Automated repeat prescription

[Rabdos]

Hello

I am looking for a pharmacy (online or physical) that will automatically request my monthly prescription from my GP without sending me reminders to do it myself.

So that they then send me the medicines at home or tell me to collect.

I did a lot of research on online pharmacies and I think I found only one claiming to do that but I lost the link.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I use the MedAvisor app with my local pharmacy of choice, I can select from my medication scripts that are listed what I need. Sends reminders both sms and email.

It can leave a message for the pharmacist if you need it, I normally ask the to deliver them so they phone up and I pay over phone.

https://www.medadvisor.com.au/Home/Landing

 

[EllieM]

@Riva_Roxaban is in Australia, so am not sure how useful that is to @Rabdos . @Rabdos, are you in the UK?

If you are, I will ask my UK T2 dad what he does, as I very much doubt he rings his GP every month for his script...

 

[Seacrow]

I've set my calender to bug me every 30 days, then I go online and order the repeat prescription, wait - should be 48 hrs but our pharmacy is slow, then pick-up from the pharmacy. They would deliver if the GP agrees I would struggle to get to the pharmacy. I can leave notes for the surgery, the GP or the pharmacy at various stages in the process.

I don't think you'll find a set-up that just repeatedly sends out medications. Even the GPs are required to check with you every year that you are still needing all the drugs at the right doses. Letting someone order drugs for a patient without input from the patient is unlikely. And pharmacists have that code of conduct type thing where they are supposed to randomly check that the patient understands what their drugs are for.

 

[jaywak]

I just downloaded the NHS app and it comes up with all my prescribed medication so as and when I need them I just tick the relevant boxes , it then sends a request to the Drs who then send it to your requested pharmacy who then text me when it's ready to pick up , simple eh .

 

[Dark Horse]

There is this one in the UK:- https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk

 

[In Response]

I found the automated repeat prescriptions don't take into consideration my actual usage. They may be great if you take a set number of pills every day but when insulin doses vary and the number of times I take a finger prick varies and the frequency of ketone testing varies, I just ended up with a stash of diabetes supplies and reverted back to ordering when I needed.

 

[Rachox]

My late mother used Boots who did this once she couldn’t manage herself

 

[divadiane]

I use LloydsDirect and you can set your usage and they will remind you to request the prescription. You can then click on the medication you need and they send a note to your GP to set the ball rolling. They have been really slow on getting Libre2 sensors though (gave up last time and this time over 2 weeks), so I’m requesting almost as soon as they fill it!

 

[Antje77]

I don't think you'll find a set-up that just repeatedly sends out medications.

It's so strange that this doesn't work in the UK but it does in the Netherlands.
For one off things my GP prescribes I use the pharmacist in my village, but for all my diabetes stuff and other things I'll need to keep taking I use a specialised pharmacy for people with chronic conditions.
Four times a year I get an email and an sms message with a date and approximate time they'll deliver so I can make sure to be home or contact them to change it, and they'll bring me 3 months worth of cooled insulin, penneedles, teststrips, Libre sensors, metformin, vit. D and bp pills.
They would bring lancets too but I told them not to bother, the first box is likely to last me a lifetime.

Before they come I take stock to see if what I get is still the right amount, and I can simply give them a call if I need more or less insulin or needles.
If I need something in between deliveries they'll usually deliver the next day, very efficient.

Before I found out this was possible it was a hassle every few weeks with my local pharmacy who tend to make lots of mistakes and where the wait is always very long. This quarterly delivery has taken away a lot of stress related to my diabetes, wish it would be possible in the UK as well.

 

[Andydragon]

I used my local chemist (badhams) who automatically requested every month and delivered too

I am sure most local chemists will do it to be fair. Maybe not delivery but certainly request. I reckon chains like Boots and Lloyds will too.

