Hi, I'm new to the site. Was diagnosed about 6 months ago. Anyone else struggling with prescriptions? My GP has only prescribed enough meds for 28 days. Then stopped accepting requests via email and made me sign up to patches for ordering. Finally got signed up and ordered only to to be told by the pharmacist I have to give at least 5days notice and my prescription will not be ready. I ordered last Friday I think that's a reasonable amount of time. They reluctantly sorted it but made me return after 3pm today. Every time I get a prescription there's an issue and I have to return to the pharmacist last time they said it would be 3 days this time 5 days. I'm literally ordering as soon I pick one up just so I don't run out. I'm so stressed not to mention embarrassed by the pharmacist hollering at me for not ordering my meds in time. Also no info give on exemption certificate I had to ring my GP and ask why don't they tell you. I'm new to this I don't know these things. It's such a maze wish someone would have explained all this to me and got me set up before. I've been fit and healthy my whole life never been on medication before
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- Thread starter Sophie84
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Bruce Stephens
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"Batches", maybe?
Leadinglights
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Welcome to the forum. There are occasional gripes about medication shortages and people being given the run around to get what they need as the pharmacies just do not have the stock and the ordering system has no consistency between different surgeries.
Our nominated pharmacy used to sort out the repeat prescriptions with the GP but stopped doing that a few months ago and the request has to go to the GP either in person at the surgery of through the Patient Access scheme. It does seem to have been satisfactory generally but it is usually 3 days for the GP approval and another 2 or 3 for the pharmacy notification that it is ready.
I think you only get exemption if you are on diabetic medication which I assume you are.
It's patchs (without the e my autocorrect changed it) it's like an online SMS system
Yes I'm on metafomin. You would think the GP would apply for the certificate when they diagnose and prescribe medication or at least tell you to do it. Just find it baffling.
Leadinglights
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Hopefully your GP told you about dietary changes you need to be making as many don't bother or just say cut down on sugary stuff and prescribe the pills whereas it is much more than that.
This link has good explanation for the way forward following a low carbohydrate approach which many have found successful https://lowcarbfreshwell.com There are some menu plans and recipes based on the suggested no more than 130g carbs per day.
saffron15
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My sisters surgery is in Suffolk and she has to make appointments using Patches it can take a long time and is awkward. However her surgery has always given her 2 months at a time as far as prescriptions are concerned.
My surgery wanted Christmas requests by the 13th and has only ever given 28 days at a time although when I was put on an extra diabetes med in September but was going to be away following a cataract op end of October I was allowed to order the one out of sinch prescription early. Usually you have a very small window to order. They say will take 5 days to process but are often available sooner. I order re the surgery pharmacy but I cannot collect there I collect from Boots they only have collections for people that don't live in the village. My sister during covid signed up with a pharmacy that delivers and I think liaises with the GP.
I used to be able to order electronically but on one occasion it failed to recognise me. I walk to the surgery and deliver the repeat prescription by putting it through the letterbox. Years ago you could order by email but that was stopped ages ago.
Are you on a regular repeat prescription? I've only been on current drugs since end of September. In fact I had a BP drug reintroduced last week and it won't be on my repeat.
At this time of year surgeries and pharmacies are under a lot of pressure but it is wholly wrong to shout at patients. I ordered my drugs on 10 December and they were ready much earlier than I expected.
I'm retired so don't pay prescription charges. I believe there is an exemption for diabetics but if not if I had a flare of an eye problem I would pay for a prescription card which is cheaper.
I hope you can sort out the stress it's causing you.
My surgery wanted Christmas requests by the 13th and has only ever given 28 days at a time although when I was put on an extra diabetes med in September but was going to be away following a cataract op end of October I was allowed to order the one out of sinch prescription early. Usually you have a very small window to order. They say will take 5 days to process but are often available sooner. I order re the surgery pharmacy but I cannot collect there I collect from Boots they only have collections for people that don't live in the village. My sister during covid signed up with a pharmacy that delivers and I think liaises with the GP.
I used to be able to order electronically but on one occasion it failed to recognise me. I walk to the surgery and deliver the repeat prescription by putting it through the letterbox. Years ago you could order by email but that was stopped ages ago.
Are you on a regular repeat prescription? I've only been on current drugs since end of September. In fact I had a BP drug reintroduced last week and it won't be on my repeat.
At this time of year surgeries and pharmacies are under a lot of pressure but it is wholly wrong to shout at patients. I ordered my drugs on 10 December and they were ready much earlier than I expected.
