To be really irritated when people get medication (calpol etc) on prescription

[CeCeBloomer]

When they can easily afford to buy it. I am not talking about those that can't afford to buy them. The NHS has limited funds, surely those who are better off should show some social responsibility and buy their own medicines, freeing up essential funds - not brag about what they managed to get free

[kissmethere]

The only people I know who get free calpol definitely need it. It's not a case of blagging it for free.

[Twogoats]

Is it true that you can get things under 'care of the chemist' by just asking in the pharmacy? I saw something on Facebook a while back about it?

[Twogoats]

Is it true that you can get things under 'care of the chemist' by just asking in the pharmacy? I saw something on Facebook a while back about it?

[identityhidden]

I have been given paracetomal/OTC cocodamol before but in huge packs that I wouldn't be allowed over the counter, I think I got 100 paracetomal last time. GP said it's better to take the 100 as avoids making multiple trips to different pharmacies to get the tablets and in terms of cocodamol because I'm on it long term they prefer to get a better idea of how much I'm using, which they can't necessarily with OTC doses.

Not sure if that can apply to calpol though!

[BipBippadotta]

I think people are often told they have to get certain OTC things on prescription, as chemists vary in what they'll sell to whom.

E.g. I'm pregnant and have terrible heartburn - the lovely sort where periodically I'm sick in the back of my throat with no warning. Went to the chemist to buy some Gaviscon that I've bought with no trouble before, and that my GP assured me was safe in pregnancy. Chemist refused to sell it - or in fact any OTC medication, including hydrocortisone cream for my DH - without a prescription.

Was I going to spend 2 weeks vomiting in my mouth while I waited to see my GP - potentially depriving someone with a genuine health concern of an appointment - just to get some heartburn meds? Was I fuck. I bought my Gaviscon off Amazon. I know the pharmacist was just doing her job but it did annoy me.

[DJBaggySmalls]

What did you say to your friend when she boasted to you?

[mygorgeousmilo]

No it's definitely not made up DM style bullshit - I've been offered all sorts on prescription including gaviscon, paracetamol, and calpol. I only take a prescription if it's not available over the counter, and even then I'm quite wary of having antibiotics and other meds just chucked at everything. I'm sure that many people who are offered things like calpol on prescription actually say yes and take them. They ought to put something around to say only take these over the counter things if you genuinely can't afford it as it costs our NHS XYZ amount of money.

[Farfromtheusual]

Under the "minor ailments scheme" at most chemists you can get things like calpol, and meds for children for free anyway so the only thing getting a prescription does is waste a drs appointment (unless is necessary).

[TheFairyCaravan]

I get paracetamol, free, on prescription. I take 8 a day for a long term condition.

I had some have a go at me on FB the other day because they, also, take 8 a day but manage to get out to by their's allegedly. I can't do that. Most days I don't make it out of bed and I'm housebound. DH is out of the house between 6:00am and 7:00pm and we live rurally so it's impossible for us to go trekking round supermarkets and chemists every couple of days looking for paracetamol.

It's really easy to say no one should have it, but there will always be cases where people should and I'd rather a child did get prescribed some liquid paracetamol than be in pain because their parent doesn't have a pound.

[Farfromtheusual]

And yes twogoats you just register with the sceme, just a quick form, and then they give you what you need for free. It's usually only the generic own brand stuff you can get but it's all the same stuff just different label. You can get stuff to treat cough, colds, temperature, teething, constipation, diarrhoea, nappy rash, knits, ear ache etc in children under 16.

[Farfromtheusual]

Astley it why we pay taxes to the NHS...why pay for it when it's free anyway, prescription or not

[IWantATardis]

Oooh.

I just made a thread about this in chat.

I tried to buy Calpol over the counter from a pharmacy today for my 8 week old baby (following his 8 week immunisation injections, as NHS advice is to give them liquid paracetamol straight afterwards).

The pharmacist wouldn't sell me the Calpol. Told me they wouldn't give me any unless I got a prescription from the GP, as liquid paracetamol is for babies older than 2 calendar months, and DC3, despite being old enough for his 8 week injections, is a few days younger than 2 calendar months. It was very frustrating.

[LTBforGin]

There's a Minor Ailments Scheme in lots of areas now where you can get calpol etc for your dc free whether you receive benefits or not. This is just for children.

The free prescription scheme is unfair and a waste ime. Some people I know have claimed make up off the NHS for a minor problem-had specific appointments for it (not scarring or anything I would deem effecting her confidence). She took it because it was 'free'. She doesn't wear make up or the make up she's been given!!

