My GP referred me to a private Psychiatrist last year, treatment going well and the medication for my mental disability is dispensed without issue by the company, and will continue to be dispensed by an NHS pharmacy once I am discharged back to my GP in a few more months.
However, my psychiatrist recently prescribed me something to combat my GAD and SAD disorders, as my GP prescribed medication has had little effect on helping my disorders; apart from making me a fat and sweaty mess.
Anyway around a week ago, and after a few trips to my elected pharmacy to query the whereabouts of the long awaited prescription, my psychiatrists office email me to tell me my new prescription is unavailable because the NHS won’t fund it.
I’m gutted because my only option now is another typical NHS favourite anti depressant which has far less positive reviews than the one I was meant to get.
My psychiatrist said I could pay privately for the originally prescribed medication but it’s around £60 per month and unfortunately I’m not working due to my mental state, I also have two toddlers who I am a single parent to— *toddlers cost a bit in upkeep* 😂
My psychiatrist mentioned the NHS ‘right to choose’ and getting my medication costs reimbursed but I don’t understand what she means?
NHS website was zero help.
Someone’s help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
The Anxious Mother of Two
5 comments
NHS Right to Choose is about your right to choose which doctor you want to see or which hospital you want to go to for a treatment.
If the drug isn’t funded by the NHS it’s because it has decided that it isn’t value for money. There’s no option to get them to pay for it for you.
Your only option is to pay out of pocket there might be more disability related benefits you could claim to pay for it.
Please do not take this ‘as gospel’. I *think* you can write / petition your local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) if your GP refuses. I’ve skimmed through the advice issued by the BMA to doctors and essentially if your GP feels the “use of the medication conflicts with NICE guidance or locally agreed protocols” they can refuse to issue it. Remember that you can always request the opinion of a second GP. Or a third
Were I in your situation I would do the following:
* Request that your Psychiatrist produce a letter that can be given to your GP outlining why, in their professional opinion they feel that the medication they’re prescribing should continue to be dispensed.
* Ask your GP if they can review their decision, and if it still stands ask if they can give provide the reason “in writing”.
* Ask your GP what the procedure / protocol is to appeal this. Unless your GP is a narcissistic idiot they really should not have an issue with you doing so.
Please note that GP surgerys are under increased demand at the moment, so if your surgery is willing to undertake the above it might take some time.
you can probably order it by mail from an Indian pharmacy for far less than the cost of a UK private prescription
Get the NHS pre-prescription card. ~£10pm, get unlimited prescriptions.