Stocking up on prescription medication - how?

[Rainatnight]

I'm the least prepper person in the world. I barely even meal plan. But looking at the Sunday Times story today about preparing for a 'doomsday' Brexit scenario where we run it of food, medicine, etc got me thinking.

My main worry is prescription medication. Both stuff we have to take regularly - asthma inhalers etc - plus stuff it would be good to have just in case - broad spectrum antibiotics etc.

So, preppers, what do you all do about this kind of thing? Is it possible to get your hands on any spares?

Note: this thread isn't a discussion of Brexit! And I don't really believe in a doomsday scenario but it just got me wondering.

Sorry, run out of food, etc

I've had private prescriptions before when I've been about to work overseas where medicines might not be available/adequately quality controlled. Maybe that's an option but as lots go out of date it's probably not worth it. Advanced booking to France on Eurostar with an empty suitcase and solid translations for desired items might be a better option...

You can’t. It’s both unethical and useless as they have pretty short use by dates.

I'm on fentayln patches (100ml) There are already shortages of it every so often. (When someone overdoses) There is no way at at £500 per month my gp would let me stock pile.

If you order your medication a little earlier each time, you can gradually build up a reserve but most prescription requests systems will notice if you order too often.

Im.planning on keeping prescription meds up to date and apply for repeats in plenty of time as we approach the leave date - rather than apply when I only have 2 days supply left!

We always buy inhalers when we go on holiday. Cheaper than a prescription. No doubt there are other things you can stock up on abroad. You can ask people to get them for you if you're not going yourself

Please do not stock up on and self medicate with broad spectrum antibiotics. Not ethical, not useful, just no.

Cassimin I thought inhalers were prescription only? Can you buy both blue and brown over the counter?

Yes, we do.
We usually go to the canaries in April and you can buy them there.
We also buy excema cream.
Think we've had them in Spain, Malta and Portugal.
In India you can buy anything for next to nothing.

You can buy online from

"the independent pharmacy"

and a number of other retailer - do some research ;)

I also by my tretinoin in portugal for 3 euros rather than pay £80 here at my derm

Will a GP issue a private prescription to help build up supplies? My nhs script only gives me two months of my medication at a time. They’re tablets, so will have a reasonable shelf life and will definitely get used.

Would anyone be able to recommend somewhere to buy Tretinoin from in the UK / online?
There are a few online pharmacies but from the reviews I can't seem to find one that seems trustworthy. If anyone can recommend somewhere they have purchased from recently that would be great.

Uk meds is a good reliable site

I buy / my parents bring medicine from my home country on every visit, no prescription needed there. Have a stockpile of antibiotics of last resort / WHO reserve.

Insulin supplies worry me , I must admit

For inhalers you might be able to request an extra one or two but only as a one off. I did this once because I needed a spare to keep at work for emergencies and the doctor wrote me a second prescription so I could have an extra.

You wouldn't be able to get antibiotics without a prescription and you shouldn't anyway.