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How to get access to nalfemene (Selincro)

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lindsey95264
lindsey95264

hi,

i have just come across this forum after doing some research on nalfemene and wondered if anyone could offer any guidance..... my area is wakefield in west yorkshire. my husband has seen his GP about his drinking on a number of occasions over the past 18 months and was only offered advice to self refer to "turning point" our local alcohol service. he was places on a waiting list for CBT after his initial assessment and 8 months later he has now started the therapy. His therapist then referred him to "inspiring futures" which i believe is part of our areas alcohol services but not 100% sure. Nothing is helping the cravings, he does not experience withdrawal symptoms so does want or qualify for a clinical detox but he feels he has no control over alcohol. one drink turns in to 10 and he's at risk if losing everything. any guidance on how we should progress this would be really appreciated. thanks

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5 Replies

  • Joanna-SMUKLtd
    Joanna-SMUKLtd lindsey95264

    Edited

    Unfortunately, Turning Point removed nalmefene (Selincro) from their list of medications for prescribing back in January 2017 as they decided that it 'is not an effective medication'. This is NOT Turning Point's job and NICE has already looked at the research and approved the medicaton for use on the NHS based on all the available evidence.

    The above is from an email conversation I had with the overall head pharmacist at Turning Point.

    This goes against the NHS Constitution, which pledges that people are entitled to medications approved for treating their condition if a doctor deems them suitable. Sadly, if you live in an area where Turning Point have the commissioned contract to provide alcohol and drug services for the NHS, your husband will not be prescribed nalmefene.

    Your only recourse is to contact your local MP. Your local council Public Health department gave the contact to Turning Point, and your MP can question why they are not providing an approved medication as per the NHS Constitution. I do know someone who did this in the Essex area, who also had Turning Point as their commissioned treatment provider, but unfortunately they got nowhere and had to be prescribed it privately by ourselves. Alcohol misuse is not a voter friendly condition to have, and so MPs and councillors do not rate the situation as important, when they receive 100's of contacts a day about things like potholes......

    If you google Sinclair Method UK, you will find a contact form for me on there. I can look at whether nalmefene (or the far less expensive generic naltrexone) may be suitable for your husband.

    • Emis_Moderator
      Emis_Moderator Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Edited

      Hi Joanna,

      I had to remove the image to the email you included as it was not readable but it also contained details like phone number etc. If you want to pass this to the user please use the Private Message service.

      Regards,

      Alan

    • lindsey95264
      lindsey95264 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      hi again joanna, thanks again. i can see that the email attachment has been removed but if you could message me it then that would be great. i will go to the sinclair page and fill in the contact form now so you can advise me on what options you feel we have. lindsey

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