Accessing Methadone in an emergency
 

I had originally planned a 10day visit to the UK from Canada, and had the prescribed amount of Methadone carrys for the visit. My mom passed away and I need to stay longer to attend the Funeral, so far there has been no-one willing to accomodate me in tiding me over with Methadone for the 1 week that I need to stay here.
Is there anyone I can contact????

You will probably need to take your prescription from home to a pharmacist, with your passport to prove your identity, and ask them who in the area is authorised to prescribe controlled drugs (it needs special additional permission), and then take the same documentation to them.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1391.asp...categoryid=175

I don't have a prescription, and although my Dr in Canada is willing to fax it here to a GP or Pharmacist, there is no-one who will do that service here, any other suggestions????

You are <B>traveling</B> with Methadone without an Rx?????????

I suggest you get on the phone to your physician and ask that person what to do.

Have you asked someone at the local NHS for advice? Or how about a pharmacist...we don't know what you have done so far so it's a bit difficult to help...

Contact the Methadone Alliance in the UK at
[email protected] immediately. They will be able to help.

The Methadone Alliance address:

32 Bloomsbury Street
London
WC1B 3QJ

Their helpline telephone number:
0845 122 8608

Good Luck

Thank You for your help, I have contacted the Alliance, left a message, I have contacted the NHS but they won't do anything other than sympathize???, the local pharmacists say their hands are tied, they need a uk dr's script. I can't get a UK dr. to see me, so far....

Have you tried your mother's doctor? Knowing the situation he/she may be willing to help.

The Alliance can help you with your needs - that is one of the things that they do. Most likely they will find some private clinics where you can get the script that you need. In the meantime, you should get your doc back home to send you all the info about your script so you will have it when needed. Use both the phone and the email for the Alliance.

I found a place called Moon Bridge, they will see me today, I have to pay £350 and go to another city to fill the prescription. Back in Canada I would know I was being not only ripped off but capitalized upon for my situation, but is this the "norm" for here in the UK even though I am a British Subject originally? My Dr. has sent all my info. from Toronto, so they just need to give me a script here

>>but is this the "norm" for here in the UK even though I am a British Subject originally?<<

Well, that's private medicine for you. There's no health agreement between Canada and the UK over access to public facilities, so it's assumed you have insurance.

No nothing about Methadone but I am very sorry about your mother. A sad situation.

I do have insurance...but its not covered as it a pre-existing condition

Thank You for your help, maybe I could return the favor should you visit the Great White North, but I'm pretty convinced you would not have to fight quite so hard for your rights.

Unfortunately you aren't entitled to subsidised care in the uk because you don't pay taxes here. We were in Canada last may and hubby had to get stitches and the charges at the emergency room were $800 plus!!! And we are Canadians living in the uk! But because we are not resident we weren't entitled to covered medical...check out the rates for non- residents next time you are at the hospital, I think you will be surprised!!!

TL - I'm happy you found a place where you can get your medication. I am curious though and if you don't mind telling us, did you find it yourself or did the Alliance help?

Not sure what you mean by fighting for your rights - as a visitor to a country, you have no rights to their subsidized health care, which is what insurance is for. Plus you needed a controlled substance drug, correct? I am glad it worked out for you, and I am sorry for your loss, but I don't see where you have been treated unfairly.

Agreed, so-cal. I can understand the OP's anxiety, her grief, her frustration. But I can't understand the stuff about rights and ripoffs.

I'm Canadian too. We were all "British subjects" once.

I don't expect a thing from foreign governments when I'm abroad.

Admittedly, it does seem a very high charge just for confirming a repeat of a prescription that already exists, even allowing for the extra care that has to be taken with this class of medicine. But AFAIK there is no price control on private medicine: that's the point of it. Presumably this particular practice thinks that's the price the market will bear.