Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Katejo on July 12, 2019, 09:21:40 PM
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Following my meno clinic appt. this week I have put in a further request for a repeat prescription for Evorel Conti. I did it early because of the known supply problems and I do still have enough for 5-6 weeks. I got a rejection today with no reason given except to contact the surgery. :( I am hoping that it is just because i put the request in in plenty of time.
I have sent them an email with an explanation for my early request so will have to wait and see what they say. They will soon get a letter from the meno clinic in which he tells them that I do need the Vagifem and the Evorel Conti.
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Plus it's weekend?
I would give the Clinic a ring next week and tell them what you've told us. Also check with a Pharmacist to see the avilableility of the medication.
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https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/hormone-replacement-therapy-uk-shortage-women/amp/
This was published a couple of days ago .
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https://www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/Downloads/aboutus/medicines-management/Other%20Guidelines/Supply%20issues%20update%20FINAL%202019.pdf
Page 13 lists unavailable hrt x
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:thankyou:
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https://www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/Downloads/aboutus/medicines-management/Other%20Guidelines/Supply%20issues%20update%20FINAL%202019.pdf
Page 13 lists unavailable hrt x
Thanks Dotty. My local Boots only had Evorel Sequi last weekend and didn't know when they would get Conti. About a month ago, I asked at the Boots near my work (Russell Square). At that time they had some stock and also appeared unaware of any problem. I was also surprised when she claimed that it wasn't widely used.
At my meno clinic appt. this week, I mentioned the supply problem and asked which type I could request from a GP as a substitute if I couldn't get Evorel. He immediately said Femseven Conti. I then told him about the longstanding problems with that and he replied that I knew more than he did! He hadn't heard about that at all.
I will give the GP/pharmacist at my practice a couple of days to answer my query as I have enough for the immediate future.
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Shouldn't the pharmacies let GP Surgeries know if meds are likely to become difficult to source? regardless of what the drugs might be for?
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I authorise prescriptions at work and we are not allowed to issue until you have a weeks worth of patches left, so this could be the reason
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I authorise prescriptions at work and we are not allowed to issue until you have a weeks worth of patches left, so this could be the reason
1 week is a very short time margin. Patients could easily get caught out with no medication.
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I agree Katejo - especially if 1 is going on holiday or is away from the usual source.
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Oh god you are allowed a holiday! This will be be coming to all go surgeries in the future. They get sent electronically to your pharmacy within 3 working days. Oh and we've stopped otc medication on prescription too unless you're on a care plan or housebound. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, e45, hay fever tabs etc.
It's coming to us all :D
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Oh god you are allowed a holiday! This will be be coming to all go surgeries in the future. They get sent electronically to your pharmacy within 3 working days. Oh and we've stopped otc medication on prescription too unless you're on a care plan or housebound. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, e45, hay fever tabs etc.
It's coming to us all :D
I know about otc medication but I have always bought that myself. I never expected it on prescription.
I have an arrangement with Boots to request my regular repeats but can also do so via the GP app. That was rejected by the GP this time.
I don't know how some women manage to get a year supply of things like Vagifem when others only get 1 box each time.
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It's cheaper to buy OTC anyway ;-).
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It's cheaper to buy OTC anyway ;-).
Not if you are entitled to free prescriptions 😀
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I have to order my HRT from mynGP dispensary, GP authorises it. Because I am using a fairly high dose of the gel, I am having to order it more often and I am waiting for my GP to refuse.
It's ridiculous. What do they think you are going to do, seriously? OD on Vagifem?
I joked with the pharmacist at Boots yesterday that perhaps GP's thought I was trying to get extra to sell on to others 😁
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https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/hormone-replacement-therapy-uk-shortage-women/amp/
This was published a couple of days ago .
I now have the reason for the refusal. It is due to non availability rather than me requesting it too soon. So many patients have returned to the surgery unable to get their prescription for Evorel Conti that the surgery has stopped issuing the prescription. They have no alternative because Femseven Conti is also unavailable and they don't have another equivalent to prescribe. :( They have agreed to let me have the prescription to try other pharmacies. I am about to go and ask at the Boots near my workplace on my way home. They did have some stock about a month ago.
The Boots near work has none. Pharmacist told me that , even if the manufacturer can supply, a middleman between manufacturer and the pharmacy is blocking supply and only allowing a set amount. Once the pharmacy has had that, no more will be supplied.
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Katejo .... I've sent you a message xxx
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I have just replied. Thanks. :)
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Katejo....sent you another message x
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So does thos mean that because some HRT isnt available and Evoral Conti is being substituted, EC is now in short supply?
