Asthma medicine

[Liz and Kris UK]

Hiya all,

I wonder if anybody can help me. I am a bit confused about the prescription of medicine, as I was told the medicine I take for my asthma Singulair (Montelukast) was not avaliable on prescription like it is in the U.K I will have to pay into a private scheme. Has anybody else found this? also does anybody know if they have a pre paid prescription certificate scheme like they have in the U.K I did try and ask in the summer when I was over but the man didn't really understand, however I had bombarded him with lots of questions!

Thanks
Liz

[Libby1971]

Hello

I am in the midst of this one at the moment and although I don't have much to say on this right now, I will have more as I work it all out.

No medication is free. You pay for everything, it all goes into Medicare.

Basic ventolin is available over the counter - you go in and it is like buying medised for the kids, no problem (sorry that should be no worried, shouldn't it?).

However, anything more needs a prescription. I have been told about the PBS - Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme which is when you spend a certain amount on meds, it automatically triggers a limit after which they cost less. I am not sure if this needs to be applied for though.

I will let you know how I get on and this may be of help to you.

Libby

[Liz and Kris UK]

Hiya Libby,
Thanks for your reply, any info you find out will be much appreciated, I am thinking I might have to start stockpiling it up before we move over!

Thanks
Liz

[Wild child]

I talked to a pharmacist when we hadn't long been here about the PBS - Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme - if I remember rightly you apply in 1 chemist you then get all your prescriptions from the same 1 and collect all the receits and they fill a your form in then like libby says when you hit a certain amount you get it much cheaper :).

In regard to the singular I know they def do it here but it is quite new. A Dr in the hospital told me to ask my GP about it but as it was new my Dr would have had to apply for it. When I spoke to my Dr she was very much of the opinion that it wasn't right for my daughter (Maybe it was becuase it was too much hassle - but I don't think so )
Hope this helps a little bit, stock piling is what I did before we came and I have had family bring me extra as well:p!!!!! (just remember the use by dates get your medication from a chemist with a high turn over)

[Libby1971]

Okay, news update

The year runs from Jan to Dec and if you spend up to $1000 or just over that, from then the PBS kicks in. If you have a concessionary card, which I don't, the rules and amounts are lower.

I have just had a prescription for 2 inhalers. Getting one of each cost $61.40!!!!!!

I couldn't believe it. I can't afford to have asthma here, there has to be something else so I am about to make enquiries.

My hubbie said he doesn't mind as much as he thought because
a) what can he do anyway
b) okay, more expensive but you see a doctor when you want to and don't wait ages and ages when you go to hospital.

Oh, apparently these inhalers are subsidised by the govt so we don't spend more than $30.70 on an intem. I can't imagine daring to get a prescription if I had to spend much more!

And I stockpiled from the UK. I brought a box with me of meds for me and kids. When it came to going through customs, they opened that box (the only box) and asked for an inventory. I have only run out of inhalers now and I have been here 6 months.

Libby

[Liz and Kris UK]

Hiya all
I can't believe inhalers are that expensive! are they in gold? my pre paid card here costs 30 pounds ish every 3 months and i get a repeat of everything everytime. I might have to find a cheaper alternitive to the singular, although if meds cost that much we will reach the $1000 in no time!

Libby your husband is much more reasonable than mine, he said if it costs that much we will have to stay in the uk! I said he can can just do some more shifts at work to pay for it.

Wild child - how old is your daughter? I went on singular when I was 16 It was quite new to the uk then and I had to beg the doctor! it is very good much better then steroids, I have found anyway.

Liz

[tina&steve]

So glad I've seen this thread, think I'll start stocking up on my inhalers. Can ventolin be sent in the post from UK? does any one know what is the cost of ventoin to buy over the counter in Oz?

Tina x

[Selah]

This is a good thread! Poms in oz recently had a thread stating that Doctor's generally prescribe the real thing (instead of generic) unless you ask for it and the generic brand - especially of ventolin was much cheaper. My daughter is on singular, seretide and another bronchial inhibitor. I will start praying she really is growing out of it before we hit bankfuptcy!

Liz

[maria]

So glad I've seen this thread, think I'll start stocking up on my inhalers. Can ventolin be sent in the post from UK? does any one know what is the cost of ventoin to buy over the counter in Oz?

Tina x

Asmol is the cheaper alternative to ventolin, ask your doctor to prescribe generically rather than by the brand you'll save a fortune

[philnjulie]

hi all,
both the wife and eldest lad have asthma and we did stock up with inhalers before we arrived but can honestly say they have both improved no end wife uses ventolin half as much as she used to and lad cannot say when it was last needed probably 2mths ago have seen a massive improvement in both, better quality of life and air
regards phil