AIBU to think the NHS is being privatised under our noses?

[itsme189]

Today my doctor informed me that the eczema cream I use can no longer be prescribed as you can buy it in boots. Looked into it and the doctors got told off by NHS and CCG for prescribing something that can be bought over the counter. They won't even prescribe it to children or the elderly.

This cream is £11 a bottle and it lasts me 5 days because I need to apply it 4 times a day and apply a lot of it as per doctors instructions. I have had this for years and pay for a yearly prescription thing as I am on lots of creams for severe eczema. I can JUST afford it but what if I couldn't? Or a child's parents couldn't? Without this cream my skin burns constantly and cracks from dryness and becomes infected this once lead to sepsis and I was in hospital for weeks.

I'm sure this won't be the only medication as you can buy lots over the counter. This is a sneaky way of privatizing health care. I'm going to complain etc but I was wondering if anyone else had anything similar?

Please note I was completely fine with the doctor he was just doing his job and he wasn't happy he couldn't prescribe it. This is above the actual day to day people in the NHS!

Sorry vote was for AIBU to think this is privatisation?

I don't think this is privatisation. Gps used to prescribe paracetamol when you can buy it for 30p but it cost the Nhs something like £7. It's fine for me to get us to buy stuff over the counter if it's available. I am on strong controlled drugs (I have the annual PPC too).

Honestly I don't think that's the case in this particular example.

Lots of drugs are cheaper than the prescription charge.

@confused1974 totally agree that things a cheap as paracetomol should be bought in shops. But this will cost me £65 a month on top of the yearly card.

It’s not true that he can’t prescribe it “because you can buy it in boots” though.

I’m not sure your specific situation is a specific situation is an example of privatisation but more generally, yes, the NHS is being sold off bit by bit.

Ah, you’ve said that they get told off. You could still push that you can’t afford it though and let him get told off.

@thepricklysheep well he isn't allowed to prescribe it because the NHS won't fund it as it can be bought over the counter.

Okay maybe not an example of privatisation then but do you all think this situation is okay?

I always thought that the point of prescriptions was to have control over certain drugs so that people didn’t just take them without guidance eg codeine or antibiotics. You can buy it so why should the NHS provide it at a cost to them? I’m sure that if you could t afford it and qualified for free prescriptions you would get it prescribed. I may well be missing the point but the NHS simply can’t afford to pay for medicine that people could buy themselves.

[quote itsme189]@thepricklysheep well he isn't allowed to prescribe it because the NHS won't fund it as it can be bought over the counter.[/quote]
Isn’t allowed or gets told off?

It is being privatised under our noses.

But having people buy medication from pharmacies that is available over the counter instead of on prescription is fairly reasonable and isn't privatisation. There's a limited pot of money available and directing people to pharmacies for over the counter medication not only saves on prescription costs, but also means they can get on with managing their own condition instead of taking doctor time up on extra prescriptions.

A lot of NHS services have already been privatised.

People voted Brexit and fought for it. Well, it's coming. We are following the US model. That's what the majority wanted, wasn't it?

I should add that I don’t really know, but there may be exceptions for long term conditions. Might be worth you pushing a bit.

If it’s available over the counter then there will be alternatives you can try and other places you can source it from. Eg online pharmacies or other products. Talk to your local allergy clinic for ideas.

That said, there are many things that are MORE expensive on prescription than when you buy them in Boots, so for small bits, it's all working out.

@ThePricklySheep they all got told off and now aren't allowed they wouldn't budge when I explained that couldnt afford it either! I can afford it just but it means I go from having a tiny safety net each month to nothing!

Why should the NHS pay for it?

Stealth privatisation of the NHS has been going on for years, with Covid and the Tories in expect it will gain pace

What does this have to do with privatisation?

We do pay for the NHS and I am paying yearly. But hey I guess basic healthcare is no longer a necessity and people should decide between healthcare and feeding their families. It is the poor that suffer and this is another example, you may be able to afford it plenty can't so they should suffer?

YANBU - you have paid for an annual card. Prescriptions are expensive for those who have to pay. The whole system needs overhauling in my opinion - why do we pay in England when they are free in Wales, for example? Why do certain conditions qualify you for free prescriptions without means testing - so, for example, a pregnant woman on a salary of £100k will get free prescriptions, a non-pregnant woman on min wage has to pay.

@haveapieceoftoast because it is a national health service that we pay for through tax and prescription fees?

I think that’s awful OP - can you say what the cream is in case anyone can recommend an alternative that your GP could prescribe?

The argument of you can buy it in a pharmacy should apply to a 1 off item if the GP ascertains the patient can afford it - eg 1 bottle of nit lotion - not - a recurring £65 per month

I would also email the Practice Manager and just get this in writing - is this definition the case they are saying they will not prescribe it - but in the info about exactly how severe your condition is and that this will leave with you no spare money. They may well relent.

[quote itsme189]@haveapieceoftoast because it is a national health service that we pay for through tax and prescription fees?[/quote]
you’re getting the service you paid for. you’re not getting free lotion you can buy over the counter. and rightly so. If I went to my GP and asked for a prescription for paracetamol and plasters I’m sure he’d tell me to fuck off. Because I can buy them OTC