Chemists who f*ck about with your meds 🤬

[LittleeJuann]

Currently sitting on my doorstep covered in sore itching hives and trying keep my airways open in the fresh air, because I've been without my correct tablets since the weekend.

I take fexofenadine 180mg tablets up to 3 x daily to manage an assortment of auto-immune conditions

I've learned by trial and error over time what brands work best for me.
Problem is my chemists try to give me a different brand every time.

Went to collect my latest supply last week and they gave me a brand that doesnt work and gives me heartburn, I could take a whole sheet and they'd wreck my stomach but not touch my symptoms. So I politely declined and asked for different ones. They said I'd have to come back in a few days as that was all they had.
I always keep a few days supply aside, so not a prob.

Went back, and they gave me yet another different brand I've never tried before. I was a bit annoyed but took them as I'd totally run out by that point so didnt have much choice.

Took a tablet of this new brand before a walk in park with DD 16 months, DP came along, and thank god he did because I suddenly came over like I'd drunk a whole bottle of wine. I could barely even walk straight, I was absolutely off my face. If I'd been alone with DD and passed out, I dont even want to think what could have happened.

Staggered back to the chemist, gave them back these new tablets and stated very clearly how badly they affect me and insisted on my proper brand, that I know works and doesnt knock me out cold.
Again it was "You'll have to come back in a few days" -leaving me with absolutely no tablets at all.

I went in yesterday and it was just /shrug/ "Dont call us, we'll call you"

So I've now gone 4 days without the tablets I should be taking every day, and my asthma and immune problems are kicking up. I'm absolutely wrecked.

I work full time and have a toddler to take care of, ffs! I'm just so fuming

Does anyone else have this issue getting their correct meds?

Why do chemists think its ok to do this to people, mixing and matching tablets like fucking pick n mix!?!!

Yes the ingredients might be the same but the quality is different in different brands, and we all absorb them at different rates.
Its like asking for Chanel No 5 and getting Impulse -yes they might both have sandalwood, but one is top quality sandalwood, the other is shite. Meds are no different.

Rant over. Thanks for reading!

Not on the nhs. Pharmacist is supposed to be responsible for tracking ingredients here and sourcing an appropriate generic.

doctors won’t have the latest up to date ingredient information anyway as that can change. The pharmacist would need to check even if the doctor prescribed something specific.

Make a complaint.

Make sure you have an emergency pack. A good month or two worth of meds. They can do this, my dad was given antibiotics to have on hand just in case, they will do it you just need to push them

You sound like hard work, frankly.

You can but Fexo OTC, very cheaply in Costco. Three of us on it year round. It's cheaper than prescriptions.

Absolutely this.

If the generic medication is on the prescription then they have correctly filled your script - often a chemist will just be given what their supplier gives them as they'll order by drug name. The chemist haven't done anything wrong here

You need your gp to prescribe by brand name

If you suspect this reaction was down to the medication you also should complete a yellow card

Use a different pharmacy (professional)

How many customers do you think she sees in a week, and you expect her to remember your specific circumstances? Entitled much?!

What causes your hives? Wondering if Xolair is an option, it's been life changing for me

As others have said, you’ll have to ask the GP to prescribe the specific brand you need. It’s unusual for there to be this strong a reaction to the different varieties but if this is one of those medications you’ll have to take it up with them, it’s not the pharmacist’s fault - they’re prescribing what’s on the prescription.

Also the GP needs to prescribe the brand name as the headline - not a genetic drug name with the brand noted as free type in the directions e.g. one to be taken each day, please supply xxx brand”.
The prescription will be paid as the generic price unless the brand is picked up in the title as this is coded.

No, if the prescription is written generically, the pharmacist is responsible for sourcing any generic. If a specific brand is required that needs to be specified on the prescription. The GP has access to the same ingredient information as the pharmacist and they also have more information on your medical history including allergies.

Echoing that the GP must state the brand otherwise they'll offer you whatever is in stock usually the cheapest. We have the same with a different medicine, gp states it clearly

Ask the GP to put the brand on the script and collect an FP10 green script from your GP. This way you can visit different pharmacies to see if they have the brand you need. Or you can ask for the script to be sent electronically to "any pharmacy" in most areas in England. Technically these medications shouldn't vary so massively but from patient experience, they do. I don't think any pharmacy is under any obligation to provide your preferred brand especially with massive supply issues everywhere.

Try getting ADHD meds. You are meant to stick to the same brand.

Phoned 17 chemists this morning. No one answers the fucking phone. Took me 2 1/2 hours. Still no luck

To people saying ask the GP to prescribe the brand name, that won't necessarily be helpful, the op just needs to say which manufacturer's tablet suits her best. It's likely the generic plus the preferred manufacturer will suffice I.e fexofenadine by Merck rather than Chiesi (for example)

Ask gp to write the medication that works for you but also think you need a review if you react that badly to the main ingredients

Get your GP to specify the brand, the chemist will always give you the cheapest generic drug.

Fexofenadine isn’t a brand name

You need to get your GP to state n the prescription which brand works best for you and then talk to the main pharmacist. If they know you get them every month they should make sure they have them in. Put your request in a few days early too. All pharmacies use a certain wholesaler usually and maybe your brand isn't stocked them .

You do realise they see literally hundreds of people every day don’t you! Also there will be people who say they are exempt when they aren’t and then the pharmacy doesn’t get paid for your prescription.

Of course it will be helpful to prescribe the brand. Apart from anything else that's the only way the NHS will reimburse the money. Why should the pharmacy make a loss?

There is absolutely no reason to complain. The pharmacy correctly followed the prescription. They’re not psychic - how would they know that OP reacts badly to a different manufacturer’s version

As others have said unless you have been prescribed a specific brand then you haven't been prescribed the one in particular that you want - it doesn't say it on the prescription you will get what matches the prescription and is in stock

If you need a particular brand the person who prescribes it needs to prescribe it by brand name - you are mad at the wrong people