[incredible hulse]

Another tip for anyone coming from the UK and uses Ventolin/Salbutamol. Get your UK doc to prescribe some and stock up - used to get 2 per prescription in UK (7 pounds or whatever it is now). Had a shock today when got charged over 19 dollars and the tight gets would only give me one for that price !

[Cardy]

HI
our docs in england were great they gave us a 12 month supply and when we had trouble with maf because some were in the container they sent us the paperwork by fax to give to maf. Glad i did now !! $19 each and my kids all have 2 different ones each Ouch!!
Cheers Cardy :nice1

[sizzlingbadger]

The price must vary because I pay $15.50 for mine, yep it is more expensive than the UK but unfortunately not a drug you can do without if you've got asthma :(

[k-k]

Ventolin inhalers are not fully subsidised so you always pay more for them than if you get the Salamol brand which is fully subsidised. (Salamol would only be $15 per script). Even if the script is written as Ventolin you can ask the pharmacy to dispense the subsidised version if you are happy with it.

Another strange thing about dispensing inhalers over here is that the number of inhalers dispensed is based on the dose the doctor writes on the script. So if the doc writes 2 puffs twice daily you will only get 2 inhalers to last over a 3 month period. (200 puffs per inhaler using 4 puffs/day for 90 days = 360puffs). Regardless of whether the doc writes you up for 2 inhalers with 2 repeats (which should give you 6 inhalers over 3 months).

The trick is to tell the doc you use at least 2 puffs four times a day (for Salbutamol inhalers) or just to put 2 puffs when required and for repeats on the dispensing as well. That way you will get more inhalers per script. Repeats on the Salamol brand will be free so you could get 4 or more inhalers for $15. Repeats on the Ventolin brand will incur a part charge, but will not be as much as the first dispensing charge.

Similary with other inhalers eg Flixotide or Symbicort, the number of inhalers dispensed is strictly linked to the dosage on the script, regardless of what the doctor writes.

Hope this helps
k-k

[marcia]

Thanks for this, both Mika and Kev have inhalers - will be looking into getting a couple for the suitcase!!

[incredible hulse]

Thanks Karen - that's useful. Just checked and I was subscribed Ventolin (which I've never had before in UK, always Salamol brand). Will remember to ask the doc next time to subscribe the subsidised brand - no idea what the script had on it for them to just subscribe one; will also make sure I make out I need to use it more often than I do