Prescriptions for long trip (rant and questions)

[Jane NotRog]

On Monday, we booked our ferry for Tuesday 26th, and I put in a request for 3 months’ prescription to cover the time we were away. When I went to pick it up yesterday, the surgery had only issued me with two months’ worth, because I’m only a couple of weeks into my current month, and then they’d have ended up prescribing more than the NHS maximum of three months (at this point by a massive week and 2 days worth.)

Of course the surgery didn’t think to tell me this until I picked up the prescription, even in the NHS app where I order, basically allowing me no time to try to fix the problem.

So now, if we do stay away for the full three months, I’ll have to manage without. Or stretch my two months’ worth of drugs to three months by only taking ⅔ of the amount prescribed. Luckily I probably won’t die - I’ll just get moderate hypertension and my rosacea might return.

How do people handle this, particularly if you go away for longer than three months? Would a private prescription let me get hold of a decent amount of drugs to act as a reserve to cover my local GP’s rulesworthiness? Can I buy lisinopril and oxytetracycline in Romania?

 

[cyberyacht]

Our surgery is dreadful for this kind of thing. I once ended up in tears in the surgery - I put my prescription in with nearly two weeks to go, so that they had time to get two months’s worth - as advised by the GP. They refused to issue the prescription- it was “too early.” So with 4 days to go, I resubmitted it, and then on pick-up day, the day before we travelled, one of the drugs was missing.

I've had similar issues. It's a bit stressful when you are picking up your meds on the day you catch the ferry. I currently have ongoing problems with my pharmacy being unable to get my 'branded' eyedrops. My OH who has the same medication has an 'unbranded' prescription and no problems. Baked beans are baked beans, it doesn't have to be Heinz!! I attached a note to my last NHS app prescription request, submitted whilst in northern Norway, to amend it to 'unbranded' but they took no notice so now I don't have any resupply.

We have obtained meds whilst abroad armed with our prescription and GHIC though.

 

[The Old Man]

Dr gave her 6 months prescription and a letter incase she was questioned at border control

An important point!

 

[gus-lopez]

we are quite lucky here in Murcia in
that long term medication is on a yearly prescription renewed after blood & urine tests . The draw back to that is that if you have multiple medications of differing amounts ; ie 28 days, 30 days, 100 days,60days etc they appear at the exact amount of days from the date initiated or date of last collection. So you can't always get any 30 day tablets when the 28 day tablets are due but have to return 2 days later.
You can't ask for '3 months in advance as I'm going abroad" as you are meant to deregister. Someone on here ,whose name I forget , that I knew from a spanish forum here asked for medications in advance & was told that if they were going abroad for a prolonged period they had to deregister.
When they returned they had to re register. That is a nightmare. Nothing simple & reams of paperwork

If you do not collect your medication for 3 consecutive months it automatically stops.Doctor has to be seen to get it restarted.

When I go abroad I get someone to collect mine & the wife's.
I have a large stock from back when there were less restrictions.They are tightening up in all regions now & it is far harder to get medications OTC now,even for me.

Do you ask your GP for a prescription to use abroad?

I don't know if it still applies but you used to be able to ask for a "cross border prescription" when UK was in the eu.
It appears it does

cross border prescription

Can someone collect your prescription and post it on to you?

Problem is if posting to here in spain now they will charge you import duty, tax, vat & a handling charge

 

[Rapido666F]

I wish I could just get a year’s worth of drugs each January 1st and have done with all the admin hassle. It’s not like popping 160 lisinopril would be a fun experience, and I’m an adult FFS.

So would you be happy to not get any more drugs until the following January? New illness in March: “tough it out” for only 9 months

What if you die on 2 January? Would we taxpayers accept the cost of your unused drugs as a worthwhile expense or could we claim from your estate? I’m sure it would just be a drop in the ocean but every little helps!

Where would drug companies keep their output? Huge warehouses filling up with their daily production until they can send them out with the Xmas post . Would you be upset if your delivery got lost or delayed?

Once we all have futuristic synthesis machines which can produce everything at the press of a button, we will be able to work to our own agenda. Until then perhaps we need to be grateful that we’re not living with gus-lopez in Murcia

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[Langtoftlad]

I will research my future GP for this sort of thing if possible

I recently moved from one practice to another based on...
https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/

Old surgery scored an overall satisfaction score of 45%, new one has 85%

 

[gus-lopez]

Until then perhaps we need to be grateful that we’re not living with @gus-lopez in Murcia

Ours works a treatAnything new just gets added to the list which is held & accessed either on your plastic health card or via the app on your phone .short term is just the period of treatment ,must be huge saving s in paper as before there was a sheet for every item

 

[Mleabon]

On Monday, we booked our ferry for Tuesday 26th, and I put in a request for 3 months’ prescription to cover the time we were away. When I went to pick it up yesterday, the surgery had only issued me with two months’ worth, because I’m only a couple of weeks into my current month, and then they’d have ended up prescribing more than the NHS maximum of three months (at this point by a massive week and 2 days worth.)

Of course the surgery didn’t think to tell me this until I picked up the prescription, even in the NHS app where I order, basically allowing me no time to try to fix the problem.

