Medication distribution

[D911]

I find myself, yet again, in a position where despite having three brands of meds that I am safe to take, the suppliers are sending whatever brand they please to the pharmacy and it leaves me without medication. I specifically have the three brands written on my prescriptions and it seems that no matter how many hoops I jump through I can not get what suits me.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can get the medication I need? I’m told by the pharmacies that regardless of what they request the supplier will send whatever brand they please. So it’s almost a pointless exercise asking for a specific brand. If I don’t have Morningside, Mercury Pharma or Accord I find I itch uncontrollably, to the point I itch and make myself bleed.

I feel hugely frustrated and despondent.

I am happy to have the direct conversation but no pharmacy seems to be able to tell me who further up their chain I speak to. They simply say it must be annoying but there’s nothing we can do.

I am expected to accept that.

Am I at the point where I have to pay for the medication privately (which I can not afford) to get what I need? If so, where do I start ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brands of levothyroxine/T3 are you looking for

Presumably your prescription specifies brands you need

Or brands you can’t accept

Lots of us use specialist pharmacies

You do have to pay P&P

thyroiduk.org/get-support/t...

[D911 in reply to SlowDragon]

Who knew this was a thing! Thankyou - will have a good look through

[helvella]

How are your prescriptions written?

The brand or company must be on the top line to have any chance of getting the product.

[D911 in reply to helvella]

It is - will look through Slow Dragons suggestions - thanks all

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Is the pharmacy you use a chain pharmacy?

personally I find independent pharmacies much better at finding stock of medicines as they can go to several different wholesalers as opposed to chain pharmacies who are restricted to one. You may need to change the chemist you use.

[D911 in reply to GlowCoach]

It’s Boots - which for the last four months have been helpful despite changing the goal posts in the most recent round. Prior to that it was a small independent and prior to that, the Drs pharmacy. It’s been on going for 2 years and they couldn’t give less of a sh1t if they tried. Handed me back the prescription and told me to ring round. I rang 15 pharmacies and the nearest one to me that stocks what I like to take was 1hr 20 mins away. It’s just completely impractical to have to go through that monthly.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to D911]

So even the independent pharmacy hasn't got what you need?

Some members of this group have been in touch with their MPs who have been interested and helpful in trying to resolve sourcing medicines.

[D911 in reply to GlowCoach]

Nope I feel so frustrated. I have just had an interesting conversation with the pharmacists off the list slowDragon posted. He said that Liothyronine lost its patent and is now considered a generic drug. He said that every 3 months a bid is put in to the Govt health dept (can’t remember the wording he used for the name of the Dept) and who ever is the cheapest gets the contract for 3 months. So even if I put the name Morningside for example, on my prescription, it’s unlikely I’ll get that brand if they didn’t win that 3 month contract. I despair. I asked how I get round that as other brands leave me uncontrollably itchy and the answer was you can’t,

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to D911]

I've not heard of that before. Perhaps helvella knows more?

The government are on our side with asking for specific brands, see link.

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

Suggest you head to your local MP.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to D911]

When we moved house and area…….new area…..tried over 20 local pharmacies……not one would supply brand I need on Levo or T3

Boots would never help at my old area either

I use Springfield pharmacy now ….on the list

[D911]

I’ll ring them tomorrow Thabkyou

[Anthea55]

Some pharmacies are online. Any help?

[D911 in reply to Anthea55]

I tried pharmacies2u and another whose name I forget right now - wouldn’t help

[sparkly]

Hi, i can only take Morningside brand T3. No local pharmacy can supply it.I get a paper prescription and post to Springfield pharmacy in Surrey who specialise in thyroid medication. They have been able to supply now for over a year and half and have always managed to supply Morningside.

I have written on prescription Morningside only brand by GP. I just have to pay postage.