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Pharmacy demand that I pay for test strips...

L

Laylalou11

Member
Messages
8
I ordered from my repeat prescription 6 days ago. I went to pick up prescription today, but they said it had not come back from docs yet. I told them I was out of test strips and could they loan me some (his has happened before because pharmacy were late putting order in). They came back to me saying no and that I had to pay for test strips if I wanted any. I said I didn't bring any money and anyway why should I pay when I should have my prescription by now? They told me to take it up with my doctor. Btw the surgery is shut today...hmm. So now I'm left with no test strips and I'm furious! Are they in the right? If they are then that just confirms my belief that not even the professionals give a ****. about a type one left without the right equipment to look after themselves. Sorry for the rant but I'm so so upset about it I try to always order early in in case it takes them a while. Also they knew I had no other option and I was backed into a corner. Well I'm sorry but I just won't pay when I'm entitled to them on prescription.
 
I not sure if they are obliged to give you some until your prescription has been made up, if you use the same pharmacy all the time then I would expect at the very least they would give you a box on loan and deduct this from your prescription when it is ready.
 
As usual it depends on the person my pharmacist has given me needles and test strips when desperate he is very odd though and makes strange comments to me can't win them all can you
 
Can't you order a prescription early?
I put a few in early, so I'm about two months in hand on mine, and keep it that way when I put the repeat in each month now.
 
As I am only prediabetic there is no chance I ever will get strips on prescription. I bought a bottle of fifty strips today and told the pharmacists: No, my GP wants me to be very ill before he prescribes these, but I don't want to become very ill, so I pay for them myself.

She didn't know what to say to that.
 
I feel for you.
Very poor consideration and service from the pharmacy and pharmacist. If it is possible take your script elsewhere. My pharmacy are so supportive it is hard to believe - they cannot do enough for me.
 
Thanks ppl this has really helped me, was feeling really low about this. I do put my prescriptions in a week early, I thought this was plenty of time considering they say 48 hrs! I have used this pharmacy for a long time and thought they would do it on loan as other pharmacies have done so in the past. Thanks again ppl, I have decided to go to doc early in morning and explain situation and ask him to provide more test strips on repeat and I will be changing my pharmacy as of tomorrow! Take care everyone and I sincerely hope this never happens to anyone else xxx
 
Hi. It's not the pharmacy at fault but your surgery. Most pharmacies will help out but they don't need to. Why don't you build-up a small stock of diabetes meds. I always have around 1-2 months of supply 'in-stock' of long-term meds so that if I forget to order more I'm not left in the lurch. If they are long-term meds there is little risk of any meds being wasted.
 
How awful. I'm really sorry to hear that. I think if you have to test, whether pre diabetic, type one or type two, all should have free test strips. It is imperative.

Totto said:
As I am only prediabetic there is no chance I ever will get strips on prescription. I bought a bottle of fifty strips today and told the pharmacists: No, my GP wants me to be very ill before he prescribes these, but I don't want to become very ill, so I pay for them myself.

She didn't know what to say to that.[/quote
Click to expand...
 
Daibell said:
Hi. It's not the pharmacy at fault but your surgery. Most pharmacies will help out but they don't need to. Why don't you build-up a small stock of diabetes meds. I always have around 1-2 months of supply 'in-stock' of long-term meds so that if I forget to order more I'm not left in the lurch. If they are long-term meds there is little risk of any meds being wasted.
Click to expand...

Hi, yes I'm trying to build up my stock again, as I was on a pump but decided to go back to manual injections for a break, so I've only been getting the full prescription again from September. X
 
Laylalou
Your pharmacist was correct in asking you to pay, I know it may seem harsh, but the emergency supply regulations include the patient meeting the full cost. Your pharmacist may have been left with an outstanding bill where the patient has promised a prescription and it has not been supplied.
You need to discuss with your practice the reasons why your prescription was delayed.

Pharmacists will always try to help, but they are restricted by legislation.
Unfortunately within the NHS there are no 'entitlements' it is down to your GP to prescribe what he feels is appropriate.
Please go back and talk to your pharmacist.




Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
You know, thinking about it, I got a prescription on holiday, from the pharmacist, without a doctors prescription, after I missed packing a box of tablets.
Only a weeks worth, but all I had to do was sign the form myself, and show them my exemption card.
I didn't have to pay.
 
Hope you are able to sort this all out with yr GP as to why your prescription is not at the pharmacy........ must admit that Ive also had similar experience in the past myself so know how you feel.

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Westie2 said:
Laylalou
Your pharmacist was correct in asking you to pay, I know it may seem harsh, but the emergency supply regulations include the patient meeting the full cost. Your pharmacist may have been left with an outstanding bill where the patient has promised a prescription and it has not been supplied.
You need to discuss with your practice the reasons why your prescription was delayed.

Pharmacists will always try to help, but they are restricted by legislation.
Unfortunately within the NHS there are no 'entitlements' it is down to your GP to prescribe what he feels is appropriate.
Please go back and talk to your pharmacist.




Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

As said here this is correct what we used to do was charge a set fee for medications offering an emergency supply and once we actually had the script we would then offer the money back as a refund this is done for two reasons people abuse the emergency supply and this costs money and also ensures you do actually bring your script back in.
 
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