and I’ve given the answer to that… which I know works both here in mainland and in Corsica (ran out while on holiday with my spare boxes at home 
). pharmacies and Docs can talk to one another 
I thought they they would need a UK prescription that has to be paid for, full price, because they can’t get the meds without one, Is that not the case?
They can get it on their French prescription in the UK and pay for it similar to a private prescription.
Or they can get it in France and be refunded for it, albeit with a bit more complication and a bit later.
Ah, I didn’t realise they could use a French prescription but in that case just bring it along and pay, problem solved.
Yes, I know that can be done and really cannot understand the French Pharmacy being awkward, unless they have some new ruling/info which we are not party to.
OH has never had to pay upfront and claim back when he gets an extension to his usual meds, but we are well known/long-term customers at our pharmacy.
I hadn’t realised I was opening such a huge can of worms.
The relevant legislation is given below for those with the appetite to wade through it, but it is far from clear. However, from experience, both in the UK and in France I have been on long term medication for more years than I care to admit, and in both cases I had a 6 month prescription issued by the doctor and it was filled by the pharmacy for 3 months only, and I had to return to the pharmacy close to expiry of the initial dispensation (yes, it does mean the act of dispensing as well as the more common meaning) to renew it. Always been that way and the following text from an NHS website shows that it is still normal practice and enforced. In fact it is allowed to prescribe for up to 12 months but still that 3 month dispensing restriction holds (I guess they prescribe for 6 months here because it means an extra consultation they get paid for to re-prescribe).
No real rhyme or reason, especially if they can issue the treatment for payment whilst still requiring a prescription. But, like I said earlier, rules is rules.
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There is no specific NHS Bedfordshire policy on how much GPs can issue on prescription and this comes down to what is reasonable and safe for the patient and their condition. Although we encourage 28-day issues, there is a maximum of 3 month supply limit which can be prescribed, however this is at the discretion of the individual clinician what they choose to issue on prescription. The reasons for encouraging a 28-day issue is to help minimise medication waste and allow for monitoring to ensure patients remain adherent to therapy (not over-ordering or under-ordering medication).
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With regards to this patient collecting a 4 month supply, the question of who is taking clinical responsibility for them and their condition while they are out of the country remains an issue. There is some information on NHS Choices website for those wishing to travel abroad for more than 3 months
Some people get grumpy very easily.
We are entitled to NHS coverage in the UK. In fact even for our health coverage here in France it is ultimately reimbursed by the NHS to the French healthcare system, or at least in theory it is (I am somewhat doubtful that this actually works quite like that in practice and suspect that there is a mutual understanding that removes the administrative burden that would entail but ensures some kind of equity between the two nations). If we needed major surgery or something like that, then maybe those costs would be reimbursed by the UK but it is hard to believe every prescription is submitted for reimbursement, nor even an annual aggregated payment.
Nobody has suggested anything that comes anywhere near to being an abuse, but in fact our daughter needn’t get involved - we can visit any UK NHS surgery and get a free prescription, all above board and of course they would need some evidence that there was a need (a French prescription would suffice). But as I say, this extra step would be wasteful, even if it is absolutely not abusive in any way.
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As you are now quoting at length re NHS, I have perhaps misunderstood your situation.
Regardless, swishing through the legi france links… I still can’t find anything which explains why your wife is having difficulties with her usual French pharmacy and her usual statins.
Phew, it’s too hot outside or I’d go for a stroll while others unravel the mystery
I’m Scottish and it’s hot
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This is actually quite interesting as it shows the 1 month extra, moving to 3 months extra.
Délivrance des médicaments après expiration de l'ordonnance : la durée passe de 1 à 3 mois.
Interestingly/understandably some medications are not “exceptionally renewable”
hypnotiques, anxiolytiques, tramadol) ne peuvent pas faire l’objet d’un renouvellement exceptionnel.
but I can’t see that Statins come under the above descriptions
whatever, I do hope the lady gets her medics and has a wonderful time with daughter and grandchild. 
And coincidentally I have just had that conversation with my pharmacy. I filled my monthly prescription on last week on 20th, but the actual prescription jas now expired (it was renewable 12 times).
