Vencamil ? a shortage

[crimple]

This morning I received a call from Springfield, who fulfil my thyroid prescriptions.

I had sent in my repeat scrip a week ago and my meds come in the post, first class, was surprised not to have them by Saturday.

Springfield are waiting for supplies of Vencamil to come in!! Fortunately I do have a small reserve but I do hope this isn't going to be a regular thing. From reading on here it seems to be more common now for thyroidies not to be able to get their named Levothyroxine/Liothyronine.

helvella do you you get your supplies OK?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I am in the middle of my three-month prescription - so only have to go through the process about four times a year.

That means, I am relatively unlikely to experience any short-term lack of supply.

But I highly recommend you contact Aristo directly. (Never believe what you are told - always check.)

aristo-pharma.co.uk/contact/

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Regenallotment had an issue with supply recently.

I have been OK and no issues with my Vencamil prescription being dispensed but these shortages can often be local issues.

Have you tried phoning around other local chemists? often independent chemists have better availability of medicines.

[crimple in reply to Jaydee1507]

Jaydee1507 thank you for your reply. Springfield in Richmond on Thames is a well known on line supplier. I have used them for at least the last 5 years because I cannot tolerate most thyroid meds due to fillers such as acacia powder. They always got me the correct brand. I used to get Accord but swapped to vencamil last year as I was definitely having issues with dosage, my T4 dropped from 65% thru range to 32%, hence the Vencamil. My T3 has remained fairly steady with 5 x 3 mcgm Sigma Pharma. (GP pharmacist tried to swap me to Roma!! no way.)

I know a number of people have had issues with supplies of named brands and it seems to be getting worse. The fact that a well known pharmacy is having issues is worrying. He did say Vencamil should be available this week and I do have enough to keep me going, thankfully.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to crimple]

crimple, it's not just thyroid meds that are having supply issues. It's pretty much all meds in the UK. Some articles from earlier this year theguardian.com/politics/20...

cpe.org.uk/our-news/nhs-med...

abpi.org.uk/value-and-acces...

[Regenallotment]

hi Crimple, I had the same issue recently, my pharmacy said they tried 9 wholesalers.

I rang Aristo UK (number from   helvella link) and spoke to Paul, he said the fault is between the wholesalers and the pharmacies. Pharmacies just order ‘Levo’ and wholesalers ship a mixed batch of brands.

He rang two local pharmacy I use and gave them the magic numbers they needed to be able to order it specifically as they should. He is happy to ring your pharmacy direct and help them navigate ordering for your prescription.

Vencamil is supplied by all the main wholesalers so we mustn’t be fobbed off.

There is no shortage according to Aristo themselves.

Springfield might find this useful.

pip code for Alega 423-2757

EAN: 4251575905429

Both local pharmacies I use had stock within days of Paul’s call. I had since traipsed all over town and found some.

Please write to your MP as at least two are raising this with Min of Health. (Hereford and West Sussex).

🌱

[crimple in reply to Regenallotment]

Regenallotment, thanks very much for this info, I will pass it on

[HealthStarDust]

In my experience even where there is not national shortage, issues locally can arise. They are usually temporary.