 Posted 02/08/2011 23:54:31
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Good day!
I have a question about validity of DEX scan and prescription of Protelos from other EEA country. My mum is from Latvia and came to live with me in UK. She had her first scan in 2009 and been prescribed medicine (can’t remember which one). After year another scan showed negative tendency at her spine, and she had bad reaction on medicine, feeling nausea all the time. In 2010 DEXA scan was performed on spine bones and results of T scores are: L1 -2.5; L2 -2.6; L3 -2.7; L4 -3.5. Doctor prescribed her Protelos. As now she is living with me in UK what should I do to get medicine? Can I take her scan results to GP (results are in English)? I read on NHS website that prescriptions from EEA countries are valid in UK, so can I just go to pharmacy and buy some Portelos with Latvian prescription or is there chance that GP in UK will prescribe Portelos based on DEXA’s scan results from Latvia.
How much Portelos cost in UK?
For info: my mum is 51 years old, and is post-menopausal already.
I would greatly appreciate any information.
Thank you
Natalja
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Posted 03/08/2011 14:15:08
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| Hi Natalia Thank you for your recent post with your questions sent on behalf of your mother about the validity (in the UK) of a prescription for strontium ranelate (Protelos) issued in the EEA.
You are quite right, pharmacists in the UK can dispense prescriptions issued by a doctor or dentist registered in an EEA country, with the proviso that they are able to exercise their professional judgement in deciding whether or not to do so. Repeat prescriptions can also be issued, as long as the prescriber has documented the number of ‘repeats’ that are required and the prescription is in date (i.e. valid for six months from the date it was written).
My understanding is that the above, only really applies to 'visitors' to the UK and along with other health care arrangements for EEA visitors, there are only certain levels of care that will be provided by the NHS to assist an individual whilst they are visiting the UK. This includes any treatment which a doctor decides is medically necessary such as emergency care but wouldn’t cover planned or non emergency treatment which could safely wait until the person returns to their home state. You may find the following websites helpful: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_107246
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/health/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm#gps_and_dentists
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/documents-eea-nationals/ Although you haven’t indicated how long your mother has been in the UK you mention that she is now residing with you, so I’m assuming she is planning to remain in this country for some time. If this is the case she does need to register with a GP in her local area. This will allow for the ongoing management and treatment of her osteoporosis and other health problems if present (including prescribing medicines as necessary). Also, even though your mother’s DXA scan was performed in Latvia, it will still be helpful for the doctor to have a look at these scan results, however sometimes it is difficult to compare the results from different DXA scanners due to calibration issues. To answer your final question Protelos currently costs £27.08 (for 28 sachets) but just to say that the cost of a private prescription will vary, with the pharmacy charging the full cost of the medicine plus its dispensing fee.
Best wishesHelpline Nurses
National Osteoporosis Society
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