What is “Named-Patient Basis”?
All medications in the UK are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA is the government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. Manufacturers must obtain marketing authorisation for any medication that they want to sell.
All major medications that are licensed in this country will be found in the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS), which is an independently written publication designed as a prescribing guide for general practitioners. Generally, if the medication your doctor wants to prescribe is not in the MIMS, then he will not prescribe it.
However, there is an exception to the rule! Some medications can be prescribed on a “named-patient” basis. This means that, in certain circumstances, your doctor can prescribe this medication because the patient has a special need for the medication.
Reasons why drugs may be supplied on a named-patient basis are:
• A license has not been granted yet due to ongoing clinical trials
• Discontinuations
• Drug shortages
• Temporary supply problems
• Clinical trials
• Special needs of an individual patient
Because none of the natural thyroid hormones are licensed in this country, you will not find this medication in the MIMS and the only way you can obtain this is by your doctor prescribing it on a “named-patient” basis.
Because natural thyroid hormones are not manufactured in the UK, your chemist will need to find a wholesaler who has a license to import medications on a “named-patient” basis. To our knowledge, there are two companies that source and supply these kinds of medications:
BR Pharma Ltd., Unit 7 Capital Business Park, Manor Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1GW Tel: +44-20-8238-6770 Fax: +44-20-8238-6786 EMail: enquiries@brpharmaltd.co.uk
Website: www.brpharmaltd.co.uk
Idis World Medicines, IDIS House, Churchfield Road, Weybridge KT13 8DB
Tel: 01932 824 100 Fax: 01932-824200 Email: enquiries@idispharma.com
Website: www.idis.co.uk
How to Obtain Your Natural Thyroid Hormone from a Chemist
So, you have persuaded your GP or Endocrinologist to let you have a prescription for natural thyroid hormone. Now you must take the next step (sometimes a hurdle) to get your prescription filled. Thankfully, it is much easier now than it used to be!
You can take your prescription to any chemist, whether it is a big High Street
pharmacy such as Boots, Lloyds etc., a supermarket pharmacy, or a local independent
pharmacy.
When you hand them your prescription, explain to them that it is being prescribed on a named-patient basis and give them the name of a wholesaler (see above).
Please ensure that your doctor has written the name of the medication along with the number of grains required and the wording, “Required for hypothyroidism” on the prescription.
You should have no problems but if you do, please ask your pharmacy to contact either the MHRA or the wholesaler.
Article Last Updated: August 2008
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