I have a mega-hospital appointment on 22 June, where I anticipate getting a new batch of prescriptions, but this is a few days after I need one specific weekly drug. I am really loathe to bug my MT and waste a precious appointment that could be best used for someone else just to get a prescription for one drug for one day. Happily pharmacist said absolutely no problem since I have a chronic condition.
Some pharmacies are more customer focused than others!
@Russellgww a few years ago I had to extend my UK visit . I called 111 and explained the situation, I was told a Dr would call me back, shortly. He asked a few questions, then told me to go to A&E where a Dr gave me a quick check, looked up the name of the meds I was on, found it and give me a script, no problem at the chemist. I was unable to tell him how long I would be in the UK, he said to come back if I need more.
I think extra information was asked, UK national, etc.
Good luck
Thanks @Russellgww for that insight that UK eye testing may be better. Food for thought and I think I’ll take your implied advice and do my next test in the UK if I can make a rare trip date fit.
FWIW I think it would be the best use of resources if you get the rest of the prescription filled in France.
I’ll share what I have observed. For the 2nd 3 months of a 6 month prescription, my local pharmacy ideally wants you to fill the 2nd 3 months no earlier than exactly 2 months after the first 3 months was filled.
However one time when I knew I could have to travel at a moment’s notice for a family reason, when filling the first 3 months I asked about this. My pharmacy are sticklers for the rules but in a very Fr way, since they’ve known me on and off for 30+ years they said as to filling the second half, for that type of reason then if I came back in no less than 3 weeks they could help. Apparently the system they use would make any earlier impossible. Obvs it can’t be all the time but I thought that waa pretty clearly telling me the constraints on them and I could work with that. Luckily I didn’t need it so early as things turned out. But I have no doubt that timing would have worked if I’d needed it.
Thanks. That pretty much tallies with my own thinking. The staff at our pharmacy are very nice and helpful but are constrained by a system that is pretty much automated and what seems like a simple amendment might well be impossible within that system, or only be possible with a degree of manual intervention that I don’t blame them for not wanting to get involved in.
My wife leaves for the UK on Wednesday and then I leave for Angers on Sunday for a conference (not on ophthalmology, although many of my ophthalmology friends will be there) and at the end of next week I will join her in the UK. Sunday is 31st May, which is two months since the first 3 month prescription. So taking your point, it may well be that I can get it filled at a pharmacy in Angers without problem. I am almost tempted to leave it to see what happens in the UK if I present it there, however, given that the official guidance does not cover this situation and it might be interesting to put it to the test. If I do I will report back.
Thanks for all the comments - food for thought indeed.
Russell
Don’t forget to get her CV before she goes.
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With the best will in the world, sort out your admin, it’s not rocket science!
The pharmacy can issue a repeat prescription, but usually only within a maximum of 6 days (I think) before the previous one runs out. However our local pharmacy has always been hugely helpful, so I would suggest going back and having a chat with the boss, if you know who he or she is. We are very fortunate the boss and his team are absolute stars. They would bail us out then put it through their books on the correct date.
The renewal will show up as soon as your Carte Vitale goes into any pharmacy’s machine, so going to another pharmacy isn’t really worth the bother.
No need at my pharmacy to push. I have been working for an International Aid Charity for several years and I travel irregularly and frequently. My Pharmacist has always prescribed me two or three months when needed. A message from your Docteur on your ordonnance helps.
Ask your JP to phone your preferred pharmacy. That usually works.
Before leaving France in December last year we had our last RDV with our doctor in November. She perscribed us each 6 months of medication and telephoned the pharmacy to explain she had done so to give us time to get set up with the NHS in UK.
I have just finished taking the last medication prescribed in France and having been registered in UK quicker than we ever imagined I have a 5 month supply of UK medication I have now started on.
Perhaps a slightly different situation but coordination between MT and pharmacy usually works.
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My OH has a 3 mthly ordannonce re ALD etc. Last year when we went to uk for a month we asked the pharmist to give us 2 months worth of his meds, explained why and they explained that you chose whether to take all in one go or each month. No cost other than non ALD meds.
Check the wording states renouvellement 1,2 , au 3 fois. Maybe worth asking again, or a larger town pharmacy.
IMO you would pay in uk unless on their prescription paperwork, via GP as you do retain the right to see one. Though no idea on the ease of that! Using french I imagine it would be classified as a private prescription.