On line chemist - home delivery of prescriptions
I am fed up with my local chemist - they have told me that my VITAL prescription including pain killers is not available because of supply issues !
I sent my request to my GP, 8 days ago and because we are only allowed 1 months drugs at a time - I did it a few days early - but still no text from the chemist… my wife is asking them where it is today.
I am considering one of these home delivery chemists - but am unsure how they work. Do I have to contact them or is everything done automatically from the surgery - what happens if I need something between monthly deliveries and how do I correct a mistake ?
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Good questions, I’d like to know too.
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#@Wibbles,
Hi Wibbles, I do not know how the delivery online services work. However, I and a number of friends have experienced similar difficulties in obtaining medications via a Pharmacy. I do not use the NHS online Service as I have neuro divergent disabilities and find IT challenging, so I take my prescriptions into the surgery. That said on at least one occasion the paper request seems to have been lost at the surgery. I have also experienced problems obtaining prescriptions that have been sent to the Pharmacy (electronically} from the surgery but it has been the the suppliers who have not been able to provide the medication.
Like you I have certain medications that I should not be without. My surgery requests 5 working days for them to prosses prescription that is just the surgery, then you may need to wait another three days for the Pharmacy to either order in or process the prescriptions. I usually try to order repeat prescriptions about ten days in advance to allow for the delays. It is also worth noting that some medications come in 28 days supply and others 30 days, so you are feasibly already two - three days behind (as most months are either 30 or 31 days!). I have pointed this out before and fortunately it seems to have resolved one issue. Unfortunately, though if suppliers are unable to obtain the medications from manufactures that causes another delay. As I have experienced difficulties getting one type of tablets, I have had to ask the GP (backed up with email from pharmacy) to change to a different brand / type to resolve on going problems. I hope you manage to resolve your issues soon, it is so frustrating when you need meds but cannot get them in a timely fashion. Good Luck!
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Hi Wibbles. I remember having problems with one of the pharmacists in town. At the time it was one of the reasons I switched to getting my meds by post. I use pharmacy to you, my neighbour has chemist for you. Never had a problem with either. . Pharmacy to you are very good certainly. They email me reminders to say it's time to order meds and I just do it online. Very easy once you're registered with them. A lot easier than trailing down to the chemist
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Do any more of you use https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/?
Any complaints ?
How do they post to you ? 24hours etc ?
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Home deliveries are likely to come from the same local chemist (i.e. the chemist you choose) who still has the shortage.
This is just my opinion. I have a buffer of a week or so of meds in case there's such problems. You mention your pain meds not arriving. I have an opioid weekly (7 day) pain patch. In the past I have kept it on for 7.5 or 8 days (bound to be a period of leeway, it's not going to suddenly stop totally working after exactly seven days) and over a few weeks then have a spare one. *** CAVEAT, some other types of meds may be critical to have each day without fail, in which case you'd think your chemist would be getting that to you, without fail ***
However, for example instead of taking a daily med every 24 hours have it every say 26 hours until you have spare. A lot of people do this already, you may for example not get up exactly the same time every day when you take your first meds. Common sense prevails.
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I've also had this issue @Wibbles. They always seem to run out of the one medication I need everyday. I don't understand why they don't order more! I've started calling them and saying I'm happy to get a part-prescription, so whatever they have in stock, to tide me over. Are you able to do that or are they completely out of stock?
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It has been all over the news that certain drugs are in short supply and will be for a while. You can't blame the chemists if they can't get the stock.
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Not True - I was thinking of using Pharmacy2U and my local chemist is nothing to do with that company………I am on Codeine and Naproxen and take them both 4 times a day - but have had to cut this down to 2x a day until I get new drugs - it really hurts !
I guess with the on-line companies - I was just wondering whether they had HUMAN support and not just BOTS - as some/many companies are using these days - I HATE BOTS with a vengeance, especially when you try to raise HUMANS and are unable to……
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I too got sick of my local chemist, being housebound I'd have to call them and most days they wont even answer the phone.
I have been using RX Live now for months and I find them really good. You just create an account on there providing your NHS details, prescription etc. and go from there. Now when I order I just go to the site select what meds I want and they send it to the surgery, chase up everything everything and then post it to me, I don't have to speak to anyone.It's actually quite ridiculous, i'm in Wales and for a healthy person my surgery and the attached pharmacy is within walking distance. RX Live are based in Surrey and they are quicker delivering my stuff. https://rxlive.co.uk/
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Just received a text from the chemist - they have everything in - sent the wife to collect !
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I try to keep some in stock in case of emergency. You could order early and explain to GP surgery what you’re doing and why or make an early request and explain you need it early as you’re going on holiday. My GP are pretty good like that.
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Phew, that's good @Wibbles!
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The pharmacy I used to use closed down and there wasn’t another one that was convenient for me so my GP suggested using an online one. I’m with Peak Pharmacy online now. They request my meds every 4 weeks from my GP surgery and they arrive in the post. Any extra prescriptions go straight to them too. I contacted them by web form for a query and a human being replied the next day
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I suspect larger distribution companies like pharmacy2u may have less telephone support and more app/messaging based, could be wrong. My local chemist I can telephone or walk in (or someone on my behalf can).
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Yes, but the problem of short supply of drugs will still be the same - its not a "collection" problem….
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I can't build up reserves - due to the fact that I only get a months worth at a time !
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hey, I’ve used online prescriptions for a number of years, pharmacy2you, they remind you well before your prescription is due through email, reminding you to order your medication 💊 I sign in to nhs app and order from there so easy and pain free, it arrives in the post within a few days
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@Wibbles I have used an online Pharmacy, but it was in Canada, I was living in the UK but my wife ( before she passed ) was in the US. The drugs came here to the UK I then had to post them to her, you'll not need the second step. Not cheap.
Second option going forward, order your meds as soon as your allowed and build up a months supply, took me six months but I have done that so when there is a "blip" getting them I already have them. Sorry does not help you today.
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@Wibbles I know of two options;
1 - as I have done in the past, out of country pharmacy. Canada is an option, but you'll need to pay.
2 - over a few months, order your meds early. After about six months you'll have an extra months worth. Then order on the 28 day cycle.
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Just to add, I'm on a 28 day cycle. I can order after 21 days, do this after four months you have for weeks extra.
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