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)

@rebeccachoc

Someone I know used pharmacy2U and they were absolutely awful. Every month there was something wrong or missing and once they even got someone else's prescriptions!!

I’m surprised as I have been with them for years and not once have I had a problem. Even when there was a shortage of HRT patches they still delivered the goods.

I use pharmacy2u and I've been happy with them.

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.

Mine is a national chain, and the customer service and queues are always horrendous.

I'm compos mentis, English speaking, fairly young/IT literate and able bodied, and they always treat you like shit for expecting to be served within 30 minutes of queueing at the door - the 1 time i asked what their complaint procedure is, after queuing for 45mins to get a prescription (not collect it, just to hand it IN so i could then queue a second time an hour later) i got an eye roll and a sigh and a comment about having to compain to head office about the staffing cuts. which i understand, but do they need to be so rude in the store about it?

easier to just vote with my feet and go elsewhere.

so no, i won't be supporting my local unfriendly, over-subscribed shitty pharmacy.

local doesn't always mean good. they don't all deserve your custom.

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.

Hmmm...when you have drive a round trip of 12 miles, so you can queue in the rain just to collect a prescription, or to speak to someone who is downright rude, or maybe can't find the prescription, or to be badgered about "if you use p2U, we won't be here" or is having a long lunch break?

Nah, I'll let our lovely postman pop it through the door at home for free, thank you.

I have no doubt there are some splendid pharmacies out there, but there are also plenty that need to pull their socks up, and perhaps direct delivery competition is just what they need.

I tried to do this but both echo and pharmacy4u said they couldn't do it because my gp isn't in the electronic system.
So I'm stuck with having to go into the GP waiting room where the dispensary is to get my prescription.

If it's a schedule 1 or 2 drug you might run into trouble as the facilities aren't quite there to send it electronically, if it's schedule 3 like gabapentin it can be sent like anything else.

I've used echo for a few months and they've been absolutely useless with my controlled drug. 2 months in a row they just didn't send it and when I questioned them they said they had prescribed their allotted amount for the week and would have to wait until next week but said it could take a month. I wouldn't recommend them

@1990shopefulftm @Wakemeuuuup

Thanks so much.

I messaged them and they couldn't say it wouldn't be a problem.

Have checked and it's schedule 2. So I'm just going to stick with my local.

Shame. But understandable.

@IMissFrance I used to work for a pharmacy and if someone had told me that I was making them uncomfortable then I would have taken the feedback on, if you feel able to, you could say to them any discussions regarding medication you would like them to be done in their consultation room as every pharmacy is supposed to have one of those, it's undignified them shouting across a dispensary to you if that's what's been happening.

I use Well for myself and daughter. No problems at all. I order from them on the app what I need and they do the rest.

Only problem we have had is them having to chase the GP for prescriptions and slow Royal Mail at the moment. Just need to allow extra time but they are very good at reminding me.

I have my repeat prescription delivered by RXLive who have been excellent. My GP dispensary (rude people) were extremely awkward about it and put numerous silly obstacles in the way. RXLive overcame it all. My DC2 has a controlled drug via private prescription. Our local pharmacist tried really hard to obtain it but couldn't. Then we were put on to Zen Pharmacy in London and they are very good so we order it from there now. They know the private doctor so whether that is the reason they are very good I couldn't say. The controlled drug is delivered by courier.