Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Collecting LFTs from pharmacy

21 replies

shinynewapple21 · 05/01/2022 21:20

I have got a code to collect a pack of LFTs from a pharmacy. Does this mean they actually have the tests there at my chosen pharmacy or might I find myself driving round all the pharmacies in my area to see if they have any in stock?

On the NHS site I clicked on to chose my pharmacy before I got the code .

OP posts:
knobblykneesandturnedouttoes · 05/01/2022 21:23

No this is a code to use at any pharmacy which has them in stock. So yes you could end up visiting a few pharmacies before you find one.

Original poster
shinynewapple21 · 05/01/2022 21:28

I had a feeling that would be the case. Seems a bit pointless having the code then!

OP posts:
RenGreen · 05/01/2022 21:29

Yup and all they do is write down the code at all - no idea what they do with that code after.

LittleMouseOnTheFairy · 05/01/2022 21:33

The code is so the pharmacy get paid for the tests. A bit like like a prescription.

Wigeon · 05/01/2022 21:33

No need to drive/walk round the pharmacies - ring round before you set off to save a wasted trip. I range seven pharmacies yesterday, none of which had stock, but two said they might be getting a delivery after 4pm, and one other even took my name/number and called me later that day when they had a delivery, which was very nice of them!

Covidtrap · 05/01/2022 21:36

I always try and ring in advance to see if they have any. Only if ur ready to literally go out the door yesterday i was 15 minutes away and theyd gone by the time i got there :( luckily rowlands told me they have a delivery expected and to ring back at half 4. Needless to say no one answered the phone but i got there for just after 4 and they had a delivery. I also see there is more in stock on the online gov website for ordering to ur house. Hoping this is the case in your area too, they have been out of stock online recently but seem to be back now

Feargalthecat · 05/01/2022 21:38

The code can be used at any pharmacy and doesn't ensure there's a box saved at the pharmacy for you. Each pharmacy is only allowed to order one box of LFT's per day and even then there's often no stock available to order from their suppliers.

The pharmacy then has to log each individual 16 character
code into the NHS website along with the batch code from the box of LFT's they supplied you with.

Original poster
shinynewapple21 · 05/01/2022 21:39

Covidtrap - I'll have another look then - I only looked at the collect at pharmacy as it said there weren't any available to order for postal delivery

OP posts:
Flippydip · 05/01/2022 21:55

Have a look for @LFT_alert on Twitter (just Google them if you don't have an account). I checked it this morning and noticed that tests for delivery seemed to become available at 12.13pm each day. I went online at 12.30pm and managed to order a pack.

tigerbear · 05/01/2022 22:08

I was wondering this myself, and agree that having a code is pointless, if it doesn’t guarantee that a pack is available when you go to a pharmacy! What a waste of time!

WeAreTheHeroes · 05/01/2022 22:08

I managed to order some for home delivery early on Monday morning. They were delivered today. People are stockpiling them and when they can't pick some up or order for delivery one day, they're ordering double the next, etc. There are lots in stock.

ceeveebee · 05/01/2022 22:20

Isn’t the code to make sure people are only getting one pack a day? As I don’t think you can generate more than one code a day. Might be wrong though

WeAreTheHeroes · 05/01/2022 22:30

Yes, but you can also order for home delivery and get others in your household to do the same. I have friends who have several boxes in stock when it's just not necessary.

Kite22 · 05/01/2022 22:32

I fell for this as well. Got to the pharmacy and they didn't have any. I did wonder what was the point of getting the code.

LittleMouseOnTheFairy · 05/01/2022 22:34

@Kite22 “Fell for this?” It’s not a scam.

I’d be the first to say it’s not a great system, but no one is trying to trick you.

Kite22 · 05/01/2022 22:40

Grin Lighten up - nobody said it was a scam.....I'm not distraught or anything...... it is a turn of phrase where I live.

Though, that said, it is not unreasonable, if you book something online and they ask you where you want to collect it from, to sort of then expect it to be where you asked to collect it from, surely ?

liveforsummer · 05/01/2022 22:50

Yeh it's just fine sure you aren't going round picking up boxes from loads of places. Otherwise folk would be taking loads then selling on eBay or something once there was a shortage. Nothing to do with pharmacy getting paid. They are just given them to hand out like everywhere else that dispenses them

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 05/01/2022 22:53

Do you have a community testing site near you? They may have more available than individual pharmacies as they are bigger? You should be able to turn up and collect a box if you check their opening hours online

liveforsummer · 05/01/2022 22:57

I've just looked and no online tests available here either. Hope I can get some soon as I have 2 dc to test for 7 days each so they can go to school while I have covid, plus day 6/7 day tests for me too.

Original poster
shinynewapple21 · 05/01/2022 23:07

My son is going to get a PCR tomorrow so maybe he can pick up a pack of LFTs at the test centre ?

I did have a couple of packs of LFTs but having given them to others who were unable to get any I'm having the same difficulty myself now!

Thanks @Flippydip for the tip about the timing for ordering tests for delivery.

OP posts:
LittleMouseOnTheFairy · 05/01/2022 23:53

@Kite22 fair enough. Oh I agree it’s more than misleading. Complete waste of everyone’s time!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page