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Limits on prescriptions

C

CoolUserName

Well-Known Member
Messages
52
Hello all,
I have a query re: limiting how often a prescription can be ordered.

Number 1 son who has T1D is now away at university and has registered with the uni doctors surgery. He has just told me that we will need to buy some test strips for him to use over the last half of the Christmas holidays as his surgery will not let him order anymore test strips because they set a limit on assumed usage. They have also changed his finger clicker to a less good, single use version compared to the one he was prescribed at home.

My son is vey diligent about managing his diabetes and is in range >90% of the time. I am very proud of how well he manages everything while at the same time being worried (because I am his mum). I'm very anxious that this sort of thing doesn't get in the way of his good management or cause him undue stress.

In everyone's opinion is it commonplace for surgeries to limit prescription ordering like this and remove things from your prescription list because they do things differently or am I right to be outraged ?

btw he isn't finger-pricking an excessive amount each day and burning through his prescription as he uses a libre sensor.

Thank you :)
 
No, it is not ok for your son's GP to limit the prescription and force him to purchase more.
Whilst this is, unfortunately, not unheard of, it can usually be resolved by explaining the situation to the surgery.
For example, surgeries will, usually, prescribe extra for holiday periods if asked. It is frustrating to have to ask but a phone call usually resolves the issue.
If this does not help, diabetes consultants or DSNs can advocate. For example, when I switched to a pump, my surgery prescribed one vial of insulin at a time. Following a call with my DSN, this was immediately increased to 3 vials.
 
In Response said:
No, it is not ok for your son's GP to limit the prescription and force him to purchase more.
Whilst this is, unfortunately, not unheard of, it can usually be resolved by explaining the situation to the surgery.
For example, surgeries will, usually, prescribe extra for holiday periods if asked. It is frustrating to have to ask but a phone call usually resolves the issue.
If this does not help, diabetes consultants or DSNs can advocate. For example, when I switched to a pump, my surgery prescribed one vial of insulin at a time. Following a call with my DSN, this was immediately increased to 3 vials.
Click to expand...
Hello,
Thank you for your reply. I will advise him to contact the local diabetes specialist nurse.

He has just changed from paediatrics (who were all excellent, regular appointments etc) to adult (who from what we've seen so far seem to have more of a 'you're on your own sunshine' sort of attitude which is a bit difficult to deal with when you've simultaneously just left home for the first time.)
 
Jaylee said:
Hi @CoolUserName ,

Does your son drive? He could state his case for more strips due to a legal obligation? (Regarding fitness to drive.)

Click to expand...
Thats's a good idea thank you I'll mention that to him. It shouldn't come to this though should it !! What really surprises me is that his uni surgery is part of one of the UK's largest teaching hospital/university combinations. You would think they would know better!!
 
I’ve always been limited to how many and how often I can order any of my medication I’m on, for my diabetes, epilepsy and depression. Crazy really when you think at least for the diabetes and epilepsy stuff I rely on this medication to stay healthy. It’s based on what they assume the average person is using and have that as a standard for everyone but as we know not everyone uses the same amount, some less and some more. Would definitely advise as above about speaking to his diabetes team, they’re usually pretty good at telling your doctor he needs more prescribing and how often it should be prescribed.
 
Jaylee said:
Hi @CoolUserName ,

Does your son drive? He could state his case for more strips due to a legal obligation? (Regarding fitness to drive.)

Click to expand...
Whilst we are required to carry test strips with us when driving, my understanding is this is only a back up in case the LIbre/CGM fails.
DVLA have accepted Libre readings for a few years.
 
The question is how many does he normally have on prescription and what do they want to reduce it to. I had mine reduced by half when prescribed Libre as quite rightly I wouldn’t use as many. Some months I do not actually order any as I have built up a supply. I do not understand about the finger clicker. I am still using my original and have loads of lancets for it. Why would he need a new one.
 
In Response said:
Whilst we are required to carry test strips with us when driving, my understanding is this is only a back up in case the LIbre/CGM fails.
DVLA have accepted Libre readings for a few years.
Click to expand...

