Hello, need some guidance

[se12sam]

Hi all, I have had Type 2 Diabetes for about 4 years now. I am a Londoner (sort of🙂) and I lived in the Lewisham/Greenwich NHS Trust area.

About 3 years ago, I got a job in the Middle East and I relocated there full-time. I had been regular with my Diabetes checkups (from a local doctor there) and things have been generally in control. I am currently on 500mg Slow-release Metformin and 20mg Simvastatin.

My situation is as follows:
Prior to the Covid pandemic, I had flown back to London for 8 days (after agreeing to work remotely etc.). Fortunately, I carried with me enough medicines that I have supplies for a further 10 days. However, it is now certain that I will have to stay in England longer -- not least due to travel bans to my country of work.

I called my old GP surgery to ask for a "repeat" prescription. However, I was told that my name has been transferred out of their surgery and they cannot issue me a prescription.

The issue for which I seek you guidance:
1. If I tried to initiate the formalities to re-register, the whole process will take a long time and I will run out of medicines. Could someone please guide me whether the NHS hospitals or some other doctors will be able to issue a prescription? What is the best process (e.g. walk-in or appointment) specifically to obtain my repeat prescription? I am mostly concerned about being without Metformin for a week or longer while I get the whole re-registration process sorted.
2. Is there any possibility that I could buy my medicines (especially Metformin) without a prescription? Is it even allowed by law? (I don't want to even ask a pharmacist if it is illegal).

Thank you. And best wishes to all in these troubled times.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

I would contact 111 online/email and give them a copy of your current prescription. They may be able to issue you with a repeat that way. I don’t know why your old GP couldn’t have done you a prescription as a visitor anyway.

 

[Johanna111]

Hi all, I have had Type 2 Diabetes for about 4 years now. I am a Londoner (sort of🙂) and I lived in the Lewisham/Greenwich NHS Trust area.
About 3 years ago, I got a job in the Middle East and I relocated there full-time. I had been regular with my Diabetes checkups (from a local doctor there) and things have been generally in control. I am currently on 500mg Slow-release Metformin and 20mg Simvastatin.
My situation is as follows:
Prior to the Covid pandemic, I had flown back to London for 8 days (after agreeing to work remotely etc.). Fortunately, I carried with me enough medicines that I have supplies for a further 10 days. However, it is now certain that I will have to stay in England longer -- not least due to travel bans to my country of work.
I called my old GP surgery to ask for a "repeat" prescription. However, I was told that my name has been transferred out of their surgery and they cannot issue me a prescription.
The issue for which I seek you guidance:
1. If I tried to initiate the formalities to re-register, the whole process will take a long time and I will run out of medicines. Could someone please guide me whether the NHS hospitals or some other doctors will be able to issue a prescription? What is the best process (e.g. walk-in or appointment) specifically to obtain my repeat prescription? I am mostly concerned about being without Metformin for a week or longer while I get the whole re-registration process sorted.
2. Is there any possibility that I could buy my medicines (especially Metformin) without a prescription? Is it even allowed by law? (I don't want to even ask a pharmacist if it is illegal).
Thank you. And best wishes to all in these troubled times.

 

[Davein]

Hi
I believe it is possible to get an emergency supply of meds from a Pharmacist but you have to prove you have been supplied these meds previously. They should supply you with 30 days worth. There are some restrictions, I believe insulin is one but you should be OK with your pills. You should take the written prescription and proof of name and address. BUT be prepared to be charged a high fee much more than the current prescription fee even if you normally obtain meds free on the NHS

 

[grovesy]

The problem is the poster has returned form being out of the country for a few years.

 

[SB2015]

Hi all, I have had Type 2 Diabetes for about 4 years now. I am a Londoner (sort of🙂) and I lived in the Lewisham/Greenwich NHS Trust area.

About 3 years ago, I got a job in the Middle East and I relocated there full-time. I had been regular with my Diabetes checkups (from a local doctor there) and things have been generally in control. I am currently on 500mg Slow-release Metformin and 20mg Simvastatin.

My situation is as follows:
Prior to the Covid pandemic, I had flown back to London for 8 days (after agreeing to work remotely etc.). Fortunately, I carried with me enough medicines that I have supplies for a further 10 days. However, it is now certain that I will have to stay in England longer -- not least due to travel bans to my country of work.

I called my old GP surgery to ask for a "repeat" prescription. However, I was told that my name has been transferred out of their surgery and they cannot issue me a prescription.

The issue for which I seek you guidance:
1. If I tried to initiate the formalities to re-register, the whole process will take a long time and I will run out of medicines. Could someone please guide me whether the NHS hospitals or some other doctors will be able to issue a prescription? What is the best process (e.g. walk-in or appointment) specifically to obtain my repeat prescription? I am mostly concerned about being without Metformin for a week or longer while I get the whole re-registration process sorted.
2. Is there any possibility that I could buy my medicines (especially Metformin) without a prescription? Is it even allowed by law? (I don't want to even ask a pharmacist if it is illegal).

Thank you. And best wishes to all in these troubled times.

Welcome to the forum @se12sam, I suspect that in normal circumstances you may have been able to register as a visitor, and as you have been resident abroad would have been able to get a prescription but had to pay for it.
I would phone 111 and see what they suggest in the current circumstances.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope you manage to make some progress with this @se12sam

Must be very worrying for you.