Repeat Medical Prescriptions

[Hymie]

Do others suffer the same poor service with repeat prescriptions, or am I just unlucky in my dealings with my pharmacy?

This year alone, when attempting to collect my repeat prescription, on 4 separate occasions the medication had not been prepared, ready for my collection. Worse, on one occasion the pharmacy claimed that the reason my medication was not available was that my GP surgery had not notified them that the medication should be issued. I complained to my GP surgery that the pharmacy would not issue my medication due to their failings.

The surgery advised that this was not the case, and that the fault lay with the pharmacy in relation to the issue of the repeat prescription.

The same thing happened today when I attempted to collect my medication, which should have been ready last Saturday – and although my medication is nothing special, it will not be available to me until at least Wednesday of next week.

Fortunately my life is not dependent on me having the medication, and I suffer no outwardly noticeable symptoms if not taken – but if this was not the case, based on my experience I would either be dead or suffer unnecessarily due to the failings of my pharmacy.

Certainly if I was to behave in this fashion towards a client of my employer, I would expect them to find me alternative duties, which were within my capabilities.

[Teacup99]

I think it's called passing the buck.

[bhg481]

It's worth trying a different pharmacy Hymie. You should be able to get your prescription transferred.

[dannyk13]

No problems getting mine delivered.

[EcclesCake]

I'm not sure I would expect my script to be ready for collection according to my whim.

Could you try a different pharmacy to see if their service is better or more to your liking?

[baza]

My chemist's staff are great, they even put hard to remove from packaging tablets into a bottle for me. They know I'm an old fart with grip problems. All my pills are ready when they say they will be.

[hereIam]

Is it a Wells Pharmacy by any chance ? I had the misfortune to use one of these when my Mum was very ill, they were USELESS !

[Teacup99]

This might have something to do with surgeries sending prescriptions electronically. When this idea first came out I was told by the pharmacy that when I ran out they would automatically renew the prescription by contacting the surgery. It doesn't work that way. I still have to ring up to re-order. They then forward the script to the pharmacy. Granted they will deliver to your door.

[Baldric]

I've had the odd problem with local Boots, but to be fair if I'm short of anything they've always 'phoned the Doctors and given me a pack of whatever I'm short of.

[Islay]

My pharmacy is fantastic, repeat proscriptions always filled on time never an issue.

[Mamyalynne]

I know for many people the electronic transfer works well, I haven't gone that route yet.

I have stuck to my old way of ordering repeats, my last two occasions have been hit by an odd problem though - the current reception staff aren't sure what an SAE is meant for.

A couple of phone calls sorted it out thankfully.

[cupid04]

I have no trouble with the pharmacy.
But I do have trouble with the doctors.
I get my repeats every two months and one of the last meds they cut back to one month with no explanation at all.
You used to be able to check your prescription before you left the surgery now it's all sent electronically to your chemist so you don't know there's an error until you pick it up!

[Arksided]

I order my repeat prescription on-line and I go collect it from the Doc's then onto the Chemists which the staff are always lovely.

[vetuste_ennemi]

You could try this service, Hymie:

https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/

[TWR]

Very good efficient service from Buckleys.

[Old_Geezer]

I've only had two issues.

There was the time some receptionists could not find my repeat prescription so eventually one said it had been passed to the chemists; and could not answer my query as to why and who had gave them permission, except to lie and say they all went to the chemists now. This resulted in me having a disagreement at the chemists about how they had my prescription because the receptionists had told me they had, and them denying it. I was furious, given the run around, and still no medicine. A return to the surgery the next day and apparently magic, suddenly the prescription was at the surgery after all and I'd been blatantly lied to.

The other time the prescription was again not waiting for me but at least that time they admitted they couldn't find it, and I had to go back and get it later that day.

But no problems at the chemist. You gave them the prescription, wait, and eventually they give you the medicine. (Unless you count the time I was charged as usual, only to find out the next time I had been old and venerable enough to have got it without charge :-( )

[DSJ]

I order my repeats online. Two days later they are dispensed and ready for me to collect from a named pharmacy nearby. An excellent service.

[Hymie]

It is an electronic repeat prescription – the best I can hope for when I call in to collect the prescription is that my arrival alerts them to the fact that the prescription should have been completed – and they advise that it will be ready in 15-20 minutes or the following day.

I don’t expect my repeat prescription to be available according to my whim – but 28 days since the last issue does not seem too arduous a task to me.

[Mamyalynne]

If I did go the electronic route for pick up, I'd phone the pharmacy first to save me a possible wasted journey.

Until then I'll persevere with my old hat route.

[EcclesCake]

I can only assume I am misunderstanding things, otherwise your expectations are above and beyond mine by a country mile and some.

[wolf63]

I request a prescription on-line at the doctors, they print out a prescription which is collected by the pharmacy.

I have only once had a major problem but that was mainly my fault and the pharmacist sorted it out for me.