OCD Action

aishah
Member

Hi everyone,

I take 20mg of Escitalopram and have done for 6 months now. The problem is I have to run around to different pharmacy's to get it as there seems to be a problem with the manufacturer at the moment and it is out of stock a lot.

The last few days have been particularly difficult for me as my anxiety is extremely high and I cant get it under control, I know the added stress of maybe not getting my medication again has probably made it worse.

Is anyone else on ESCITALOPRAM and if so are you experiencing the same problem getting it?

Bridget

Fri Jul 30 2010 17:32:55 #
Nimrod
Key Master

If this is prescribed on the NHS then any pharmacy doing NHS prescriptions should get it for you rather than you having to run round. However, if you are going to be prescribed it on a regular basis it may help to tell your preferred pharmacy then they will be able to stock it.

Caps

Sat Jul 31 2010 8:52:12 #
Truddles
Member

I agree with Caps.

I have a problem with an allergy to some excipients and so I have to have certain brands. As soon as I collect my prescription my pharmacy order in my medication ready for the next month. That way if there is a supply problem they have a month in which to source the medication. I don't have to do the running around.

The situation these days isn't helped by the fact that pharmacies obtain the medication via distribution companies and tend to only deal with one. If that distribution company hasn't got the medication in stock very few pharmacies will go via another company. The bigger pharmacies are quite rigid with this policy. So in many ways it pays to use a small independent pharmacy as they're more willing to try another distributor.

Trudy

Sat Jul 31 2010 9:47:03 #
PARTY POISON
Blocked

No one used to have the meds I needed, but I stopped it anyway.
They ordered it in though - the hospital had to as well.

Sat Jul 31 2010 13:07:55 #
Unregistered

Dear Bridget, I’m sorry you are experiencing this. I will write soon!

Dear Nicola, What a wonderful surprise to see you here! How are you?

Love, Tricia.

Sat Jul 31 2010 13:22:09 #
PARTY POISON
Blocked

I'm good - I've been saved, not by god lol

Sat Jul 31 2010 14:01:52 #
Unregistered

That's so good to hear!

Sat Jul 31 2010 14:13:51 #
aishah
Member

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies. The reason I have to run around to different pharmacys' is because the ones I tried locally (and further afield in the end) havn't been given a date as to when the medication will be in stock. There is a big problem with the manufacturers at the moment and it seems to be getting worse. I was able to get 2 months supply in the end from a pharmacy that hasn't had it in stock for 6 months!

I will talk to my psychiatrist this week and see if he can help.

Take Care

Bridget

Sun Aug 1 2010 20:58:59 #
Truddles
Member

I spoke to a friend who told me that she had heard that there appears to be a problem with Cipralex, but not with the generic versions. So you shouldn't have a problem getting the generic version made by other manufacturers. But the 'script needs to be for escitalopram and not the brand name.

Sun Aug 1 2010 21:23:16 #
aishah
Member

Hi Trudy,
My script is always for Escitalopram and I always get Cipralex.
I will try to order it in advance as suggested by my G.P. I went 2 days without and meds this week because of this and the fact that I had misplaced a box ( think I threw it away by mistake ). I shouldn't leave it so late to get my next prescription.

Take Care
xx

Sun Aug 1 2010 22:06:12 #
Unregistered

Hi Bridget

I have just had a problem with citalopram. I had to go without it for three days because the chemist did not order the repeat prescription. So, having experienced two panic attacks as a result of running out, I will make sure that I do not run out again.

The chemist acted as if it was a new dress, was not concerned about their mistake and told me I would have to sort it myself. The only way I could get the prescription was to make a doctor's apointment. Not good!!

Hope you are feeling better now you have the meds

Anne

Tue Aug 3 2010 9:22:28 #
Unregistered

There was a report on ‘Newsnight’, many months ago, about the difficulty obtaining many drugs in this country. I believe they said pharmaceutical companies were selling more in Europe at a higher cost. It didn’t make much sense. Anyway, several people I know on cancer medication are having a terrible time filling their prescriptions. The pharmacies can’t get hold of enough supplies. I have no idea if there is any connection or how widespread the problem is.

Tricia x

Tue Aug 3 2010 12:56:27 #
Truddles
Member

Hi

It's not just the pharmaceutical companies that are making money by selling the drugs abroad but some hospitals are also doing it see the following article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1308818/UK-facing-shortage-branded-medicines.html

The situation is getting worse as more and more drugs fall prey to the speculators. Once again it's the patient that suffers. Ok individual hospitals might be making money but at what cost? It's actually costing the NHS money to clear up the complications caused by patients unable to access their prescription medication.

My pharmacist spends a considerable amount of time each day trying to source medication for people because of the selfishness of those making money at the expense of the rest of us.

One of my drugs is temporarily not being manufactured because of a problem sourcing one of the ingredients, normally this wouldn't present a problem as there would be enough reserves but hey someone sold them so I have to go with out for a few months.

It's high time patients came before profits!

Sorry about the rant but it's not the first time that I've had to go without medication and unless the government steps in it wont be the last

Tue Sep 14 2010 14:55:11 #