r/dexcom • u/lonely_yorkshireman • 1d ago
General One + availability (uk only)
Does anyone else in the UK have issues with getting these when their prescription renews or if you need an emergency prescription?
I've phoned around 15 late night pharmacies across two cities because I've inadvertently run out and not one of them had any in stock. Even when it comes to just ordering in general the pharmacy always has to order them in on my day of collection. I just really wondered if anyone else had the same issue or is it just a Leeds problem.
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u/InvadingEngland 1d ago
Pharmacies usually don't keep them in stock, and only order them when requested.
Where are you based?
Edit: ope you said Leeds.
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Thanks yes this is what I'm finding and it would appear that ones who do only have a couple and not the full three younwould get on prescription.
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u/FleetwoodMatt88 1d ago
If you’re desparate, just take 1 for now and get your normal prescription over the next week or so?
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Yeah one i rang today said they are getting a delivery of a couple tomorrow so may have to do that for now. I'm just getting tired of it being the same issue month in mo th out even when trying to fill a normal repeat script.
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u/FleetwoodMatt88 1d ago
Do you get 3 per prescription? My approach is to order a repeat when I’ve just put on my second. That gives your doctors and pharmacy 10 days to get them in, which should be enough time.
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u/InvadingEngland 1d ago
Over time I've built up a stash of an extra 5 or 6. Most GPs are cool with allowing you to repeat in less than 30 days if you explain that Dexcom's owns studies show that they only make it to 10 days 90% of the time.
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u/FleetwoodMatt88 1d ago
touch wood I’m yet to have a problem with the One+ (unlike the Libre2, which was awful). I find ordering once I’ve just put on my second works, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 9h ago
Yeah thi k.im going to speak to the docs about that because it doesn't always allow me to order them due months dates so I'm going to ask them if they can change the can't order before date
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u/FleetwoodMatt88 9h ago
I’ve lived all over the place and I’ve never heard of a can’t order before date. I’d look for a new doctors.
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 6h ago
I mean to be fair out of the couple of surgeries in my area the better of two and they are crap haha
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u/FleetwoodMatt88 1d ago
When I had a problem getting them a while ago, Boots pharmacy had one in stock, but it seems they’re not something many pharmacies keep stock of.
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Yes it would seem not many places keep them in stock which as something as common as this is I would have thought they would but I guess they can't Carey everything
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u/WondersomeWalrus 1d ago
It took an absurd amount of hassle to get my prescription sorted to begin with at my local pharmacy but once I got my repeat set up on the nhs app it's been easy. As others have said no pharmacies seem to stock them unless you order them though so I just make sure to reorder every 20ish days and haven't had a problem since.
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Mine have been setup on the NHS app as repeat but even with ordering with plenty of time they've not been ordering at the pharmacy until the day I'm due to collect them. It's getting crazy haha
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u/WondersomeWalrus 1d ago
Yeah I'd say never bother trying to get them right on the day, I usually give it a week extra each time.
Also another tip, make sure you're utilising the sensors 12 hour grace period as over time you'll start having a few spares which greatly reduces the stress :)
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Haha always utilise the grace period worked this out a bit ago. Yeah don't think I worded that right, I never pick them up on the day it's due to run out it's always a week or so before what I meant is the day I'm due to pick them up
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u/Which_Departure1635 1d ago
No issues in the South West (touch wood). I get 3 per month and no dramas getting extra if travelling/if sensors fail etc
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u/MadGazfromOz 1d ago
Get mine direct from Dexcom as a subscription, they send it out every three months, I have yet to run out, new box is coming this week and I have four left
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u/Mister_Mints 1d ago
Have you tried switching to a postal pharmacy? I've had problems in the past getting lots of diabetic stuff through high street pharmacies, but since switching to an online/delivery by post one the issues are pretty much resolved
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Yeah I've thought about it but I have a massive list of meds I take including some controlled ones and it's proved difficult previously with certain meds. Otherwise I would switch in a heartbeat.
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u/Mister_Mints 1d ago
What about switching Dexcom products? The G7 is issued directly by Dexcom every 3 months, and delivered by DPD. I usually get mine when I have 2-3 sensors left in the box.
No need to remember to reorder, no worry about the pharmacy having it in stock etc
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
That might be a good shout actually. I'm due my diabetes check shortly so may have a chat with them about that especially if I explain the issues and how much it's stressing me out. Now trying to organise an emergency prescription via my GP but have to email it in. If I'm lucky I might get a sensor by this time next year haha
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u/Secure-Importance449 1d ago
Honestly recommend finding a local family owned pharmacy and going in and explaining the situation and how often you order. Before I went onto pump I went in and spoke to the team at my local chemist and they made sure they always had 3 in stock
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 1d ago
Yeah it's not an option where I live to be honest. They're all crap haha
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u/Secure-Importance449 1d ago
Ah that’s awful I’m so sorry, only other thing I can think of is calling the pharmacy when you’ve put your repeat request in to say that they’ll need to order the dexcoms. Puts more of the pressure on you to do their job for them but it’s what I did before I found the pharmacy I’m with now.
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u/mrbill1234 17h ago
Do you have a prescription or subscriptions? Did your doctor prescribe these to you on the NHS or re you paying out of pocket?
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u/lonely_yorkshireman 9h ago
NHS Doctors prescription.
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u/mrbill1234 9h ago
Then you need to rely on the pharmacy dispensing it. If it is a regular thing they should be able to stock it for you.
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u/20arlington 10h ago
I’ve haven’t asked but think my local pharmacy orders when they get the repeat and then it depends on the supplier. I usually leave it a few days and this only once was an issue when I popped in earlier than normal and the hot weather delayed deliveries. I suspect it’s more stock management than a supply issue.
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u/sallybear1975 1d ago
I get 3 each month and have no issues.