Melatonin - told to buy it myself?

[Aparecium]

I was seen by the Long Covid clinic, and I'm sure the doctor there said he would write to my GP asking him to prescribe Melatonin, as it is licensed for sleep disorders in patients over 55y, which I am.

Now I find that the letter he sent my GP recommends that I buy the medication myself, from Amazon, so the GP won't prescribe it.

Why am I expected to source drugs? How am I supposed to know whether it is genuine or of good quality?

AIBU to expect the GP to prescribe me melatonin?

Try Amazon . Com (ie the American website). They deliver to the UK. In the USA it's just a herbal supplement, like vitamin D tablets that you can pick up in any supermarket.
Fwiw, I didn't like it though. Gave me really bad, vivid dreams that I couldn't wake up from.

In that case, Amazon are breaking U.K. laws.

i buy it from Biovea for my son, he uses the 10mg gummies.

GP's are not licensed to prescribe Melatonin
That's not correct. It is licenced for over 55 with sleep issues.

I too have been buying from biovea for many years. They are great, always deliver on time. No issues. After years of taking it, I've now stopped and have had no issues at all doing so.

Which laws are they breaking?

Buy the time release - I use 5mg because of absorption issues. It tends to work throughout the night. I live in the US.

I Have been buying from Biovea for years

I really don't get the fuss. You've been advised where to get the medication that will help you. OK it's a pain to order on line rather than get it from the GP but is it really worth all this angst and stress over something which is easily sorted? Mountains and molehills come to mind, no wonder you can't sleep.

The OP has had some helpful replies about how she can source this stuff herself. However I think these sort of comments are very unfair.

I would also be perplexed and frustrated to be in their position and I'd want to question and understand it, especially in view of the NICE guidelines. If no one ever questioned or challenged these things, nothing would ever improve.

You need a prescription

The Medicines Act and the Human Medicines Regulations.

Piping rock USA. Work well but not slow release.. don’t take to much because you feel exhausted the next day.

ideally you want slow release as they keep you asleep. You can buy decent melatonin unlimited in Spain so my advice to anybody with sleeping issues is stock up: it it’s still £10/month supply:

if you buy in the UK, they limit your order to ten tablets. THIS is why it’s ridiculous that the doctor had not prescribed it for you: without a prescription, you need to be resourceful. If I am wrong, please correct me as I order my own from piping rock.