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

Statins?

Statins are maintenance and if they’ve been taking them longterm only need reviewing annually. GPS are much more cautious about meds like antidepressants or painkillers. If you are taking cocodamol or a prescribed NSAI, which are often easier to buy over the counter they may be a little cautious.
When we travel I take a pharmacy with me, but I have access to private prescription source. But in your shoes I would just ask my GP for a private prescription unless they advised that travelling with 6 months supply would be a red flag at customs . Travelling with 6mnths supply of opioid painkillers may raise a few red flags - trafficking.

Thank you. My tablets are not a controlled substance, not dissimilar to statins

I suppose if a gp chooses to ignore the rules that is up to them, especially if it is a cheap drug, it is likely to go under the radar unless somebody draws attention to it.
More expensive drugs are probably more strictly audited.
I just keep a low profile because I don't want to be deregistered from my very good gp practice.

Where are you going, OP? Perhaps someone who lives in that country can help. I live in the US and could tell you the best way of going about refilling your meds. Any MNer who lives in the country you’re visiting (or will be in when you need a refill) can do the same.

They adapt to the system and find some way to get their medication prescribed in the country of temporary residence I imagine.

Tossing the old "jealousy" accusation about as soon as someone calls you out is such a feeble trope. I don't even know how you have come to that conclusion in this instance.

For clarity, my comment was a sardonic response to your apparent belief that you should be somehow exempt from the prescribing restrictions that have been laid down for those whose job it is to monitor your health.

P.s. No need to swear

Rude, entitled and a prig.

Anyone else feeling for the GP who had to take the initial flak off OP?

Yes, rules are we can supply up to 3 months medication for abroad. We can use some discretion. I would give 4 months as it's easier to print off 2 x 2 months prescriptions than alter the prescription to do 3 months. (Very clunky IT!)
There's also the issue of monitoring patients on long term medication. If we aren't monitoring we shouldn't be prescribing.

Thank you for taking the time explaining that.

I have not seen a GP or given anyone any flak for the record.
Trying to source essential medication is neither rude or entitled.
I appreciate my situation is not normal and having never done a gap year or had kids that have done gap years who may be on medication this is not something I’m familiar with. I came to MN for some guidance and wished now I hadn’t bothered. Go and harass someone else TryingAgain

It might be worth chatting with your oncology CNS/consultant, MacMillan or Maggie's for advice on how to renegotiate this medication request with your GP.

Enjoy your time away

Thank you, that’s a great suggestion. In the meantime a Private GP is doing a script for the full amount for me so at least I won’t have to source in country.

I never expected to get flamed on MN by asking this question and I hope the sensible replies on here help other people in the future who are facing the same issue and use the search functionality on MN to seek out information.

Now……how to pack 6 suitcases 😉

No one is flaming or harassing you, OP. And no one is objecting to you asking for advice. You’ve been unnecessarily rude and abrasive to posters in a way that does tend to get backs up. You’ve created the vibe.

I disagree no “vibe” created by me. What I would say is I’d hate to be your best friend, colleague, family member or partner if you get so upset by the way I posted my question about obtaining a prescription. If (big if) you were my friend, I’d be constantly on eggshells with every interaction with you if you get so offended by the way I merely asked for some advice. I’d seriously think about taking a step away from MN if you can’t just scroll past a post without getting abusive.

For me, this was when you started to sound stroppy @LoveAmandaHolden

It's a bit like a teenager who says "oh right, so you actually want me to literally starve to DEATH!?" when a parent has asked them not to eat all the cheese without letting them know.

It was as if you were blaming posters for making up the rules just to spite you.

If you'd said "Christ, how would I even go about sourcing medication in a foreign country?" I think you would have been golden.