Dispensing plan for European prescriptions

[Raoul]

check this news guys

dispensing plan for EU Rx, what do you think guys?


ADV:
1- people going on holidays/tourists could have their script dispensed in other EU country
2- globalisation of retail dispensing through EU
3- the process is only possible of some drugs are AGREED to be " Best option" for certain conditions
4- add on

DIS:
1- more work to be done, more headaches
2- increase in overall of dispensing costs " contacting EU prescribers for enquires/ cost of phone calls"
3- add on

[Fleegle]

Interesting topic...

May I start with this question..
Can European citizens have a prescription dispensed in the UK on the basis of visiting a UK-registered GP, obtaining an NHS Rx, and having it dispensed, free of charge, on production of a valid European Health Insurance card? The GP has dealt with the problem, and written the script, probably on foot of a European script,or more likely, empty box he has been shown. I believe that script (or empty box) should have been brought directly to the pharmacy, because that is our role.

If this system is approved, there should be little to worry about, as it is already pretty much in place. The only problem , I think, would be prescription wording, and understanding some abbreviations etc. to which we are not yet fully accustomed. I had a few difficulties with Rx's from a new Polish GP, but soon copped on to the "lingo".

Personally speaking, I also found the prescribing habits of this GP to be somewhat revolutionary, and very refreshing.

Basically, I'm all for it.

Please bear in mind that I practise in Ireland, and my comments are pretty much based on the way we do it here. As long as we are provided with a home address in the native country, we will be re-imbursed for supply. (includes UK).Supply is free..even if they normally pay Rx charges in UK....

[johnep]

I had NHS script where pts address was given as Romania.
johnep

[Raoul]

"I had NHS script where pts address was given as Romania."
yeah but believe the new plan means " prescriber address be any address within EU"

[lamzee]

Originally Posted by Fleegle

Please bear in mind that I practise in Ireland, and my comments are pretty much based on the way we do it here. As long as we are provided with a home address in the native country, we will be re-imbursed for supply. (includes UK).Supply is free..even if they normally pay Rx charges in UK....

But only if they see an Irish GP and get it written on a green GMS form----they still have to pay full whack for scripts written abroad don't they? ( I think). So a UK patient with a NHS rx would have to pay for it as a private rx in Ireland , but could get it free if an Irish GP re-wrote it on a GMS form and wrote a European (eg UK in this case) address on it.

[Fleegle]

That's it in a nutshell. Irish GP's appear to have no problem prescribing on a GMS form for European residents...How the GP is paid, I do not know. If a UK NHS Rx was presented, I would probably be obliged to charge in full, but I usually make a phone call. Based on the EU card, a GMS prescription will generally be forthcoming.

Re address as "Romania", I have received mail addressed "Clare, Ireland"!!

[Raoul]

From next month UK pharmacists will be authorised to dispense prescriptions that originate in Europe. European prescriptions to be valid in the UK | PJ Online

[lamzee]

Wow--time to open a shop in Newry !!! They will make a fortune now !!!!

[Nikolai]

European prescriptions eh ?? So if they're written on the right form which is used in that country, by a doctor who you never heard of, and for an item you cannot read, it can still be dispensed ?

[Sir_Dispensalot]

Originally Posted by Nikolai

European prescriptions eh ?? So if they're written on the right form which is used in that country, by a doctor who you never heard of, and for an item you cannot read, it can still be dispensed ?

yup, and you have to go to all the rigmarole of finding out if the prescriber is genuine (a bit difficult if you don't speak the lingo) and that the script fulfils legal requirements.
HOWEVER as it's treated as a private script you are under no legal obligation to dispense it if you feel that the details of the script are unverifiable/unworkable.