Do Prescriptions Expire?

Doop

Hi

Got a prescription from my doctor before xmas, and simply haven't been able to afford to get it filled since.

Hopefully should be able to do so soon. Will they still accept it 3/4 months since it was written?


Its not a repeat prescription or anything, haven't been prescribed this drug before either.

Cheers for any info!

bleg

It depends but most are in date 6 months. Without knowing or wanting to know what the prescription is for I'd refer you to your pharmacy for a conclusive answer.

locum-motion

A prescription is valid for 6 months from the date it was written, unless it a prescription for a Controlled Drug, in which case it is valid for 2 weeks.

Delta2113

Is Rectogesic a controlled drug? It has Glyceryl trinitrate.

It's basically €100 and i'm not ready to get it yet?

L1011

No, its not controlled. It should be a lot cheaper than that in somewhere like a Tesco pharmacy, however as a cream it has 21% VAT on it unfortunately which is part of why its so dear. My memory of it is that the wholesale cost is about €55 so a fee-only pricing structure would have it about €60 + 21%. It was easily €100+ with the 50% markup + fee structure.

Delta2113

€99.59 to be exact and that was in April of this year. Thanks MYOB.

The Doctor in the hospital said he would not put a date on it and i was thinking so it would be ok for a year or 2 but he signed and he did put a date.

As i say he gave me the impression it would be ok after 6 months but I doubt it.

locum-motion

An undated piece of paper is just a piece of paper.

A prescription includes the date on which it was written. If it's missing, then all you have is a worthless sheet of paper for which you probably paid E50 or more.

Delta2113

I didn't pay anything and yes it shows the date it was written on but he was telling me I won't put a date on it, his words.

Kurtosis

Regardless of what was said, the prescription will expire 6 months from the date that was written on the prescription.

huskerdu

locum-motion wrote: »

An undated piece of paper is just a piece of paper.

A prescription includes the date on which it was written. If it's missing, then all you have is a worthless sheet of paper for which you probably paid E50 or more.

Interesting. Can you clarify ? Is it a rule that a prescription must have a date and a pharmacist can reject a prescription that doesn't

Thanks,

Kurtosis

The legislation that covers prescription requirements is the Medicinal Product (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (here)

The following section states what details are required for a prescription to be valid:

7. (1) For the purposes of these Regulations a prescription shall comply with the following requirements, that is to say, it shall -

(a) be in ink and be signed by the person issuing it with his usual signature and be dated by him;

(b) except in the case of a health prescription, specify the address of the person issuing it;

(c) clearly indicate the name of the person issuing it and state whether he is a registered medical practitioner or a registered dentist; and

(d) specify the name and address, and age if under 12, of the person for whose treatment it is issued.

If any of the above details are missing then all the requirements are not met and so it isn't technically a valid prescription.

Gael23

I've been on the same medication for a good few years now and have never had issues with dates on prescriptions. I guess they can see on their system that you have indeed been getting that medicine regularly so do need it on an ongoing basis.

locum-motion

ryanf1 wrote: »

I've been o. The same be dictation for a good few years now and have never had issues with dates on prescriptions...

I'm sorry, but could you please re-post this in English?

Gael23

Edited my last post. That's what happens when I post on mobile!

locum-motion

ryanf1 wrote: »

I've been on the same medication for a good few years now and have never had issues with dates on prescriptions. I guess they can see on their system that you have indeed been getting that medicine regularly so do need it on an ongoing basis.

And have you been asked, every now and again, to return to your GP and obtain a fresh prescription?
Or did you present a single prescription "a good few years" ago and you've been merrily picking it up month after month ever since?
Because if it's the latter, then your pharmacist is not only breaking the law, but is frankly negligent as to your health.

locum-motion

ryanf1 wrote: »

Edited my last post. That's what happens when I post on mobile!

Thanks. Gotcha now.

Gael23

locum-motion wrote: »

And have you been asked, every now and again, to return to your GP and obtain a fresh prescription?
Or did you present a single prescription "a good few years" ago and you've been merrily picking it up month after month ever since?
Because if it's the latter, then your pharmacist is not only breaking the law, but is frankly negligent as to your health.

My GP gives me 3 physical scripts each time rather than just writing repeat x3 on one. Usually each lasts me 6 weeks so when I see him again in 3 months I have a script spare

locum-motion

ryanf1 wrote: »

My GP gives me 3 physical scripts each time rather than just writing repeat x3 on one. Usually each lasts me 6 weeks so when I see him again in 3 months I have a script spare

OK then. So you've "never had an issue with dates on prescriptions" because you have always had a valid prescription.
My misunderstanding - I thought you were saying you'd "never had an issue with dates on prescriptions" because you'd always been given your medication despite not having a valid prescription. In effect, I thought you meant that no one had ever queried that your prescriptions were out of date.

vicwatson

Is it standard practice for a gp to charge to print off a new script and sign it for long term medication especially where the initial script was only set for 6 months?

angeldelight

vicwatson wrote: »

Is it standard practice for a gp to charge to print off a new script and sign it for long term medication especially where the initial script was only set for 6 months?

Most GPs yes - some won't charge every time. There should ideally be an assessment every year as a minimum as well...

Gael23

vicwatson wrote: »

Is it standard practice for a gp to charge to print off a new script and sign it for long term medication especially where the initial script was only set for 6 months?

Some do, some don't but i have never been charged. More recently, my GP wanted to see me each time my prescriptions were due so he would give them to me then. Other times if Ic was in for another reason I would take a prescription for my repeats anyway seen as I was with him so there have been few times where I rang the Secretary and asked but have never been charged

L1011

vicwatson wrote: »

Is it standard practice for a gp to charge to print off a new script and sign it for long term medication especially where the initial script was only set for 6 months?

Fairly standard, often at a significantly reduced rate if it is just the act of printing/signing and no review is needed. €15 or €20 would be common but as each GP is allowed set their own private pricing structure obviously that's not universal.

Gael23

Slightly OT but what happens when you have a medical card and you see a consultant privately? Do you have to get a new script from your GP?

Ocean Blue

ryanf1 wrote: »

Slightly OT but what happens when you have a medical card and you see a consultant privately? Do you have to get a new script from your GP?

Yes if your GP will oblige you but they aren't under any obligation to . Otherwise you pay for the medication privately.