Repeat Prescriptions

mickyd1000 · 15-09-2012 10:50am #1

My Dr in Rush has started to charge ¢10 for a repeat prescriptions. Is this normal are other Doctors charging the same or more? Its bad enough they charge ¢60 for 3 minutes but charging for not even having to see you seems mad.

RobFowl · 15-09-2012 11:02am

Do you think they should do it for free?

(Fairly standard to charge 10-15 euro)

mickyd1000 · 15-09-2012 11:15am

RobFowl wrote: »

Do you think they should do it for free?

(Fairly standard to charge 10-15 euro)

Are you a Doctor or related to a Doctor by chance?

If it is fairly standard why have they only started to charge?

Most repeats are for long term illness or treatment.

So they will only give me a repeat prescription for 3 months at a time so I have to pay an extra 40 euro a year. On top of that I then have to pay ridiculous prices at the pharmacy.

There is "Supposed to be a recession on currently" & when there is more than one person per household getting repeats it does all start to add up.

We are in a position that we don't qualify for any help from the GOVT yet don't earn enough that all these sundry payments don't add up.

I am still curious if it is the norm?

RobFowl · 15-09-2012 11:20am

mickyd1000 wrote: »

If it is fairly standard why have they only started to charge?

Most repeats are for long term illness or treatment.

So they will only give me a repeat prescription for 3 months at a time so I have to pay an extra 40 euro a year. On top of that I then have to pay ridiculous prices at the pharmacy.

There is "Supposed to be a recession on currently" & when there is more than one person per household getting repeats it does all start to add up.

We are in a position that we don't qualify for any help from the GOVT yet don't earn enough that all these sundry payments don't add up.

I am still curious if it is the norm?

Every GP practice I'm aware of charges for them. They take time to do, the GP software is expensive, the paper/ink costs money and the medicolegal reponsability is carried by the prescribing doctor.
Recession or not somebody has to pay the costs of writing prescriptions. In the UK it's the taxpayer, in ROI it's left to the patient.
BTW the cost of repeat prescriptions is tax deductable so is subsidised by the state, the cost of prescriptions is also limited under the DPS, so you do actually get "help from the GOVT".

(PS Boards Usernames are anonymous so who I am or who I am related to is my own business

)

mickyd1000 · 15-09-2012 11:27am

Maybe a patient rather than a Doctor could answer though?

Fair enough Not looking a personal fight just trying to get some information

The Hill Billy · 15-09-2012 12:03pm

mickyd1000 wrote: »

My Dr in Rush has started to charge ¢10 for a repeat prescriptions. Is this normal are other Doctors charging the same or more? Its bad enough they charge ¢60 for 3 minutes but charging for not even having to see you seems mad.

I answer to your question (& before you question my credentials - I am an IT Consultant) - yes, other doctors charge the same & sometimes more for repeat prescriptions.

It is a business that they run. They don't do it for the good of their health. (Pun intended.) I don't give my services free, why should they be expected to?

mickyd1000 · 15-09-2012 12:24pm

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I answer to your question (& before you question my credentials - I am an IT Consultant) - yes, other doctors charge the same & sometimes more for repeat prescriptions.

It is a business that they run. They don't do it for the good of their health. (Pun intended.) I don't give my services free, why should they be expected to?

If I was paranoid I would believe you are an IT consultant in the GP software field."& Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you"

Maybe its the Marxism in me that is struggling with the charge. If I was a Marxist that is.:D

The original question was do other Doctors charge not why they charge?

The Hill Billy · 15-09-2012 12:50pm

No, I specialise in telecommunications. I'd see a doctor about that possible paranoia.

And I answered the original question by telling you that other doctors also charge & I gave you a rationale for why they charge.

robertpatterson · 15-09-2012 7:07pm

Got a leaflet through the door about a crowd in swords
http://www.gpnow.ie/
They say they dont charge for repeat prescriptions
Might be worth a change of doctor for you

Ella · 15-09-2012 7:59pm

My Doctor charges €10 for them. Well he tries but no one pays the tenner and he still gives the scripts out to you.

SeaSide · 16-09-2012 12:09pm

Perhaps reasonable if it is something that has to be reassessed every once in a while. Not reasonable if its something that you are going to be on for the rest of your life. Reasonable if it is a yearly or twice yearly repeat. Not reasonable if its a monthly repeat for something you're going to be on for a year.

Separately not reasonable if it is something that you can get over counter without a prescription when abroad at 1/4 of the price

SeaSide · 16-09-2012 12:15pm

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I answer to your question (& before you question my credentials - I am an IT Consultant) - yes, other doctors charge the same & sometimes more for repeat prescriptions.

It is a business that they run. They don't do it for the good of their health. (Pun intended.) I don't give my services free, why should they be expected to?

