To switch to an online pharmacy?

[IMissFrance]

I have a few repeat prescriptions.

One is a controlled drug and sometimes the pharmacy will question it. This makes me uncomfortable as my pharmacy is a Lloyds in the middle of my hometown and I wouldn't want someone who knows me but not my condition to overhear me justifying the prescription.

I've seen in my GP/NHS app that I can change from my nominated pharmacy to an online one.

Which on the face of it seems great.

But would like to hear experiences and recommendations please. As the list of online pharmacies that the NHS links is so long!

Do I have to pay for postage? Are they on time? (I don't pay for prescriptions anyway due to having a lifelong condition)

I've just started using Echo and they've been fab. My GP dragged their feet on one of my painkillers but Echo dealt with it all and then delivered them when they were approved. Really impressed so far and no cost to it.

Ooh @Rockbird thanks!

That's the one I keep having appear as an advert.

Great to hear a positive review.

I signed up to Echo at the beginning of the year. It’s great.
E-mail reminders when to re-order and very efficient. Definitely do it.

Yep I use echo too, no problems at all. Really easy to use.

That’s interesting, I may change too. My local pharmacy is in my local Asda and they always put your medication into a basket before putting it into a bag so everyone can see exactly what you are getting. I hate it.

I use Pharmacy2U. Never had any problems, lots of reminders to re-order and I don’t pay for the prescription (medical exemption) or postage.
I can’t believe I used to wait in line at the pharmacy for 10/15 mins before when it’s so easy to order online. Definitely make the switch!

I have used Echo for around the last 6 months and they have been really good.
They email you when you need another prescription and you just click to say what you want.
Delivered to your house free of charge a few days later in a box that fits through the letter box.
When I was recently started on a new drug my gp let Echo know and it was Delivered a few days later.
So much better than going to the chemist

Oh thanks that's so good to hear from you all.

What happens if you have a one off prescription? I guess that's the regular old fashioned way?

I'm tempted to switch for my Dad too. He's terminally ill and has a few repeat prescriptions but also gets extra things as and when needed (for example laxatives or liquid thickeners) would they take few days to arrive and we'd be better to stick to a local one for him do you think?

I’ve been using Echo too for around a year and they’ve been excellent. Quick and easy. Beats remembering to email my GP and then a trip to the pharmacy each month.

I needed something as a one off for my son last month and asked if GP could send the prescription to echo but they’d already sent it to the pharmacy. Sounds like it’s possible though.

I use Boots now after using superdrug online who managed to tick the exemption box and landed me with a fine from NHSBA. They then utterly ballsed up sorting it out, admitted they were responsible then tried to backtrack. So definitely avoid them! Boots have been great and it's much more convenient having it delivered, especially at the moment.

I use an online pharmacy too, so much easier and quicker. GP did question it when I changed, so first couple of orders they rang me and double checked before approving. However now its done very quickly. Just wish I could do it for repeat prescriptions for my sons!

@Thebig3

I use an online pharmacy too, so much easier and quicker. GP did question it when I changed, so first couple of orders they rang me and double checked before approving. However now its done very quickly. Just wish I could do it for repeat prescriptions for my sons!

You can. I use Echo for my DD's repeat prescription.

Does everyone receive controlled drugs in their prescription? I’ve tried 2 or 3 different ones and none will dispense my controlled drugs.

Another satisfied Echo customer here. My local Lloyds pharmacy is a bit of a nightmare at the best of times, and with Covid the queues were just getting ridiculous. At the end of the summer I decided to give Echo a try, as the thought of waiting outside to collect my prescription in the rain and cold during the winter was definitely not appealing, and I've not looked back!

@Sixofseven

I use Pharmacy2U. Never had any problems, lots of reminders to re-order and I don’t pay for the prescription (medical exemption) or postage. I can’t believe I used to wait in line at the pharmacy for 10/15 mins before when it’s so easy to order online. Definitely make the switch!

Pharmacy2U were fined for selling patient data www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/pharmacy2u-under-fire-over-data-selling-practices/20068291.article?firstPass=false.

My mum has her prescriptions delivered and it is very good for her. It's attached to her GP (next door) so not one I can recommend.

Perhaps the GP uses/suggests one?

We love echo! Switched last year to help us stay home more. So easy and always here before I run out.

Feel free to use online pharmacies but beware that it's going to be like all other shops: if everyone goes online there will be no face-to-face shops left. The online pharmacies don't do urgent prescriptions, only regular medicines and end-of-life prescriptions may need constant changes.

@maxineputyourredshoeson I have Gabapentin which I think is controlled. No problem with that at all.

We're rural so our drugs are dispensed directly from the GP surgery in the village, wonderful system. I walk up to collect for the exercise but if we can't get out they deliver instead. It's brilliant.....

Another Echo user here. I’ve had no problems in the year I’ve used them. Thoroughly recommend.

The problem with everyone going online is that it will kill off the local pharmacist. And who will you go to for advice when they aren't there? Who will do you a super quick prescription in an emergency? Who knows you and your condition and will pick up on the fact the doctor prescribed something wrong? Who will warn you when a drug brand you rely on is being changed.....

If you can, please support your local pharmacies. I know it isnt an option for everybody but for same day scripts etc an online pharmacy won't be able to get those to you the same day.
Also the face to face advice you can get in a bricks and mortar pharmacy can be so reassuring. During COVID/LOCKDOWNS so many people have come to us for advice and reassurance, they value that we have been there for them.
Also with some online pharmacies they have been tricking people into swapping to them, I've had many a patient who has said they were not clear on what they were being asked to sign up too.

Do online pharmacies deliver controlled meds