How do I find out what drugs are available on NHS?

I'm taking several prescription medications.  How do I find out if they are available in England?

I also need to start taking birth control pills, and want to make sure that  I won't have to switch formulas after I move.

I'm not sure how you'd find out exactly what's available over here, but I'm pretty sure there are equivalents for most things.

As far as birth control, chances are you'll have to switch to an equivalent as the brands we're used to in the US aren't available here (Ortho Tri-Cyclen, etc.).

Hi Shell

If I understand correctly from previous posts, your fiance is in the UK, am I right? If so, probably the easiest way is to give him a list of the drugs and get him to ask his GP.

You might also find the NHS website of some help: http://www.nhs.uk/

Hope this helps

Liz

I'm taking several prescription medications.  How do I find out if they are available in England?

It is entirely possible to get your fiance to go to his GP with a list of the medicines you are currently taking. All approved medicines for use in the uk are listed in the British National Formulary (BNF) His GP will just need to look them up.

Hope that helps.

Kel.

Or maybe to a pharmacist in the first instance ?

Or maybe to a pharmacist in the first instance ?

Oh yeah, that would be even easier.

I always do things the hard way 

Ah well.

Kel.

I had no probs at all finding a new variation of the pill when I got here. I went to a GP (near uni. rather than near home at the time - you should definitely register at the surgery nearest your house as soon as you move in case of emergency!) and told her what pills I was taking in the US and why - I explained what the problems I'd had in the past with the pill had been. She spent quite a bit of time with me going over the pills that she could dispense and how they differed in chemical make-up from the ones I was on. She gave me 3 months worth and said to come back for another chat after those were gone. I've used them for over a year now with no trouble at all.

I actually found her more thorough and interested in explaining things to me than my doctor in California, who I absolutely adored. 

You will also find that most towns also offer a "Family Planning Clinic" (similar I believe to Planned Parenthood in the USA? but I am not 100% sure and you can consult with them for any contraeceptive/gynae needs.

They are usually a lot better informed on contraception than G.P's, for different ages and stages - offer free pregnancy testing, provide free condoms (limit used to be 12) :O  and you can also have your smear tests done there.

Just as important- they don't cram appts like GP's, they can double the amount of time to discuss your options in a way that todays GP's cannot afford.

hth,
S.

Oh, Oh, Oh... if you find out how to determine if certain RX drugs can be had in the UK... I'd love to know. Here in France I can't get one of my most important RXs..... My stash is beginning to thin out.
PitterPat

http://www.medicines.org.uk/

I think that one might help people looking for meds in available in the UK - it's a really useful site

S.

Oh that is a great website!  I hope you don't mind me adding to this question.  Just curious how they charge for meds here?  Is it a set rate for anything, or do certain things cost more or less?  I have yet to need anything, but it's good to know for the future.

Oh that is a great website!  I hope you don't mind me adding to this question.  Just curious how they charge for meds here?  Is it a set rate for anything, or do certain things cost more or less?  I have yet to need anything, but it's good to know for the future.

If it is prescribed your GP each item has a fixed cost equivalent to about $11. Normally you will get about a one month supply. If you need many items it can be cost effective to get a prepayment card. It costs about $180 at current exchange rates and will pay for all meds prescribed for one year.

ARGH!!!!!!! I just did a long post for you and hit enter and CC's reply topic landed in my e-mail box and I somehow lost it!!

Mine was more on the same! The current price for a prescription is £6.40, this is for each, individual item (so be careful that some items regularly prescribed are not a lot cheaper over the counter at less than 6.40).

The PPC (Pre Payment Certificates) are available from:www.ppa.org.uk/ppc_intro.htm

The 4 mth one for example costs around £41 and can save a bundle if you have regularly prescribed meds. Another heads up is that if you ask your GP nicely ( very nicely!) they may prescribe more than one months worth at a time, saving you a significant amount of money- however, most GP's are not keen on doing this, but mine does.

The certificate is a small plastic credit card type of card with a number and expiry date and name on it, if you don't happen to have it with you ( when renewing for example) you can just tick the back of the prescription to say you have a pre paid certificate. These certificates are subject to random checking.

Sheril.

Thank you both!  That is great to know!!!   Much the same as in the US when I had insurance.  MY GP is swell, so if I ever do need more, I hope she would perscribe more then one at a time!  I should tell Rich to do that, he takes meds every day.

Just to add that birth control is free.  Nice to walk out without having to pay for it!