Anyone else just buy prescriptions

[NotMyselfWithoutCoffee]

Because they can't be arsed to go to gp and collect from the pharmacy?
My son has eczema and we use aveeno for it, we used to collect from pharmacy but go through it quite quickly.. At least once a month.
Also his bath oil etc I buy online now.
This is because when we used to collect it, it took ages (had to wait at least 30 min and queue) and was such a pain in the arse.
Also the obligitory gp appointment every few months to prove my son does indeed still have eczema.
To me it's worth the cost even though otherwise we would get it for free.

It's expensive...I'd queue !!!!

If you don’t need to have a prescription for the products you use and can afford to buy yourself, then yes, it’s obviously easier to buy it yourself. My adult son was prescribed a steroid eczema cream over 20 years ago, it’s the only cream that completely clears it, GP surgery absolutely hates prescribing it, it’s obviously expensive but it works. He has it on repeat prescription but only needs a 100 ml tube each year, but every time he has a review they try and offer something else which he won’t accept, so they then give him a prescription for a smaller 25 ml tube.

You can request a repeat prescription from the GP and get someone like Pharmacy 2U to deliver for free.

I order DS hydrocortisone cream online since covid made getting GP appointments an issue. I also buy his Oilatum Junior bath additives online (sometimes Amazon but also Chemist Direct and other retailers depending on which is best price). We moved GP surgery this year when we were forced to move out of catchment area of the previous surgery (thanks housing crisis!) and the new surgery are a nightmare regarding prescribing long term medications, often prescribing cheaper, generic brands that are different composition - so a powder filled capsule rather than a gel one, or an ointment instead of a cream; because of this, when it’s items I’m able to order off prescription, I will do even though we’re entitled to them all free of charge for DC.

For repeats just use something like Lloyds pharmacy to deliver for free

Also the obligitory gp appointment every few months to prove my son does indeed still have eczema

Our GP surgery seemingly cant be arsed with medication reviews so once you've got something on repeat, it goes on for years!

I don’t know if it’s my GP surgery or their policy but I couldn’t register DS for anything like this which is a pain because you can only phone 1 hour a day to request repeats

I would not waste a GPs time for basic emollients (Aveeno is often reduced in price on Sainsbury’s and I think bath oil has been shown to not work). But we have £5 spare. If you don’t then it makes sense to go to the GP.

I don’t bother getting a prescription for my daughter’s eczema cream either. She needs new cream every 6 weeks or so and it’s around £15 to buy it OTC. I agree, it’s not worth the bother and we can afford it so it’s fine. There are many that can’t afford to do that though.

Depends what it's for and whether it's available! My ADHD meds and allergy steroid spray can't be bought over the counter, they're prescription only. My antihistamines can be either, I happily bought them for years as they're cheaper than the prescription cost. Then this year couldn't get them for love nor money and a pharmacist told me they have some they're allowed to sell and some that can only be dispensed on prescription - so back on prescription it is because I can't breathe, am super snotty and so don't sleep without them! 😂

Day to day stuff for my eczema (cetraben and similar) I've always bought after first prescription and will go to Dr for hydrocortisone if I need it, but touch wood haven't for a few years now.

My medication reviews (for a complex neurological condition) are done over the phone by a pharmacist. I’ve had the medication for the years and will need a variation of it for life, so I suspect they trust me to an extent. Plus they know I’m an ex HCP.

I don’t know know whether the ex HCP thing makes any difference or if it’s just standard for all patients. I suspect it’s just standard for all patients

I bought my contraception pills online last time I ran out. Been on them for years and couldn’t get a GP appointment for ages unless I spent an hour on hold on the phone.
I had cystitis in July and went online and filled out a form with Boots and collected antibiotics from the store next day

GP here - we don't prescribe bath oil for eczema generally as there's no evidence it works, and you'll be unlikely to get Aveeno as it's much more expensive than the other emollients. So you'd be unlikely to get either of those for free.

It wouldn't occur to me to use prescriptions for OTC items to treat mine and DD's ongoing health issues. What a waste of resources.

Unless it's financial, I don't know why you would.

Yes, I get my contraception online now too. My BP is normal to low, I know exactly what I weigh, no troubling peri/menopause symptoms and no endometriosis symptoms (thank god) Had bloods done comprehensively last summer to check all ok (particularly thyroid as my DF's was low and his sister so thought there may be a genetic element, but mine was all good) Cholesterol, iron etc all perfect.

I'll go if they want me to come in, or I get any issues. Otherwise see you when I need to come off the pill in about 8 years!

One of mine costs £15k a year apparently. I have a pre-payment certificate which covers everything else - I have 5-7 items a month.
I do have to buy some stuff. I don’t resent this but I would be in trouble if my income level dropped. I expect my medication expenditure will hit £200 a month soon. Add onto that private dentistry (3k average for the last 3 years none cosmetic it would have cost maybe 1.2k on NHS if I could find a dentist) and the odd private appointment , I spend a lot of my health.

It's worth checking if you can order repeat prescriptions online and get them emailed to a convenient pharmacy, e.g. with extended opening hours, or who deliver. Quite a few surgeries have an online system now.

Taking a repeat prescription form in, going in again to collect the bit of paper and then going to a pharmacy and sitting there while they make it up is definitely the long way round, even more for something available OTC.

Yes! If I can get what I need at the chemist and can afford it then I wouldn't dream of using valuable GP time.

@passport123

Your gp must be different to mine then as I've definitely been prescribed aveeno (from multiple surgeries) and Oilatum for eczema.
I found ime the Oilatum cleared my sons head eczema and in general it's a lot milder now after baths, so disagree it is not effective. Maybe less for those with severe eczema though as my sons is mild.
The only thing is I just can't be bothered to get it from the Dr's anymore, when I can do an online order for £10-20 odd a month.
If I could get it delivered I would, but not sure if that is an option where I live.