GENERIC MEDICINES
Generic medicines are the same as a branded medicine, for example
Nurofen is the branded name for the medicine ibuprofen (the generic
name). Generic medicines are made to the same standard as branded
medicines so they are as safe and effective and of the same high
quality as the branded medicines. Generic medicines contain
the same ingredients and are identical in strength to the branded
medicine, so they treat conditions in just the same way as a branded
medicine.
There may be some difference in colour, shape or size which does not
affect the medicine or the way it works.
Using generic medicines saves money which is used in other ways to
benefit you, your family and other patients. The advice from the
Department of Health is to use generic medicines where they are
available.
For these reasons, your repeat prescription will change and you will
now be prescribed generic medicines.
Remember, generic medicines:
-
Have the same active ingredients as branded medicines
-
Meet the same quality standards as branded medicines
-
Are as safe and effective as branded medicines.
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS FOLLOWING AN NHS REFERRAL
When you are referred by your GP to an NHS specialist your
medication may change. Your specialist may give you a one-off
prescription as part of your treatment and if appropriate may ask
you to go to your GP so that you can get the medicines as part of
your long term care. If the GP does not feel able to accept clinical
responsibility for prescribing the medication, the specialist will
remain responsible for further prescriptions.
Your GP must have a full clinical report from the specialist before
providing further treatment so you may not be able to get another
prescription right away. The specialist should give you enough
medicines until your GP has received the report but please speak to
your practice if you are concerned that you will not have enough.
Local GPs have agreed to prescribe in line with local policies. If
the recommendation from your consultant is for medicines that are
not in line with local policies, then your GP may change the
medication to be in line with the drugs used for NHS patients.
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS CONSIDERING PRIVATE MEDICAL
CONSULTATIONS
When you are see a private specialist you should be aware what may
happen about medication you may need after the consultation.
1. Independent Private referral
People who refer themselves to a consultant independently of the GP
(i.e. outside the NHS), whether in the UK or abroad, are expected to
pay the full cost of any treatment they receive in relation to the
care provided privately.
2. Private referral through your GP
After a private referral made by your GP, your private specialist
may give you a prescription. Sometimes you may only need one
prescription. The prescription provided by your private specialist
will be a private prescription and you must pay for the medication.
If you need continued treatment you may be given just one private
prescription (which you will need to pay for) and advised to return
to your GP to see if further NHS prescriptions can be provided.
A NHS prescription to continue your treatment will only be provided
if your GP considers there is a clinical need and that an NHS
patient would be treated in the same way; there is no obligation for
the GP to prescribe the treatment recommended by a private
specialist. In order to judge your clinical need your GP must have
received a full clinical report from the private specialist and
therefore you may not be able to have a prescription immediately.
GPs have agreed to prescribe in line with local policies. If the
recommendation from your private specialist is for treatment that is
not in line with local policies, then your GP may change the
medication in line with the drugs used for NHS patients. If the GP
feels the treatment is for a specialist area the GP can ask the
specialist to remain responsible for the treatment and to provide
further prescriptions which the patient will need to pay for.
UNLICENSED MEDICINES AND MEDICINES WITH LIMITED THERAPEUTIC VALUE
Medicines are provided with a license by the manufacturers to ensure
they are safe. NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent advises GPs not to
prescribe products that do not have a UK medicine product license.
Examples of items where there is no product license are:
-
Health supplements e.g. Antioxidants for Age-related Macular
Degeneration (Ocuvit®, ICAPS®), Gamolenic Acid, Cod Liver Oil,
Q10, Elena®, Progest Cream®, Glucosamine products
-
Herbal medicines e.g. Ginkgo Biloba, St John’s Wort
-
Other unlicensed products not listed in official information
sources such as the British National Formulary .e.g. Co-proxamol
Please note this list is not exhaustive.
Your GP is reviewing prescriptions where unlicensed medicines have
been provided. You may be recommended an alternative or you may be
able to buy the product yourself.
NEW PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
Following a successful meeting at The Council Chambers on the 9th February 2011 the St Peters Surgery has established a patient reference group. The meeting was attended by 23 patients of whom 12 patients have signed up to be part of the group.
The main purpose of the group will be:
To obtain on-going input from patients on the quality and range of services provided by the practice and the wider health service.
To involve patients in the development of potential new or extended services.
To work in partnership with the practice to influence the design, shape and provision of health services in the local community.
To review survey results with the practice to determine and agree possible changes and/or improvements to services.
To represent the diversity in our local practice community.
The next meeting is to be scheduled for approximately 6 to 8 weeks time.
Terms of Reference for the Patient Reference Group
Provide a voice, as patients on behalf of the population registered at St Peters Surgery
To recognise the need to consult with the wider registered population at St Peters Surgery on some issues, where specific groups will need to be targeted for their views e.g. children and young people, older people, people with disabilities etc.
To achieve a dialogue between patient and practice so that some balance can be achieved between any conflicting aims and expectations.
To provide feedback for planning new services and evaluating existing ones.
PATIENT LIST SIZE
Our patient list is open and new patients are welcome to register with the practice.
APPOINTMENTS WITH THE GP
It appears from the patient national survey that not all patients are aware that they can pre-book an appointment with the GP and that we offer appointments 2 + days in advance.
If you require an appointment in advance please ask the receptionist for the next available pre booked appointment, there may be a wait, but this may suit you better.
Don’t forget you can always ask for a telephone consultation or leave a message for the doctor.
We also offer extended hours on Mondays for those patients who work, pre-booked appointment only.
