Prescription antihistamine and doctor

[Raindancer411]

Hi all, AIBU in thinking that the doctor is just trying to save money but in doing so, causing me an issue??

Story is that son's antihistamine bottle has a label with name and dose on it, but it is unreadable. This is the bottle that he has in school in case he accidentally comes into contact with the allergen. The school require the name and dose on the bottle, so off I pop to docs.

The receptionist sends through a message to ask for a repeat prescription for my son to have in school, saying the label is unreadable and school require label to administer.

Call back this afternoon to be told that the doc replied with they no longer do antihistamines on prescription and I can buy it over the counter.

Now I have brought it before, so not adverse to paying... but the school will not give any non labelled meds.

So the reception has again sent a message to doc saying the reason again... I have to call in a few to see what is said this time...

Am I being unreasonable in expecting for an allergy, this is unreasonable of the doctor??

Sorry posted too soon.

We are drowning in NHS work. We already work 12hr days and are not keen to add to that if possible.

The reason there is no standard cost between surgeries (also frustration, I recognise), is that this is private work and so practices agreeing the same costs is illegal under laws forbidding price-fixing/cartels.

If and when you get the bottle with a printed pharmacy label put sellotape over it so it hopefully won't fade or be covered in medicine dribbles.

This is very unreasonable of the school. Here is a link to the current British Medical Association guidelines - also includes a template letter for your GP to use if necessary. However, as seen in the link, you should be able to write and give your consent for an OTC medication to be given in advance, and the school should not be encouraging unnecessary GP appointments!

www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/gp-practices/quality-first/manage-inappropriate-workload/prescribing-non-prescription-medication

And I can see the school' point of view here. But if a parent is qualified to buy a bottle of portion from the chemist and follow the instructions then surely a teacher/TA/whoever is qualified to read any label on the bottle as long as it's legible. I can understand them wanting written instructions along the lines of "we give 5ml (2mg) of piriton if Jonny has any contact with milk and develops an itchy rash". Requiring a prescription for it is ridiculous.

If you came into my pharmacy I would just print you a label off and stick it on your OTC bottle with the licensed directions on. It shouldn't be a problem, just ask to speak to the pharmacist and explain to them your predicament. It would be easier for you if you went into the pharmacy he has previously had the medicine dispensed in the past as they will have his records already on the system.

Ignore various typos above - thanks phone!

Exactly. This is ridiculous. And to escalate to the consultant is mad!

OP is there any reason you can't print off a label at home and stick it on the bottle? They haven't said it has to be a label from the GP have they? Just that it needs a label with his name and dose on it.

My DD (God rest her soul) was on masses of medicine - some prescription only and some OTC such as Paracetemol and Ibuprofen liquid. As she needed to have these in multiple settings they ALL had to be Pharmacy labelled otherwise they couldn't be given. This was in school, in respite and at home where carers gave her medication. Thank goodness I'm not having to deal with this now!

Whilst I appreciate that the NHS needs to save money by making people buy OTC medicines where possible as it is cheaper, there needs to be exceptions made. My DD could only have liquid medication which is not 19p per packet as is always spouted about paracetemol, it costs about £3 a bottle to buy even the generic stuff and in the quantities she needed it, a small bottle didn't last long.

Blanket ban policies like this by CCGs just cause added complications to the lives of people who are trying to manage life long conditions. Common sense needs to be used.

Just buy some cetirizine or similar non drowsy antihistamine and give him one every day before school.

ThatsNotMyToddler - I understand that but I am stuck between two sets of guidelines each are following, and it could be playing with someone's life.. :( The practises all need to try and agree on things to make it easier.. I have friends who work in the NHS so know how overworked they are

The pharmacist will print you labels. I get a batch of 10 for every bottle prescribed so I can replace as they wear out.

Jigglytuff - Yes I asked and they said it has to be a pharmacist label. I am happy to write it myself but I think they are safe guarding themselves and the head is a bit of a erm... well... not many like her... so not sure if it's her that's set this in stone??

On the note about escalating though, the consultant has said if any time his symptoms change, this is the next step as it's an unknown reaction every time and no two are the same...

Crumbs - giving it to him of a morning, would not help if he comes into contact from what the nurses at the skin prick test told me. It needs giving at the time :)

You could also ask the school for contact details for the school nurse and ask them to intervene. They are there to support health/ medical needs.

How old is your son? Can't he take responsibility for self-administering?

Ask for a private prescription or try Push Doctor if you can afford it. It's not very expensive.

He has only but turned 5, so no chance of him doing it himself :(

Deary - I am going to ask to speak to her tomorrow to explain the docs situation. Then ask what their situation is to speak to the doc later... I will ask in these kind of new rules, can they not use the box or my hand written directions on the bottle.

Funny thing is, he just brought home the careplan form for me to fill in. I cannot do that until I know what is happening 🙃

I'm sure your pharmacist would help, given what people say here. Really worth going to talk to them I'd think.

Honestly schools do my head in sometimes with their ridiculous demands - DS had to have ABs 3x a day once with meals and initially the school demanded I went in and administered it. I told them that he would have to stay home in that case as, if he wasn't off sick, I would have to go into work. So they did it but grudgingly. Stupid

Trouble is, the main school office lady is off after an op, so I am having to deal with someone else. I will explore all avenues... as long as my son is safe and gets any help he may need, IF, he needs it, I am happy...

Morning, I have explored all avenues this morning. Minor ailments scheme does not exist now, apparently via Lloyd's two pharmacies. I have taken the school policy to the doc ready for call. I have called consultants receptionist for a call back to see if they can do a prescription. I have spoke to school who will speak with the head as this could affect a wider range than just myself if new policy... waiting on call from doc and hoping we maybe able to find a way around.

Everyone is trying to be helpful but they are also all trying to stick to their own guidelines, which is fair enough...

But I think a 5 year old should be entitled to a prescription regardless of what it is, if it's for certain reasons...

I don't think anyone should be entitled to a prescription for something that is easily available over the counter.

Have you asked the pharmacist if they will print you a label?

My daughter's school won't administer meds full stop. When our daughter had a long course of frequently administered antibiotics my husband had to go in at lunchtime every day to give her her meds. They wouldn't even let her self administer (she can suck up 5ml in a syringe and squirt it in her own mouth without an issue). It was a frustrating 6 weeks.

I spoke to the chemists and they cannot give labels unless via a prescription.

I spoke to allergy uk and there are exceptions which my son would fall in, which would allow the doc to prescribe the antihistamine for a labelled bottle of the antihistamine.

I am sympathetic to all the organisations and their guidelines but something needs to be done for when it is an instant allergy (ige allergy) related reason for meds on prescriptions.