Unable to get medicines

Wibbles

My chemist is closed again today (no signs on door or any indication for reasons) - the post has not been delivered for 2 weeks (due to lack of postal workers) - so can't rely on a "drugs by post" service

I am only allowed a months prescription at a time

I need my pain killers from Friday 

Any suggestions ?

C_J

Hi @Wibbles sorry to hear that your having problems is there another chemist nearby if you have a prescription you can use another chemist if not the only other option I can think of is to contact you GP surgery.
I hope you get it sorted.

Wibbles

C_J said:

Hi @Wibbles sorry to hear that your having problems is there another chemist nearby if you have a prescription you can use another chemist if not the only other option I can think of is to contact you GP surgery.
I hope you get it sorted.

Only boots and they are equally bad 

Wibbles

Wibbles said:

C_J said:

Hi @Wibbles sorry to hear that your having problems is there another chemist nearby if you have a prescription you can use another chemist if not the only other option I can think of is to contact you GP surgery.
I hope you get it sorted.

Only boots and they are equally bad 

My drugs are on repeat so it's not that simple 

OverlyAnxious

Can you reduce dosage slightly so they last a few more days? 

I know it's probably too late now but that's what I've had to do when mine has been delayed.  I have to wait until someone can collect them for me so it's a lot of extra hassle when they're not in on the correct day.

Wibbles

OverlyAnxious said:

Can you reduce dosage slightly so they last a few more days? 

I know it's probably too late now but that's what I've had to do when mine has been delayed.  I have to wait until someone can collect them for me so it's a lot of extra hassle when they're not in on the correct day.

No I can't cut a tablet in half

Wibbles

The pharmacy does not provide an email address and is not responding to facebook

Wibbles

woodbine said:

we put our repeats online with Gp they send them electronically to chemist who deliver them within 48 hours, might be a thought for the future

Not at my pharmacy 
They have a central hub and mail them out by royal mail
Lack of staff = lack of dispensing chemist
A pharmacy must have a chemist on duty at all times that it is open 

OverlyAnxious

Wibbles said:

No I can't cut a tablet in half

Why not?  My Nan even had a special tool for cutting hers, but used to do it with scissors before.

poppy123456

Wibbles said:

OverlyAnxious said:

Can you reduce dosage slightly so they last a few more days? 

I know it's probably too late now but that's what I've had to do when mine has been delayed.  I have to wait until someone can collect them for me so it's a lot of extra hassle when they're not in on the correct day.

No I can't cut a tablet in half

When my daughter first started her medication some years ago her GP told her to only take half a dose. The tablets weren't available at the time in smaller doses so they told her to cut the tablet in half.

Lou67

I bought one off they wee tablet cutters it’s only £3.99 and works so good. 

I really hope you can get your prescription sorted, as suggested Im sure your doctor will help with a prescription to do you over the weekend even though your tablets are on repeat. My doctors had to do it before.

Good luck 

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Wibbles, I know you've said the other nearby pharmacy are equally as bad but with yours being closed it might be worth a try for this occasion, especially if they are open today.

The NHS has some information on accessing out-of-hours medication or if your pharmacy is closed. 

As an aside, I know everyone means well with regards to cutting medicine in half to try and make them last, but it's important to remember that some medicine can’t or shouldn’t be cut and doing so could be dangerous. Please only change or adjust a dose of medication after consulting a medical professional. 

JessieJ

The same happened to me, I arrived to shutters down, at least there was a handwritten sign saying they didn't have a dispensing chemist. Apparently, there's a shortage.

Is it worth asking your surgery to cancel that prescription & send it to another pharmacy? You could phone Boots/them beforehand to make sure they have the medication you need.

Wibbles

Adrian_Scope said:

Hello @Wibbles, I know you've said the other nearby pharmacy are equally as bad but with yours being closed it might be worth a try for this occasion, especially if they are open today.

The NHS has some information on accessing out-of-hours medication or if your pharmacy is closed. 

As an aside, I know everyone means well with regards to cutting medicine in half to try and make them last, but it's important to remember that some medicine can’t or shouldn’t be cut and doing so could be dangerous. Please only change or adjust a dose of medication after consulting a medical professional. 

Thanks yes

durhamjaide2001

I have had the same problem getting medication from my pharmacy at the moment aa my app won't work since May because of an update on the system so i have too email but when I email I get no response and I have definitely sent it but they always say that there's nothing on their side 

sunshine23

I was in a similar situation. I rang my GP surgery and they were able to directly email a prescription to another pharmacy. I am not sure if you are able to do that? Hope it works out for you either way.

Sandy_123

Only thing I can suggest is use out of hours services to get another script  for another chemist over the weekend 

Adrian_Scope

Did you manage to sort something @Wibbles? 

Wibbles

Adrian_Scope said:

Did you manage to sort something @Wibbles? 

Yes thanks - they were open for an hour, earlier this afternoon - the queues were large

Evidently - they are short of staff

durhamjaide2001

I'm glad that you managed to get your medicine @Wibbles

Adrian_Scope

I've heard similar at my pharmacy @Wibbles, they're regularly short staffed or missing a pharmacist and a lot of local pharmacies have closed for similar reasons. I'm glad you've managed to get your prescription though, must be a bit of a relief for now.