A couple of months ago we ran an updated version of an archive article on obtaining prescription drugs whose excipients (non-active ingredients such as fillers, capsules and colourings) were free of lactose, starch, corn, azo dyes, sugars etc – a major problem for those with severe allergies or intolerances to any of these ingredients. (This is not only a problem with prescription drugs but with nutritional supplements – see Micki Rose’s article on trying to get corn/grain-free supplements, for example.)
The re-visit to the subject was triggered by Jackie Broadway’s struggle to get pain killing drugs (after a hip replacement) that were both corn and sugar free as she is acutely allergic to both. In theory there is a system through which you can access such medicines, via companies who can make up the drugs specially for you in a format that you can tolerate. The problem is that this is, understandably, an expensive process so Primary Care Trusts, and now, once again, GP’s are reluctant to fund the ‘special’ drugs unless they are absolute forced to do so. In the event, although Jacquie got one prescription via her GP, she ended up by paying for the repeat prescription needed to get her through to the point at which her hip was healed.
(One might well ask whether, given the ever growing numbers of those who are either allergic or acutely intolerant to these substances, it might not be worth drug companies’ while producing ‘freefrom’ versions of the most common/popular drugs – or even leaving out some of the less desirable ingredients such as azo dyes/colours altogether…)
Jacquie was fortunate in that, although she deeply resented having to pay for her ‘special’ drugs (why should she? If people who ‘self abuse’ by over-eating or generally failing to take care of their health can get free drugs for their resulting diabetes or heart conditions, why should she have to pay for drugs she needs through no fault of her own at all?) she did at least have the means to do so. But such is certainly not the case for everyone.
I have, for example, just had an email from Julie Cox who had read the original article, who has had serious allergies since birth and who needs on-going medications. I have no idea of Julie’s circumstances but unless she is Soros-rich she is not going to be able to afford to fund her own ‘special’ medications on an on-going basis. I am printing her email below and if anyone has any thoughts, helpful or otherwise, please post a comment.
The only even vaguely helpful suggestion I could come up with was to change doctor – and to be sure to interview any prospective new doctor to ensure that they would be more sympathetic. (You are quite entitled to ‘interview’ a doctor before signing up with them, although they are usually rather startled by the request to do so. I would suggest that it was a sensible move for anyone who suffers from allergies/intolerances to make sure that you are going to get a reasonable hearing.)
These reactions can affect me in terms of asthma, angioedema, throat mouth and tongue swelling, anaphylaxis, eczema, or further irritating of my already sensitive and inflamed digestive tract.
I was always lead to believe there wasn’t any gluten in medicines but, knowing that starches were used to bulk out some of the drugs, I did wonder. So a while ago I wrote to the Medicines and Healthcare products Protection Agency – and got this reply…..
Thank you for your enquiry regarding Gluten. I do not know the exact piece of correspondence you are referring to, however the only recent email I have responded to on Gluten contained the wording below:
‘Excipients which can cause an adverse effect are required to be stated on the label of medicines and have a warning statement in the patient information leaflet. Gluten is not included in the list of excipients which must be declared.
However, the European Commission is currently revising this advice and the MHRA has already asked that they consider the inclusion of gluten in this list so that going forward patients will be more easily able to see which medicines contain these excipients.
I hope you find this information of use, but please let me know if you require anything further.’
Hi Julie
The action of your new doctor in refusing to continue the care delivered by your previous doctor is preposterous and needs to be challenged. (I’m jumping up and down here in indignation, just thinking about the way you’ve been treated!) Here are some options.
1. Challenge the new doctor face-to-face and make him aware that you will do whatever is necessary to have your special medication needs met, and existing, longstanding prescribing practice continued.
2. If you don’t feel you want the stress of a direct confrontation, just locate a new practice using this “Find a GP” tool and ask them if they will accept you. You won’t need to see anyone at your old practice again.
3. If you want to stay with your existing practice, you could make a formal complaint to the NHS using their complaints procedure here.
4. Involve the media. If you’re up for this, it would help others who will inevitably, given the current climate, face a similar situation. I’m sure your local BBC TV service would take up a story like this, and your new, cost-conscious GP would be invited to justify his actions on camera… I’m also certain that the Daily Mail would run this story. It’s use the kind of thing they love! And perhaps also the Guardian.
On a much more positive note, are you aware of Helminthic Therapy? If not, you may like to know that there is a very good chance that HT would remove your need for special medications – and put many of your health problems into remission. To get an idea of what HT can do, you could read my own story here.
And to learn all about Helminthic Therapy, see this list of links to all the most important information.
Finally, good luck, and do let us know how you get on, whatever course you choose.
Best – John
Jacquie Broadway called me yesterday having read Julie’s ‘story’ above. Although her hip is now much better she has both a carpal tunnel operation and a lot of dental work looming and, once again, wants to have some effective pain killers available. Her GP practice has said that although they would consider funding her ‘specials’ medication if the condition was chronic or on-going, they could not do so if it was only occasional or provisional – eg to have ‘freefrom’ painkillers available to deal with pain resulting from a specific operation. (This would suggest that if Julie’s need for medication is chronic, rather than occasional, she stands a better chance of getting it funded than did Jacquie.)
Jacquie, however, was not prepared to leave it there so she contacted the Patients’ Association to see if they could help. Interestingly, they said that she was by no means the first person to have asked for their help in this area and, although there was nothing specific they could do, they suggested that her GP complete a ‘Special Funding Request’ on her behalf to go to the local PCT. There is , apparently, no limit on how many times a patient can contact their PCT with a ‘Special Funding Request’.
Since the Patients’ Association is quite an influential body (and it only costs £20 a year to belong) it might be worth a few more people with ‘freefrom’ drug problems joining and soliciting their help in the hope that they might take up the cause more actively.