Getting a Supply of Medications via NHS

[AFQuaid 18]

Hiya,

I'm in a little dilemma (quite the norm for me I know) with obtaining a supply of medications.

I know for sure you are able to obtain around 3 months worth of medications if you go on "holiday." But I wasn't sure about what you do if you aren't returning to the UK. I wrote a letter to my GP asking if I could obtain a supply to take with me to the states but as usual no reply as of yet and less than 3 weeks to go. I DO intend to get health insurance within the first week or so of landing but incase we fall into yet more dilemmas and to give me time to figure out the US health system and how I can get a US prescription for all of them I rather have the safe guard of a supply.

Has anybody ever taken a supply of medications when they immigrated? If so how did you go about asking for it?

I have phoned the prescription line that I normally order my medications from but they said I need GPs consent to obtain such an amount. Yet on the lil slip you get in your medicine bag it says I can order (random number) of this, that and other still. So I'm confused.

I'm very worried about this. I don't want to risk obviously just going with my current amount, as it is they only give me an extra (1) of any medication I order. Plus one is in liquid form and as you can imagine it doesn't last long especially with the NHS little bottles of it.

Any experiance with this anyone?

Fiona

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

I told my GP I was moving to the US (went in for a face to face meeting) and he gave me a 6 month supply of the pill I was on. But I wouldn't really know what the rules were on more serious medication (not that the pill isn't serious, but you know what I mean).

I think it will probably depend on your GP. I'll cross my fingers for you.

[munchkins 0]

I too have already checked with my doctor about this as I have to take tablets for blood pressure and the doctors advised me that it would be no problem to be supplied with 6 months worth - I would make an appointment to see your doctor and discuss it directly.

[rebeccajo 14]

Fi, UK docs aren't going to be able to write you a scrip that can be used over here.

I'd take the advice of huffy and munchkins and see about getting a longer supply by a face to face visit if necessary to your doc whilst you are still in the UK. Then once you are here get thee to a doc as soon as you can for scrips that will work in the US.

[perfect 39]

Having worked for the NHS for years I can tell you that technically a GP is not supposed to prescribe medications of any longer than one month if you are not intending to return to the UK, and even at that he is supposed to charge you a private prescription fee as technically you no longer qualify for NHS prescriptions.

However, not many GPs stick to this rule, and if you have a good relationship with your GP he will in all probability prescribe up to 6 months worth, depending on the nature of the meds. If it's meds which could be open to abuse, chances are he will not play ball....best to make an appointment with him to discuss.

[Kajikit 65]

I know it's difficult for you to get around, but you need to go and talk to him face to face... and given your medical history you should ask for a copy of your records while you're there - it doesn't matter for someone who's generally healthy but it might be important for you in the future...

[AFQuaid 18]

Hi Folks,

Rebecca yeh I knew a UK script wouldn't work in the US I just meant I was trying to get a supply to do me until I could get sorted medically in the US to get US scripts.

Thanks for your advice everyone, I'll give it another few days then I'll book an appointment and see what can be done. Kaji totally if it can be done by just my letter it would of been easier but if I gotta go to him face to face, that's what I gotta do.

Oh and Perfect too right! I tell ya when I was trying to find out about benefits they sure did put me straight about making sure they knew not to send my DLA anymore. They were far more concerned about me letting them know when I was going than my query NHS all over huh?

Thanks again everyone

Fiona

[rebeccajo 14]

NHS might be a pain but it beats the National Health Care we have here.

Which is NONE.

[broma25 2]

NHS might be a pain but it beats the National Health Care we have here.

Which is NONE.

NHS beats the private healthcare system here. Dealing with the healthcare system in the US even when you have medical insurance is a nightmare.

I had a face to face with GP before I left England and got 12 months supply of birth control pills.

[Lou Lou 1]

NHS might be a pain but it beats the National Health Care we have here.

Which is NONE.

NHS beats the private healthcare system here. Dealing with the healthcare system in the US even when you have medical insurance is a nightmare.

I agree dealing with the NHS is a dream compared to insurance companies and health 'prefessionals' here. Don't be fooled that just 'cos you pay for it you get better service. For most of the people I know, the service has been a whole lot worse here. It just stinks the US has such a corrupt healthcare system.

[perfect 39]

you're telling me...I got hit with a $150 bill for seeing a doctor here for 15 minutes to ask for diuretics which I had been prescribed for 14 years by the NHS. All she did was write a prescription!

Same doctor (cos we both saw her on the same day) hit us with a bill for $80 for LOOKING at my son's toe!

They said it was because she wasn't a "preferred" provided of our health insurance, although she swears she is - us stuck in the middle with non-paid bills because I'm disputing them which will probably unfairly end up on my credit report.

[Lou Lou 1]

you're telling me...I got hit with a $150 bill for seeing a doctor here for 15 minutes to ask for diuretics which I had been prescribed for 14 years by the NHS. All she did was write a prescription!

Same doctor (cos we both saw her on the same day) hit us with a bill for $80 for LOOKING at my son's toe!

They said it was because she wasn't a "preferred" provided of our health insurance, although she swears she is - us stuck in the middle with non-paid bills because I'm disputing them which will probably unfairly end up on my credit report.

I know, it makes me very sad as I deal with many who do not have any health insurance, or have been screwed. Just horrible.

(scuse typos )