If you panic bought, what will happen when they finish?

[PearlsPearl]

I have 2 pens in the fridge already (as I use the 5th dose) and panic ordered 2 pens last night from 2 of the providers that I've used before.

So that will keep me going for 4/5 months. But then what? I'm worrying that pharmacies won't allow me to order a 10mg pen with a 4/5 month gap since I last ordered one. Will they make me go back to 2.5?

I'm worried because IQdoctor don't allow a gap of more than 5 weeks between orders, and PharmacyExpress is 6 weeks.

Do you think they'll change the rules and allow the new orders a few months down the line, knowing so many people stockpiled?

(PLEASE this is not a thread to bash me for buying 2 pens. I have been so upset all last night and today, so don't need to be made to feel worse)

No I'm going to buy the ones, I've said from my supplier over the next 3 months as described and put them in the fridge with the rest of the extra ones I have bought this week. Then I'll buy no more. I'll use my stock to take whatever doses I need to use along the way and once I reach target I'll use the remainder to taper down/maintain until its all gone and I go it alone. I'll just microdose when needs be along thecway from whatever strength pens I have.

Because the government feels that medicines need a higher level of individual guidance than just a label in order to help the public understand the potential benefits and risks.

You are not the only person on the thread or looking for MJ though. I wasn’t directly quoting you when I posted that so I’m not sure why you have come back with ‘if you had read my posts’ - it’s not all about you.

And because it is beneficial to have a trained healthcare provider assist people in making the right decisions.

it doesn’t say Asda has stock though…

Sorry I thought it had delayed waiting times not the cross next to it. Apologies anyway Asda is out of stock of 7.5-12.5mg maybe 15 and only returning customers can buy 5mg.

Because there is a degree of trust, especially in a time like this.

That’s exactly what it has. Delays and limited contact. It doesn’t say they have stock.

I have 3 months of my blood pressure tablets downstairs. DH has enough co codamol to last about 6 months. DD gets 5 packs of the pill at a time. DS gets his b12 in packs of 3 and the nurse only gives him one shot every 3 months. It’s no different to having 2/3 months of MJ in the fridge.

I think the volume of orders pharmacies are receiving will drop dramatically come 1 September so I don’t think they’ll be as fussy about gaps in orders as they’ll be wanting the custom

My dad has, no word of a lie, about 8 months of beta blockers in his drawer. He could kill someone.

I don't either unless they are all on 12.5 or 15mg as they are admittedly in short supply. I do think it's possible to still get even those though if you shop around.

I was also a bit late being able to get online and order but I did manage to get one pen from pharmacy2u. Not my usual supplier so got a very good deal with the new customer discount. Ordered Thursday, delivered today.
I think the cheaper suppliers are out of stock in most doses now but there is availability.

The news has been out for three days now, I find it hard to believe people are genuinely struggling

@PearlsPearl providing you can show the prescriptions then you should be able to reorder. I don’t think you will be able to declare the golden dose although some independent suppliers actually train this to their clients. Partners went through an independent private doctor who explained the golfer dose and provided all the equipment. I am also an arsehole who is with a provider who allows your to buy three at a time (which I did a couple of months ago) asked them if I could buy three more even though four weeks before I am due to run out and they confirmed that was fine. They are supplying existing customers only.

Yes. And then I will have to come off the jabs because I can’t afford to continue. But with the three pen bundle I bought and the full pen I already had I can eek out a further five or six months, which should leave me another two or three stones nearer to goal with only a further stone or so to go - whereas if I hadn’t bought ahead I could probably only afford another couple of months, and would have a lot more to lose on pure willpower alone. I wish I could afford to sit back and just pay whatever next month, but I can’t. I can barely afford it as things stand. Lucky you if you can.

Well buy one then! Lots of pharmacies still have stock. Stop whinging and get looking. And don’t leave it until the last minute next time then you won’t get yourself in a pickle.

It might be panic buying technically, but financially a lot of us needed to panic. It is justified. Lucky you if you can afford to sit there and pay the new high prices. Plenty of us can’t. Don’t worry- there will be tons of stock in the future when half of us are priced out!

I’m surprised by the number of people who apparently only order once they’ve taken their last dose? I always order with 2 or 3 to go!

It’s not their choosing whether to be ‘fussy’ or not - it’s their licence on the line!

It’s relatively easy because you’re paying for it. Generally people use the NHS and quite reasonably supply is more controlled.

I mean this is kind if an issue if your own making? 4 pens is a lot.

I get people ordering a spare pen or two but some of the stockpiling madness is going to end up backfiring.

Once the prices go up you won't multiple orders / pens anway? So just pick your preferred supplier and continue your medication journey with them (order dead on the 5/6 week deadline but I guess you'll always be several pens ahead?)

You can absolutely order more medication than needed from the NHS, just tell your doctor you’re going on holiday!

The other strategy is to speak to your provider BEFORE using the stockpile, show them evidence and get their agreement in advance about an ordering schedule. Before all this happened, this is how people managed stockpiles. Many (not all) providers are fine with gaps as long as they are told in advance and they can note it on your record. They should also confirm this in writing. Given the sheer number of people stockpiling I suspect pharmacies are going to have to be somewhat flexible if they want to maintain their customer base.

If you had read the thread you'd have seen why I was stuck and couldn't just go to a new supplier.

Yes I can't wait until stock levels are back to normal and yes financially I'm very lucky the price increase won't effect me.

I'm an arsehole too 🙄

I did read it. I just got distracted by your snipes at everyone. I guess you might take some ID away with you in future. Most people would have a driving license or something on them at all times. And most people order well before they are due to run out of pens. Are you away for the whole month? Can you really not organise something?