So now, if we do stay away for the full three months, I’ll have to manage without. Or stretch my two months’ worth of drugs to three months by only taking ⅔ of the amount prescribed. Luckily I probably won’t die - I’ll just get moderate hypertension and my rosacea might return.

How do people handle this, particularly if you go away for longer than three months? Would a private prescription let me get hold of a decent amount of drugs to act as a reserve to cover my local GP’s rulesworthiness? Can I buy lisinopril and oxytetracycline in Romania?

On Monday, we booked our ferry for Tuesday 26th, and I put in a request for 3 months’ prescription to cover the time we were away. When I went to pick it up yesterday, the surgery had only issued me with two months’ worth, because I’m only a couple of weeks into my current month, and then they’d have ended up prescribing more than the NHS maximum of three months (at this point by a massive week and 2 days worth.)

Of course the surgery didn’t think to tell me this until I picked up the prescription, even in the NHS app where I order, basically allowing me no time to try to fix the problem.

So now, if we do stay away for the full three months, I’ll have to manage without. Or stretch my two months’ worth of drugs to three months by only taking ⅔ of the amount prescribed. Luckily I probably won’t die - I’ll just get moderate hypertension and my rosacea might return.

How do people handle this, particularly if you go away for longer than three months? Would a private prescription let me get hold of a decent amount of drugs to act as a reserve to cover my local GP’s rulesworthiness? Can I buy lisinopril and oxytetracycline in Romania?

My wife has cancer treatment and we've just moved onto a 3 month regime. At first we had to have a blood test before we got the drugs each month. Because she's stable we now now get 3 months worth of drugs. So I'm only telling you all this to say that it is possible to get 3 months in one go. Its great for our travelling now. When we went to Norway we had to get a blood test half way through our holiday but that's a thing of the past for now.

 

[grasscutter]

We both get 3 month supply of our meds.
We had our prescriptions filled two weeks ago. We haven’t got enough to see us through our next booked trip and we cannot re order until October.
Just went on esurgery online and ordered the extra meds we need. Had an online consultation.
My order was placed and then they contacted me to ask if my prescription had recently changed as my records showed I have an 8 mg tablet not 4mg as I requested. They obviously have access to your records.
They adjusted the prescription accordingly.
OK we have had to pay for them but at least we can go with the knowledge that we have sufficient for our trip.

 

[The Wino]

I've had similar issues. It's a bit stressful when you are picking up your meds on the day you catch the ferry. I currently have ongoing problems with my pharmacy being unable to get my 'branded' eyedrops. My OH who has the same medication has an 'unbranded' prescription and no problems. Baked beans are baked beans, it doesn't have to be Heinz!! I attached a note to my last NHS app prescription request, submitted whilst in northern Norway, to amend it to 'unbranded' but they took no notice so now I don't have any resupply.

We have obtained meds whilst abroad armed with our prescription and GHIC though.

There can be problems occasionally with generic eye drops rather than branded ones from different preservatives causing irritation to something as simple as the bottle being a different shape and harder to use accurately. That being said there is a big push towards generics and I'm surprised that your prescription is for branded drops with no good reason they can cost the NHS quite a bit more. Id mention it at your next hospital clinic appointment I'm sure they would be happy to change the recommendation a lot of pharmacists would probably not change the formulation without checking first with your GP or the consultant.

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[jerryz]

NHS and my surgery have told me i can only get maximum 2 months prescriptions for last years its the regulation from new government , My local pharmacy also confirmed this they have an official letter from NHS England which they quote , ..I used to get up to 4 months supply ?????

 

[Mleabon]

NHS and my surgery have told me i can only get maximum 2 months prescriptions for last years its the regulation from new government , My local pharmacy also confirmed this they have an official letter from NHS England which they quote , ..I used to get up to 4 months supply ?????

Our 3 month supply has happened in the last couple of weeks.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There can be problems occasionally with generic eye drops rather than branded ones from different preservatives causing irritation to something as simple as the bottle being a different shape and harder to use accurately. That being said there is a big push towards generics and I'm surprised that your prescription is for branded drops with no good reason they can cost the NHS quite a bit more. Id mention it at your next hospital clinic appointment I'm sure they would be happy to change the recommendation a lot of pharmacists would probably not change the formulation without checking first with your GP or the consultant.

My wife has to have eye drops and the first lot irritated her eyes. When she advised the opthalmy doctor she changed the prescription to one that did not contain preservatives. So same drops but one has no preservatives.

 

[jerryz]

Our 3 month supply has happened in the last couple of weeks.

Here in Wiltshire they wont budge , when I go away over winter its 4-5 months and where i go Its not in EU , some of my meds are not obtainable and prices for some meds are ridiculous

 

[Rogerwyn]

Hamstreet surgery used to good but started to go down hill 7/8 years ago, always take the repeat prescription slip with me and most European pharmacies will supply at a price, I have the same issue here in Tenbury but get round it by booking a doctors appointment 2 weeks before we leave and explain my situation and get the 3 months no problem.

