“Get to from the pharmacy” message from GP

[itsgettingweird]

I’m not sure if IABU or not?

I have a chronic incurable rare neurological condition. I take a medication that causes constipation as a side effect.

When first started the medication I struggled and the GP prescribed a macro gel and said if it doesn’t resolve they would need to investigate further.

On the whole it resolved and I have needed laxitives a few times but I’ve just got OTC stuff for occasional use.

I’ve recently had to up my medication a lot and suffering chronic constipation again and so did an e consult asking for another prescription.

Message came back “you can buy it from the pharmacy”.

The reason I’m not sure IABU or not is I know that and support it for occasional use but this is a chronic problem caused by a medication I need and will need long term. I pre pay prescriptions because of the cost and the OTC cost for the macrogels is higher than a one off prescription cost even for generic branded products.

Before I go back and challenge this I thought I’d garner the thoughts and opinion pf a wider audience.

So my question is “AIBU to expect a prescription for a medication I need long term for the side effects of a medication I need for a chronic health condition?”

It does add up. Have you tried any other ways of managing the constipation?

I think its different in different areas.

GPs dont really care about prescribing. It's the local health board and if the medication is on a list of meds to be bought OTC the GP sugery is heavily penalised and lose money from their budget- this means depending on how much stuff they've prescribed that they have been told not- it can affect their staffing levels etc.

Locally i wouldnt have issues prescribing that medication but have had loads of push back from patients being told they need tp buy their antihistamines/ emmolients/ ibuprofen gels/ lubricating eye drops OTC.

Easiest way to get it prescribed if they push back is to say the chemist wouldnt sell it to me because of my health conditions/ current medications.

Her medication can be bought over the counter. But she's asking why she should have to if she has a long term condition and it's working for her.

Yanbu @itsgettingweird especially since they'd already prescribed it to you previously.
My yd gets paracetamol prescribed as we mentioned how difficult it was for me to be able to buy enough for her to take 4 times a day, plus be able to buy medication for the rest of the household for various aches and pains. It has saved me a lot of hassle having to make sure I went to the shop daily.

My point was that there are other ways of managing constipation which many people find safe and effective, and which are also beneficial for health. I have to pay for my prescriptions so if there is a way for me to avoid paying for another then I'll take it.

I also have a chronic illness and get macrogol on prescription. I used it for about 2 years, then no longer needed it for a year or two, and had to restart it about 4 or 5 months ago

I need an otc brand name antihistamine. My gp prescribes it which makes it half price

Why do you need the branded one?

Easiest way to get it prescribed if they push back is to say the chemist wouldnt sell it to me because of my health conditions/ current medications.

That’s a good point, @Isekaied. Some of us ‘age out’ of pharmacy/OTC care for a lot of conditions once we hit 60. And/or there are contraindications, side effects or concerns that need GP monitoring.

Yes, interested in this. There was a thread yesterday about how to save the NHS and why it's on its knees.

Maybe that poster means ‘a specific manufacturer’.

A lot of people on Levothyroxine for example can’t tolerate Teva but can tolerate Accord, because of the excipients (added ingredients). None are ‘branded’ in the strict sense, but are profit-making brands.

Yes. I drink plenty, eat a really healthy diet and walk 5k a day.

It’s a known side effect of the medication and its medication caused.

cluster headaches are soul destroying enough without the side effects of the medication