Meters respond quicker to hypo recovery than sensors. It’s also advisable to use the meter in the case of any errant readings from a sensor.
It’s prudent as a driver meeting legal obligation regarding proof of fitness to drive to have sufficient means to test.

Plus I also happen to know that in a recovering hypoglycaemic event one can possibly fail a breath test even though no alcohol was consumed. Another reason why, to not rely souly on a sensor..
Yep, I was just parked up treating a hypo & a copper thought I was trying to steal my car as I raided the glove box..

I can see what it “looked like.”
 
Jaylee said:
Meters respond quicker to hypo recovery than sensors. It’s also advisable to use the meter in the case of any errant readings from a sensor.
It’s prudent as a driver meeting legal obligation regarding proof of fitness to drive to have sufficient means to test.

Plus I also happen to know that in a recovering hypoglycaemic event one can possibly fail a breath test even though no alcohol was consumed. Another reason why, to not rely souly on a sensor..
Yep, I was just parked up treating a hypo & a copper thought I was trying to steal my car as I raided the glove box..

I can see what it “looked like.”
Click to expand...
If you are diabetic and drive a motor vehicle in the UK, current UK Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency guidance says that you must have blood glucose strips in order to be able to check and verify a reading of 4 mmol/l or less received from a continuous glucose monitor or flash glucose monitor, and take appropriate action if the subsequent blood fingerstick test confirms blood glucose of 4 mmol/ or less.

Anyone who doesn't may be putting their driver's licence at risk in the event of a motoring incident.

Any diabetic in the UK who drives a large lorry or a bus has no choice under current DVLA guidance and is required to continue using blood fingerstick tests.
 
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Im Type 1 and I get two months supply at a time of most of my “ drugs” if I try to order stuff before a month has passed it will be rejected , I did this with libre sensors , but once the month has passed I get them no probs for stuff like glucogel I get that when I want it
 
Ushthetaff said:
Im Type 1 and I get two months supply at a time of most of my “ drugs” if I try to order stuff before a month has passed it will be rejected , I did this with libre sensors , but once the month has passed I get them no probs for stuff like glucogel I get that when I want it
Click to expand...
Integrated care boards/integrated care systems (the former clinical commissioning groups) are required legally to balance their budgets every year, just like local councils.

Patients are an expense of that budget.

I have seen guidance issued by my ICS/ICB telling.....sorry, I mean "recommending" GP practices in my healthcare area precisely how many test strips and Libre sensors they ought to prescribe each month.

Modern healthcare care is about the money; it's always about the money!
 
Hello all and thank you for your replies.

I hadn't realised I'd received so many as for some reason I stopped getting the alerts after the first 3. He has asked his surgery to relax the draconian rules on re-ordering as it's not very practical when he needs to order to cover university holidays or if he is unwell and needs to finger prick more than often.

As for needing a new finger clicker @becca59 it's because his original one broke (the Accu-click one he'd had since diagnosis) and they would only replace it with a cheaper, single use alternative that isn't as good to use.
 
CoolUserName said:
Hello all and thank you for your replies.

I hadn't realised I'd received so many as for some reason I stopped getting the alerts after the first 3. He has asked his surgery to relax the draconian rules on re-ordering as it's not very practical when he needs to order to cover university holidays or if he is unwell and needs to finger prick more than often.

As for needing a new finger clicker @becca59 it's because his original one broke (the Accu-click one he'd had since diagnosis) and they would only replace it with a cheaper, single use alternative that isn't as good to use.
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That's good news. I'm pleased that your son's GP surgery is reconsidering its illogical, impractical "gatekeeping," budget-saving earlier decision.
 
BadaBing said:
That's good news. I'm pleased that your son's GP surgery is reconsidering its illogical, impractical "gatekeeping," budget-saving earlier decision.
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Yes, me too. It's stressful enough with him being away from home for the first time without the surgery putting extra obstacles in the way!!
 
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