Can a gp refuse to prescribe your contraceptive pill?

[rainydaynow]

I've been on the phone with my gp as I need a new pill prescription.

Just as a background - I've been taking Yasmin for over 10years (apart from when being pregnant & breastfeeding) it's the only pill that agrees with my body. No weight gain/ no mood swings/ etc.
I've tried sooo many before until I've found the right one for me.

Anyway my gp has retired so his substitute is absolutely refusing to prescribe Yasmin. She said she doesn't recommend it and ONLY prescribes Rigevidon or Microgynon. I've explained that I've been on both before and i don't get on with them so she replied with "in that case you need to consider a different form of contraception"

Do I? I don't want to be on a different form when I get on well with my old pill

Anyway I just paid £40 for 3 months of Yasmin. Do you think I can call back in 3 Months and ask for someone who can prescribe my pill since she refuses? Or is that it? I'll have to pay for it from now on privately.

In theory they can refuse to prescribe it and give you alternatives but frankly this seems bizarre. Just ask for another doctor.

Yes they can.

Ask to speak to a different GP in the practice or find out if your practice nurse can prescribe oral contraception and see them instead.

My doctors said they have black listed Rigevidon and once again moved me to something else. I guess in theory they can I’d try a different doctor if you can.

Yes. I've heard bad things about rigevidon recently. I've been on it many years ago and didn't get on with it at all so I'm surprised that it's the one she recommends 🤪 no thanks 😂

Thanks all. I guess I will try to ask for a different gp but if they refuse to prescribe it I'll just have to pay monthly.

It's not a case of me being fussy at all but after years and years spent trying to find the right contraception for me .. I am reluctant to try anything else.

If they are morally opposed to contraception then they need to refer you on to someone else.

If, however, they have clinical reasons foe declining to prescribe, then yes, of course they can.

My understanding is that Yasmin is as safe as other mainstream combined pills, but that prescribing is limited in some areas due to cost-effectiveness.

In my area we use Yasmin for women who need a contraceptive pill which is "skin-friendly". Does Yasmin help your skin? Or have you tried multiple other pills and failed to tolerate them?

They can refuse to prescribe it, but I can't really see why they would in this instance. I would definitely try a different GP - or find out if your current GP's surgery has a family planning clinic with a different doctor or a practice nurse.

Mine doesn't like prescribing Yasmin either. No idea why. They mentioned it being higher risk for clots but having researched it myself I see that mainly applies to overweight or older women 40+. Neither of which apply to me (32yr old normal BMI).

I now pay privately for a Yasmin prescription from Lloyds pharmacy online. I find this pill works for me well and avoid loads of the side effects that crippled me on other pills.

Yasmin was the only one to suit me too and quite often I would have to put my foot down for it to be prescribed; it is the most expensive pill I'm told. Ask for a different GP

They don't like prescribing Yasmin because it's more expensive 🙄

Of course they can refuse. By signing a prescription they’re accepting responsibility for it and Yasmin is one of the high risk ones. Try a family planning clinic if you don’t like their advice.

It's not a new thing sadly. Women's health isn't a priority for this government.
graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/contraception-cuts-advisory-group-contraception-data-shows-sexual-health-services-reduced/

Yasmin has higher blood clot risk so it might in some cases be a reasonable decision but a blanket no is odd.

Have you tried millinette.

I think GPS are trying to move away from Yasmin as it’s more expensive. My GP moved me from Yasmine to rigevidone and agree - it’s absolute rat poison. They then moved me to Milliette which I’ve had no problems with.

My GPs refuse to prescribe fucking everything, even when they have a consultant letter telling them what to prescribe and why.
They even have a blanket policy of not prescribing any contraceptive except the implant, coil, or mini-pill -- the combined pill is verboten!

I pay privately for all of my prescriptions now.

Welcome to the good old NHS where you don't matter as an actual person, all that matters is you cost them as little as possible.

I get a private prescription for my preferred contraceptive pill via Superdrug Online Doctor. It costs me less than £30 for a 6 months supply and it’s no hassle at all. I just answer their questions honestly and get my BP checked at the pharmacy and then input that on their form.

They provide great support as well. When I had a query, a GP emailed me back within a few hours.

I know I shouldn’t have to do this, but it’s so much easier for me than getting on to my (useless) GP practice.

Yes they can.

A GP absolutely has the right to refuse to prescribe but they should provide you with a clear reason and offer alternatives.

I was on Yasmin for many years. It suited me perfectly but one day, doctors just refused go prescribe it any more due to the risk of blood clots which increase the risk of strokes.

I tried other pills but didn't get on with any of them. The only other thing offered was the Mirena coil which I declined as my DP and I were thinking about TTC at that stage.

If you are not at risk from any of the contraindications I'd be minded to remind them that the cost of contraception is far lower than the cost of an unwanted child. If they still persist bearing in mind the financial and emotional costs of dealing with an unwanted pregnancy or child, I'd just pay privately.

Yes I think they can. Years ago I used to take Dianette for my skin and then that was put on the high blood clot list so I couldn't get it any more. Tried a selection of other pills but none any good.

I expect it's because there's a cheaper alternative.

I would ask to speak to the practice manager and ask exactly why you can't have your usual medication and take it from there.

I also expect its a cost issue, in which case I guess it depends on why you didn't get on with other options and whether the cost outweighs that.

Hi OP. I have been on and off Yasmin for years too. I have been told that strictly speaking, it is a tablet that helps with acne (which is why i was put on it) and that the contraceptive element is pretty much a side effect so it became one of the pills that could be prescribed. However it has an increased risk of blood clots so they are limited to prescribing it for 6 months and then you have to take something else for a break. Some GPs are more strict about this than others so some times I have been able to get it a few times on the run.

I’ve been offered brevinor which I’ve never heard off after they tried levest which doesn’t agree with me. Wish I could get micro30 again ah.

They really wanted me on levest or a long term but I held out and after two days of back and forth got brevinor.

Thank you all for your replies.

Interesting, I was aware of the risk of blood clots that's why she said it's a no from her but from my understanding you're at risk of blood clotting on any pill.

Didn't know about the cost issue & that's interesting, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the actual reason why she won't prescribe it.

I really really don't get on with any other pills I've tried in the past. I'm sure there are some out there that would agree with me but gosh I don't want to start the process of finding the right one again. When I've had no issues at all with Yasmin & now having 3 DC I don't have time for mood swings and bloating / weight gain etc 😂

She was so adamant I wasn't going to have it and suggested the "injection"? I don't think I want that 🤔 or a coil .. 😩