Re: coproxamol
Originally Posted by
Sir_Dispensalot 
The main crux of the argument is that co-prox hasn't been withdrawn - it is its license which has - a major difference. Many doctors are assuming that if the license is gone, it can't be prescibed, either nhs or privately. This view is mistaken. Some drugs get their licenses withdrawn and have a full recall and removal from the market - eg vioxx. This simply is not the case with co-proxamol as it is still made by some specialist manufacturers and still imported by companies such as clinigen. We even got hold of a few boxes directly from phoenix the other week at a fraction of clinigen's prices. The drug is still out there and many patients are still obtaining supplies. I have dispensed both NHS and private prescriptions for co-proxamol within the last 12 months.
As the others have said it simply requires slightly more justification to prescribe on the part of the doctor. Some doctors may be reluctant as they could be in a little bit more hot water if something goes wrong.
You could do worse that point out to the doc that they merrily write out scripts for unlicensed specials all the bloody time for other medicines - some just as potentially 'dangerous' as co-prox.
As i said in an earlier post - if the doc or pct is not able to prescribe it locally, go private. If the private doc won't, simply find another who will - phone around the area and speak to a few gp surgeries. I'm sure a few of them will happily take your dosh. If they are no help, try contacting your local private hospital for some advice. Don't let a poorly-informed healthcare professional fob you off in this matter.
sorry guys but we seem to be going round the same issue time and again on this thread.
Most pharmacies can and will get this in for you, once they see a script for it, either private or nhs. It all boils down to the prescriber.
If they can justify prescribing it to you to their bosses at the PCT, and be willing to 'take the flak' should something go wrong, then they should be able to write a prescription.
Please don't lay the blame at drug company / MHRA / your friendly local pharmacist.
Try to work with your gp / consultant. Find out WHY they aren't willing to prescribe. Speak to your PCT. Try to convince them of your need for this drug.
Remember that in this day and age the onus is on you to get the most out of your healthcare.
“It's not worth doing something unless you were doing something that someone, somewhere, would much rather you weren't doing.”
Terry Pratchett
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