[Familyofmonkeys]

Bit confused as to how much you are supposed to pay for repeat prescription?
OH picked up repeat prescription for me from surgery last week, and was charged $15 at surgery for the script, and then another $3 for inhaler at chemist (apparently this is subsidised by $17, so only $3 charge). What surprised me was being charged for prescription script. Is this normal...if so, is there a standard charge or does it vary by surgery?:confused:

[Questor]

Most (if not all) surgeries charge for prescriptions, and it varies according to the surgery.
The charge at the oharmacy, assuming the item is fully subsidised, should be the same no matter where you go, but you do still have to pay to get a prescription if you don't see the doctor (the charge is included in the doctor's consultation fee I think)
Jon

[Danny & Julie]

We pay $15.00 for repeat prescriptions and it's the same price for the kids. In the UK I could get a 6 month supply of meds for my hubby's insulin & my sons inhalers but here they will only supply 3 months at a time.

[sarahjones]

We pay $12 for a repeat prescription, $21 for a doctor consultation including a prescription, and $3 per prescription item at the pharmacy. This may be age related and younger people (under 45?) may pay differently.

[Familyofmonkeys]

I guess i'll have to try and get several months worth of inhalers at the same time. What is the max they will give...is it 3 monthe everywhere?

[sarahjones]

I guess i'll have to try and get several months worth of inhalers at the same time. What is the max they will give...is it 3 monthe everywhere?
My OH needs insulin and can only get, without prior arrangement, one months worth at a time from the pharmacy, but the prescription, and the pharmacy charge, is for 3 months worth. We asked the pharmacist why they wouldn't normally issue the full prescription in one go, and were informed they are instructed not to do so as it's a cash flow thing for the relevant government dept.

[Trigirl]

you have to ask the doctor to write "certified exemption" on the prescription when they prescribe it. that basically means that you are stable on the drug and are expected to continue using it for the full 3 months. its not really a cash flow issue - more making sure that people are not given 3 months worth of drugs when they are only going to use one.

[sarahjones]

you have to ask the doctor to write "certified exemption" on the prescription when they prescribe it. that basically means that you are stable on the drug and are expected to continue using it for the full 3 months.That's great we'll try that next time. Thanks.

[Questor]

Even that won't really work, as insulin isn't on the "stat list" which is basically a list of medicines the government says we have to give all in one go, anything else we have to give monthly, unless there's a reason (going overseas for example). IT is mostly used for drugs that have abuse potential (sleeping pills etc.), asthma inhalers (to avoid people stockpiling if they're not needing them as much) and drugs which, even if you are very stable on them, the dose could change at a moment's notice (such as insulin).
As for only being able to have 3 months, that's a legal thing. The Medicines Act says any prescription may be for a maximum of 3 months supply. The way of getting around that is to ask the doctor to post-date prescriptions for you - some will do that, others won't, just depends on the doctor.

It can't be too hard to nip into the pharmacy once a month can it? :)

[Lupin]

I saw my doctor for my youngest today who had a prescription for some cream and while there I asked for a repeat prescription for myself. So, 15 min consult with a lovely doctor in a lovely surgery plus two prescriptions and drugs- total cost $3. Bargain :)

So far I love the system. Having to pop into the pharma once a month is no huge drag when I consider the stats on wasted meds in the UK and I only pay once every three months.

[Familyofmonkeys]

It can't be too hard to nip into the pharmacy once a month can it? :)

It's more a case of not spending $15 every month for a new inhaler, when I can spend that every 3 months instead. I don't like wasting money, I would rather spend it on the things I actually enjoy.

[Questor]

You don't pay for repeats (well you shouldn't) only for certain items that aren't fully funded (Ventolin for example has a $4 per inhaler part charge)

[Trigirl]

Even that won't really work, as insulin isn't on the "stat list" which is basically a list of medicines the government says we have to give all in one go, anything else we have to give monthly, unless there's a reason (going overseas for example). IT is mostly used for drugs that have abuse potential (sleeping pills etc.), asthma inhalers (to avoid people stockpiling if they're not needing them as much) and drugs which, even if you are very stable on them, the dose could change at a moment's notice (such as insulin).
As for only being able to have 3 months, that's a legal thing. The Medicines Act says any prescription may be for a maximum of 3 months supply. The way of getting around that is to ask the doctor to post-date prescriptions for you - some will do that, others won't, just depends on the doctor.

It can't be too hard to nip into the pharmacy once a month can it? :)

i know insulin isn't on the stat list - otherwise you wouldn't need the certified exemption! on the pharmaceutical schedule it specifically says next to insulin "Three months supply may be dispensed at one time if endorsed “certified expemption” by the prescriber."

[Familyofmonkeys]

You don't pay for repeats (well you shouldn't) only for certain items that aren't fully funded (Ventolin for example has a $4 per inhaler part charge)

It's not the $4 for inhaler, it is the $15 surgery ask for everytime I need another repeat to do script. Noe if they can do me one script for 3 inhalers, that is $15 not $45.