Vencamil seems to suit me really well compared to other brands but I cannot for the life of me get pharmacists to supply it - I get it occasionally but then it just goes back to something like Teva (which I hate)
Does anyone else like this brand? Also, does anyone know of any of the online pharmacies that stock it as a matter of course? I’m with Pharmacy 2 U and despite it being on their records that it is my preferred brand they just never deliver the goods.
Any help on this would be appreciated
Thanks much it
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FishfaceMcGraw
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You need to get your prescriber to write the prescription specifically for Vencamil.
My document has examples of exactly what needs to be written.
I'm having a problem getting mine written properly!
helvella's medicines documents (UK) can be found here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines licensed in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world. There is now a specific world desiccated thyroid document.
I highly recommend viewing on a computer screen, or a decent sized tablet, rather than a phone. Even I find it less than satisfactory trying to view them on my phone.
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - UK
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK-licensed products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), British National Formulary, NHS Drug Tariff, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).
Yes, my preferred brand and I have it named on my prescription so that it is always supplied. (Though my Surgery refuses to write it correctly as shown in the link below (which means if I presented my script elsewhere I'm at their mercy) but as they also dispense they have learnt that I don't accept anything else and they have to honour their mis-written script!) Worth asking your GP to name it on your prescription rather than just open to any generic brand
If you get prescribed Vencamil then your prescription won't even mention Levothyroxine, you'll see what I mean by the photo I have attached of an example prescription. Its written very differently to the way a usual Levo prescription is due to it being a 'brand'.
If you can get your GP to write it that way for you (it is standard on their computer system) then the pharmacy cannot give you anything else and will have to order it in if they don't keep it.
My document has links to the dm+d database which will let you check the current approved NHS prices for each product.
But the pharmacy will only get these prices if it is prescribed as Vencamil. If supplied under a prescription for levothyroxine, they will get the generic NHS prices.
The NHS Drug Tariff provides only a small subset of this information.
The British National Formulary can be rather confusing on prices and is potentially several weeks behind the dm+d prices.
But even if it is more expensive, it might be £2.50 rather than 80p or £2.12 or something like that.
It took 4 pharmacy visits, 2 phone calls to GP and finally a strongly worded email to surgery to get them to change it from generic Levothyroxine Sodium.
You might be better off ditching an online pharmacy and sourcing a local, preferably independent pharmacy who can source Vencamil.
I use Accord brand and visited/ phoned several pharmacies to check they could provide it and wouldn't fob me off with any old rubbish. Independents are usually much better at getting hold of specific items as they often have a choice of pharmaceutical suppliers they use. The big chains often are less flexible.
Obviously it might not be possible in your case if you cant travel or have very few pharmacies to choose from. But if you are able to its worth it.
It is really nice to see that more and more of us won’t be fobed off by doctors and pharmacies, thanks to this wonderful Forum and its knowledgeable and conscientious administrators. Collectively, we significantly improve the quality of treatment of thyroid disorders.
How helpful is your GP surgery? Even though mine has been fairly useless in acknowledging my hypothyroidism I did eventually get them to specify my preferred brand on my prescription; I just kept stating that everytime I put in my online prescription request.
Get the script written as Jaydee1507 shows in their reply.
Hi I had to make sure it was written on the prescription, I contact Aristo who produce Vencamil and was given this number 423-2757 which I passed on to my pharmacist(which I had to ring around to find one who would supply)no problem for now however I'm trailing T3 which has taken a bit of investigation via different pharmacies so again had to ring around. Unfortunately for me GP hasn't written it on new prescription this time around so another email will be sent. I'd try ring round your local pharmacies see if any can help. Good luck.
As others have said, make sure your prescriber indicates that there shall be no drug substitution. Otherwise, pharmacies are allowed to substitute and even obliged to do so. I saw that the UK has substitution laws which can cut both ways.
In the US in general, prescribers must write "Dispense as written", "Do not substitute" or in Florida, "Medically Necessary" on the prescription, even if the prescription is written for a brand-named drug. Otherwise, the pharmacy must substitute by law, even if the patient wants it filled as written. This was intended to pass the savings on to the patient and forcing doctors to indirectly help with the cost-cutting.
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