Medication

[LoveAmandaHolden]

My GP won’t prescribe enough medication to cover an extended holiday abroad and says I have to source my medication abroad? I’m a uk tax payer.

AIBU the NHS should not provide enough medication or
YANBU - you should be prescribed what you need to cover the trip

I had a recent trip overseas for a few weeks. My GP prescribed everything I needed including painkillers for a recent injury!

I’m away for 192 days

How long is extended?

Your doctor is actually right....

The doctor did not ask where I was going or how accessible my medication is in the country I’m travelling to.

You appear to have cropped the picture at the crucial “ clinical discretion” section ?

The GP is correct. Over 6 months is out of the realm of what most doctors and pharmacies would want to give, especially depending on the medication type.

Why? Because I’m on medication I can’t go on an extended holiday ever again? Is that fair?

Did you forget to tell your GP how special and important you are?

Jealously is not an attractive feature in a person. I think you need a nap now.
I’m just asking for medication that if I was in the uk I’d get, why penalise me for going on a long holiday? How do kids after their A’Levels manage on gap years if they are unfortunate enough to be on medication?

You are not being penalised. You will just have to get your medication elsewhere. Most people have their meds reviewed every 6 months anyway.

I am only allowed 7 days worth of my medication at a time.

This is the rule. I wouldn't make too much fuss about it because the rules also state that if you leave the uk for 3 months your gp can deregister you from the practice and you may not be able to re- register on your return.
Take your 2 month's worth and organise a private prescription for the rest, either from the UK or your destination country.
I have to do this every year when I go to visit family.

That should say more than 3 months.

Thank you, finally a sensible answer. Talk me through how you get the prescription filled abroad, do you take a copy from your UK GP?

Jealously is not an attractive feature in a person. I think you need a nap now.

If you can't discuss an issue without quickly descending to silly comments like this, it reflects very poorly on you.

You’ve forgotten to use basic manners.

It depends which country you are going to. I take my hospital letter, my nhs prescription records and my medication in original boxes. You will need to do some googling because the system will be different depending on the country.
I am in SE Asia. All I need here is the above paperwork and I can go into a pharmacy and order everything. No need to see a doctor.
In Europe you might need to see a doctor. You can ask your travel insurers if they will cover a doctor visit. They won't usually cover medication costs unless part of a claim for an emergency.
I need regular blood tests too and I just had them done in a private lab. No need for a doctor visit.
It is all manageable. You just need to look up the info for the country you are going to.
Also check the rules for carrying meds. Never carry opiates through the middle east for example.

I think the silly comments came from this post first:

“Did you forget to tell your GP how special and important you are?”

Having been diagnosed with cancer does not make me special or important for wanting to maintain the medication that will prevent my cancer returning.

Are the words “thank you” not basic manners in your world TryingAgain?

Thanks great advise. Yes agree re opiates and the UAE. Cheers x

Make sure you buy the necessary extensions for your travel and home insurance. Or get somebody to stay overnight in your house once every 29 days. With photographic proof.

Yep thanks all over that. Long career in insurance

I havent, if you actually clicked on the picture. Your tone in this thread is rather entitled and quite fucking rude tbh. Its nothing you couldn't google yourself.

A million apologies for not clicking on your picture.
Yes I can Google, Google, Google, but what I can’t do is understand why my partners GP (same country) has given him 6 months of his meds without any questions for our trip?
P.s. No need to swear

Have you asked your GP to prescribe your meds privately? If they are generic and fairly common meds it may work out a little cheaper. In addition you will be prescribed safe, genuine meds.
You need to spend a little time researching the prescribing laws in each country you intend to visit. Google is a wonderful resource. You may need to get a covering letter from your GP regarding the prescription drugs you need. There will be a charge for this though.
Check that your travel insurance covers you for the condition you take meds for. Being out of the UK for 6mnths is a long time. If your condition deteriorates it’s essential you are covered.

Depends on the meds. If your partner takes a drug necessary to keep them alive such as thyroid drugs or diabetic drugs then it would be dangerous to not supply them.