I asked for the prescription back. I went to our big Tesco and got it filled there. Good luck for the future, it’s a right royal pain in the butt!🤭

[jimh111]

There’s a program on this subject on Thursday 11th January at 20:30 on ITV1.

[waveylines in reply to jimh111]

Thanks Jim.... Will watch with interest. It does feel like everything is falling apart in the NHS.... Lol

[Stills]

sorry to read your tale of woe but you did make me laugh with your telling of it thank you

[connyankee]

Who here remains trustful of the pharmaceutical industry after the "pandemic"? Here in the USA we have a Doctor and nurse shortage since the pandemic. Patient care no longer exists in the hospitals now that corporations own them. It's all about the $$$ and not about the patient. I would suffice that your particular brand was too costly for your pharmacy to carry so they axed it! This is going to force a lot of us to seek care, Rx's in the third world countries where your life will be at risk because of lack of standards. I abhor this world that we live in today. I would so love to go back to my childhood days where there was no third party insurance agencies. You went to the Doctor and you paid him and nothing was measured with Algorithms, etc. It was what the Doctor charged and that was that. I'm glad that you were able to find your brand of Levo. If you are over 55 and female, please consider Synthroid as your T4 brand and please consider adding T3 to your regimen. Read up on the risks of Levo past the age of 55. It has to do with leaching of calcium from the bones.