Every day medications go out of stock at your pharmacy. The alternative is not always easy to find and requires research as to your best alternative option. Medications can go out of stock due to a number of reasons including sourcing of raw materials, licensing changes and over demand at certain times of year.
GPs are directed by our local Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board as to what they can prescribe in Primary Care. Some medications can only come direct from your consultant or due to ICB guidance are only available for Self purchase
For patients recently discharged from hospital your prescription needs to be updated. This can only be done once receiving guidance from your hospital discharge
Regularly updated guidance is sent from the ICB to ensure current health guidelines are being followed. Examples of this include regularly changing Asthma and COPD guidelines which may require you to have your annual Asthma/COPD review earlier
We are regularly guided on what medications to prescribe by the ICB to ensure the most cost effective medications are given to you – you may notice changes to brands you are prescribed
For Patients on Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Leflunomide you require 12 weekly blood tests and for Leflunomide a Blood Pressure check and BMI recording every 12 weeks
For Patients on Epilepsy medications such as Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Sodium Valproate (Epilim) you requirea 6 monthly blood test and BMI recording
For Patients on Levothyroxine you require a 12 monthly blood test
Type I and II Diabetics require an annual Foot check, Weight Recording, Smoking Status Recording, Urine Sample, Blood Pressure Check and based on your diabetic control a blood test to monitor your blood sugar levels, cholesterol and renal function
For Patients on Lithium (commonly called Priadel and Camcolit) you require a 6 monthly blood test and weight recording
For Patients on Blood Thinners like Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran and Edoxaban you require regular monitoring. This includes a blood test and weight recording. Monitoring can vary from every 3 months to every 12 months based on your medication response
For Patients using Hormone Replacement Therapy or Oral Contraception you will be contacted to provide current health data before your prescription is sent to the pharmacy