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Original poster

Do I contact the pharmacy or not as even if they were wrong it’s fine

6 replies

Lawandsawdus · 07/02/2023 20:43

I get a repeat prescription which is sent direct to pharmacy by the GP. I’m only allowed to order a week before last one runs out. I got there at 6.15pm today - should have been ready yesterday. Pharmacy I think technician gave me all of it apart from one - venlafaxine. They said there is a delay at suppliers and may be a week or two. I explained that will have a few days but definitely not two weeks. Would another pharmacy have it - no all use the same . I asked if the could supply different dosage - half dose and I take two? They have a box but can’t supply and that was it. They just told me to contact the GP.

Got home and I do have some.
Do i contact a manager? I needed as much notice as possible or direct help. I become suicidal without this. I have tried to wean off in the past and it was very bad. It’s very hard getting through to my GP. If it happens next month I won’t have spares.

However nothing bad has happened this time and I know there is a lot of strain and pressure on pharmacy staff.

OP posts:
StupidlyImperfect · 07/02/2023 21:51

The pharmacy is right, you contact the GP.
The pharmacy can’t help the supply issue and they can’t give you different strength unless the GP gives them a prescription to do so.
You need to contact the GP and say there is a supply issue and ask for the smaller dose tablets x 2.

Musicaltheatremum · 08/02/2023 07:47

StupidlyImperfect · 07/02/2023 21:51

The pharmacy is right, you contact the GP.
The pharmacy can’t help the supply issue and they can’t give you different strength unless the GP gives them a prescription to do so.
You need to contact the GP and say there is a supply issue and ask for the smaller dose tablets x 2.

What should happen is the pharmacy should contact the GP to get the prescription. They can send an email and the GP can do the script as the pharmacy knows what they have in stock. The patient shouldn't be doing the running around. This is what most of our local pharmacies do. I get quite annoyed though when the pharmacy asks us for an alternative but doesn't tell us what they have in stock! Just takes more time whereas if say you need 75mg of venlafaxine if the pharmacy says that they have 37.5 mgs in stock it's easy to do that prescription.

EmptyPlaces · 08/02/2023 07:55

The script can be recalled and sent elsewhere. My old local pharmacy repeatedly claimed shortages of a medication for me, yet the big pharmacies like Boots etc always had it in. Their supplier might have an issue, others won’t.

I was on Venla for a while and twice I went two weeks without them due to the small local pharmacy and I was so unwell due to sudden withdrawal that I couldn’t get out of bed let alone work.

I kicked myself for believing their bullshit.

Original poster
Lawandsawdus · 08/02/2023 08:02

Thanks when I first suggested it they said it doesn’t exist in 37.5 which I know is wrong even if they did not have it. Luckily on this time. So wish I could get 2 months bug out of GP hands with ccg.

OP posts:
EmptyPlaces · 08/02/2023 08:04

Lawandsawdus · 08/02/2023 08:02

Thanks when I first suggested it they said it doesn’t exist in 37.5 which I know is wrong even if they did not have it. Luckily on this time. So wish I could get 2 months bug out of GP hands with ccg.

It very much does exist.

I now use Pharmacy2U and they’re delivered to my house.

GoodChat · 08/02/2023 08:19

The pharmacist can't give you medication that's not on the prescription, even at a different dosage. They either fulfil the prescription or they don't. They're right to send you back to your GP.

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