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So does thos mean that because some HRT isnt available and Evoral Conti is being substituted, EC is now in short supply?
I think so. I am going to ask at a other pharmacy tomorrow.
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Oh dear what a mess, i have just been put on this so has my daughter, as she was originally on Femseven Conti
I still have 2 months left,my daughter is in France at the moment, and due to start EC on friday, but she daren't until she gets home,as she has Crohns, and if it affects her like it did me, and some others she cant risk getting the runs while travelling,
I had the runs from the first day to the 3rd,
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Oh dear what a mess, i have just been put on this so has my daughter, as she was originally on Femseven Conti
I still have 2 months left,my daughter is in France at the moment, and due to start EC on friday, but she daren't until she gets home,as she has Crohns, and if it affects her like it did me, and some others she cant risk getting the runs while travelling,
I had the runs from the first day to the 3rd,
So you have Crohn's too (as well as your daughter)? That is why you may get the runs with EVOREL?
I still have 5 to 6 weeks stock but want to get more before my holiday in September.
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No i don't have Crohns,in fact the opposite, i have never had to take anything for my bowels since starting EC,whereas before i had to take lactulose quite often, and had every bowel related thing you could name. permanently constipated
Sorry worded badly, meant if she has the runs like i did,and have heard others have had the same on Evoral Conti
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Is the Minister of Health the 'middle man'? This is disgraceful in a 1st World Country :bang:
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No i don't have Crohns,in fact the opposite, i have never had to take anything for my bowels since starting EC,whereas before i had to take lactulose quite often, and had every bowel related thing you could name. permanently constipated
Sorry worded badly, meant if she has the runs like i did,and have heard others have had the same on Evoral Conti
Yes I was a bit confused. I haven't had any bowel problems/ changes with Evorel Conti but have only been using half patches until very recently.
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Is the Minister of Health the 'middle man'? This is disgraceful in a 1st World Country :bang:
I don't know who the middleman is here.
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I presume it is the importer or wholesaler or any number of buyers in-between. There are very large companies that handle drugs distribution I gather. Appalling if it is being rationed in some way though....
The only other alternative is Evorel patches + norethisterone tablets (at the same dose as for oral HRT of medium dose).
Hurdity x
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Sorry to sound ignorant, but why the sudden shortages of medications and hrt?
What is the reason?
Thanks
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Your guess is as good as anyone's - it varies with which Pharmacist I speak with; some blame Brexit but they are remainers; others say that it's because the NHS won't pay the manufacturers - others say it's shortage of stock in Mainland Europe.
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Sorry to sound ignorant, but why the sudden shortages of medications and hrt?
What is the reason?
Thanks
The lack of Evorel Conti may be partly due to the complete non availability of Femseven Conti.
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https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/hormone-replacement-therapy-uk-shortage-women/amp/
This was published a couple of days ago .
I now have the reason for the refusal. It is due to non availability rather than me requesting it too soon. So many patients have returned to the surgery unable to get their prescription for Evorel Conti that the surgery has stopped issuing the prescription. They have no alternative because Femseven Conti is also unavailable and they don't have another equivalent to prescribe. :( They have agreed to let me have the prescription to try other pharmacies. I am about to go and ask at the Boots near my workplace on my way home. They did have some stock about a month ago.
The Boots near work has none. Pharmacist told me that , even if the manufacturer can supply, a middleman between manufacturer and the pharmacy is blocking supply and only allowing a set amount. Once the pharmacy has had that, no more will be supplied.
Here is my latest update on this. I managed to collect the prescription and tried 2 independent pharmacies near where I live. One had none and no idea when they could get any. The 2nd still had a very small stock so I took advantage of that to get just 16 patches which was all they had left (24 in prescription). They will hold on to my prescription and let me have the rest if they get any. I have emailed my GP practice just to let them know that I have part of the prescription.
At least I now have enough to cover me on holiday in September and to try full patches for 3 months to see how well they work.
I wonder whether the online pharmacies are still getting stock or not (because they are paying more and charging patients).
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Your guess is as good as anyone's - it varies with which Pharmacist I speak with; some blame Brexit but they are remainers; others say that it's because the NHS won't pay the manufacturers - others say it's shortage of stock in Mainland Europe.
Here is one reply which I have just received on FB re. availability of Evorel Conti
I spoke to my Pharmacist a couple of weeks ago and he told me not to worry (I'm using Evorel Conti).. apparently there are shortages, it's made in Germany and the problems are to do with Brexit and the pricing of it...?? but his supplier has it in stock.. so fingers crossed!