GP refusing to prescribe Enfamil. What do I do?

[Benjy]

My 3 month old son has severe reflux for which he has been admitted to hospital twice and is under the care of a consultant paediatrician.

He was initially prescribed Ranitidine, domperidone and gaviscon. When that didn't work, the consultant switched Ranitidine and Gavison for a special formula for babies with reflux, Enfamil AR. This has reduced his vomiting and he is not in as much discomfort. The consultant gave us a letter to give to our GP with her findings and the prescribed course of treatment. I had no problems with my GP at the time and he happily prescribed the milk.

Two weeks ago we moved out of the area. The consultant wants my son to remain under her care as he also has ongoing heart problems that need further investigation. I am happy to do this as the care from her has been excellent.

I took my son to our new GP yesterday as we are running out of milk. I took the letter from the consultant with her findings, course of treatment, etc. with me. The GP read it but is refusing to prescribe the milk on the grounds of cost. She has given me a weeks supply but has said this will be a one-off. Her argument is that his milk is a food-stuff and not a medicine, which I dispute: it is necessary for the management of his condition and without it he will end up back in hospital. And as a 3 month old baby, it is his only source of sustenance; it is not as if I can substitute it for another food. I argued with her for a while before leaving and it was left that the surgery may make some contribution but I will also have to contribute towards the of his milk. I wondered if this is normal practice? I've left a message with my son's consultant asking for her support but she is on leave at the moment and I don't know what to do.

Do you know how much it costs?
Presuming it is v expensive...Could you pay the cost of a normal formula as you would have had to otherwise and the surgery pay for the additional cost as a compromise?

Can the consultant not prescribe it? Even if she is on leave, someone should be dealing with her patients. I'd ring the main hospital switchboard and insist on speaking to someone who can prescribe it.

I am outraged on your behalf having read your post. My son was also prescribed Enfamil by a consultant - the GP tried everything else first but the consultant told me Enfamil should always be the first medicine to try as its so much less distressing for the baby (after Gavisgon).

If you explaine to your GP (or another one in the same surgery?) that you have tried the other medicines and your baby is in a huge amount of discomfort do you think the GP would prescribe Enfamil? If not I would get in touch with your consultant and explaine the situation. I really feel for you and your baby - this is the last thing you need when your child is in pain.

Your consultant would only beable to prescribe a weeks worth to be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy, then it is normal practice for the prescription to be continued by your own GP.
Are there any other practices in the area you could register with.
If your DS has other health problems the last thing you need is a GP who is going to nit pick over every prescription.

Your consultant would only beable to prescribe a weeks worth to be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy, then it is normal practice for the prescription to be continued by your own GP.
Are there any other practices in the area you could register with.
If your DS has other health problems the last thing you need is a GP who is going to nit pick over every prescription.

It's worth contacting the consultant to let them know that your GP is refusing to prescribe Enfamil, though. A different situation, but my brother's GP tried to overrule the consultant's instructions on his thyroxine prescription and my brother went back to the consultant who took it up with the GP directly.

I'd speak to your consultant and get them to speak to your GP directly. Failing that, ring someone at your PCT and escalate it. Hope you get this sorted soon

my GP, who is usually very helpful and sympathetic, also refused to prescribed enfamil AR. she said that they were under instructions not to prescribe it, due to cost, and the fact that "reflux can be managed with other things, i.e. gaviscon".

my son is now on SMA LF as it's turned out that he has lactose intolerance, as well as reflux. I add milk thickener to his feeds.

I still have 4 sealed tins of enfamil AR (which I bought) which you're welcome to if you're able to collect from bedfordshire?

how much is it where you live? I paid £3.90 per tin, and we used 3 per week.