Yes but you operate in an open market so if someone wants to go to the teenager next door to manage their IT system and pay in Dutch Gold that is within their rights. You couldn't run your business by charging a tenner every time a customer wanted a printout (unless you're IBM)

Stheno · 17-09-2012 10:26pm

My doctor doesn't, now I just had to get one once, for a second round of antibiotics. Over the years, I've found it varies from practice to practice.

Also shop around pharmacies, I got the exact same prescription of branded antibiotics for 12.90 in Tesco balbriggan, and 21.40 in my local pharmacist

And as an fyi, I also work in IT

tatli_lokma · 19-09-2012 12:32pm

most practices have a standard charge for repeat prescriptions to cover admin costs and the time for the doc to sit and write a pile of scripts. Even repeat certs are charged for (inc SW certs which seems strange that you are being paid sick leave and yet have to paid a doc to sign the form

) and in some clinics even every letter you request is charged for.

Anyway, although it is a set price in most clinics, most docs are aware that some peoples circumstances mean paying is difficult for them. Perhaps explain your situation to your doc, and see if an agreement can be made.

And bear in mind, a lot of docs won't give a repeat prescription every few months without reviewing your condition. So if you are not visiting them, and instead asking for repeat scripts every few months, they would be remiss to keep handing scripts out without reviewing your health regularly.

If you are visiting the doc regularly for long term illness, then why not ask there and then for 3 or 6 mth prescriptions? that way, you are not paying anything extra to the consultation fee you would pay anyway?

RobFowl · 19-09-2012 12:48pm

Little Ted wrote: »

Even repeat certs are charged for (inc SW certs which seems strange that you are being paid sick leave and yet have to paid a doc to sign the form ) and in some clinics even every letter you request is charged for.

If you are visiting the doc regularly for long term illness, then why not ask there and then for 3 or 6 mth prescriptions? that way, you are not paying anything extra to the consultation fee you would pay anyway?

FWIW you shouldn't have to pay for SW certs as GP's are paid directly for these.

Good advice re the 3-6 month repeats.

tatli_lokma · 19-09-2012 12:54pm

RobFowl wrote: »

FWIW you should have to pay for SW certs as GP's are paid directly for these.

last time I was out sick for a fortnight I was charged €10 to get the certs stamped and signed. Luckily for me my employer paysthe balance to the SW for 1 mth so at least I was on my normal wages, but a lot of people don't get any sick pay from their employers. This added to the doctor visits and prescriptions could put a significant strain on someone financially. My previous employer didn't pay and I remember when I had a severe throat infection I was off for 3 weeks just before Christmas - paid out around €200 for doctor, scripts and certs and there was only 1 wage in the home at the time. The stress of having half the money I would normally have, and the mortgage to pay and Christmas to cover, I am sure this stress only prolonged my illness. But unfortunately this is the sad reality for so many at the moment - you simply cannot afford to get sick!

RobFowl · 19-09-2012 1:52pm

Sorry Ted that should have read
"FWIW you shouldn't have to pay for SW certs as GP's are paid directly for these"

tatli_lokma · 19-09-2012 2:28pm

As I said, both times in the last few years that I had to get SW certs I was charged €10 each time. Most recently was 12 mths ago in Sept/Oct of last year. Unless it has changed since then?

RobFowl · 19-09-2012 2:42pm

Little Ted wrote: »

As I said, both times in the last few years that I had to get SW certs I was charged €10 each time. Most recently was 12 mths ago in Sept/Oct of last year. Unless it has changed since then?

No it's been like that for a long time, the "Sick certs" are liable for a charge though.

loveisdivine · 20-09-2012 10:06am

The doctor I use doesnt charge for repeats. I would be a bit miffed if they did. Ive been on the same medication for 10 years! Ill pay my €50 every 6 months or so when he needs to check my blood pressure. But when I'm paying said €50 for about 3-5 minutes of attention then I certainly dont expect to pay again for him to put his signature on something.

Some good advice about shopping around in pharmacies. Something else I noticed was when I give them a prescription for say 6 packets of medication, they prefer to only give me one so that they can charge me the dispensing charge 6 times too. They only give you the full prescription if you ask for it.
I only realised cos one time I collected it and it cost something like €7, I realised they had only given me one so I asked if I could have all of it instead and the bill only came to around €12, for a full 6 months worth.

RobFowl · 20-09-2012 10:18am

loveisdivine wrote: »

Something else I noticed was when I give them a prescription for say 6 packets of medication, they prefer to only give me one so that they can charge me the dispensing charge 6 times too. They only give you the full prescription if you ask for it.
I only realised cos one time I collected it and it cost something like €7, I realised they had only given me one so I asked if I could have all of it instead and the bill only came to around €12, for a full 6 months worth.

