Over the counter medication from gp?

[axolotlfloof]

I know the Dr's have been not keen on prescribing over the counter medication for a while.
I used to buy my cetirizine tablets (for year round allergies) but it was relatively cheap.
I have asthma, bronchiectasis, year round allergies to dust, pollen etc.
A year ago I had a cough I couldn't shake and the Dr prescribed Fexofenadine to take instead of cetirizine. It made a massive difference to my breathing.
I have been taking it daily for a year on prescription. My repeat today was sent back with a note to say I would have to buy over the counter.
It's much more expensive than cetirizine £4.30 on amazon for 15 tabs.
I could buy 12 months of cetirizine for £6.99 on amazon.
I already buy a prescription prepayment certificate for £108 a year which covers my 3 inhalers, and tablets for my asthma.
The Fexofenadine will cost me just much a year.
Is there anyway to get it on prescription?
It's not just for seasonal use and makes a massive difference to my breathing.

I would go back to GP and say you can't afford to buy the medication without a prescription and you already pay for the prescription pass to help ease the burden of cost. They are within there right to refuse but it's worth challenging them. I take a medication which is £9ish for 2 tablets but the GP prescribes 12 at a time for the cost of 1 prescription they have attempted twice to get me to buy them myself each time I have challenged and they have changed there mind.

I'm presuming that you're prescribed the 120mg Telfast as that's the strength that you can now buy. It could be worth asking if you can have the 180mg strength instead as that is still prescription only

I am not UK but sure I saw a list of over the counter meds that UK Gp are not meant to prescribe from this week.

Yes it's 120mg. I will try emailing the prescription hub initially.
I tried to challenge it for my child's piriton previously, but was made to feel ridiculous over the phone. He now takes cetirizine which is affordable.

That's interesting. Do you know where you saw that?
I have left a message with the prescription hub and they said they will send to Dr, but ultimately it is their decision.
I will buy it if I have to but having long term health conditions is expensive enough.
I am on a waiting list for respiratory consultant so it's really important I breathe as well as possible.

I have asthma, bronchiectasis, year round allergies to dust, pollen etc.
So do I and I've never tried fexofenadine! No help to you OP but I'm going to buy some!

Actually I could mention that I use a steroid nasal spray all year round, on prescription. It helps with sneezing / runny nose.

I have found it much more effective than previous antihistamines.

Fexofenadine is fab. Along with the nasal spray. I use the 180 one though. DS uses the 120 and he found something online where it was cheaper although Boots were doing Buy One Buy second half price if that helps

It’s quite a minimal amount you’re being asked to pay. If you lived in the US one inhaler alone can be hundreds of pounds.

But she doesn't live in the US. She's already pre-paying for her prescriptions.

I didn't see a list of OTC meds, but a list of conditions, here:

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/your-gp-no-longer-issue-23999795

in case that helps.

She’s paying a very small fraction of what they actually cost and still wants the families OTC meds on prescription. I could understand if someone is on low income and gets free prescriptions but otherwise it’s just not viable for everyone to get every single thing on prescription.

I collected Fexofenadine on prescription yesterday, so good news for me.
I pay for my child's antihistamines however I do think they should be on prescription for children if they take them year round.
It makes a huge difference to quality of life and GPs are in no position to means test individuals.