To ask if you would report this to the practice manager

[Sevendaysaweek]

Dn usually gets two weeks worth of medication from our gp. She’s told me that some times the GP issue the proscription a week or even 9 days earlier. This leads to her having more medications than she should have. I’m worried they may be putting other vulnerable people at risk as surely they know when they last issued one.

What is the risk you're concerned about specifically? Do you know that certain medication such as diazapam and codeine are controlled and not given in the same way as say antibiotics or antidepressants or thyroid medication.

At the moment it's taking my local pharmacist up to 6 days to get medications in once they receive the prescription due to delays in the supply chain as a result of covid. I assume the GP is actually being helpful here and trying to prevent a delay.

Are you worried about your niece(?) for a specific reason such as a risk of overdose?

They're doing nothing wrong. In the nicest possible way, stop trying to interfere

Presumably she knows how much she should be taking each day no matter how much there is left in the packet? I don't see the issue.

seems very OTT - this is your niece? Why so overly involved?

If you're worried about her receiving enough medication to be an overdose risk, then simply ask that the pharmacist not release it until the appropriate date.

I can write see that the doctor might be allowing more time due to the supply chain issues, but it doesn't actually need to be released to your niece as soon as it comes in.

is it medication she can od on? Is she risk of self harm or suicide? Pretty standard practise to get scripts week early otherwise.

If someone is at risk of misusing medication the prescriber should take precautions. And really they should avoid over supply to save the NHS money. However I wish they would do this with HRT because it's so tightly controlled I nearly always run out.

What are you concerned about? Is she normally compliant with her medication? Ie. Takes the correct amount at the right time etc.

There are alot of issues at the moment because of covid that mean prescriptions are taking longer to process - if you/she is concerned you could request that the GP puts "dispense fortnightly" on the instructions. That way the pharmacy will only release her medication when the previous lot as run out. They will have a record of when she last picked up and wouldn't issue it any earlier without specific instructions from the GP.

It absolutely depends on the medication.

Are you concerned about your DN potentially overdosing? Does she have a history of this? You could speak to the practice manager, but Social Services might be a better bet if you have specific concerns for her.

Does she have parents? If so, it's not your place to be doing anything. Express your concerns to them if you must, if niece is incapable of asking this of her doctor/pharmacist.

No, is my answer to your question.
How old is your niece?
If your niece's parent/guardian (you?) is concerned, he/she can talk with the pharmacist.

YABU, and really it's not your business. The main thing is she is getting her medication during the pandemic.

I was in a chemist yesterday. Literally the three people in front of me all had some problem due it supply chain issues (obviously I don’t know what they were prescribed).

No.

She lives with me has done for years. I was her legal guardian till she turned 18. She’s an overdose risk and would imagine many others are that the Prescribe to much medication to. It’s fine for me for example to get my medication early but not for her.

I always get my repeat prescription in advance by a day or two. I wouldn't want to be stuck without my medication if there were any delays from the GP or the pharmacist.

Why would you want to escalate this anywhere?

@ghostyslovesheets

seems very OTT - this is your niece? Why so overly involved?

Presumably op has a reason. No need to be snarky.

How many threads are you going to post about your DN? You sound incredibly over-involved.

Are you worried about what your dn is doing with her meds? If so then it might be worthwhile flagging this to the Gp but if not don’t.

The GP will treat everyone as an individual. Some will be able to get more meds more often than others. It depends on what they are prescribed, their history and risk.

An extra weeks medication is quite a lot.

Just seen your update. I would contact the Gp.

Erm patient confidentiality must be paramount therefore your dn is entitled to hers without it being breached, so unless you're her guardian you should not intervene .

I am on anti hypertensives which I need to take everyday. The other week there was a delay, not sure why as I had ordered the medication well in advance. I ended up not having enough for a whole week, which can be dangerous as they should not be stopped suddenly.

I feel it is better to have slightly too much than to run out.

You’ve posted quite a lot about your DN recently and a lot of it seems to be directed at medical professionals.
I do get that perhaps you feel a bit powerless - but stop wasting energy in trying to fight people with good intentions and instead focus on what you positive steps you can take. Focusing on the negative and trying to find someone to rail against is going to make your load heavier not lighter