@Rabdos have you spoken to your local?

there are online but I prefer high street as you can speak to them a lot easier. Also they can hold your medex information thus avoiding any issue with being charged (as long as you have one ofc)

 

[In Response]

Thankfully, my pharmacist and GP rarely make mistakes.
My prescription request is done online so no need for paper or phone calls.
Then, I get a text message from my pharmacy a couple of days later to pick it up. They are only a small local branch of Well but know me and always friendly. I really felt for them at the start of the pandemic when people were stockpiling drugs, getting upset by the long wait as only one customer was allowed in the shop at a time and becoming abusive towards the staff.
On the very rare occasion they have had supply problems, they have phoned around other pharmacies (including their competition) to find insulin for me.

As for getting 3 months supplies like @Antje77 I would have to make extra space in my fridge. I'm not sure how I would prioritise insulin versus cheese and wine

 

[Rabdos]

Thanks it seems a couple of online pharmacies can do it (haven't tested yet).
I was also looking for one of those that put your medicines in pouches but I am worries about the medicines getting bad if they are in contact with the atmosphere.
They are supposed to be in a blister for a reason I suppose, those some do come in vials.

 

[EllieM]

I am in New Zealand and my GP lets me order a script for 3 months online. But the pharmacist will only give me one month at a time, so I have to go to them every month. (I think they worry about people stockpiling/overusing drugs and I certainly attempt to build my insulin stocks up so I have at least a month's supply.)

When I was in Australia I regularly got given way too many insulin cartridges, so I suppose there is some sense to it.

If I go more than 6 months without seeing the GP I have to go in before getting a script, though.

 

[Oldvatr]

One problem that might be in play here. When a pharmacy receives your scrip, they order the medications etc from their supplier. Once meds are despatched then they become non retunable so the pharmacy will get stuck with them if you do not get the meds. So if you go into hospital or on holiday or move house or GP practice, or do not pick up for another reason then they cannot claim the cost from the GP. It is risk reduction.

One of my meds is fairly rare and explicit to me, and costs £500 a month so not a trivial buden. Recently my consultant doubled the dose, then changed his mind, and I have an expensive box of pills on my mantlepiece. The pharmacy cannot accept them back, and I cannot put them in the landfill. They have to be destroyed clinically,

 

[hankjam]

Slightly OT but my local pharmacy in now a complete mess. Turnover of staff is amazing, not so many people working there and now it looks like Christmas at a butchers with bags all over the place. It's taking an age for them to find anything.
Not a good look....

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I was also looking for one of those that put your medicines in pouches but I am worries about the medicines getting bad if they are in contact with the atmosphere.
They are supposed to be in a blister for a reason I suppose, those some do come in vials.

My pharmacy (as most good pharmacies here) does the medications up in fourteen day sealed Webster-pak packages if you are not able to work out your medications. They get delivered every two weeks here when I was using them.

All in sealed compartments so that you do not get confused.

https://www.webstercare.com.au/product/webster-pak-community/

 

[AndBreathe]

i think this is the sort of thing you are thinking of: https://nhs.simpleonlinepharmacy.co...TLwLICAo7XNh7RT2z4f1KhiQDcAFmMqRoCe2UQAvD_BwE

My local pharmacy offers the service for those unable to organise their meds, by virtue complex needs through to having diminished physical or mental ability.

Personally? I wouldn't fancy anyone else making a mistake with my meds. If I mess up, that's down to me.

I'm not saying pharmacists are incompetent. They're not, but anyone can have a lapse of concentration.

 

[Oldvatr]

My pharmacy (as most good pharmacies here) does the medications up in fourteen day sealed Webster-pak packages if you are not able to work out your medications. They get delivered every two weeks here when I was using them.

All in sealed compartments so that you do not get confused.

https://www.webstercare.com.au/product/webster-pak-community/

Most UK pharmacies offer this, but recently most levy a charge for the service. My wife used Boots, and it worked well. I am a cheapskate so I make up my own dosette boxes f.o.c. I get my meds delivered once a month but I now pay for delivery because of increased transport costs.

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

Personally? I wouldn't fancy anyone else making a mistake with my meds. If I mess up, that's down to me.

When I was using the service, I never had any problems with any medications missing or whatever. I know there is a separate section at the pharmacy where they are made up so there should be no mistakes.