To be annoyed that "free prescriptions in Scotland" actually means quite severe prescription rationing and therefore having to go without or pay through the nose privately

[CurdinHenry]

Ofc ianbu

Wish the SNP spads had the courage to recognise this issue but instead it will get secret two tier healthcare for the rest of my life

Can you explain more as im in Scotland and never experienced this or heard of this before.?

My son and I need quite a lot of repeat prescriptions and this has never been our experience.

Intrigued by what you mean by this, in your experience? I have nothing but positive experiences about free prescriptions (that would cost me significant money elsewhere), and never had an issue getting a prescription I needed (as opposed to one I wanted, which might be a different thing).

I don’t know what you mean, I’m in Scotland and have always been able to get the medication we need.

What are you on about? Seriously? What are you actually on about?

https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/pharmacy/prescription-charges-and-exemptions/

I think once I had to wait overnight for a particular dosage of medicine but otherwise it’s like 10 minutes and I have whatever I need. What’s happened to you?

My SIL in the Highlands, with some serious medical issues in her family, has never said they have ever had any problems.

Not been given enough schedule 1 to your liking I’m guessing?

I have family that need morphine patches etc and they’ve never had an issue.

What issue are you having op?
From our experience we have never had an issue getting the prescriptions prescribed

It would help if you explained what is being rationed, is it antibiotics for a suspected virus or a medication you can get addicted to?

It's still additional work for a GP to write more prescriptions for less drugs each time. It's possible when paying, some GPs would make the prescription out for a 6month supply, for example, when 3 months and review is slightly safer. Is this what you mean?

Schedule 1 does that include cannabis for pain relief and other non NHS regular drugs?

I have never experienced this, nor have I heard of anyone that has. Dr’s here seem more than happy to prescribe what you need as are the pharmacists

I’m in Scotland, and get several monthly prescriptions (I have a couple mental and physical health conditions), and have had no issues at all, with getting my prescriptions. My scripts include antidepressants, ADHD meds, HRT, painkillers, and asthma inhalers.

By rationing do you mean not letting you over-order your medication before it's due to run out.

I work in the NHS in medicines management and I've never been told to ration anyones medicine.

The GP once wrote me a prescription for HALF the medicine my son might have needed. He wasn't sure that he definitely had what was suspected. Had to go back after the illness developed. I was totally fine with this. Wasted prescriptions affect everyone. I do not expect to get prescriptions for medicines for one off events that I can buy myself but if someone was struggling financially and asked for a prescription for, say, a laxative etc then I would expect them to get it. I have never felt any doctor has withheld medicine from me or my family.

We’re having supply issues with my DD’s levothyroxine - I’m in England. Doctor is happy to prescribe but getting it filled is another story.

I'm in England and people don't always get the prescription they want here. Addictive meds and antibiotics are restricted for good medical reasons. We also have shortages of some medications at times.

I’m in Wales and we also have free prescriptions (at point of use, of course), but I can’t say I’ve ever experienced this either…

YABU without giving further detail.

I’m in Scotland and never have any issues, several times I’ve phoned the doctor and said “I think X might help me” and it’s been ready to collect in hours.

What rationing are you experiencing?

There is no rationing.

I’m not aware of this at all. I’m a hospital pharmacist so don’t know community pharmacy too well but have never experienced what you’re alluding to. I’m always quick to criticise the SNP- I think they are awful however I don’t see what you mean here. Prescriptions may be rationed for clinical reasons and not due to ‘free’ prescriptions. Prescriptions aren’t free-we pay for them as tax payers.

What rationing? I live in England and needed some medication while visiting family in Scotland. Was fully prepared to pay for it as I'm used to paying and I'm not a resident but it was free

What is it you want, that you can't get?