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"Manufacturer/supply issues for life saving medication"

About: General practices in Forth Valley

(as the patient),

I am currently on injections due to two rare forms of blood clots I suffered in 2004  & 2012 .  I was on Warfarin for a while but due to my platelet levels droppings I was put on injections that I took daily.  

Since approx March 2022 I have been on a particular injection.  For the past two repeat prescriptions the pharmacist has not been able to get a supply of these. The first time they were helpful and contacted another pharmacist however, last week when I went to the local pharmacist I was told that not only were there supply issues but also manufacture issue and the injections were not there.

I asked what I was supposed to do but just received a shrug of the shoulders. They asked I contact the pharmacist who helped out before.  I said they should be doing this, and they reluctantly did.  I was upset by their unhelpful attitude. I went along to the pharmacist who did have a supply the next day and got 3 boxes of  injections.

I decided to contact my local GP to inform them of the issues in obtaining the injections and proceeded to inform the receptionist of the issues.  The responses was  that I would need to find out what pharmacy has them. I asked if they were saying that when a GP signs a prescription, they don't  know if the medication is in stock, and they said yes. They confirmed that I would need to find out which pharmacy has them in stock.

I then had to hang up in disbelief that no-one was/is prepared to help me.

I find this very upsetting.  I appreciate the pressure NHS staff are under, but how can a patient be left to find out which pharmacy has these in stock? This is so wrong and I am so worried that when I need the next lot of injections I will have nothing.  If I do not get this medication I am at a very high risk of getting another clot,  which I may not survive.  

Can someone investigate what is happening to the supply of this medication that I and probably many others need.   

I am now also worried that because I have no choice in sharing this I may be treated unfavourably by my GP.

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Responses

Response from Pauline Donnelly, Person Centred Manager, Department of Nursing, NHS Forth Valley nearly 2 years ago
Pauline Donnelly
Person Centred Manager, Department of Nursing,
NHS Forth Valley
Submitted on 28/07/2022 at 12:29
Published on Care Opinion at 12:29


picture of Pauline Donnelly

Dear earthhy89

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. I as sorry to hear of the difficulties you have had, this must be very frustrating and worrying for you.

I was wondering if I could ask you to get in touch with me, I am keen to look at how we can help and to do this I need some information from you.

You can contact me on 01324 566523 or you can drop me an email pauline.donnelly@nhs.scot

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards

Pauline

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by earthhy89 (the patient)

Thank you, I will call you and send you an email.

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