To think over ordering prescription medicines is sensible?

[Edenviolet]

I always order more than we need/order more frequently than necessary.

The medication will all be used and it is handy to have extra supplies if needed.
The pharmacist was questioning me today as to why we are going through so many items/medications and seemed to think we should only order what we need when we need it?
I prefer to have a 'stock' of dcs medications etc and think I'm sensible in doing so

AIBU?

She had 7 seretide 500 accuhalers that cost £60 each!

Hedgehog that sounds really stressful. If you did want to reduce what you order and make sure it never goes out of date, you could consider ordering a few packs of syringes to keep in the cupboard instead of penfills and needle caps. That way you can inject from the vials you already have for the pump, and you don't have to maintain a load of separate insulin in the fridge for pump failures. That's what I do. Syringes are really cheap and don't go out of date like inuslin does, so you will guarantee no waste.

Just an idea!

She has all the items on repeat so we just request at the pharmacy

I get a repeat prescription every 4 weeks. I haven't seen my GP for well over a year regarding my prescription and all I have to do is go to my chemist every 4 weeks and they hand my tablets over to me.

I'm supposed to have a yearly medication review, in fact I was told I needed one about three months ago, but my prescriptions are still being issued even though I haven't seen my GP.

I will look into that threeleggedhaggis it depends what the needles are like though as currently the only ones did can tolerate seem to be ones called bd4mm

I think some buffer is sensible but 3 months buffer I consider very unreasonable. 2 weeks buffer should be ample then reorder as soon as you go into this. If they change any of her meds that's a HUGE amount of wasted NHS resources.

With seretide it's not even as if she has the "not sure how much is left" problem then as it is fab with the counter (wish ventolin had one!) not that that justifies needing 7 anyway!

Her meds will never be changed, she will always need insulin

Hedgehog I find your derogatory attitude towards pharmacists quite offensive. Pharmacists have a four year masters degree then a 1 year postgraduate training followed by a challenging exam, all on medication and related issues. GPs study medication and related issues for a fraction of that time. The NHS plans to bring pharmacists into all surgeries to help GPs become more efficient in dealing with drugs and medicines optimisation.

Personally I think 3 months supply in hand is excessive although one month extra would seem fair enough for peace of mind. Your GP is not doing their job properly if they know you have that much and condone it. The pharmacist is doing a better job then the GP from the sound of it

Same here OP. I don't have time to keep going to the doctors. Once a year they review, which is fine with me. My son does however have major allergies as in asthma/eczema, and needs his things sometimes more than others. I'd hate to run out. He also has an epi pen (you cant over order this due to how expensive they are or I would)

I find it offensive to be challenged over my dcs medication. Even to the point they were at one point telling me how often I should be checking dds bg as I was using too many bg strips! Yes they've done 4 years of training, and GPs have done extensive medical training too but I doubt that even combined they've got more experience than me dealing with diabetes treatment, therefore I am the best judge of how often to check my child's bg/ketones when Ill and how much of her medication I need in the house

It killed my brother so I will admit to a bias - YABU.

I think that if your life is at risk should you run out, I would prefer you had a bit of stock at home so YANBU

fabby40 yes you pay per item, but not how many of that item there are. Ie, 1 inhaler or 3 inhalers will cost the same as it is one prescription cost

I am often questioned when picking ds meds up, especially if it is a new drug or new pharmacist. I see that as them doing their job well as I know ds is on a lot of drugs and some very strong ones for his age. They have also phoned the GP before now when not sure on something prescribed.

Pharmacists are right to question things that is their job. Sounds like the GP is the one in the wrong for not questioning why so much is being ordered.

Her meds will never be changed, she will always need insulin
What if the type of insulin changes? That happens
If you costed up the value of stuff you are hoarding you would probably be shocked at the cost to the NHS.

Writer What would you have your GP do? Stop your tablets and leave you without medication? If you were told you need a medication review some months ago, why haven't you been responsible and booked one? It is your health, nobody else's

The pharmacist isn't your gp though. They aren't privvy to any consultations - that's not their job - but will serve enough gp's to be aware that not all of them are particularly scrupulous/on the ball/knowledgeable. There's a human factor involved at every point that is fallible and will never be completely erdicated.

A pharmacist does not have to fill a prescription they're not happy with and will often contact a prescriber to query or refuse to fill a prescription without explanation or adjustment.

That's a good thing. It makes it far less likely you'll suffer from an error.

3 months is hugely excessive. A couple of weeks should be more than enough.

My parents are always doing this and it drives me up the wall

I was all ready to say YANBU but 3 months?! That is highly unreasonable. I keep a small buffer of my PRN painkillers as how much I take can vary but that's only because sometimes I am too unwell to make it to the pharmacy.

I, too, think you don't quite get that the pharmacist has a legal duty to check and review. Their licence matters!

The gp is aware, they know what conditions dcs have and understand with dd2 why we need to check so often/order repeats frequently. We also have to have supplies at school too.
The go also understands my anxiety surrounding the dcs and they know that anything they can do to make things easier and reduce my stress will help the dcs

Sorry I still think a GP is irresponsible to allow 3 months of medicines to be stockpiled. That is massively excessive and the pharmacist was right to question and would be right to refuse to issue the drugs.

Why would I be shocked at the cost? We use it all as make sure we use items in date order so it doesn't go to waste.

Hedgehog - speaking as a nurse and a mum, I think you are doing the sensible thing.

You know your dd, her condition and how her medication needs can vary dramatically. Your experience of managing her condition and her medication makes you the expert and, whilst the pharmacist is a highly trained, experienced and caring professional, the fact that they haven't had that experience means that it will be hard for them to appreciate why you do want and need to keep a higher than normal stock of her medications and equipment etc.

In 99 cases out of 100, the pharmacist would probably be spot on in what they said, but you are the exception that proves the rule, imo.

It is medication we need and will use. Nothing goes to waste.

It's also a safety net for a child whose life depends on it.

Well I hate to say it hedgehog but so what if you're offended?

Someone does a job that encompasses far more duties to a wider organisation and society than making sure you feel suitably respected in you're individual circumstances. You're expecting far to much from someone who had what? A five minute conversation with you? Do you really think they have the time, headspace or even inclination to do much more than make sure they don't kill people, spot other people's or make their own errors (both of which they're liable for), fulfil their legislative responsibilities and try to offer a McDonald's level of customer service?

If anyone should feel insulted it's the pharmacist who was doing their job. You know you're justified so why get the hump?