What do you do if a doctor writes you a prescription you can’t get?

[Soubriquet]

I’ve been written a prescription for a medication that is out of stock everywhere locally.

Asked the pharmacist where I got could it, and even she doesn’t know. It’s out of stock in my town, the nearest large town and the nearest city.

So what do I do? Go back to the doctor?

Is it normal practice for a prescription to be cancelled after a certain time, if it hasn't been filled? I had a repeat prescription for something which wasn't urgent & couldn't be obtained by the pharmacy. When it finally came in, someone had deleted the precription request so I had to start all over again. Luckily I got it before I ran out.

@ifIwerenotanandroid usually 6 months unless it's a controlled drug then it expires in 28/30 days, can't remember which.

@ifIwerenotanandroid sorry that's for the surgery 6 months, pharmacy different rules.

Cheers, @TroysMammy . I don't know who'd cancelled it as someone else called in to pick it up. The same shortage happened recently, same meds, so the prescription's been in the pharmacy for a while: I'll call in this week & see if there's anything for me.

I've been given a mirena for HRT apparently it is 'just as good'. Hmmmmm

Thought I would update.

The doctors noticed I hadn’t “cashed” my prescription and rang to enquire as to why. Was able to explain all the pharmacies were out and struggling to get it back in stock. They managed to get some for me and even over ordered for me by half a dozen boxes so I have them if I need them.

This needs to show on my medical record so even though it’s the same stuff as off the shelf, it’s part of an ongoing investigation and I need to prove I’ve done everything possible to eliminate other problems.

That's great! Thanks for the update.

If a pharmacy is saying they dont have it in stock and giving her the script back it means they cant order it in

It is back in stock now.

Another good reason for it to be on your repeat prescription rather than buying over the counter for long term use is if you go into hospital. If it is on a repeat it is counted as regular medication. The current practise of getting people to buy things like paracetamol etc is bringing up some issues on admissions to hospital.

The problem was, the pharmacy couldn’t get it in. There was a county wide shortage.

I tried all the pharmacies in my town and they all said that my town, the next biggest town 30 mins away, and the nearest city town, another 30 mins away in the other direction, we’re all reporting shortages and unable to get it in.

Luckily, I have enough now to tide me over

Bought some from Tesco today.