I have some meds which I take regularly. Just wondering if there's any way to get it renewed without making a booking to see a doctor? I did a quick google and found some services that could do it online. Anyone tried it? legit?
Trying to save myself a trip and over an hour wait each time.
Renew Prescription Meds without Seeing a Doctor?
Travis J on 28/01/2020 - 07:52
Comments
really? They'd do that? I asked for something like that a couple of times before but was always told to come in. It's actually for my dad who's on a wheelchair so it's always a hassle to go out each time. When you say "call your doctor", do you actually get to speak to your doctor or the receptionist?
The receptionist. I get it once a year for three lots.
If it's for your dad, why did you write the post in the first person? No wonder the doctor wanted you to come in if they think you're popping your dad's medication …
Didn't want to give more info than I have to. lol.
When you say 3 lots, you mean 3 of the same script with 6 repeats, so, 18 repeats?
If you’ve been seeing the same doctor for a while and using the same script for a while, then talk to them next time you see them about your options moving forward.
They may be able to provide you with additional scripts on each visit so you can half your trips, or even write them for you to pick up at reception.
They're allowed to write more than 1 script with the same meds and number of repeats? I thought there might be some law that says you can only have a max of 6 repeats.
Not entirely sure, you're best talking to the doctor about it.
All I know I once went on a 12 month holiday and I was given 18 months worth of scripts (in case I extended the trip) in one visit, and it also specified I could collect them all in one go.
Doctors aren't going to write a script without seeing you. They want to check that nothing has changed since your last visit which might require an adjustment to the meds plus they want their fee.
Yeah, that's the impression I got from my doctor. They made me come in for my blood test results just to tell me nothing's wrong.
I believe it's possible to sign up online to the pathology company's patient system, and use an app, and get access to your results. Just give the pathology business a call and ask.
No pathology companies in Australia that I know of offer an online patient portal/app for patients to access results though I would love to know of any that do if anyone can provide names. Patients can only obtain results from a pathology company by going through a formal process of access to their medical records and paying any fees associated with that. I know of an imaging company that does have a patient portal for them to access online results, and I would be dead if not for that, but they are not bulk billing, I think as long as pathology is mostly bulk billed they are not going to offer such a patient service.
@abc123z: They definitely allow all of this for scans at many places. I have access to everything of mine through Qscan for example.
It's your own personal information, naturally you have to accept this and that to access it, but it works.
I'm happy this kind of thing is coming about, access to your own medical information should be expected this day and age.
I can understand the reasoning and it's fine to go back to GP to get another round of prescription.
What I find very annoying is to go back to see specialist just for 5 min for them to write prescription and then you have to pay $150 full price.Don't get me started on specialists. Had to take dad to one a couple of weeks ago, was an hour late and literally in with him for 5min. He never even looked at dad, just went off the GP notes. Wrote a script, ordered a scan and said come back in a year. Oh and before you come back don't forget to go to the GP for another referral so they can get their cut. $350. Scan was another $88, prescription $20 something and $16 parking. Get most of it back via Medicare etc but come on.
Are you going to go back in a year?
I find it varies from clinic to clinic. Some you can simply ring the receptionist, ask for a repeat and they will get the doctor to write it out. I usually then pick it up next day.
Others have a "must see a doctor" policy. I think it's about doctors collecting fees honestly, especially for long term "basic" meds such as prescription heartburn meds or other simple stuff it can be very annoying.
Other doctors charge a small fee e.g. $5-$15 for a repeat if you ring up.
Just ring your local doctors reception and ask their policy. But you'll find more and more these days require you to come in and see a doctor.
I've also had my doctor say "just ring up for a repeat next time", but when I do the receptionist has said "you cant do that, you need an appt" and then we have an argument how the doctor said I could etc etc and usually I win. It just varies.
I found out for my elderly mother the other day, that you can have a pharmacy arrange pre-organised pill packages (everything sorted and the days, in a medication box), they will even contact your doctor/medical clinic and arrange new scripts for you. Not to mention free delivery if you're in the local area.
That's awesome. How did you arrange that? with the doctor or pharmacy? Which pharmacy?
Terry White, in my circumstance.
Hi Travis,
FYI - I am new to this site and was in rush to send you this info. Haven't yet figured out how to respond to your first original post. "My To Do List".Answer: YES - you can go online and get prescriptions without having to waste time and money visiting incompetent unethical Doctors.
Info: I use a site called "Doctus Online" however they have closed down which is a real shame but there are NEW online Doctors where you get online prescriptions (I haven't used 1-3 below) but will soon as I have a prescription I need refilled).
Sites:
1) https://www.simpleonlinedoctor.com.au/
2) https://www.doctorsondemand.com.au/
3) https://www.ozdocsonline.com.au/More people need to support online Doctors to STOP the monopoly, poor quality service and unethical practices that Doctors are currently providing us. "Doctus Online" was very userfriendly, efficient and convenient. Prescriptions were emailed to me same day with no issues at an out of pocket cost of $25.
Read the article I kept back in 2015 re Doctors "The demise of the Waiting Room: Doctus changes doctor/patient relationships forever"
https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/the-demise-of-…
Visit your GP. Ask for additional repeats. They can specify quantity and time for the pharmacist. You should only need a GP visit maybe once a year max. All depends on what medication it is tho.
Yes very dependent on the specific meds. Some allow 12 repeats, some 1, some 0, some 5 etc etc. But there's other rules that may apply as well! For example one of my long running meds, I can get a plain old "5 repeats" and it is eligible for PBS discount. But I can opt for "non-PBS" 12 repeats of the same drug and it costs me a couple of dollars more. So I get that as the couple of dollars more per repeat is worth not having to go back to the doctors as often. But this stuff is not always known until a doctor looks up a specific med on the PBS system.
There's a bunch of confusing rules and whatever to make this stuff tricky and hard to give advice, as all meds differ in what is allowable.
had and will have asthma for the rest of my life, unfortunately no. You will need to go in unless you have a dodgy medical centre where they will write you out one (if you are regular) without seeing a doctor. One up the road from where i used to live used to do this said i was here for a renewal they said come back in 15mins and pick it up made the process a little easier.
I've used drs on demand for the contraceptive pill. They can either deliver the pills and repeats to you or have them dropped at a nearby pharmacy. I do recall the one time it was dropped at the pharmacy I had to pay again for the pills which was annoying. When delivered I only paid the original price. A little pricey but very convenient.
Bit late to respond here but some pharmacies now have inhouse nurses that can write a script on the spot, especially if you have been attending the pharmacy for a while and have continuity of script for a period of time. Waterford Plaza Discount Drug Store in Perth, WA is one such that comes to mind.
If you take it regularly, can't you just call your doctor and arrange for them to write a script that you then just collect? I do that