They are supposed to dispense it a month at a time. A 6 month script is supposed to be 6 issues, one every month rather than 6 months supply given at once.
The DPS does not cover more than a month at a time btw.

RobFowl · 20-09-2012 10:19am

loveisdivine wrote: »

The doctor I use doesnt charge for repeats. I would be a bit miffed if they did. Ive been on the same medication for 10 years! Ill pay my €50 every 6 months or so when he needs to check my blood pressure. But when I'm paying said €50 for about 3-5 minutes of attention then I certainly dont expect to pay again for him to put his signature on something.

Do you not get a 6 month scrpit when you attend? Wondering why you have to get repeat scripts in between if you are attending every 6 months anyway??

loveisdivine · 20-09-2012 10:39am

RobFowl wrote: »

Do you not get a 6 month scrpit when you attend? Wondering why you have to get repeat scripts in between if you are attending every 6 months anyway??

I wonder that too! It was the same at the last doctor I used in Malahide. He only gave me a 3 month scrip, but didnt want to see me for another 6 months. Then when I changed doctor he would only give me a 3 month because it was my first time with them, but when I rang after 3 months I just asked for a repeat and they gave me a 6 month one, didnt need me to see the doc or anything. No charge at either of the docs for the repeat.

Why are the pharmacy only supposed to give you one at a time? Surely if youve been allowed 6 months, then you should get 6 months worth. Going back every month is inconvenient and costs me more.

mickyd1000 · 20-09-2012 8:38pm

The medication I am on comes in packs of 28 I have on occasion bought a pack on the 1st and another on the 28th but the chemist always classed it as a new month for the dps scheme.
I have gotten 6 months worth in Newry for less than 1 months in Rush.

So let's not start on the pharmacies.
I still maintain that a script doesn't warrant a €10 charge when they charge €60 for 1 visit.
I have been on these particular meds for over 6 years, and rarely get asked anything by the Doctor in reference to them.

donfers · 08-07-2020 9:53am

sorry to bump this old thread but just got a call from my gp asking me to pay 30 euro because they sent a repeat prescription to my pharmacy. This was after a one minute call to the doctor saying I needed the prescription renewed.

Is 30 euro the norm for this now? Seems like a rip-off to me

HeidiHeidi · 08-07-2020 9:59am

donfers wrote: »

sorry to bump this old thread but just got a call from my gp asking me to pay 30 euro because they sent a repeat prescription to my pharmacy. This was after a one minute call to the doctor saying I needed the prescription renewed.

Is 30 euro the norm for this now? Seems like a rip-off to me

I had to phone for a repeat prescription at the start of Covid, I was charged €15.

Plus, the pharmacist would only dispense one month at a time of the six prescribed (they said they had to do it that way, which was fair enough I suppose, I had always got the 6 months in bulk before), which made it very expensive.

donfers · 08-07-2020 10:03am

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

I had to phone for a repeat prescription at the start of Covid, I was charged €15.

Pus they'd only dispense one month at a time of the six prescribed (they said they had to do it that way, which was fair enough I suppose, I had always got the 6 months in bulk before), which made it very expensive.

That sounds pretty dodgy to me "they said they had to do it that way" hmmm...at least with mine I got it for six months but still there should be some regulation around this. Some places don't charge, some charge a fiver or a tenner and others thirty like my place. And then you get caught with this necessity to get a new prescription every month - totally bonkers system rife for exploitation of the patient.

HeidiHeidi · 08-07-2020 10:09am

donfers wrote: »

That sounds pretty dodgy to me "they said they had to do it that way" hmmm...at least with mine I got it for six months but still there should be some regulation around this. Some places don't charge, some charge a fiver or a tenner and others thirty like my place. And then you get caught with this necessity to get a new prescription every month - totally bonkers system rife for exploitation of the patient.

Sorry, I worded that all wrong!

The pharmacist would (could) only dispense the medication one month at a time - presumably to prevent stockpiling, which was quite the rage at the time.

The doctor prescribed for six months, as per usual.

Apologies! Original posted edited now.

11-07-2020 10:00pm

donfers wrote: »

sorry to bump this old thread but just got a call from my gp asking me to pay 30 euro because they sent a repeat prescription to my pharmacy. This was after a one minute call to the doctor saying I needed the prescription renewed.

Is 30 euro the norm for this now? Seems like a rip-off to me

My GP charges €25. I've bounced around 3 different GPs in the last 5 years and they all charged similar.

pinkypinky · 13-07-2020 12:24pm

€40 for telephone consult & repeat prescriptions, which they emailed to the chemist for me.

To be honest, I didn't mind. Much better than waiting around the surgery long after appointment time to see the doctor for a few mins and take the prescription away. I didn't have to take time off work. She asks all the questions she would have asked in person.

Repeat Prescriptions

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