B12 OTC – Where are we now?
It was April 2014 where I first launched the petition to make injectable B12 available over the counter from pharmacies in the UK. That petition yielded over 100,000 signatures so thank you to everyone who helped.
Unfortunately the platform I used for the petition are not the best people to work with as they will happily accept money form your supporters, leading them to believe that the money pledged goes directly to the organisation they are signing for. I am so sorry that they have such an unscrupulous business model and that some of you gave money to this very rich company and felt that you were mislead.
I then petitioned the Government and that required just one signature and a very specific way of delivery. Following this, you may remember that in 2021 Jane had a Westminster Hall Debate for us and this can be watched here.
The latest MHRA meeting
Last October Jane met with senior officials at the MHRA. I wasn’t allowed to be present at the meeting. June Raine cancelled three times and was not in attendance at the meeting that Jane finally managed to secure. The MHRA wrote the following as a follow up to the meeting:
NICE’s review
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on “Vitamin B12 deficiency, including pernicious anaemia: diagnosis and management” is not yet published. The publication date of this is 6th March 2024.
Discussion with the Reclassification Alliance
The issue of self-administration of vitamin B12, via reclassification, has been raised and we will discuss further in the Reclassification Alliance. The necessary legislative change is not anticipated until 2025 at the earliest due to the significant public consultation which will be required, due to the nature of the significant change on Parenteral Administration.
Jane continues to discuss B12 OTC with the MHRA and Marketing Authorisation Holders.
Private Members Bill
Trying to make B12 OTC has been a very long and very frustrating ride to date, but on the 8th of May, a Presentation of a Private Members Bill will be made by my MP Jane Hunt. Jane is keen to stress that Presentation Bills rarely become law. This is just another vehicle for Jane to put pressure on the Government to change its current position. The hope is that this is done without a law change as this would be the fastest method.
Here’s a step by step guide for how the process works…At the foot of this guide there’s a film of a Bill Presentation, blink and you’ll miss it though, its the woman in pink presenting a dummy Bill in the first 5 seconds that’s the important bit!
Here’s the provisional title for the Bill:
Medicines (Vitamin B12 Injections) Bill
Bill to provide that vitamin B12 injections may be sold, supplied or administered by a registered pharmacist without a prescription; and for connected purposes.
Hospital supports self injection for B12 deficiency arising from nitrous oxide abuse
I am in regular contact with Jane and naturally send her pertinent information regarding our issue. Please see this link from Guys and St Thomas Hospital London, regarding recreational nitrous oxide use. This page gives instruction for self injection of B12 which states….
This information is for patients who are being treated for nerve problems related to the use of nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’ or ‘whippets’.
The initial treatment involves daily intramuscular (into the muscle) vitamin B12 injections. For convenience, these injections can be safely given by the patient themselves at home. Below are the step-by-step instructions that show how to self-inject the vitamin B12 safely. The pictures will help you to understand how to do this…
You can read how people feel about this in the social media comments. Naturally people with B12 deficiency who can’t access B12 easily, if at all, from their GP are bemused by the ease with which you can be allowed to self inject at home when you have used a dangerous recreational drug.
I’ll keep you posted on the next movements regarding the Bill and will update this blog as and when new information arrives.
Kindness always
Tracey
www.b12info.com
It amazes me that B12 injections are in many circumstances administered by an unregistered nurse, ie a Health Care Assistant or GP receptionists, but can’t be self administered at home by members of the public who need regular B12 injections. Diabetics self administer, those on fertility medication self administer and many others administer specialist drugs. Trying to get an appointment at the surgery is often nigh on impossible and GPs frequently state they don’t have the staff to administer B12 regularly. Most offer 3 monthly injections which is woefully inadequate for many B12 deficient sufferers.
I wholeheartedly agree, again the UK lags way behind the rest of the world in this regard.
In France and Germany you can go to any pharmacy and without a prescription or even discussing your condition you can buy packs of 10 ampules, asany as you want, they cost around 10 euros for a pack of 10 x 1mg/1ml ampules.
I am surprised it has taken so long to change the stupid law here, because not only is it safe it is a revenue stream that remains untapped .
Btw the ampules from France and Germany are from the exact same manufacturer the NHS buys from.
It really is madness Fleur, we could all sit and read your comment to 5 year olds and they would be as bemused as us at this ridiculous situation! Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Very best wishes
Tracey
I agree Elizabeth, can you imagine where we’d all be if every diabetic and IVF patient had to wait for their (potentially dangerous) medication to be administered by their Practice? If only all the GP’s would trust us adults to self inject a simple, harmless VITAMIN so that the burden on the Practices were lifted.
