This week I had a call from a lovely lady at my local doctors surgery to tell me that I would no longer be able to get anti-histamines on prescription.
Why? Because I can get them over the counter. Well yes, technically, I CAN get antihistamines over the counter, but not the ones I am prescribed where I can get a box with lots in, and also stronger doses than the over the counter drugs. So I’ll need to buy more for one dose!
At my local chemists I can pay anything from £7 to £14 for a small number of between 12 and 24 tablets, or buy the liquid stuff, which works really well for me.
When you’re paying in advance for a Prescription Prepayment Certificate it makes living with a long term health condition manageable. If I had to pay a single charge for every item I got monthly on prescription from tubs of emollient, to two inhalers, antihistamines, adrenaline, steroids and immuno suppressants… I’d be penniless!
I would struggle to afford the drugs I need to stay healthy at the moment.
I know the NHS is struggling and probably needs to make cut backs but this is the very system which got me addicted to steroids at a young age in the first place. This the very system which never treated any of my allergic conditions, instead throwing drugs at me.
This system is now slowly letting me go, showing me I may need to cope alone.
I am facing the terrifying proposition of trying to wean myself off topical steroids as their effectiveness begins to diminish and my skin needs ever more frequent doses to just keep under control. Just google TSW for some real horror stories. I’m going it alone and won’t do this without medical supervision and help. They got me into this mess, they can bloomin well help me out.
I will be pushing back and speaking to my doctor about his but the lady who phoned was just doing her job, it wasn’t her fault. I told her I wasn’t happy but there was nothing she could do. She said she would ‘see what she could do’ but it was very much in a voice which said… don’t hold you breathe and I probably won’t tell anyone how you feel.
I annoyed about this but it just makes me sad. I will hopefully keep on getting these because I’m not going away quietly but why should I have to fight? There will be other people who cannot fight or don’t have the confidence.
Perhaps I will not have to add £30-40 to my monthly expenditure on antihistamines to get me through the hayfever season and incessant itching of eczema skin and allergic reactions.
But on the other hand, perhaps I will have to stump up yet more cash just to lead a normal life?
Has anyone else had this call? Can you still get antihistamines on prescription? Is this widespread?
Should I be paying for them? Or am I within my rights to demand this is still available to me?
Hi Ruth I really feel for you I have read about this happening but so far I haven’t had the call bit am dreading it as I would be paying over £100 every month as for antihistamines I’m on 6 a day to control my allergies and skin conditions also I have 6 other medical problems plus an almost broken back which I need morphine for are they going to stop that and then try and get that from a chemist I don’t think so do you but they can’t do one without the other if you have. If you have set up a petition with the government let all your blogging friends know plus the likes of allergy uk and all the other charities and then we might get enough signatures to get it heard. Kind regards Ian Morris
Hi Ian, where is the link to you petition? I’ll share it here. Let’s go viral!
Dear Ruth,
Have you thought of trying an alternative to the medications? Have you heard of N.A.E.T.? This is a non-invasive alternative treatment for allergies that has a knock on effect on other conditions you have. You may find that this will enable you to come off some of your medication.
Check online and find out where you nearest N.A.E.T. Practitioner is. They usually offer FREE consultation, so you can find out what they can do for you and then make an informed decision about whether or not you want to pursue the treatment.
Wishing you all the best with whatever you decide to do, but you owe it to yourself to find out if there is something out there that may be a better fit.
Hi Janneka, I did try NAET in desperation but I didn’t work for me. Just way too many things that they said needed fixing and I couldn’t afford so many consultations. I gave it a go and wasn’t convinced I noticed improvement. I am most certainly trying to find other solutions. Trying to cut out all processed food, alcohol and unnatural skin care, and also working on my mind, body and soul! I will get there. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Ruth
This is the tip of the iceberg! I have allergies and I am prescribed particular makes of drugs (thyroxine and anti-histamines) having been assessed by allergy specialists at the NHS. Now my GP’s practice cannot guarantee the make of drugs they supply me with and have made me take cheaper medicine as a trial which gave me a reaction. I believe that the NHS does not have the resources and is trying to reduce the costs of medication. I am now going to my local Tesco Pharmacy who are very helpful. Those with allergies will inevitably suffer this unacceptable and potentially life threatening decline in standards. I do hope you can publicise these issues as I am sure there will be many allergy sufferers who are worried about how they will cope. With kind regards Christina.
Hi Christina, thanks for your comment. Yes the exact antihistamines I was prescribed are not the same as the ones I can get over the counter. It is very worrying and do feel very let down. I will keep ypu all updated with how I get on with this.
NHS prescriptions still free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – but for how long?