GP halved my prescriptions without warning, now paying double per month

[Redimpulse]

I've recently had my two medications halved by the GP. One prescription has gone from 30 to 15 tablets and the other from 28 to 14 tablets. I wasn't consulted about this and had no warning. It also means I'm basically paying almost £40 for what was almost £20! I'm house bound so not able to work and don't get any benefits so am paying out of my savings. Is this actually legal, it seems they can make up the rules as they go along, has this happened to anyone else? I was livid when I found out.

I'd say it's time to get a prepayment certificate.

If you get a prepayment certificate you won't have to pay per prescription. It's worth it when you get regular prescriptions.

Is it because you're due a blood test or something? Mine cut mine through the app until I complied, which is reasonable from a safety point of view.

As above, you can get a prescription prepayment certificate. Works out £11.45 over 10months for a 12 month certificate

A prepayment certificate is only £11.45 a month and it covers as many prescriptions as you need!

Pre payment certificate. £10 odd a month for unlimited prescriptions. No brainer 👌

Get a prepayment certificate

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-ppc

It's probably not the GP themselves but a dictat from on high at the health board (or English equivalent) in Scotland we do 2 months prescriptions. These changes come from out with the practice as there would be no reason for GPs to want to sign /check twice as many prescriptions.
But as people have said get a prepayment certificate.

Are you due any testing? Disclosud any kind of MH/suicidality? Going through any meds changes/waiting for a review at all?

Second the advise to get a prepayment cert x

This. You'll save a lot of money. Also if you are disabled why not have them delivered to your door instead of having to fetch them?

Have you asked the gp why they’ve done it??

Have you asked why?
It could be for many reasons so best to ask the prescriber.

Also, if you are housebound, have you tried claiming PIP? I know it's a pain to claim, but it's not income dependant.

It’s likely to have been the pharmacist rather than the GP. Not long before my Dad died the pharmacist removed one of his drugs and overruled the GP who saved he should still have it.

Ask them why and if it can be increased back?

I do 2-6 monthly issues - depending on the meds of course - but my GPs will do short issues on certain meds, especially those with risks of addiction, abuse and overdose.

Oh and yes, get a prepayment certificate. Surely if you’re housebound and unable to work you’d also be eligible for benefits? In which case you may be able to claim costs with an HC2 certificate if you’re eligible.

You need to contact the doctors and ask for their reasoning behind this.

If you’re unable to work due to illness you can claim ESA - it’s not means tested.

Came on to say the same. I’d be permanently skint without mine.

You need to get a prepayment certificate as already advised.

you also need to get ESA or PIP or sign on and get LcW, as you need to get NI contributions or you may find you are not entitled to even see a GP on the NHS as having a proper NI record is increasing in importance.

Get a prepayment certificate

No, not due a blood test.

But you have to have worked and paid NI contributions in the past 2-3 years to claim ESA. Maybe Op hasn't?

Only suicidal due to the health issue, but when I told the GP this she just told me not to be silly.

Has the dose been halved ? What type of medication?

When I used to take lansoprazole I would just ask the GP to prescribe two months worth and he did for the price of one prescription.