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Venlafaxine MR too expensive for NHS?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
My dr after nearly 6 months of taking the modified release venlafaxine has said that its too expensive and they will only give me the normal one. The normal one has a short active time and gives it all to you in one shot and it can make your moods really erratic. I don't know what I can do in order to make them see how important it is and why I need the MR. I'm finally starting to feel better in terms of mood.
Any ideas? I've already spoken to my psychiatrist and he can't make my GP give me what I need they can only suggest it.
Any ideas? I've already spoken to my psychiatrist and he can't make my GP give me what I need they can only suggest it.
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Have you actually tried the normal one? It could be fine.....
So I don't think it's an NHS problem
write to your MP, your FPC, your local newspaper.
Easy to say, but if you need to take Venlafaxine, probably not so easy to do
I'm worried they'll do the same with my other medication too, which will leave me totally dependent on codeine and probably confined to a wheelchair or bed.
Having said that, I did some work with Mind on medications, etc. (a focus group and some research) and they're definitely looking into it so contacting your local branch might not be a bad idea. They also have volunteer advocates, who might help.
I got the normal venlafaxine by mistake (pharmacy mistake) one month and it didn't agree with me at all.
However, none of this detracts from the GPs own clinical responsibility. The decision about changing your meds is theirs and theirs alone. The CCG (or PCT) can only offer guidance, they cannot instruct the GP to change meds. The GP should also be taking your individual circumstances into account - the guidance is never a 'one size fits all' approach.
So, you need to challenge your GP. Don't take the "PCT says I can't" crap, that's an excuse they use to avoid confrontation. It is always their decision. Always. Besides, the CCG has effectively replaced the PCT now and the CCG is managed by GPs, so in effect the GP is blaming themselves without you realising!
She should challenge on that basis. For most people they won't notice the difference and escitalopram is £30 per month more expensive. However, if citalopram isn't working for her then she should raise that with GP. PCT "not letting" is a poor and undefendable excuse.