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Original poster

Refused B12 tablets on prescription

26 replies

2boysandagirltoo · 27/06/2023 18:53

Has this happened to anyone else?
I have just had B12 loading injections. Was told I'd need 6 months of Iron Tablets on top. Have been chasing the prescription for this since last week
Had a call from a really rude receptionist today to 'inform' me I can't get Iron tablets on prescription, even though I had them just a few months ago..... when I tried to ask why she just said 'you need 100g, go to the pharmacy, goodbye!!!

I'm quite annoyed at the way I was spoken to, but also at the fact no one has given me an explanation

OP posts:
tenbob · 27/06/2023 18:55

Slightly confused between your thread title and the question…

If it’s ferrous sulfate tablets you need, you can buy them over the counter in a pharmacy for a couple of quid, so they probably don’t want to incur all the costs of writing and dispensing a prescription for something you can buy cheaply

Housekeeperbatcocoa · 27/06/2023 18:57

Both B12 and iron (in various forms!) are cheap to buy otc from the pharmacy. You can probably get both for under a tenner a month.

Hwory · 27/06/2023 18:58

Probably because you don’t need something prescribed that’s very easy to get OTC and affordable.

gogomoto · 27/06/2023 19:01

It's cheaper over the counter they don't issue prescriptions to save you money

peterkings · 27/06/2023 19:02

This reply has been deleted

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Infusionist · 27/06/2023 19:03

I buy both - they’re super cheap.

Iron is over the counter (200g ferrous sulphate in my case), rather than the stuff on the shelf which is far less effective. It’s about £3 for 90 from memory.

MyTruthIsOut · 27/06/2023 19:06

I’ve been on prescribed iron supplements for 5 years.

I guess it depends on what dose they want you to take as to whether you can buy it OTC or not?!

My tablets are 210mg and I take them three times a day.

massiveclamps · 27/06/2023 19:08

Our GP practice has signs up saying that they will not prescribe medication that can be purchased over the counter in a pharmacy.

booktokbear · 27/06/2023 19:09

Iron for a GP to prescribe and chemist to dispense is soooo much more expensive than you just picking up a cheap packet.

If everyone did this and not on prescription just for iron akin it would save a lot of money.

Just buy them op.

GCAcademic · 27/06/2023 19:09

MyTruthIsOut · 27/06/2023 19:06

I’ve been on prescribed iron supplements for 5 years.

I guess it depends on what dose they want you to take as to whether you can buy it OTC or not?!

My tablets are 210mg and I take them three times a day.

I buy 210mg ferrous fumurate OTC, it's cheaper than the prescription charge.

Legaldrama · 27/06/2023 19:10

This is a real non issue. Just buy some.

Pixiedust1234 · 27/06/2023 19:12

I can understand why the GP didn't do a prescription but considering there are different forms of iron as well as strengths then it would have been helpful if they had provided that information. Same for the Vit B12, or any supplement, after loading doses had been done.

greenisnotserene · 27/06/2023 19:12

Do you insist on a prescription for paracetamol as well to save 35p?

MyTruthIsOut · 27/06/2023 19:13

GCAcademic · 27/06/2023 19:09

I buy 210mg ferrous fumurate OTC, it's cheaper than the prescription charge.

Show quote history

I don’t pay for my prescriptions so that’s probably why there’s never been an issue raised about what is more cost effective for me.

In that case, if you can buy that dose over the counter OP then definitely do that rather than chase up a prescription that will cost you a lot more by the sound of it!

Lovepeaceunderstanding · 27/06/2023 19:22

Different areas of the country have differing rules for GP’s over what they are and are not permitted to prescribe. Your GP may be prohibited from prescribing this. The NHS is on its knees, ridiculous as it may seems the cost of your prescription to the NHS is likely to be greatly more than you will pay. Unfortunately the pot of money available to the NHS is limited please ask yourself who you would rather see went without their medication on prescription so that you could have yours.

tallsmallmum · 27/06/2023 19:27

but it's unhelpful when you're already prepaying for perceptions not to be able to get them on prescription. I'll be making that point to my GP. and if I'm going to go buying random drugs online I may as well have just done that all along 🤦🏽‍♀️

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 27/06/2023 19:38

Legaldrama · 27/06/2023 19:10

This is a real non issue. Just buy some.

Well I'm glad it's a non issue for you!

OP posts:
Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 27/06/2023 19:40

greenisnotserene · 27/06/2023 19:12

Do you insist on a prescription for paracetamol as well to save 35p?

Of course not

OP posts:
Infusionist · 27/06/2023 19:40

Tell us why it’s an issue for you and we can help - cost or not knowing what to buy?

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 27/06/2023 19:41

I actually don't pay for my prescriptions due to being diabetic

6 months ago they were prescribed with no issue. Now they are refusing

OP posts:
Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 27/06/2023 19:41

Infusionist · 27/06/2023 19:40

Tell us why it’s an issue for you and we can help - cost or not knowing what to buy?

Both

OP posts:
MossCow · 27/06/2023 19:44

2boysandagirltoo · 27/06/2023 19:41

I actually don't pay for my prescriptions due to being diabetic

6 months ago they were prescribed with no issue. Now they are refusing

It's the doctor time that they will be trying to save.

GCAcademic · 27/06/2023 19:46

It’s £1.99 for a month’s supply of the iron tablets I take.

Irridescantshimmmer · 27/06/2023 19:50

Yeah the receptionist was rude and very abrupt by the sound of what you are saying. I'm not about to justify it, she's a cow and if she worked in customer services she would get throttled by a manager.

If you complain to the surgery, they may discharge you because they are too quick to blame the patients when they are at fault. It is entirely up to you wether you complain or not.

I once had a situation when a gp receptionist delibratly stopped my insulin needles as I am a type 1 diabetic and don't make any insulin of my own. There is no other safe way of getting insulin into my blood stream without needles. The consequences of which could have been life threatening.

In these circumstances I changed GP surgery.

HandInMine · 27/06/2023 19:50

The pharmacist will be able to discuss the dose with you and advise you what to buy.