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Insulin being rationed?

N

Nottingham21

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Hi, I'm new to this forum, but I'm looking for help and advice. My partner has T1 and he has just been told he can only order his day time insulin once a month.

I don't know whether this is a new NHS thing, a pharmacy decision, a GP decision but I'm really stressed about it. Has anyone else been told this?

Rationing access will not work because everyone's bodies react differently, and T1 is so unpredictable. If this is happening, I think it needs to be really strongly resisted. However, if this is just a pharmacy thing, then we will change.

Thank you.
 
I’ve not encountered this, but the only way that I can think of for your partner to be assured he has sufficient insulin to last until the next order is to talk with the surgery about the amount entered on his prescription.
There’ve been articles about pressure on surgeries and pharmacies; maybe both are looking at ways they can reduce the loads for staff?
 
Fairygodmother said:
I’ve not encountered this, but the only way that I can think of for your partner to be assured he has sufficient insulin to last until the next order is to talk with the surgery about the amount entered on his prescription.
There’ve been articles about pressure on surgeries and pharmacies; maybe both are looking at ways they can reduce the loads for staff?
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Thank you. It's helpful to know this isn't nationwide. They have given him no explanation, and he thought at first he'd misunderstood but he spoke to them this morning and they confirmed. I think he needs an appointment to discuss this. Amending the amount on his prescription is also a really good idea. Thank you.
 
Nottingham21 said:
Hi, I'm new to this forum, but I'm looking for help and advice. My partner has T1 and he has just been told he can only order his day time insulin once a month.

I don't know whether this is a new NHS thing, a pharmacy decision, a GP decision but I'm really stressed about it. Has anyone else been told this?

Rationing access will not work because everyone's bodies react differently, and T1 is so unpredictable. If this is happening, I think it needs to be really strongly resisted. However, if this is just a pharmacy thing, then we will change.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hi @Nottingham21 I had exactly this problem in October 2012. It involved both testing stri[ps and insulin. I was told there was a fixed quota in both cases and that any surplus was sold overseas!! Naturally I wasn't prepared to accept this and wrote a letter to the senior practitioner and the Surgery Manager. My prescription was restored immediately! I wish you and your partner success.
 
Welcome to the forum @Nottingham21

If you're partner is seen at hospital for diabetes, the quickest way is usually to ask the DSN to write to the surgery and increase your partner's monthly insulin prescription.
 
Grant_Vicat said:
Hi @Nottingham21 I had exactly this problem in October 2012. It involved both testing stri[ps and insulin. I was told there was a fixed quota in both cases and that any surplus was sold overseas!! Naturally I wasn't prepared to accept this and wrote a letter to the senior practitioner and the Surgery Manager. My prescription was restored immediately! I wish you and your partner success.
Click to expand...
So interesting that this happens sometimes, thank you for sharing. Now that I'm more confident it isn't a broader problem, I think I'll definitely be encouraging him to take it up with the surgery, or the hospital, as advised by Hopeful34.
 
Hopeful34 said:
Welcome to the forum @Nottingham21

If you're partner is seen at hospital for diabetes, the quickest way is usually to ask the DSN to write to the surgery and increase your partner's monthly insulin prescription.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this tip, I appreciate it. He is, so we'll give it a go. Does sound like it's the surgery that's made the decision.
 
Surgeries love to cut costs in any way they can (which includes rationing diabetes medication) down to what they deem is the only amount you could possibly need for x amount of time. As all of us diabetics know not everyone is the same and whilst some people may need to order once a month others may need to order more regularly. Like others have suggested if he's under hospital care just give them a call and let them know, they usually will Email the surgery to let them know to change how much they should prescribe in a certain period of time and I've never had them argue with my hospital team.
 
Nicola M said:
Surgeries love to cut costs in any way they can (which includes rationing diabetes medication) down to what they deem is the only amount you could possibly need for x amount of time. As all of us diabetics know not everyone is the same and whilst some people may need to order once a month others may need to order more regularly. Like others have suggested if he's under hospital care just give them a call and let them know, they usually will Email the surgery to let them know to change how much they should prescribe in a certain period of time and I've never had them argue with my hospital team.
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Thank you so much - we'll go ahead with this plan. I was really upset and worried this morning, but you have all really reassured me. I'm glad to have found this informed community.
 
Sounds like the problem is with the surgery. I don't have that problem with mine. I can order my insulin every 3 weeks so can gradually build-up a stock if needed but the order is for 5 cartridges enough for more than month anyway. Talk to the Practice Manager or the surgery PPG team.
 
Nottingham21 said:
Hi, I'm new to this forum, but I'm looking for help and advice. My partner has T1 and he has just been told he can only order his day time insulin once a month.

I don't know whether this is a new NHS thing, a pharmacy decision, a GP decision but I'm really stressed about it. Has anyone else been told this?

Rationing access will not work because everyone's bodies react differently, and T1 is so unpredictable. If this is happening, I think it needs to be really strongly resisted. However, if this is just a pharmacy thing, then we will change.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

I only order every 1 to 2 months but my practice issues a 2 month supply in 1 go

I order all my meds at 1 time and am given 2 months supply.. not because it’s rationed but because it saves time for the gp having to approve it

The will not ration insulin, a medication that is required to stay alive
 
searley said:
I only order every 1 to 2 months but my practice issues a 2 month supply in 1 go

I order all my meds at 1 time and am given 2 months supply.. not because it’s rationed but because it saves time for the gp having to approve it

The will not ration insulin, a medication that is required to stay alive
Click to expand...
In 2012 this was certainly a real possibility locally. This is part of the edited letter:
My concern is this: On the admission of one of your staff, even Insulin is subject to a “quota” which is issued by one of two suppliers. The obvious inference is that accountancy is affecting patient care. I am at least able (thank God) to argue my case. What effect this abysmal service is having on hypertensive patients or anybody else on vital drugs can only be guessed. I'm sure it is increasing medical costs unnecessarily. I assure you that this is not in any way a personal attack on any of your staff, but certainly on a system more akin to America.
 
Daibell said:
Sounds like the problem is with the surgery. I don't have that problem with mine. I can order my insulin every 3 weeks so can gradually build-up a stock if needed but the order is for 5 cartridges enough for more than month anyway. Talk to the Practice Manager or the surgery PPG team.
Click to expand...
I agree, I too have LADA and I have to use insulin too, I order mine every 3 weeks and I have a stock built up in my fridge.
if I have an issue my DSN just emails the surgery asking them to prescribe whatever I need.
 
In the past I used to get 3 months of insulin at a time and build up large stocks in my fridge (Australia, UK and New Zealand.) Since covid New Zealand will only give me one month of insulin at a time (they don't want people to stockpile) but since my GP gives me however much I ask for I'm still building up stocks... Different people have such drastically different insulin needs that I don't see how a surgery can possibly ration the supply (though I guess that doesn't mean they can't try.)
 
They issue just as much as you use. If your partner needs more per month then he should bring it up at his medication review where it can be adjusted.
 
NaomiJC said:
They issue just as much as you use. If your partner needs more per month then he should bring it up at his medication review where it can be adjusted.
Click to expand...
I only had a review once a year!
 
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