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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctor won’t prescribe thrush treatment

277 replies

Loserlacey · 11/10/2022 13:09

As above.
i get it quite often when compared to others. I’ve got it to a point whereby I can control it. However I have got it again.
doctor won’t prescribe it. I must have been about 10 months ago since I was last prescribed.
i Pre pay for my medications and I earn £24k a year.

OP posts:
dreammattemousse · 11/10/2022 13:10

You can buy it over the counter
Annoying because you already have a prepayment but if you're desperate that's an option ?

ForYouManImADoomBoy · 11/10/2022 13:10

they dont prescribe it anymore, you have to buy it. i was told the same the last time i had it so its just how it is now i guess

PeloFondo · 11/10/2022 13:10

They won't. Cheaper to buy online usually
I have to pay and I get free prescriptions

gamerchick · 11/10/2022 13:12

You have to buy it, supermarkets sell thrush treatment. If you get it often, it might be worth trying to figure out what's setting it off though

Yesthatismychildsigh · 11/10/2022 13:13

Buy it over the counter.

girlmom21 · 11/10/2022 13:13

Go to the chemist and buy it. It's about the same price as a prescription.

ATwirlADay · 11/10/2022 13:14

If it costs you £12 to buy but the NHS are paying £20 for it, then of course you should buy it yourself. (I have no idea of actual figures).

My granny used to be prescribed paracetamol for chronic pain and they stopped that too. It was annoying as you can only buy one small packet at a time which only lasted her a couple of days so all the family added a pack their shop every week!

LubaLuca · 11/10/2022 13:15

Yes, just buying it can't be that bad if this is a once every 10 months kind of thing. Ask the chemist for an unbranded version of the cream or whatever.

Whitepouringglue · 11/10/2022 13:16

If it costs you £12 to buy but the NHS are paying £20 for it, then of course you should buy it

No, the NHS sorts itself out and procures it for 12. Otherwise you are condemning those of us who can't pay 12 to having thrush. People pay taxes for a reason.

Ingleduh · 11/10/2022 13:17

I paid £2 for thrush tablet over the counter the other month at boots. Not worth getting a prescription for that surely?

CrimsonThunder · 11/10/2022 13:18

Ok, I'll bite......why do you need to see your GP for thrush (that's not required a repeat prescription for 10 months)?

It's good you are able to mostly control it, but just because you have a pre- payment certificate doesn't automatically mean you are entitled to a prescription on demand.

Go see the pharmacist....they can recommend a genetic treatment that will cost far far less than a branded equivalent and also cost far less than it would cost the NHS to prescribe it.

Obvs, if you drop feed you have diabetes or are pregnant that's different, otherwise get thee to chemist or sexual health clinic to help you understand why this keeps happening.

HermioneWeasley · 11/10/2022 13:19

That’s annoying if you get free prescriptions, but you can buy fluconazole online quite cheaply (much cheaper than in a pharmacy)

CrimsonThunder · 11/10/2022 13:20

generic not genetic......I'm not some crazed medic trying to experiment on you!

CakeIsNotAvailable · 11/10/2022 13:27

As others have said, YABU. Sadly GPs are now stretched so thinly that it's not really a good use of their time to be consulted about minor ailments for which treatment can be bought over the counter. Have a chat with the pharmacist.

girlmom21 · 11/10/2022 13:28

HermioneWeasley · 11/10/2022 13:19

That’s annoying if you get free prescriptions, but you can buy fluconazole online quite cheaply (much cheaper than in a pharmacy)

She doesn't get free prescriptions.

Treesa22 · 11/10/2022 13:30

You can get Boots' own brand that is even cheaper than Canestan.

To be honest it wouldn't even occur to me to ask GP for a prescription for thrush?!

Chasingsquirrels · 11/10/2022 13:30

Mine prescribed it for me recently, following swab investigations as it suddenly seems to be recurring.
He'd initially said to buy it over the counter and when I said I got free prescriptions he prescribed it.

Floralnomad · 11/10/2022 13:30

Order it online it’s really cheap especially if you bulk buy .

ChilliBandit · 11/10/2022 13:31

Ask for the generic name of Canestan - clotrimazole. It £2-3 at most normally.

passport123 · 11/10/2022 13:31

NHSE guidance is for us not to prescribe things that can be bought OTC - it's not just the cost of the medicine, but the (much more expensive) time of the HCP that you ring up to get it.

Quveas · 11/10/2022 13:33

In common with many OTC medicines, GP's are commonly instructed not to prescribe. They will only do so if there is an overwhelming medical reason, such as requiring a stronger / different medication that isn't available OTC. I get that it is inconvenient, because I have been there myself with MGD - a had months and months of constant problems with my eyes after years of OTC drops that eventually stopped working effectively. The GP was really sympathetic but was unable to prescribe anything else, even though other medications were available, until she was instructed to do so by a specialist. It wasn't her choice to deny me the drops, she simply wasn't able to prescribe them.

ChilliBandit · 11/10/2022 13:33

ChilliBandit · 11/10/2022 13:31

Ask for the generic name of Canestan - clotrimazole. It £2-3 at most normally.

I meant ask at the chemist btw, not the GP

Badgirlriri · 11/10/2022 13:33

Treesa22 · 11/10/2022 13:30

You can get Boots' own brand that is even cheaper than Canestan.

To be honest it wouldn't even occur to me to ask GP for a prescription for thrush?!

Me neither.

What’s the relevance of the salary?

Coldilox · 11/10/2022 13:42

Guidance for GPs now is not to prescribe things that can be bought OTC.

When GP appointments are so scarce, this is something that only needs a trip to a pharmacy. Generic versions of the treatment are super cheap.

MervynPumpkinhead · 11/10/2022 13:42

No you buy it over the counter. No OTC meds should be provided on prescription. It's this overly entitled attitude for patients, as well as fat cats in senior management roles that are contributing to the collapse of the NHS.