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Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this usual?

B

blankit

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6
Ok, after my last post I'd like to write something more neutral and objective and ask for your feedback.

My doctor says they can only give prescriptions for two months of medication at a time, but will give three sets of prescriptions (post dated) at one time. This means at least eight trips to the surgery and twelve to the pharmacy each year - one to request the script, one to collect, one to deposit to the pharmacy and usually another visit to collect.

About half of the time the pharmacist doesn't have the full amount of medication I need, despite ordering it, so that's another trip. The doctor require a fax (I don't have a fax) or visit to request the prescriptions, they won't take repeat requests over the phone. I've found pharmacy repeat services to be very unreliable, after so many errors I'm reluctant to use them as I depend on getting my medication (I'm type 1).

So in practice this is about 25 - 30 visits each year to keep up with my medications. I find this really unpleasant and intrusive, and the doctor thinks it's reasonable.

I'd like to know what your opinions are - how does this seem to you? Have you encountered these limits on the amount of medication you are prescribed? How have you found pharmacy repeat prescription services?

Thanks for reading.
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

We can email a repeat request to our doctor, then collect the script 2 days later and take to the pharmacy. Like you, we have found they often don't have everything in stock so it usually means another visit a day or two later to collect the other half of the script. I could use the pharmacy service where they collect the script from the doctor but I too have found this doesn't work so well. We get about a month to 6 weeks supply of stuff at a time (test strips, needles) but the insulin lasts us much longer. I've never questioned the quantities because I can fit this routine into our lifestyle without too much trouble.
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

blankit,

Two months supply of meds is the norm with my gp surgery, however if I need extra supplies during this time I only have to ring-up and ask.

Nigel
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

Speaking personally.....you are fortunate that you are allowed 2 months supplies. Many of us only get a months supply at a time. I am only allowed 1 months supply. The only time I asked for more was when going on Holiday....I got two months supply then. Ran out after extending my stay and had to visit a local Health Centre to get more.....no problem. :D

I don't use any delivery service as I use a small local Pharmacy where I have a good relationship with the Staff there. I also order my scrip via an online service the GP Practice has. I get an e-mail reminder each month. They will post the scrip to me if required, however I elected to collect as it makes sure I get everything I need and can check it there and then. I then nip down to said Pharmacy and collect so all done in one journey.....no hassle.

I could have it all done online and have it delivered but I prefer the friendly Pharmacy. They will always loan me drugs if I forget to order, even deliver if I wish. A quick phone call and they will order stuff prior to my prescription being dispensed. Excellent service.

I think the delivery option is fine if you are housebound.......just too impersonal for me. :(
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

Thanks for all of your replies.

My doctor claimed that 'guidelines' prevented them prescribing more than a 2 month supply - does anyone know what the guidelines are here? Is there a statement from the NHS I could view about this? How would I go about challenging their decision?
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

Blankit.
It is more likely to be that Practices Policy rather than anything else.......
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

I asked my GP about this, he said it was to try to reduce the waste of medication - if you have a large amount eg 6 months and then die, all that medication will be wasted. Which is true, I suppose. I get more than 2 months supply of insulin, but that's only because the minimum amount it comes in lasts longer than 2 months (a box of 5x 300 unit cartridges).

You GP's system for repeat prescriptions sounds like a pain :( Do you always use the same chemists? You could try asking them to keep a supply of what you need in stock, the chemist I use did that after I asked, as they were often out of stock of what I needed. To order a repeat prescription from my GP practice, I just fill out a form online and then collect it from the chemist - I leave it a few days to make sure they have it in stock. And if anything goes wrong I always carry a prescription with me.
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

I wish my doctor did the online thing, mine you have to take them in or post them to the surgery.

I have never used the chemist pick up system but have been considering it, but reading here it looks like some people seem to find it not working as well as it should - What do other think?
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

I get 3 months supply but half the time need to go back for some as they dont have them in stock. And can reorder a repeat on the surgery website. I would be raging if i had to go back every month
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

I get 6 monthes worth of prescriptions, which stay with the pharmacy. I collect once a month.
My pharmacy is EXCELLENT. If there's a problem[rare] they sort it out.
I live 10 minutes walk from the pharmacy, which is convenient. I know they have a prescription collection service, which people say is very reliable and will also deliver.
I'd go to a different pharmacy if mine were not efficient.
Iappreciate I live on the edge of a large town, so alternative facilities do exist. It might be much more difficult in a lot of places, especially rural ones.
Hana
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

I to get issued with scripts for a maximum dosage period of eight weeks for most of my meds, but for my dihydrocodiene forte I am only given supply for a month. It is not cost based but regulations from our health region.
I could have the scripts sent direct to the chemist of my choice (there are two) but I have decided to collect them from the sugery myself after having some go 'missing'. Most of what I need is usually not in stock or there is not enough on the shelf so I have to make a return trip. . . . but hey, at least I can get what I need and free of all charges :D
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

Yes, I get about 2 months worth as well. I hate saying this in public...as I would so much rather support the local pharamacy....but I get my medication from T e s c o...and as I have to visit there every week, I just time it with my weekly shop.

My GP advertised this online request thing...so I went in this morning to request the form to set it up..to be met with the blank stare that some recepptionists have, and told "thats not working yet". "OK, will I be able to get a form next week?" I ask..."no, in about 6 months time". Not sure why they had it on their website now then...but it should be good when it arrives. They are waiting for the software apparently, so it may be becoming more common...fingers crossed.

I don't mind the every 2 month thing so much...I have changed medication, particulalr blood test meters quite a bit, when they break, and would hate to have to throw away 6 months of test strips!
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

I only get 1 month - never had a problem though - I always work with 2 weeks of meds left so I am never waiting for it - order through the chemist the 1st of every month - ready to collect 3 days later

That's down to the GP surgery not the chemist - it takes 48hrs for a repeat script which is the bit I find a bit daft considering they are printed of by a meds coordinator and not hand written like in the old days when you could get a repeat script in 4 hours!
 
Re: Doctor will only give 2 months of medication, is this us

Two months supply at a time is the rule here... and I'm glad I don't have more, as storage would be a problem! I have 10 different drugs each day :mrgreen: , and the two months supply fills a carrier bag.
Repeat prescriptions are ordered by telephone from the pharmacy, who collect the scripts from the doctors surgery, and I collect from the pharmacy...but they would deliver to my door if necessary. I have never had a problem with this regime... obviously its only as good as the pharmacy's system, but ours works faultlessly every time. As long as I remember to phone in my order a week before I run out, everything is tickety boo.
My only beef is the time it takes the doctors to produce the prescriptions... its a big surgery, with about ten doctors, five nurses and goodness knows how many ancillary staff, and the place is bristling with computers, yet it takes them three full working days to print off the script and squiggle on the bottom... unbelievable!
 
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