prescription refund?

[my4ds]

morning folks.

i would like to know if anyone knows if i can get a refund on a prescription for medication that is not sutable for me?

went dr yesterday for pain in elbow.told dr about my ITP and also Asthma.he has for some reason gven me a antidepresent(in def not depressed).but on the info sheet it says not to be taken if patient has a blood disorder(which i do).

so would it be possible to get the prescription cost back if i hand the tablets back?

[RATTER15]

I'm sure that if you go back to your GP and explain the situation, your GP will either explain why he has given you that particular medication and if it is not suitable he will probably just give you a new prescription for another medication. I don't think your pharmacy is just going to give you a refund just on your say so!

[RATTER15]

What medication were you given?

[my4ds]

amitriptyline

[RATTER15]

amitriptyline is a very common drug and has many other uses than as a anti- depressant, google it, I'm not saying it is or isn't the right drug but you do need to consult your GP.

[Sqad]

You are asking a chemist to change the medication given to you by your doctor......he has no authority to do such a thing.

There is no contra indication for a patient with ITP to take Amytryptiline.

Amytryptiline is used in some painful disorders.

If you are not happy, then ask your doctor for a rational explanation of your treatment.

[ummmm]

I think she wants a refund on the prescription charges Sqad. Not for the drugs to be changed.

[Sqad]

ummmm...same thing....she suggests going back to the chemist and saying "These are the wrong drugs, I want my money back"..................you must be joking!!!!!

[daffy654]

Your GP would not have prescribed you the tablets if there was any danger to you from them. Many drugs are used for the treatment of pain, not just pain killers. Drugs for epilepsy are commonly used for nerve pain as are antidepressants. They even inject botox into nerves for pain relief sometimes.

[LoftyLottie]

Whilst I would agree, it's a good idea to read the leaflets in tablets, most doctors are aware of their patient's medical history (or should be). The leaflets in tablets will cover all sorts of things - the manufacturers have to cover their own backs. It would be far more sensible to talk to your doctor about your concerns before taking the tablets back. Most doctors will talk to you on the phone these days. As others have said, quite a few antidepressant type medications are used for other purposes as well.

[ummmm]

GP's make mistakes sometimes. When my son was a baby we had to have the emergency doctor out. Went to the chemist the next day, luckily with baby in car seat, he asked who it was for...told him the baby and refused to give me the medicine. He told me to take prescription back to the doctor.

[LoftyLottie]

They do make mistakes ummmm - I would agree. However, I would talk to him about it before stating that the tablets are wrong! Best to stay on the good side of your GP in my opinion.

[ummmm]

Well yeah...I would do that as well.

[LoftyLottie]

Ah, I see it was an emergency doctor ummmm. That would explain things. I will never have an emergency doctor out again. Even paramedics have advised me to phone 999 before getting an emergency doctor out!! I would take their advice now - I have learned from experience!!

And don't say anything Sqad!!

[Connemmara]

well that happened to me but I had opened the tablets (not amytryptline) but it did not agree with me - whatever they were I nearly passed out with them and I am not that kind of person but the pharmacy would not take the tablets back nor give me back a refund.

Now I live in NI we get our prescriptions free so it must be taxing to you all who have to lose money because of the situation.

[LoftyLottie]

Would you expect a refund if you got an allergic reaction to a face cream in a chemist! What is the difference! I can't imagine anyone asking for a refund on tablets that don't agree with them.

[woofgang]

Lottie we had the emergency doctor out recently (south hampshire) and he and the support service were BRILLIANT, GP's deffo do make mistakes. Recently DH phoned (couldn't get an appointment) to our now ex surgery. The GP he spoke to said that she would prescribe "x" DH said correctly that he could not take it because of other medical problems...fool woman said oh okay then I will prescribe "y" you will be okay with that. DH had to point out that "y" id the generic form of "x"!!!!

[China Doll]

I can imagine it Lofty... I was behind one bloke the other day who was trying to get the cheapest version of a drug prescribed to him at the hospital. The chemist kept trying to explain that they could only give what was prescribed and that there wasn't a cheaper one as they make it up and it's a fixed prescription charge but the chap wasn't having any of it. He also only wanted exactly what he needed for treatment and not any suplus tablet.... They had to open another til :c)

[LoftyLottie]

Actually woofy, it woud depend on the reason for call out and if it really was an emergency. My first call would be to 999 if I thought someone had a need for emergency attention, not to the out of hours service.

If at all possible I try always to see my own GP. He is so popular that it's difficult to get an appointment, but I can always talk to him on the phone. I just leave a message and he phones when he can. Yes, doctors can make mistakes. A doctor's mistake in my opinion cost my Mum her life.

[LoftyLottie]

LOL China!!

[woofgang]

PS to answer the OP, the prescription charge is a contribution to the cost of providing the prescription, not a charge for the actual drugs as such, so its not like taking a purchase back. The providing has still happened; also once a drug has left the pharmacy, it can't be re issued to anyone else, it has to be destroyed.