Did you know?

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I wasn't aware that they won't prescribe for over 64s.

That’s most of us then! I do feel lucky that our surgery is very good regarding appointments

Thank you Saska for this post. 😊👍🐝

I had to go to our pharmacist for meds for DH last year. He's 74. No problem. I was asked various questions and gave a list of his current meds and the man gave me a supply of what was required. Age didn't seem to be a barrier at all.

Thank you for that piece of important information.
I wonder why they can't prescribe for the elderly. We're probably the people who need them most!

Just checked. Pharmacists can prescribe for the over 65s but it depends on their individual qualifications.

I knew about this age restriction for UTIs as I was directed to my surgery by the pharmacist a few years ago. There is a reason for it but I will have to check what it is.

Thank you for this information Sasta. I recently called into my surgery to ask for a ‘health check’, as it was a few years since I’d had one. I was told that I wasn’t eligible as I’m over 74! I consider it discrimination against older people.

I had a UTI last year and my local pharmacist checked my records and prescribed anti biopics, great Swift and efficient service.

Whilst visiting Cornwall earlier this year I had a UTI and the pharmacist said he could only prescribe for under 64 (I’m not) I had to ring 111 and they could give me a phone call in 12 hours time or I could go to the Minor Injuries unit.

I went to MIU waited 4 hours and received the prescription. I really don’t know how the system works.

Thank you for the information snd so sorry you had to go through it all. I’m 73!

I find this is a problem even if you just want to check any minor problem. I am always told to go to the GP.

They won’t prescribe for water infections in older women you have to see or have contact through email with a GP
They can prescribe any age for other things though but urine infections can be more problematic for older women

The pharmacist was doing it correctly Sasta

Luluaugust I had antibiotics for a poisonous toe off the pharmacist and I m 80 it’s just that urine infections can be more complex in older woman

Yes I did know this. It is in the NHS information page.
But why didn't you ring 111 as advised by the pharmacist esp as you mentioned sepsis possibly.
That would have got you what you needed before nightfall.

I totally agree Welbeck why would you take that chance Sasta when you had been advised to ring 111
You were lucky to get the antibiotics so quickly from your GP the next morning you should have taken the pharmacists advice and rung 111

Glad you got help bluebell, I had a nasty sore throat

I knew about this rule. Such a shame as we don't want to bother our Go unnecessarily. I went to my local pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if he could look in my ears as they were very itchy inside. He said unfortunately they had been told they couldn't do it for an adult only those under a certain age. I asked the nurse at the GPs when I went for my annual checkup as it was in a few days. She said she hadnt heard of that rule but I've just looked on the NHS site and unfortunately, he is correct.

If I remember correctly, there is a similar age limit (or possibly even younger, maybe 60?) on buying thrush treatments without prescription.

You are right Oldnproud and I was refused Chloraphenicol for conjunctivitis at Boots because of my age

A GP gave me antibiotics for a UTI infection about 10 years ago and warned me that it wouldn’t clear it completely. He told me to purchase D-Manose. I did and keep renewing it in the medicine cupboard just in case. When it’s out of date, it goes in the bin to be replaced by a new one. A little expensive as it’s not available on the NHS. Never had a UTI since. Best advice ever. I have advised so many friends to try it and they have repeated UTIs but because it’s not available on the NHS they are too scared to try buying online. I understand but my GP practically begged me to buy it.

Were these perhaps prescription meds he normally has prepared by that pharmacy regularly Aveline?

I was googling how to prevent it and found info on D-Manose Catterygirl. I've found it at Holland and Barrett. Thank you for the advice and assurance it helps.

I 100% agree in retrospect I should have called 111 earlier from the store, it was irresponsible and stupid. I thought they'd say go to A&E and after my last visit, where I sat for 15 hours solid waiting to be seen, I simply couldn't face it. Plus the temp didn't get bad until much later by which time the I felt so ill I wasn't myself. Lame excuse but that's it, and a lesson learned.

So, I've looked on the NHS website, having previously only heard about pharmacists offering this service in tv ads. It looks like the UTI's are a specific issue in those over 64, ie if I'd gone with sinusitis, he could have helped. The pharmacist said 'we are licensed to prescribe for 16-64 only' but he didn't clarify that was only UTIs. I understand now. At least this might highlight to anybody who didn't know. This is the list online:
Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:

impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
shingles (aged 18 years and over)