Medication supplies

I am on blood pressure tablets and was only allowed to get one months supply at a time. After putting in a request they've upped it to 2 months at a time. I'm also on a three monthly B12 injection. They used to give me 2 years supply at once, now it's one phial at a time. I was told it was because the injections can go out of date. I'm on an NHS waiting list to get a mole removed. I've been told it'll be about a year. I just hope it's not cancerous. Whether this is because of Brexit or lack of funds I don't know.

Is it an expensive drug? If not, can he get a back-up private prescription?
I know this is sometimes possible.

I must be very fortunate, I have 3 months supply of each drug I am prescribed.

I think this gov't have been running down the health service to force us to go private because they believe the NHS is too expensive & many NHS staff have left because of it, I'm one of them. Vote Labour next time, they want a flourishing health service for everyone.

We sympathise. You are, however, not alone here. At the end of December, our GP retired and has not been replaced. My OH's excellent urological-oncologist has been head-hunted by the Swiss [just across the lake from us], and our lovely opthalmologist also retired at the end of last year. This in an area which is considered "upmarket" and which has absolutely nothing to do with Brexit. Seems as though it is simply a sign of the times Europe-wide.

It may well come down to money and nothing to do with Brexit. Or maybe that particular GP may only prescribe that particular drug that way. Suggest that he sees another GP in the practice?
As far as the consultant and previous GP - they will have been under contract - either annual or 6 monthly and due to leave anyway.
Suggest he sees another GP in the practise (there must be one!) and explain the problem and hopefully will get a month at a time - or has he tried one of the companies that deliver to his home address?
My local surgery will only give out 1 month at a time and you have to give at least 4 days notice for next months supply. Very unusual to be given a 6 month supply unless you are going out of the country!

I have had serious health problems for nearly 20 years. My specialists and their teams have been great. Over the years my treatment has been refined and last year, new medication and a new regime gave me the best year healthwise and hope that I could start to plan ahead.

However, my current medication is in such short supply that I was switched to an older product last week. I don't know how effective it is yet and I still haven't heard if I can continue taking that. I run out tomorrow and I can't get any information.

GrandmainOz, I understand what your friend is going through.

Due date!

It depends a lot on the medication - regulations are changing for many reasons. As suggested a friendly chat with your dispensing pharmacist may shed some light and provide some solutions

Only allowed a month at a time. Think it is about stockpiling. If I need them earlier than during date I have to explain to Receptionist why like holiday.

I’m with TwiceAsNice over the 4 years since we’ve retired my pharmacist has allowed me to take 2 months supply of my anti hypertension tablets, with my GP’s approval for when we go to our little place in Malaga. Never a problem.

I've only ever been able to get a months supply of drugs at a time so doubt that's anything new. My pharmacy drives me mad I put in a script a week ago for fragmin a daily injection needed to prevent my blood from clotting, they knew it was urgent and I've just been told they should have it by monday. I have to keep a secret supply otherwise I'm left with none and have to see a particular nurse at the anticoagulation clinic at the hospital who will bail me out. Great if she's on duty not so great if she's on holiday. I have a problem every month.

My prescription for the year is sent from the surgery to my local pharmacy of choice. They then hold the prescription ( so no need to see GP for another until review appt) If I need extra medication because of being away I just put in my repeat prescription to the surgery and pick up the extra at the chemist a few days later. It’s never a problem. Could you discuss it with the pharmacist and see if they can suggest something?

Thanks jane my friend did enquire about why he couldn't at least have a month's worth, but was told quite sharply that he couldn't. His partner has had to go back to Spain as their job was no longer guaranteed by the UK agency they worked for, so it's a very difficult situation. Thanks for your response

Grandma I think GPs generally are under pressure from their Clinical Commissioning groups (or whatever the correct term is) to prescribe only one month's supply of drugs at a time, presumably to stop patients stockpiling expensive drugs.
If your friend's drugs are expensive, it could be something to do with the practice not exceeding its budget for this financial year, given that this happened in March.
I spend months at a time in the US but when I asked if I could have 4 months' supply of medication instead of 1 month, there was no problem getting my prescription changed.
Perhaps your friend could explain to his GP that he would like to travel and ask for enough medication to cover his travels.

P.S. I didn't mean to sound rude "not interested in others' opinions" sounds very brusque. Please don't misunderstand me. All I mean is I'm asking a practical question as to whether people are having medical worries recently.
Not a political one questioning people's Brexit vote!!