Tracey is still ‘baking up a storm’ thanks to medication service

Tracey, from South East England, has been receiving specialist medication through Sciensus services for more than 10 years, improving her quality of life in many ways.  

Sciensus took on the management of Tracey’s medication when she received the first prescription for a specialist drug from her NHS team to help treat the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. 

The condition is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse. This causes pain and stiffness in the neck, lower back and hips, and Tracey says that the drug and the relief it offers has changed her life. 

Tracey’s journey 

Tracey received her first delivery of the medication in 2010, with a Sciensus nurse visiting to show her how to use it. The medication is only available from the manufacturer on prescription and Tracey says that Sciensus works very closely with her NHS rheumatology team to make sure her supply runs smoothly. 

“I see my NHS rheumatologist regularly, although less so during the pandemic,” she explained. “They submit my prescription to Sciensus who then work with the manufacturer to get it delivered. There have been a few times when my prescription has been put on hold when I had other medical issues, but once the consultant gives me the go ahead to restart, Sciensus always swings quickly back into action and the linkage with the NHS is very good.” 

She added: “I am thankful and grateful they are on so the ball, showing respect, being conscious of the needs of their clients and, above all, kind and considerate.”  

‘Fantastically lucky’ to get the right support 

Tracey says that she is able to call Sciensus with any queries, and their pharmacists will always return her call. “When I wanted to travel abroad, they arranged the letters needed for customs here and at our destination so I could travel with my medication,” she said. 

Tracey says that the service is very smooth, as she can call to arrange delivery, which fits around her needs, and it gives her confidence that a named person has to accept the delivery. “The medications have to be refrigerated and the delivery team ensures each month’s supply arrives on time, allowing for holiday times such as Christmas, to ensure I never run short. The drivers are polite, courteous and receive excellent training – I consider myself fantastically lucky to be in their care,” added Tracey. 

Tracey checks delivery details online, and uses the online live chat, saying it’s just like any other online shopping account. 

‘I can’t be more thankful’ 

Tracey had been told earlier in life that she might be in a wheelchair by the age of 40 because of her condition. She is now 53 and thankfully still manages without a wheelchair but says: “I don’t know what my condition would be like without the drugs.”  

The impact of the symptom relief offered by Tracey’s medication is clear in her overall quality of life, including her hobbies. “Baking is my hobby and passion, and I make cakes for friends and for people’s special occasions – which can be physically demanding,” she said. “One of my friends took me to a special baking event at Le Cordon Bleu, London, as a treat – and that’s something that I would not have been able to manage without having the medication. 

“I can’t be more thankful, as the medication means that, despite my condition, I can still do around 90 per cent of what I want to do.”