still no Zentiva

[cobsie]

following on from my last post and lots of helpful comments, my independent pharmacist has still not been able to obtain Zentiva hydroxy, I have tried phoning several others who all basically said they have to take what the distributor gives them. Tesco did not have them in and their distributor was about to be taken over and again, can’t order specific brands. Where does that leave us? Zentiva should be on this or are distributors getting more money sending them abroad? Most pharmacies say they are having similar issues with other meds. Today I am out visiting friends and will be taking my prescription with me in case we are near any pharmacies. This is is so stressful, not like we have much choice - take a brand that makes you sick and trembling or not take it and end up where? 😳😢

[Barbara17]

It’s a lottery every time you get a prescription. I usually manage to get Zentiva but it is very stressful. Some brands are a definite nono however I have found I can take Accord if absolutely necessary. Of course I realise everyone is different but it might be worth a try.

[cobsie in reply to Barbara17]

I don’t think I have been offered Accord anywhere but will try it if available. In supermarkets, marketing uses strategies to make their products the most purchased and therefore the most profitable. If I had the brand leader of hydroxy and was aware there were problems, I know where my efforts would be useful. Take care x

[GloomyEeyore]

Do you have a Well pharmacy near you? This is the only pharmacy that I am able to get Zentiva from. Strange as after contacting Zentiva directly I was assured that there is no problems with it and that pharmacies can order it directly from them. Seems that pharmacies don’t want to do this and only go through their Rep who won’t order specific brands. I have changed my prescription so that it is now sent to Well and not the independent pharmacy I used to go to. I have coeliac and have to get some other medications from specific brands too. No problem at Well.

[cobsie in reply to GloomyEeyore]

You absolute star! Never heard of Well pharmacy but there was one less than 3 miles away. Just got back, took their last 45 out of 60 phew! And asked about next lot. They can’t guarantee Zentiva but that is normally what they get in. Guess I have a new pharmacy. Thank you so much for responding and for the advice Good luck to everyone else. Take care x

[GloomyEeyore in reply to cobsie]

Thank you! I have never been called a star before! So glad that you managed to get the Zentiva. I have never had a problem since switching my prescriptions to Well. Xx

[Poshcards]

Exactly, I now dread each month with my poor hubby chasing around for my usual supply!! xx

[loopy-lou]

My local pharmacy got it in for a couple of months. However, yesterday I had a note enclosed saying they are no longer able to get Zentiva from their suppliers. I was given their last box that expires at the end of August, leaving me short. To me that indicates it is an ongoing problem. I have just looked an unfortunately I don't have a Well pharmacy near me. Not sure what we are supposed to do. Does anyone know why there are these ongoing issues ? x

[cobsie in reply to loopy-lou]

This is where the tale goes murky. Zentiva say there are no problems, the distributors have supplies and they will help the pharmacist get it in. Pharmacists only go through their suppliers and not direct. Zentiva sister company Sanofi ( think those facts are correct) developed the drug in the first place under the brand Plaquenil which is no longer available, but Zentiva came out as one of the brands when the licence expired. Why there is no answer available anywhere that says a is correct, b should do this and c is the available result is unclear.

This Well pharmacy is the 3rd largest in UK with Boots at number one, but they can’t or won’t get it in many cases.

I hope this one can get it in but keeping my fingers crossed for next time, having struggled for months now. We all deserve better this is another level of stress. Perhaps Lupus UK would care to take this to the top of NICE or government or whoever Not sure most of us have the strength to parade or carry placards. Fight on everyone and good luck with all your meds. Take care x

[loopy-lou]

Thank you so much for your reply. I used to take Plaquenil and like many of us went on to Zentiva. I will try ringing in the next few days to see if I can get any further updates. Fatigue atm! I do hope it can be looked at at the top as you suggest. I like many others are not in a position to run around as depending on the day I go from extremely limited mobility with a stick to wheelchair use. I agree , we don't need this additional stress. Good luck getting your prescription. Take care x