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Original poster

Forgotten medication on holiday

40 replies

shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:19

So my son is taking Citaopram, we've just arrived on holiday and he has forgotten his tablets 🤦🏼‍♀️ I called the GP to see if they could email me a prescription just for a week so we could get them here - and was told that was impossible and the doctor would be struck off for doing so 🤷🏼‍♀️
A) is this true?
B) anyone know what our options are?

OP posts:
Hufflepods · 02/08/2023 15:21

Where are you on holiday?

ajandjjmum · 02/08/2023 15:21

GPs email prescriptions through to pharmacists regularly. Doesn't sound right to me.

Changethetoner · 02/08/2023 15:21

Go into a pharmacy and ask them to contact your regular pharmacy back home. I did this a couple of years ago, and the pharmacies were able to check my repeat prescriptions and issue me with enough to last the holiday. UK.

DismantledKing · 02/08/2023 15:22

Everyone is assuming the OP is on holiday in the UK

PumpkinPie2016 · 02/08/2023 15:22

Are you away in the UK?

No idea whether what you were told is true or not. Could you visit a local GP where you are, explain the situation and see if they can help in some way?

Or, can someone get the medication from your home and post it special delivery to you? It could be there before 1pm tomorrow?

WWPPSLKD · 02/08/2023 15:24

DismantledKing · 02/08/2023 15:22

Everyone is assuming the OP is on holiday in the UK

I think it's more that everyone is hoping they're in the UK.

caerdydd12 · 02/08/2023 15:24

Are you in the UK or abroad?
And have you asked for them to email YOU a prescription or a local pharmacy? I can understand a GP not being able to send a prescription directly to you.

continentallentil · 02/08/2023 15:25

It sounds more like they don’t want to bother the doc

Check if you can just buy them where you are, or make an emergency appointment with a local doc. Probably be useful to show them you normally have it prescribe so if you have online GP service take a screen shot of his meds list plus Passport

justteanbiscuits · 02/08/2023 15:26

If you are in the EU, go to the nearest public medical centre with your GHIC card and they will prescribe. I did exactly the same in Spain last year.

Original poster
shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:26

Sorry I thought I'd put that I'm in Spain

OP posts:
Original poster
shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:27

justteanbiscuits · 02/08/2023 15:26

If you are in the EU, go to the nearest public medical centre with your GHIC card and they will prescribe. I did exactly the same in Spain last year.

Oh that's helpful thank you. We have insurance or I'm happy to pay - I just thought we would need a prescription to prove that he is on it usually

OP posts:
continentallentil · 02/08/2023 15:28

… I was assuming you weren’t in the UK but if you are you can use 111 online

NHS page -
111 online
Emergency prescriptions

Use this service to request a limited emergency supply of a medicine you’ve completely run out of.

This must be a medicine you are prescribed regularly, through a repeat prescription.

You will be charged your usual prescription fee. If you do not usually pay, it will be free

justteanbiscuits · 02/08/2023 15:30

shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:26

Sorry I thought I'd put that I'm in Spain

Ok, it is Spain. You need to find your local Centro de Salud - resort towns will have them easily accessible - and take your GHIC.

I was given a prescription for free covering length of holiday. It was then about €14 for it to be filled.

Do sooner rather than later as citalopram withdrawal has the ability to ruin your holiday.

Jazzybean · 02/08/2023 15:31

Call your travel insurance provider and see what they recommend?

Failing that, I’d pay to see a doctor there (there’s usually a travel doctor/expat GP type clinic in most touristy places) and get a prescription.

Withdrawal from SSRIs is awful, and potentially dangerous so just not having them isn’t an option.

justteanbiscuits · 02/08/2023 15:31

I have the NHS app which shows my regular prescriptions so I did show that.

Original poster
shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:34

Thanks all, will look for the health centre now. He's only 16 and has been struggling so I don't want him in withdrawal. Can't believe the GP receptionist was so rude and dismissive

OP posts:
DismantledKing · 02/08/2023 15:37

shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:34

Thanks all, will look for the health centre now. He's only 16 and has been struggling so I don't want him in withdrawal. Can't believe the GP receptionist was so rude and dismissive

To be fair, she may well have not known what the arrangements are in different countries, she’s got other things to do, and it’s your son’s responsibility to remember his meds.

Original poster
shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:53

@DismantledKing well as her role is to deal with customers, it should be expected that she can at least do that politely (I was very polite to her) and as my son also has ADHD complicating things he does struggle with executive function. But thanks for your input

OP posts:
IntheJingelyJangelyJungle · 02/08/2023 16:01

The U.K. GP wouldn’t be struck off- but their professional insurance (medically indemnity) only covers people who are physically in the U.K. Hence ‘by the book’ the standard reception reply when people call for advice/ medication etc from abroad is generally ‘you need to seek local medical advice’.

LegendsBeyond · 02/08/2023 16:08

shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:34

Thanks all, will look for the health centre now. He's only 16 and has been struggling so I don't want him in withdrawal. Can't believe the GP receptionist was so rude and dismissive

She’s probably dealing with a lot of very ill people, so someone forgetting their medication on holiday won’t be her priority & is likely to be irritating to deal with.

Keykaty · 02/08/2023 16:11

I had this issue also in Spain, different drug but it was script only. I couldn't get hold of the GP (surprise surprise) so I checked with the pharmacy and they said they would dispense enough to get me through the week if I got my own pharmacy to email a copy of the (in date) script. Took about an hour to sort. I did pay for it, but can't remember how much, I was just delighted to get it so easily!

NewNovember · 02/08/2023 16:15

shoes4life · 02/08/2023 15:53

@DismantledKing well as her role is to deal with customers, it should be expected that she can at least do that politely (I was very polite to her) and as my son also has ADHD complicating things he does struggle with executive function. But thanks for your input

Your son hasn't forgotten his medication though your title is misleading. He is a child it's your responsibility especially as he has addional needs.

TucSandwich · 02/08/2023 16:20

I was amazed that my daughter's heart medication was available in Spain without a prescription. Might be worth checking with a pharmacy first. You'd think citalopram would be prescription only but you never know (a doctor took my money for a script, then the pharmacist told me I needn't have bothered!)

KvotheTheBloodless · 02/08/2023 16:44

NewNovember · 02/08/2023 16:15

Your son hasn't forgotten his medication though your title is misleading. He is a child it's your responsibility especially as he has addional needs.

Show quote history

FFS why are people on here such dicks sometimes?! What exactly does your response add to the thread @NewNovember other than aiming an unnecessary kick at OP who's trying to manage a stressful situation overseas?

dontjudgemeagain · 02/08/2023 16:45

NewNovember · 02/08/2023 16:15

Your son hasn't forgotten his medication though your title is misleading. He is a child it's your responsibility especially as he has addional needs.

Show quote history

Take a day off, pal. OP is stressed, a hard lesson has been learnt. No need for you to stick the boot in.