To think that if you have a life threatening condition, you should take more medication abroad than the days you are going away for

[Witchofzog]

I am watching the news avidly due to having a Thomas Cook holiday booked, and have so far seen one mother and daughter interviewed and a few others in the press, all who are abroad and say they only have enough medication to last the duration of the holiday. The mother who was interviewed said she was going to run out of lifesaving meds the day before she is due to return home. With the Thomas Cook situation these people are facing running our of meds and potentially becoming very unwell.

I have a heart condition myself and always take more meds than I need when I go away as even the most solvent of airlines can experience adverse weather, mechanical failure etc leading to delays. Aibu to think that you must be very short sighted not to consider this? My job involves working closely with GP's and most will prescribe earlier than normal if people are going to be away and may potentially run out. I just don't understand it.

@Pikapikachooo totally missing the point.

It's the 'well they clearly arent rich, they couldnt have been expected to know not to run out of medication' attitude that's patronising.

Maybe the less privileged shouldn't be going in holiday at all, if they cant possibly work out, how to manage their own medication.

The mother in the interview didn’t take enough meds with her to begin with though (did I read that right)

So she’s already taking a risk before this whole TC fiasco started.

Both OH and myself have life limiting conditions and need daily meds. We always take twice as much as the duration of the holiday, i.e. 4 weeks worth for a 2 week holiday. Never had any problems with the GP issuing the prescription a bit early occasionally. We just write "early due to holidays" on the prescription request. We take the prescription order form with us in case of customs trouble or in case we run out and a local clinic needs to contact the GP/pharmacist to approve dispensing emergency supplies. We take half in hand luggage and half in suitcase, so are covered if one or other gets lost en-route. We were once delayed coming back from Egypt due to airline problems, and it was a weight off our minds that we didn't have to go through the hassle of getting emergency supplies, unlike some of the others who seemed to have no end of hassle getting taxis to clinics, multiple phone calls, etc when they only brought the exact number of days, we were short on the first day of the delay.

I take a schedule 3 drug and am in a medical career, but can not get more than 28 days supply and can only bring my prescription forward by 5 days maximum, despite discussion with my GP.
I know I am going away for a prolonged period next year and will spend the next 10 months 'gaming' my prescription to ensure I have enough to travel.
With the current pressure on GPS to prevent stockpiling and the change in regulation of schedule 2 and 3 drugs even GPs and Pharmacists are not totally certain what they can and can't do. To be able to prescribe more than 28 days of a schedule 2 or 3 drug as a prescriber you must be satisfied that you know enough about the individual to be certain that they are not going to use the drug inappropriately. If you fail in this duty you could face disciplinary action. I have know my GP for 21 years she arrived as just qualified as I did in my practice at the same time we are both partners in our practices, but she is still not prepared to prescribe more than 28 days.

I just thought that a post picking on them
Was mean . It’s their first ever holiday

You are way reading into my comments but that’s your right I suppose

What does their level of income have to do with it?
At present we still have the NHS which is free at the point of use. They won’t have to pay anything more than the prescription charge.

Unless the implication is that people on a reduced income are a bit thick......

Well yes. But as they only give you 28 days worth at a time it's a bit hard to stockpile, isn't it?

OH picked up an extra load of his prescription for our up coming trip with no problem, he does it every time. He also carries them all in his hand luggage in case the bags go astray.

I didn’t Infer they were thick

But it was their first holiday EVER so they wouldn’t necessarily know the admin that more frequent travellers know about

I felt taking a pop at them was unkind

And saying someone is less privileged background is not an insult

Thinking it might be a plan to take some extra medication with you is not something that is secret knowledge for ‘seasoned travellers’ only.

I have a life long illness, i have to take up to 9 tablets a day, when i go on holiday i always take double the amount i need and it always comes in my hand luggage in csse my main bags go missing

I think it’s very silly and also searching for excuses to put it down to them being poor so not being aware of needing to take excess

But I’d also say the type of people who don’t think ahead are also the ones who don’t buy insurance and are predictably the ones who are the colour of lobsters by day two of the holiday

I don't have a life threatening illness, but do take a lot of prescribed medication for a chronic condition. I always take double the amount of medication I need, and I take a copy of my most recent prescription along with my GP's contact details.

Unless a patient as very specific risks or issues a GP will normally prescribe more than normal if you tell them you are going away.

I can't imagine ever going away, even for a weekend, without taking additional meds.

I also spread mine between hand luggage and hold luggage, just incase.