I need inhalers for my asthma and cream for my eczema. I've worked most of my adult life (not when had dc) and I've paid my taxes. Yet I have to pay for the inhalers which I need -I seriously need them- and I can't buy them over the counter.

[CeCeBloomer]

It was piriton the prescription

[CeCeBloomer]

I just hate the attitude that we pay tax so why shouldn't we get it free - everyone trying to grab what they can and not thinking about the bigger picture.

[Farfromtheusual]

CeCe what is wrong with that thinking?

We do pay taxes so why shouldn't we get something for free when we can?? It's not like people are being greedy getting 50 bottles of calpol for free for no reason then flogging them for a quid a go is it? That's taking a liberty! But getting 1 bottle of calpol free for a baby that needs it, well I have no guilt about that. I wouldn't go to the dr to get a prescription and I wouldn't boast about it though. I can probably afford a bottle of calpol, but when I'm on statutory maternity pay at the moment, every little helps.

[lunchboxtroubles]

Well yes the dr shouldn't prescribe it

I'm a GP. the last time I suggested that someone buy their own paracetamol I got a four page complaint about it that took hours to deal with. no-one at CCG or GMC level will back up the doctor in that situation. So, TBH, the budget can go hang until those in charge tell patients firmly to buy their own.

[MrsJayy]

Children are vulnerable is it not better they are given some free paracetamol than not ? Is it not better that adults who are in pain are given free painkillers in boxes of bigger amounts than traipsing out in pain to the shop only able to buy smaller amounts OTC medications are regulated prescriptions aren't. The bigger picture is we live in a country where we get free healthcare some poor bugger waiting on an operation is not affected by a few pounds worth of paracetamol, and you never said what your friends child got free ?

[NanFlanders]

I don't think it's wrong to claim what is your entitlement. The NHS isn't a charity, it's a way of socializing risk. If I get ill, I'll use medical services/care at the chemist, in the same way that if my house floods, I'll claim on the house insurance. It's not like going down the food bank, when you can afford to buy your own food.

[FeralBeryl]

It's 'care of the chemist' here.
Covers all children and adults who don't pay for prescriptions.

I agree massively with the theory. It means that parents who can't afford calpol, head lice treatment etc can walk in to a chemist and get the required items.
£3 can make all the difference to some families depending on the day of the week.

However - one of my closest friends massively abuses it, gets items she 'may' need in future, gets anti histamines for herself, partner and brother as well as lots of other items. If enough people do this, it will eventually be scrapped which would be awful
I always buy what I need because I'm fortunate enough to be a position to. Many aren't.

[FeralBeryl]

Loving the word 'massively' today obviously.

[CeCeBloomer]

I did say - it was piriton - they can easily afford to pay for it. I absolutely support free medicines of course for those who can't afford it and yes it is very difficult to measure so it would be nice if people showed some social responsibility. Think it's symptomatic of entitled thinking

[Spikeyball]

If chemists sold the generic equivalent of piriton, I think fewer people would ask for it on prescription. That's another they won't sell you.

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

I'm a GP. the last time I suggested that someone buy their own paracetamol I got a four page complaint about it that took hours to deal with

A general point, and obviously it depends on the age of the child, but are you aware that as per Ofsted rules, a child who is in a care setting must have been prescribed meds in order for the carers to give them?

That is what our nursery told us anyhow. They said they could give paracetamol suspension (so basically Calpol) if the parents supplied it and signed a form BUT all other meds, including stuff like Aveeno for my daughter's eczema, they must have a pharmacy sticker saying it has been prescribed on it. They said even OTC eye drops when she had mild conjunctivitis needed a script. Otherwise, they risk the wrath of Ofsted, apparently.

So as a working parent............I can either take a 3-4 days off work every time my toddler gets a manky eye or her eczema flares up........or I can go bother my daughter's GP.

It is rubbish. It is embarrassing. But frankly the alternative is me not keeping my job.

I feel that in general, patients are caught between shit systems (no GP appts but slagged off for going to A&E is a prime example) and are increasingly being scapegoated. Maybe Ofsted should to the Dept of Health and get this sorted if it's costing so much! Rather than blaming parents.

[MrsJayy]

It was piriton sorry missed that well obviously the kid needs an antihistamine. my dd has allergies and hayfever and when she was a child she got free antihistamine I would much rather she got the right doseage than just giving her from the OTC bottle instructions