Very best wishes
Tracey
I am eternally grateful for your persistence in getting this matter into parliament. Having access to the correct treatment for this devastating condition is essential in order to maintain a healthy functioning for sufferers and there is no need for many to take up surgery time or face the inconvenience of attending a clinic so frequently. Best wishes and again, eternal thanks for all you do to provide hope for us all.
I was recently in Australia where I purchased otc B12 ampoules without issue. After a lengthy battle here in the UK I am prescribed one a month via the gp for my peripheral neuropathy. I welcome the advances and thank Tracey from the bottom of my heart for her unwavering strength. Hopefully common sense will eventually prevail.
Thank you so much Stephanie!
Kathleen, Thank you so much for your kind comment, it means an awful lot!
Very best wishes
Tracey
I have seen first hand how frustrating the last 10 years have been and yet you carry on. Your clients are so grateful for your persistence and you deserve to have some reward. Hopefully the 8th of May will bring that reward, eventually, let’s hope it is soon. Patients are suffering because medical staff do not have the training and many are too arrogant to admit this and train themselves. Thank you Tracey for never giving up.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Ann, really kind!
Very best wishes
Tracey
It’s farcical that you can attend a “beauty” clinic/spa for a B12 injection but cannot, despite medical need, purchase your own B12 supplies for self-injection. Thank you Tracey for your perseverance and diligence in pursuing this very important matter, it is greatly appreciated.
It really is Andy! Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
Very best wishes
Tracey
It is important for patients to be able to take control of self injecting their b12 at a frequency that keeps them well. It is a non toxic vitamin and it should be available in injectable form over the counter.
If Guys and St Thomas can allow those people addicted to nitrous oxide who have depleted themselves of B12 and caused serious nerve damage, to self inject at home, then surely those of us with a medical need, through no fault of our own, should be allowed to do the same.
We haven’t chosen to have autoimmune diseases or b12 malabsorption but we are denied access to sufficient injectable b12 .
Those who can self inject should be allowed to do so. It should be off prescription as in other countries.
Save the nurses for those who feel unable to do it themselves .
Heroin addicts and other drug addicts get clinics , free needle exchanges etc but those of us with genuine medical needs are discriminated against.
It must change! It will save the NHS money and time in the long run.
Thank you Tracy for your persistence. You are a remarkable woman , and we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts .
Also worth mentioning that B12 can be administered sub cutaneously with a very short needle , as mentioned on the German B12 packets . That’s a help for people who are intimidated by a long needle . It works . I know I tried it myself . .
Mary, that’s a really lovely comment, thank you for your kindness!
Absolutely, sub cut is much less scary than IM! I know many who use this route and do excellently.
Very best wishes
Tracey
I too thank you Tracey. With out determined people like you we might lose hope. You are a star as are those in other organisations working on our behalf.
It takes courage and energy to keep going.
Our grateful thanks.
I do not live in the UK but want you to know my appreciation for your labor. I have purchased and lived in different countries with different circumstances with B12. I am still flabbergasted at the lack of knowledge in the medical professions when you’d think there would be more- but then again, I’m still learning.
Any progress for this cause is a step forward in the world.
Thank you
Terry, it is so kind of you to comment especially as you don’t live in the UK. Thank you!
Very best wishes
Tracey
Thank you Tracey for all your hard work.It breaks my heart when a simple cheap descision would change our lives and it is denied.I am very lucky as my GP allowed me to inject as I was a nurse in the past and I am allowed to have B12 every 6wks.However I live in terror of the ever changing staff of GPs at my practice take it into their heads to stop it.You have my hope and prays.
Dear Ann, I understand your fear about the change in staff, having to argue to try and remain healthy is exhausting! Thank you so much for your kind words.
Very best wishes
Tracey
Thank you for all your hard work and perseverance. Amazing.
Thank you for your kind comment Kate!
Thank you for your work and persistence on this very important matter.
I have had many a battle at my own G.p surgery and by doing so have heightened awareness in 2 practices now and group of G.ps.
It’s a very short sighted view that thise who need regular B12 cant self inject and indeed buy their own without s prescription.
Yet beauty salons can making profits .
I inject sc b12 at home on n NHS prescription
Have an IM one at the G.ps.
The threat of withdrawing this hangs over me and everyone else
Hope government see sense soon .
Thankyou
Brilliant work! I am sure that most of the ‘real’ education comes from patients teaching their GP’s about B12 deficiency.
I think so many people feel the same worry about the threat of stoppage of their injections. It’s complete madness that we find ourselves in this situation when all we are in need of is a vitamin. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Very best wishes
Tracey
Utter hypocrisy by the NHS. They recognise the importance of B12 injections and support daily injection for some of the public but not all.
And as for the MHRA, utterly irresponsible. Haven’t a clue of looking after public health interest.
Tracey thanks for your long lasting support on this cause. You are a star!