Is anybody familiar with Pharmacy for U?

I'm really cross, having changed from pharmacy2U to a local chemist, because my gps receptionist called online chemists "a load of crap" (because the gp kept getting my prescription wrong!)

My meds have been in the chemist for a month, because I haven't been well enough to get them, and they have come (yet again!) with an "owing" slip for my new eye ointment.

Soon, I'll have a hospital appointment to see how this ointment is working, but I haven't been able to use it consistently since it was prescribed!

I have used Pharmacy2u for a few years now and it has been a Godsend. I have several medications, one of which has to be refrigerated. This is well packed with a cold pack and wrapped in insulating material. I don't have to sign for any of them a they can be left in my open porch as I requested on the delivery instructions. I place the order on their app, which lists all my medication, they send it to the GP and I am kept informed of the delivery process the whole time. If I've needed any other medication my GP sends the script electronically to them and it's delivered promptly. I get a 2 hour window from Royal Mail as to delivery time as well. It's all very easy and convenient. I've never had any of the deliveries go astray.

YorkLady

I was contacted by Boots this week who informed me that the delivery charge is now £55 per year. I have four deliveries a year!!

Thats odd, this says Boots is still free www.boots.com/online/pharmacy/#:~:text=Collect%20your%20prescription%20from%20a,have%20it%20delivered%20for%20free*.

So sorry messed up links, will redo.

www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/prescriptions

www.chemist-4-u.com/delivery

Charleygirl5
I noticed in your heading you say "Pharmacy for U or do you mean Pharmacy4U? most people responding here seem to be talking about "Pharmacy 2U are you talking about the same one?

Pharmacy2U does not appear to charge for NHS prescriptions:https://www.chemist-4-u.com/delivery

Pharmacy4U does charge:
www.chemist-4-u.com/delivery

I have used Pharmacy2U for years and the only complaint (if you can call it that) is that they send you reminders to re-order too early and you end up with a back log of medicine and if you don't reorder our doctors take it off your repeat meds. My Husband has just changed to Pilltime who were recommended by Pharmacy2U because he gets his medication in daily pouches and they have been really good.

Chakotay, thank you for the link. It makes interesting reading.
How can you mistakenly sell information?.

I do not trust them at all, they were fined by the ICO for selling patient data of course it was a 'mistake' but the it always is when you get caught out. pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/pharmacy2u-fined-130000-for-selling-patient-data

My husband uses Pharmacy2U for his prescriptions, and he's never had a problem. I just get mine sent to our local Asda.

I don't know why people feel guilty. I've heard a few people say that they are fit enough to collect drugs, but that's really neither here nor there - the delivery services are businesses, and if it cost the NHS money to use them (more than it does to send items to a physical chemist) they wouldn't do it. Boots get paid to dispense medicines, and this is no different. Maybe they will start to charge in future, in which case people can opt to pick them up or continue with delivery, but as it is, the service is free, and I assume the cost of postage is absorbed into the pharmacy's profit margins.

I started using Pharmacy 2U during Covid, when the assistant in the Boots near my local surgery posted on FB every day moaning about having to be at work when others were on furlough, complaining about (sick) customers expecting their medication to be ready when they were told to expect it, and so on. There were huge queues to get essential medications, and no explanation as to why, when nobody was buying non-essentials such as hair products or cosmetics - if anything the pharmacy service should have been faster than usual. It's not as though they were dispensing Covid meds, as there weren't any. I had enough of it, and switched to delivery so my husband didn't have to wait in the cold to be served, only to be told that my inhalers weren't available. If they decide to charge, I will consider whether it's worth it, but for now it is definitely easier.

I used to use them however mine had to be signed for and Royal Mail would only give a 12hr delivery window so I had to wait in all day and then the delivery was often postponed until the next day.

I prefer a pharmacy that uses its own local delivery system.

Mandymoo456

Hi yes I have used them for three years,I get a reminder every month tick what I need and then they tell you when the Dr has signed it off,then when it's out for delivery, mine fits through the letterbox so I'm often not in, very good I've not had any problems 👍

This. 😁

GSM, maybe you could make an enquiry to this delivery service, see if they can source your meds.
might make things a lot easier for you.

We use Pharmacy for U always find them great. Some of DH prescriptions too big to go through door… so they split deliveries into 2/3 separate packages when I contacted them. The only gripe I have with them is the multiple reminders to reorder … much too early!

Goodness, I didn’t realise pharmacies were starting to charge for delivery. We order our repeat prescriptions on the NHS app/website and a lovely lady from our local chemist brings them to the door two or three days later. I do feel guilty, and have told her so, as I think we’re fitter than her and could easily collect them now (we started having deliveries in lockdown). But she insists she’s happy to do it and it keeps her in a job.

Thank you all. You have convinced me and I do have the cat flap if items will not fit through the narrow letterbox.

Hi yes I have used them for three years,I get a reminder every month tick what I need and then they tell you when the Dr has signed it off,then when it's out for delivery, mine fits through the letterbox so I'm often not in, very good I've not had any problems 👍

Lloyds are now run/owned by Pharmacy2U anyway. I've always liked Lloyds as a pharmacy and found the staff knowledgeable and helpful.

I REFUSE to use Boots on principle because they consistently fail to pay their appropriate taxes.

I've just checked and refrigerated or controlled drugs are posted Royal Mail next day signed for. So they are tracked all the way. Just as safe as in your shopping bag.

You can split your order so only some items are delivered and you pick up any you'd like to. It's easy to ask the pharmacy to forward a prescription to another.

I am reminded to reorder 2 weeks before I run out to take GP and postal delays into account.

Germanshepherdsmum

I would be very reluctant to have my prescriptions delivered. I would worry about something going astray.

That's what puts me off, especially as some are CDs.

My son has used Pharmacy2U since around 2016 and has no issues at all.

My surgery wants 7 days’ notice! They won’t allow you to order too early so I wait 10 days after collecting a prescription and keep my fingers crossed! I have also, slowly, built up a small reserve of the ‘difficult to obtain’ pills, which are Class A drugs, to ensure that I don’t run out. I have yet to find a pharmacy which keeps them in stock. However, they have kept me free from seizures since 1977 so I can’t complain.

I meant to say ‘the pharmac at the doctor’s surgery is the nearest one’.

I use Pharmacy2U and think it’s brilliant. They remind me (a bit too soon) to re-order, then inform me at every stage before delivery, which is free. Mind you, I only have a single med, no shortages and get it every 8 weeks. My Surgery and the linked Pharmacy are several miles away, but a risky drive in bad weather, which is why I signed up to the service.

Goodness me GSM !

My local pharmacy now says you must wait 48 hours for repeat prescriptions. I guess that’s because they are now busier with patients who call in rather than wait for a gp appointment.
Cause and effect.