Prescription For Child Denied - Told to spend £20

[SuperFluity]

Hello, new joiner here! My GP has just assessed my DD as needing Cetirizine and Piriton day and night for the next two weeks to deal with an allergic reaction.

I was told I had to pay for the medicine myself and the GP would not provide a prescription. I said that would need 4 bottles of medication to cover the period and cost £20 and that we should not be expected to pay £20.

I absolutely understand that prescribing aspirin and paracetamol should be banned. But what do you all think about the situation above? Is this normal? Am I being unreasonable to expect a prescription in this instance?

Thank you!

Many people wouldn’t be able to find £20 at the drop of a hat which is why children receive free prescriptions.

No. Affordability is not the reason children get free prescriptions.

Prescriptions are supposed to be for prescription medication, not for OTC stuff. That's the responsibility of parents.

YAB totally U. Very easy to buy cheap unbranded mess that are exactly the same. NHS absolutely should save it's resources for those in actual need rather than greed.

Would it be available on the minor ailments scheme?

I’ve had paracetamol and piriton (for cpox) free on prescription, the minor ailments one that pharmacists can do. Maybe they only do that in Scotland? I know we have free prescriptions but I thought children would be free in test of UK,
Some families have no money spare. The pound shop might be a bus ride away.

Some families have no money spare. The pound shop might be a bus ride away.

The NHS isn't there to subsidise families

Does your child need to take it to school? If so it will need to be prescribed.

The minor ailments scheme is still costing NHS money (pharmacies get reimbursed) but, importantly, can reduce GP attendance if you go to the pharmacy.

If it is OTC then you should buy yourself.
But the PP who mentioned schools not being able to administer non prescription meds, has a point.
So I guess it depends on when and where your dc needs to take it.

How is it costing you £20?

I take cetirizine daily and a year's supply doesn't cost £20

Unbranded, costs pennies.

My DD used to get ceterizine on prescription but not any more due to changes (?) in the rules (we got a note telling us she was no longer getting it)
Own brands are very cheap-I see the NHS buckling and I do sympathise but I think it's much cheaper to just buy OTC-especially if it's just for 2 weeks

It's no different to aspirin or paracetamol and well done to your GP.

Mine wanted to give me a prescrtption for anti-histimines and was gobsmacked when I refused

YABU, if it can be bought OTC without prescription then that's what should be done. Our NHS is under stress without wasting doctors time and prescription costs as people don't want to pay.

So we don’t give a shit about them now? The NHS is there to support people’s health. Their duty in this case is to the child who has no say in it if the parents can’t afford the medicine.
I cannot go down the road of thinking it’s parents wanting free medicine that brings the NHS to its knees rather than the consequences of years of capitalism.

The tablets are most likely too high a dose for children under 12, so will require liquid. 1 decent sized bottle of both should last ages I have large bottles of both and they last longer than 2 weeks, the tablets are tiny my son could take them as he takes a tablet for his asthma and travel sickness ones, but the dose is more than he’s prescribed for piriton etc.

So if you need £20 worth of liquid how much is your child required to take?

Piriton 150ml is 4.99 in boots and 2 doses of 5ml per day it should last 2 weeks and hopefully you’ll get a cheaper generic brand elsewhere,

Cetrirazine is In 70ml volume £5 also you might need two bottles I couldn’t find unbranded versions online but perhaps looking in the shops will turn some up so you’re not paying £15 it’s a lot of money and I know some people who would struggle with this, my gp prescribes cetrirazine for my son long term as part of his asthma management plan.

If it’s only for 2 weeks then I’d pay any longer go back and discuss with the doctor even your pharmacist might have some decent advice mine is great due to all the meds my son takes.

"The NHS isn't there to subsidise families""

@potatoscone, what do you think the NHS is for if not to subsidise medication people cannot afford for their children, in order to ensure the nation's health?

The NHS is there to support people’s health. Their duty in this case is to the child who has no say in it if the parents can’t afford the medicine.

It's not up to the NHS to judge whether parents can afford OTC medication? What a ridiculous idea.

Yep OTC medicines aren’t being prescribed now. Ask the pharmacy for the generic versions instead of branded, much cheaper. If your DD can swallow small pills (you haven’t said how old she is, but I had trained my DD to swallow cetirizine tabs when she was 4- practise with tiny sweets) then a pack of cetirizine tabs is dirt cheap. Just make sure to check with the pharmacist how much to give - usually half adult dose. Before anyone roars about that, I was given advice to do this by my GP.

YABU, these are easily available OTC medicine.

what do you think the NHS is for if not to subsidise medication people cannot afford for their children, in order to ensure the nation's health?

Eh?

Aldi, Savers and Poundland sell the generics - 49p for a 7 day supply.

Which part didn't you understand, @potatoscone? I thought it was a clear question.

The NHS isn't there to subsidise families
I wonder how many children might go without treatment because parents cant afford it or don't know where to look for it. £2 or £20 to some it's unaffordable and it's the G.P.'s job to make sure children are receiving the care they need.
We can all do our bit to help ease the pressure on the NHS but our most vulnerable should be looked after.

Buy the generic, it's really cheap (we buy from Asda pharmacy)

You said what do i think it's for if not to subsidise medication.

I didn't realise you were actually asking.

OTC stuff should be bought OTC.