Any ideas how to fast track a repeat prescription?

[CormorantStrikesBack]

So dd needs regular life saving medication. She goes to Canada for 2 weeks on Sunday. She tried to order her repeat prescription online last weekend and it wouldn't let her as she'd had it within the last 30 days.

She rang the GP on Monday and the receptionist said they couldn't do anything over the phone and she had to come in, but she was at work. Managed to do a repeat online prescription thing last night but it says 3-5 working days. She has rung the GP again and told them she's at a big risk if she doesn't get the meds by Saturday and the receptionist said there's nothing they can do.

Would her normal chemist give them to her early?

She needs an acute prescription request which I would imagine would require at least a telephone conversation with a GP or Nurse Practitioner. Pharmacists dispense; they cannot prescribe.

Speak to the Practice Manager as soon as possible about this. Fingers crossed

She'll never get an appt.

Our pharmacy here in Scotland would give it to you. Maybe try it?

The chemist might if you call them up and say that it's urgent, however, they will have had to have received the prescription from whoever issues it (if it gets sent from the prescription hub/drs direct to the chemist). She could go to the drs surgery to collect the prescription in person, talk to the receptionist and see if they will get it signed off then and there. It's a nightmare isn't it when you are just trying to order a repeat prescription ahead of time to cover you whilst you're away.

Mine always says 3-5days but is usually ready much quicker.

When I've needed a quick repeat prescription I've gone into the doctors, filled out the form then written by hand the date I need it back by - it's always been ready in time! Good luck!

GP can send prescription to your local pharmacy at rhe press of a button .Does your practice have a pharmacist? Speak to practice manager if no joy.
My son going back to Canada on Saturday !

Thanks, I'll get her to try the chemist and the doctors in person today and see if we can get any further and ask to speak to the practice manager as well. It's not like it's pain killers or opiates! She is hardly going to be taking too many blood thinners to try and get high!

My prescriptins say 3 to 5 days but they are at pharmacy same day

If the prescription is going straight to a pharmacy you can see if it's ready for collection sooner, sometimes they've received the prescription and make it up for me while I wait.

DD has never been before. She is very excited. I'm running around buying thermals! Am I right that Air Canada is always terminal 2 at Heathrow do you know, she's adamant she doesn't know which terminal t is.

She needed to book an appointment (telephone or in person) and let them know she was travelling so would need the prescription earlier. They then do a risk assessment, and release the prescription early - just incase it helps her for next time.

Her pharmacy might give her a few extra if she always uses the same one, but they'd need a prescription to do more than that. She'll need to talk to the doctors. Worst case, I've known people get a private doctors appointment and pay for a private prescription to get them through, but it's effort.

Thanks, that's useful for another time. First time she's been in this position. We daftly assumed a week would be long enough to sort it out.

Ring 111 ask their advice. The Gp can always give medication early if people need to travel saying no we can’t is ridiculous. They may be able to hurry it up. It’s a straight forward reason and it’s something she be having in a few days anyway. No appointment needed to be wasted.

also speak to local pharmacy if they can see it’s regular and the prescription is coming in few days may offer an emergency replacement in same way if she had lost it. Life or death meds must have some back up plans.

The only other thing you could try is an online private GP. It is getting ridiculous. I used to be able to send an email to my GP and get an extra Px for holiday within a couple of days. Now it is like pulling teeth. I had to pay £80 for a private Px despite giving 3 weeks notice. Thank goodness my consultant gives me 3 months hospital only drugs at a time.
The current system of phone calls, econsults and negotiating with the receptionist, the practice pharmacist, round in circles is so time consuming, it must cost more in employee hours than the previous system.

Try this

https://111.nhs.uk/emergency-prescription

They only do 3 days worth, we've used that before!

Yes it’s T2 at LHR.

The receptionist at the surgery Is being an arse. Her prescription will be sat On a list waiting for the GP to sign it off and issue it. The receptionist absolutely can pop her head in to the GP, explain the circumstances, and have her name on the list marked as urgent so hers will be one of the first to be signed off.
There is nothing the pharmacy can do in regards to giving the meds without a script. If you do have someone who works there though that is friendly and helpful, try and catch them at a quiet time and ask them nicely to call the surgery on your daughters behalf. We have it often in our pharmacy and tend to find if an employee from the pharmacy calls, they get what's needed. If the patient calls, they get fobbed off....

Just been to the chemist. They can see it but don’t have it….I’m not sure if they mean the prescription or the drug but they reckon I can get it tomorrow

I've been in this position and haven't had a problem, the receptionist has left a message for the doctor to ring or she's issued the prescription for the doctor to agree and sign. Mine are controlled drugs too. Hope she gets this sorted.

I think they mean they have recieved the prescription from the doctor and have to order the meds to be delivered tomorrow. Mine are usually delivered by 11am the following day but obviously it's different depending where you are.

If she’s travelling, it’s always worth carrying the meds in their original boxes with the prescription label on, and have a copy of the prescription or repeat prescription form with her.

They mean they can see it on the electronic cloud system. They need it signed off though before they can dispense it. If they need to order it in its usually the next morning. Our wonderful pharmacist will phone around other pharmacies to find some if he can get meds in time.