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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if my GP can refuse to prescribe the pill for me?

65 replies

SoAnnoyedRightNow · 22/09/2014 12:37

I went to get a repeat prescription for the pill this morning. Usually when I get my repeat prescription he will ask me if I'm aware of the other contraceptive methods like the implant and injection and if I will consider them. I always say that I'm happy on the pill and don't want to change and that's usually the end of that.

However today he was really pushing the other methods and I mean really pushing them. He kept going on about how they're more reliable than the pill, quoting the failure rate of the pill, etc which tbh I already knew about. Even when I said I was happy on the pill and knew all those things he still kept going on about the injection in particular.

In the end he didn't give me my prescription as I still have a few weeks left and he wants me to make an appointment with the nurse before then to talk about other methods in depth. Even though I told him I'd already researched other methods but didn't really like the idea of them.

Now I'm getting worried that he won't prescribe me the pill at all. Can he do that? I have no problems with the pill, am only 26, am not overweight, have low blood pressure and no other risk factors that would make taking the pill risky.

A friend just told me that I should go down to the family planning clinic for more pills but I worry they'll be even pushier when it comes to LARC.

OP posts:

ShadowStar · 22/09/2014 12:43

I think they can probably refuse to prescribe the pill if you have risk factors that would make you taking it unsafe in their opinion, but it would seem a bit odd to refuse you the pill if you have no risk factors.

Other methods may well be more reliable, but the GP shouldn't be forcing them on you if there's no medical reason why you can't take the pill.

psyandsoc · 22/09/2014 12:44

He can refuse on health grounds but I'm wondering if he's after gaining money. He would be paid for other contraceptive services ie fitting coils etc. I'd go to t family planning and have a chat with them and if there is no health worries they will prescribe the pill.

Charitybelle · 22/09/2014 12:46

I'm sorry, I have no idea if he's allowed to refuse to prescribe you something (I presume he is because otherwise we could all just demand any drug of our choice from the gp)? But I don't think YABU, this sounds like he's completely overriding your personal choice of contraceptive to push his own agenda? As you're already taking the pill, presumably without any health issues, this seems very bizarre??
I would go to the nurse, discuss it with them, and if they're also unwilling to help, I would go a family planning clinic for your pill and complain to the practice manager (in writing) about the treatment you have received. Hope someone comes along to advise who is a bit more knowledgable about your rights/how the system works....!

squatcher · 22/09/2014 12:48

That sounds odd - how long have you been taking it for? Could it be that certain risks become greater if you take for five or ten years? But then I don't know why he wouldn't have explained that to you.

cherrybombxo · 22/09/2014 12:50

I've switched from the injection to the mini pill, which my regular doctor was perfectly happy to prescribe (I'm a slightly overweight ex-smoker with healthy blood pressure) but the family planning clinic where I went to get my injections every 12 weeks were really bad for pushing other methods. In the past 8 years I've tried the pill, the implant (horrendous!), the contraceptive ring (weird), the injection and now the mini pill so I know what works for me and what doesn't but the nurse would insist on loading me up with leaflets about the coil when I told her specifically that I don't want one. I don't have any advice about it but I know how annoying it is, I don't know why they are so insistent on pushing the coil.

HowsTheSerenity · 22/09/2014 12:50

He can refuse you certain types of pill. For example the pill can cause dvt's so certain types are not given to those who are obese and/or have certain comorbidities.

He can refuse on religious grounds.

That's about it I think.

Sounds dodgy to me.

ToffeePenny · 22/09/2014 12:53

In short, no, not without a reason. What is happening is that they are having to follow the 2005 NICE guidelines in promoting LARC (long-acting reversible contraception) as much as possible. His insistence suggests that the surgery's 'success' rate may be being measured.

I'd be annoyed too - you've already given up time this morning to sort this out and are now being treated as if you don't know your own mind and if you just hear it from a nurse you'll agree to change it. I would write a very clear letter stating that you have looked into the other options fully and so do not intend to waste precious time with a nurse. Please can they confirm that the repeat prescription for x will be available to collect on date y, as you will need to make plans if you are to be left unprotected.

wonkylegs · 22/09/2014 12:55

There is a centralised push for getting more women on to long term contraceptive (implant/injection) due to various reasons including it being more reliable.
You do have the right to refuse it, they are being told to push it hard though although they won't leave you with nothing (unless you ask) They will only refuse to prescribe something for health reasons.
I declined this and got the hard sell. I stuck to my guns & explained why (I take lots of meds & I know how my current pill interacts with these, I don't want to mess up that balance)
I haven't been asked since.

DrewOB · 22/09/2014 12:59

I took the 3rd and 4th gen pills for several years to control symptoms of PCOS. I can't take the mini pill as it makes me spot all year round and other contraceptives would not have anti androgenous properties and everytime I see a new GP I have to explain this again.
So now I've gone back to condoms that have an even higher failure rate :S

nannynoss · 22/09/2014 13:02

What pill do you take? I take Yasmin, have no problems with it. Although last time I went to the doctors, they said they don't prescribe it anymore apart from to people already on it. Too many risks apparently. I said I did not want anything else apart from a similar pill, but the combined pill is generally being weeded out apparently. The doc eventually gave me a 3 month prescription but said she would have to look at something different in 3 months. So I'm not sure what I will do in 3 months!!

