Repeat prescription refused due to medication review overdue

Hopeless
Hopeless Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 1,033 Pioneering
in Mental health and wellbeing

I got a message from my GP’s surgery earlier today to say they couldn’t process my repeat prescription as my medication review was overdue. I got really upset as it’s not a good idea to just stop taking my meds. They wanted me to have a phone consultation with a pharmacist who I’ve never met and I have problems engaging with strangers and find phones difficult. I’ve never had this problem before and I have regular GP appointments since they are now my only support.

Is this a new thing? I get that it’s about safety but it doesn’t make sense that no-one told me this is what I need to do before just stopping my meds. Surely that is just as dangerous? I didn’t know - I’m not psychic!

I ended up sobbing in my GP’s surgery for a couple of hours. The receptionists were lovely to me and found a doctor for me to see. However, the doctor just kept saying I need to look on my prescription to find my review date but I didn’t know I needed to do this. And apparently it has to be a separate appointment which just seems to be a waste of time when I have regular appointments anyway. They did issue my meds and said to keep my regular appointment in a couple of weeks.

I’m just feeling very frustrated and unsupported. I try to keep things together as much as I can but this just overwhelmed me and it makes no sense in my brain

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,902 Championing
    edited July 2

    I have to have a review when my number of repeats reaches zero, with the surgery pharmacist

    I'm able to to do mine online so it's quite simple.

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 1,033 Pioneering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1136281#Comment_1136281

    By online do you mean a video call or just filling in a form or webchat? If I knew I needed to do it I’d find some way of complying. I’m just frustrated that they didn’t tell me this is what I need to do

  • Rag_793
    Rag_793 Community Member Posts: 52 Contributor

    since Covid hit in 2020 - GP Surgeries have really changed how they work. They have shifted from you ringing up to make an appointment and shifted things online where you virtually have to fill out an essay as to why you want an appointment. Then they sit down and work out who needs an appointment on the day (you virtually have to be near death) then they send you a text with an appointment for say a week to two weeks later but then want you to confirm that appointment is ok via a link where you have to put in your date of birth and then type out yes this appointment is ok for me. They have also shifted a lot of work onto already overburdened pharmacists.

    I get where your coming from being overburdened when things suddenly change, I have five different mental health conditions and I go down a rabbit hole in a blind panic. I have to take 9 different medication’s daily and I’m fortunate to have a god and reliable chemist affixed to the surgery that deliver my meds. I can’t remember the last time I had a medication review, I think my surgery keeps an eye on my meds and have kept a reliable service. Any issues arise they contact me to let me know.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,902 Championing
    edited July 2

    My surgery allow this to be done by filling in a dedicated web form via the E Consult service provider they use.

    Phone appointments are also available with the surgery pharmacist but there is usually a long wait.

    When I say surgery pharmacist, she is a staff member employed by and working at the surgery, not a community pharmacy.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Community Member Posts: 5,168 Championing

    I have had medication reviews from over the phone from my doctor and the surgery pharmacist, and I found it helpful to discuss my prescribed medications and any questions or concerns I had.

    It was really nothing to worry about and it can help the surgery to establish any potential side effects, whether prescribed medications are still needed or explore alternatives and it helps to cut cost to the nhs

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,254 Championing

    I think they've recently increased the frequency of med reviews.

    I got one completely out of the blue last month. Seems to be exactly a year after the last one. But before that there were several years when I didn't have any at all.

    In my case it was just ticking some boxes on a computer screen from home. I wouldn't be able to manage any direct contact via phone or video now and I certainly can't travel anywhere.

    My prescription paper does show a review date, but I don't know if different pharmacies all provide exactly the same paper with prescriptions.

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 1,033 Pioneering

    Thank you all for replying - it’s helped calm my brain. I just went into full-scale panic and overwhelm. I took my emergency meds and have slept and am a bit more together this morning.

    I’m going to ask if there’s an online form option for a meditation review at my next appointment (in a couple of weeks) as that would be easiest and best for me. If I have to have a phone call with a stranger I’m likely to say whatever I think they want to hear so I can escape quicker which isn’t very helpful

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 6,305 Online Community Team

    Gosh, that would worry me too @Hopeless. I'm pleased you got it sorted and your medication is continuing in the meantime. I'm surprised they didn't contact you before stopping your medication to be honest, but at least now you know where to look and can keep an eye out. Hope you're feeling a bit better now.

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 1,033 Pioneering

    I’m feeling much calmer thank you, just very tired

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 6,305 Online Community Team
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1136424#Comment_1136424

    I'm not surprised it's taken it out of you but pleased you're feeling a bit better. Hopefully you can have a restful afternoon/evening 😊

  • kreacher
    kreacher Community Member Posts: 511 Empowering

    i have a review each year, just to make sure i'm on the right medication, nothing to worry about

  • Stellar
    Stellar Community Member Posts: 538 Trailblazing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1136356#Comment_1136356

    in fairness, if there's no issues, saying what they want to hear, so long as it dosent harm your care, is the right thing to do.

    go back to them and ask them to:

    • issue your repeat prescription now to eliminate stress
    • Ask them to see you in person as a reasonable adjustment.
  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 1,033 Pioneering

    Just to update - got my meds yesterday so that’s all good. I have a GP appointment next week so will find out what I need to do in the future then

  • Amberpearl
    Amberpearl Community Member Posts: 4,117 Championing

    I've just had a meds review

    I wasn't out of meds so I. Got my repeat prescription

    It's delivered to my home

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 5,158 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Thank you for the update @Hopeless and it's good to hear you were able to get your GP appointment booked too.

    That's really convenient @Amberpearl, I can imagine that saves a lot of people a lot of time!

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