I'm retired so don't pay prescription charges. I believe there is an exemption for diabetics but if not if I had a flare of an eye problem I would pay for a prescription card which is cheaper.
I hope you can sort out the stress it's causing you.
No they didn't but i was pre diabetic and got myself back to normal myself with diet and exercise. Unfortunately an early menopause resulted in diabetes. I'm a petite size 8 very fit exercise daily and always have. My GP has provided me with little to no information I've done it all myself. Even to the point of me telling them I thought I was diabetic and needed my bloods checking as I felt so unwell. My family have a history of diabetes. With a roll of the eyes they did it.
saffron15
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@Sophie84 I was tested at my request. The DN was underwhelming and is now off sick but you have been treated poorly. This forum gives good information and support. Before I joined I phoned the phone line and they were amazing. My practice just leaves you to get on with it. Obviously you should receive an annual foot check and eye exam. Get onto them if it hasn't been scheduled. My surgery is short staffed so I have some sympathy.
Alan44
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Hi @Sophie84 and welcome to the forum.
Unfortunately your experience is not uncommon, so in that respect you are not alone.
You've not said what your hba1c on diagnosis as this is your starting point and what needs to improve, it will also give others on the forum an idea how best to help you going forward
Alan 😉
Unfortunately your experience is not uncommon, so in that respect you are not alone.
You've not said what your hba1c on diagnosis as this is your starting point and what needs to improve, it will also give others on the forum an idea how best to help you going forward
Alan 😉
I get 28 days worth of Metformin at a time but more like 2 months worth of statins. I've just moved house so swapped doctor in the last month but both former and current GPs accept repeat requests through the NHS app on my phone and usually I get it approved within 24h (just had the first at the new place meet that) and can specify which pharmacy I want the prescription sending to and they've had it ready the next working day.
My old pharmacist gave me the information about medical exemption the first time I went in there but to be fair to my docs they had me in a good while over the expected appointment time on the visit where I was diagnosed. The pharmacist also told me to back date the exemption and claim back via another form.
I'm not sure if I'm lucky with my care - I live in one of the South Coast's retirement hotspots and they may all be geared towards expecting to give extra help but your experience seems far from mine and I think I'd be looking to at least swap pharmacy (again, I drive and am lucky enough to have plenty around though).
grovesy
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Well you are lucky then! I don't have major problems with mine. Though around here most of the small Boots have closed, the one in Sainsbury's also closed, and it has put pressure on the remaining independent's. Some even have notices in there windows, to the effect. My one often has queues to the door.
trophywench
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@grovesey - only TO the door. Obviously not that busy then .... 🙂
Hi @Sophie84
Sounds like a good reason to try diet and exercise without medication.
Did your GP offer you that option 6 months ago?
Mine didn't, but they agreed I should try. Back to my former self in a few months.
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Welcome to the forum.
Sorry to hear about your prescription woes
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It can be so frustrating in the early days. I think many surgeries tend to leave it a while before giving more meds at a time because it can take time until you are sure that a particular med suits the person. No point in having a dozen boxes you’ll never use that the pharmacy can’t take back!
But if you are tolerating metformin well it does sound like you could perhaps have a conversation with your GP or the practice pharmacist if there is one, and ask for more tablets at a time?
My prescriptions also take 5 to 7 days - I can remember the days when it was 48 hours but those were a long time ago! Now it takes two days for the surgery to okay the repeat and another three days for the pharmacy to be sure they’ll have it in.
I just factor that in to my re-ordering timing 🙂
Never heard of Patchs either. I’ve used patient access or more recently the NHS app. Both have worked well for me.
Sorry to hear about your prescription woes
.It can be so frustrating in the early days. I think many surgeries tend to leave it a while before giving more meds at a time because it can take time until you are sure that a particular med suits the person. No point in having a dozen boxes you’ll never use that the pharmacy can’t take back!
But if you are tolerating metformin well it does sound like you could perhaps have a conversation with your GP or the practice pharmacist if there is one, and ask for more tablets at a time?
My prescriptions also take 5 to 7 days - I can remember the days when it was 48 hours but those were a long time ago! Now it takes two days for the surgery to okay the repeat and another three days for the pharmacy to be sure they’ll have it in.
I just factor that in to my re-ordering timing 🙂
Never heard of Patchs either. I’ve used patient access or more recently the NHS app. Both have worked well for me.
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