DrewOB · 22/09/2014 13:07

I was on yasmin too (have you had the gigantics boob growth? mine went up 3 cup sizes in 3 months!) I stopped taking it after getting pains and numbness in my arms and blinding headaches. I've tried all the other 3rd and 4th gen now and after a while they all have side effects which force me to stop them.

SaucyJack · 22/09/2014 13:07

With my cynical hat on I'm wondering if the push towards long- lasting methods has far less to do with reliability than it does with the decreased need for repeat GP appts. to get repeat prescriptions.

moxon · 22/09/2014 13:08

I'm really surprised by your gp's attitude.
Fwiw back in the day my family planning clinic never pushed for anything other than what I wanted and they will overload you with condoms of various flavours and types if you even just mention them.
I always got the impression clinics are just so happy to deal with savvy people they will pretty much just support you whatever! I used my clinic when I had a copper coil fitted and removed, and my gp for the combined and POP pills. Worst I ever got at various gp's was overzealous blood pressure monitoring, and you can't really blame them.
I'd ignore the nurse visit and just see another gp at the practise.

specialsubject · 22/09/2014 13:46

how bizarre. I have had the 'are you aware of other methods?' thing to which my reply is yes, thanks for telling me, this one works and suits me so repeat please.

Also I don't see a GP for repeats; I see a nurse once a year for a blood pressure check and that's it. The pill is on six-month repeat.

contact surgery, say you want to continue as there are no medical reasons why not and ask who you need to see to get that prescription. You have a right to see a different GP if needed.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 22/09/2014 14:25

I would go to the family planning clinic. When I went there they were happy to discuss options but were never pushy about which I should opt for.

Darkesteyes · 22/09/2014 15:40

OP i went to the family planning clinic last week. Im overweight though ive lost ten stone 11 years ago. put 4 back on and in the last year have lost 3. I was on the Depo injection from 2003 to 2008.
Im now 41
Last week the lady at the clinic told me that Depo will cause weight gain. Instead they gave me the POP (Zelleta)

The lady at the clinic really emphatically warned me off having the Depo again (i had it for 5 years in my early thirties.)

The surgery where i went first before i went to the clinic gave me a presciption for the Depo which i filled but as i am now on POP im going to take it into the surgery so it doesnt get wasted. It will be suitable for somebody.

Random1999 · 22/09/2014 15:43

Just go to your local family planning clinic. 3 months supply and you can go back 2.5/3 months after to get another supply.

Siarie · 22/09/2014 15:46

onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/contraceptive-pill

Worst case scenario you can buy your pills from Lloyds pharmacy online with their online doctor service. I always bought mine through this method and never went through my GP (as they were reluctant to give them to me).

I get free prescriptions so they didn't want to take on the charge when I was already paying via that pharmacy. I could have pressed the matter and demanded the GP prescribe them but frankly It was easier just to pay privately if you like.

Siarie · 22/09/2014 15:47

Oh I should add I was originally given the pill by a family planning clinic (hence the lack of GP interaction).

Darkesteyes · 22/09/2014 16:20

I bloody hope i dont get boob growth on Zelleta Im a 34J as it is.

Darkesteyes · 22/09/2014 16:22

The service i got at the family planning clinic was great and she told me to come back for more pills when i start the last strip.

Fluffyears · 22/09/2014 18:25

I have been on the same pill for 20 years. I get the implant etc pushed at me I told them last time I will be ttc this year so do not want anything long term...it's so wearing though. I do bit want a coil (squeamish), I don't want a scar on my arm, depo made me gain three stone in the 1 year I took it. Pill please!!!!

Darkesteyes · 22/09/2014 18:58

That depo box sitting in my flat is either going into my surgery on Wednesday or being disposed of at a chemist.

Fluff you are the second person within a week i have heard that from.

PicandMinx · 22/09/2014 19:08

The GP will get a nice bonus if you come off the Pill and use a long term method. The nurse will give you the hard sell and try to convince you to change. Stick to your guns if you are happy on the Pill.

Greenfizzywater · 22/09/2014 19:12

This is odd, I'm a GP. We do try to make people aware of the other methods, as many default to the pill even if it isn't most suitable for them. The only reason I would do the hard sell on something else is if I knew that the pill was going to become unsuitable soon. For example it isn't recommended for smokers over 35 so if I saw a 34 year old smoker with no intention to quit I'd start suggesting other methods. Yes, we do get paid for fitting coils and implants but they are time consuming and the payment isn't huge so I doubt that's the reason.

In answer to your original question, any GP can refuse to prescribe a medicine that they aren't happy using for medical reasons. GPs are allowed to opt out of involvement in terminations and contraception (more opt out for the former than the latter) but they have to point you in the direction of someone who provides them.

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