Can a GP halve a repeat prescription without discussing it first?

[MapsandLegends]

Has anyone ever had their GP cut their prescription in half without any consultation? This happened a while ago, I was getting 28 tablets and the next prescription said 14. No one seems to know why and if they can actually do this without consulting with me first? I've had 28 tablets for years.

pain killers or other controlled drugs?

Yes. They can also deny them altogether. Make an appt if you need to discuss.

My DH has had similar problems when he's gone to pick up repeat prescriptions and things have been reduced or missed off. Some random GP deciding he didn't need enough for a couple of months. We have so many GPs just passing through these days who don't really know the patients, I assume they think you might overdose on something if you get enough to last a reasonable time. The fact that you have to ask for more frequent prescriptions which is inconvenient for you and extra work for them (and the pharmacy) doesn't impinge. And it leaves you constantly worrying about running out.

Edit: This was asthma and blood pressure medication, so nothing sinister.

Yes it’s quite normal

Yes. They are trying to get you to engage with discussing reducing these meds. I would guess they are dependency forming and not good for you long term? You should make an appointment and go with an open mind

GP did this with my painkillers and wouldn’t discuss it.

Consultant then got involved and prescription quickly went back to what it originally was.

What asthma medication and blood pressure tablets and my DH has regular medication reviews.

Yes, they can. Triptans are classic examples of drugs that a GP will scale back.

Have they actually half the dosage or have they only given you a fortnight worths so it can be reviewed properly. ? What type of medication is it?

It's gone from 28 to 14 tablets. They're sleeping tablets.

I worry every time I'm close to running out, it's so stressful. I bought some online several years ago just in case but haven't taken any as they are a different sort (can't get mine online).

Make an appointment to discuss your problem it is very unusual for medication for sleeping to be given long term maybe you could be referred to a sleep clinic as having anxiety over not having enough tablets is making you dependant.Good luck you need advice .

My Gp does this when I'm due a review. The theory is it gives enough to cover you while you book an appointment so they can discuss the prescription with you. Annoyingly, my GP never told me this was why and there was no hope of getting an appointment in time so I ended up getting a private prescription through Llloyds pharmacy online while I tried to get an appointment with my GP.

I'm going to get a private GP appointment as I'm not happy about a number of things at this surgery, they are pretty poor.

Sleeping tablets should only be prescribed for very short periods following s period of stress/ bereavement etc
You become dependent on them and they become ineffective
Gp has done the right thing

Yes of course they can and often do. You need to go to the doctor's and discuss your addiction.

theyre no “pretty poor” for reviewing you, they’re being responsible.

Yes I’ve had this.

i put in a complaint (I’m disabled and I wasn’t able to get a gp appointment to review).

The surgery apologised and my file is now flagged as “complex case reviews only to be done be senior gp”,

there were specific circumstances that meant standard NHs protocols were completely inappropriate.

I don't have an addiction, excuse me you don't know me and their treatment of me over a number of years has been pretty poor. I've every right to be treated with respect which they haven't done in the past, calling me silly when I told them I was suicidal is absolutely shocking and unacceptable.

No they don’t - been on them for ages but not every night.
They are still effective - you are dependent on them as they help you catch up on sleep - and I go back to anxiety about insomnia and insomnia if I don’t have them. Having them available if you should need them is the best sleep treatment.
Glib answers like the above - which must, of course, apply to everyone of the x millions in the western world cos’ doctor knows best - is why respect for doctors diminishes.

@MapsandLegends under GMC prescribing standards, a GP should not change or stop a patient's medication without discussion or consultation and consent.

"59
You must make sure that patients are kept informed about the progress of their treatment ........" from GMC Decision Making & Consent Guidance

They can adjust the amount based on how long they expect the prescription to last you.
My daughter had various medications on prescription where we either got one bottle/packet or two based on how long the previous bottle/packet had lasted.

We usually do this if the patient hasn't come in for review despite many requests to do so. Sleeping tablets shouldn't generally be used long-term.

Sorry you've had a bad time with them. It's still worth having a review - someone new might be involved and seen that you've been on sleeping tablets long term and it needs rethinking. The fact you're so sensitive about the addiction mention says something, along with how anxious you get when they're running out - that's an unhealthy reliance, and the decision to get them online/privately is another signal that your use needs looking at. As you've been on record as being suicidal, even if they were dismissive of it, it wouldn't be wise for them to prescribe you lots of sleeping tablets indefinitely. At least get in touch with them to have the discussion.

I'm on thyroxine, which is for life. I have regular blood tests to determine the dose. My usual 56 tablets is now only prescribed as 28. It's annoying as I have to remember to order more often. Fortunately I don't pay for prescriptions any more else I'd be knocking on the door to complain.

Our GP will only prescribe 3 days worth of sleeping tablets due to how easily they can because addictive. It's not good to suddenly stop especially if you've been taking them for years so a proper plan needs to be in place.