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[B+W vanman]

Our 3 month supply has happened in the last couple of weeks.

But not via the GP?

 

[Jane NotRog]

Maybe you should speak to your doctor to by pass the person obstructing early issues of prescriptions and explain your problems re shortages etc..
If they don't budge then reorder at the correct time when you are away and have someone collect on your behalf.thats an additional month in reserve.

I did. He was perfectly reasonable, and said to order a week in advance to give them time to get more than one month’s supply. And then, when I tried to, the practice pharmacy wouldn’t let me put my prescription in until the week before I left, so then didn’t have one of my medications - see earlier. The problem is that what the doctor says seems to have nothing to do with what the pharmacy does.

 

[vzac]

If it's like my GP you don't even get 3 months, but 4 weeks (28 days) is classed as a month, so not even 3 months supply, I nearly got caught out with that but after proving return dates it got sorted.

 

[Jane NotRog]

Your surgery sounds just like mine. They won’t accept early ordering so it’s impossible to build up an extra month. Like you it’s hypertension medication.

When folk say take your prescription I don’t have one - it’s all done online. Do you ask your GP for a prescription to use abroad?

Luckily despite ordering through the NHS app, I do get a paper copy of my prescription. I’ll try to get a large reserve of supplies when we’re away to reduce my dependence on this admin hell.

 

[Jane NotRog]

A variation on the above.

I have my prescription renewed monthly by Boots. About once a year, when collecting, I inform them of a holiday and would they order everything a week early. Then the monthly rotation continues, but I have 'gained' a week. Over the years I have 'slipped' three months and have a good stock at anytime.

Something for the future, too late for your present dilemma.

Can someone collect your prescription and post it on to you?

Post Restante or a bar, restaurant or hotel?

Except that mine won’t let me order a week early - see earlier.

I could use poste restante I suppose, but I’ll try the direct method with the foreign pharmacies first.

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[Jane NotRog]

We always get the back page of our prescription in the packet, this has the details on it.

When our daughter went to uni in the USA our Dr gave her 6 months prescription and a letter incase she was questioned at border control.

The last two long term trips we’ve had the Dr has gave us prescription with no questions.

Where do you live please! I need to move there.

 

[TCG]

I wish I could just get a year’s worth of drugs each January 1st and have done with all the admin hassle. It’s not like popping 160 lisinopril would be a fun experience, and I’m an adult FFS.

And then pop your clogs after 3 months and the NHS has wasted 9 months of your drugs

 

[Jane NotRog]

We both get 3 month supply of our meds.
We had our prescriptions filled two weeks ago. We haven’t got enough to see us through our next booked trip and we cannot re order until October.
Just went on esurgery online and ordered the extra meds we need. Had an online consultation.
My order was placed and then they contacted me to ask if my prescription had recently changed as my records showed I have an 8 mg tablet not 4mg as I requested. They obviously have access to your records.
They adjusted the prescription accordingly.
OK we have had to pay for them but at least we can go with the knowledge that we have sufficient for our trip.

Interesting thanks - is that a private prescription? Will look into that for next time.

 

[grasscutter]

Interesting thanks - is that a private prescription? Will look into that for next time.

Yes its a private prescription that they dispense themselves and post to you.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I did. He was perfectly reasonable, and said to order a week in advance to give them time to get more than one month’s supply. And then, when I tried to, the practice pharmacy wouldn’t let me put my prescription in until the week before I left, so then didn’t have one of my medications - see earlier. The problem is that what the doctor says seems to have nothing to do with what the pharmacy does.

Maybe look to change your nominated pharmacy if there is another one that close. Our prescriptions are not directly linked the to practise pharmacy.we have a choice where we collect them from

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[Jane NotRog]

Maybe look to change your nominated pharmacy if there is another one that close. Our prescriptions are not directly linked the to practise pharmacy.we have a choice where we collect them from

Good point, thanks.

 

[pappajohn]

My meds cabinet....specially made by me as i got fed up with quality street tubs.
i reckon im much more than a month in reserve on all but one..

 

[lorger]

Where do you live please! I need to move there.

Dumfries, a bit far for you but we do have a wonderful Drs practice as we get appointments same day as phoning without any issues. We do have a few hills so might suit you

 

[seasideBill]

We’ve had quite a bit of success buying prescription meds over the counter, particularly in Spain and Italy and build a stockpile for such eventualities. Just need to keep an eye on expiry dates.

 

[Mleabon]

But not via the GP?

No via the hospital.

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[The Wino]

And then pop your clogs after 3 months and the NHS has wasted 9 months of your drugs

Post 56 a few on goes to show how valid your point is. When people are on that many meds if everyone stocked a years worth then popped their cloggs imagine the total cost. Not just that if you have a years worth and then have to change a medicine because it no longer works as required/ you develop an adverse reaction/ there's different guidance on prescribing combinations of different meds etc etc you would end up scrapping up to a years worth. There's a lot of people complaining about the NHS wasting money wouldn't this be even more waste?
Maybe the answer is enforce the strict rules on the amount prescribed in advance through the NHS but if people decide they want a long holiday allow them to purchase a supply privately to cover the trip.