I did the legal thing – but did I do the right thing?

Several weeks ago, a patient I see monthly told me about her mouth pain.
 
She came to me for follow-up after a recent mastectomy for breast cancer (and for her goserelin implant, premature menopause and her many other post-cancer-diagnosis psychosocial and health considerations).
 
Examination revealed several small mouth ulcers. She was otherwise well.
 
I did an urgent full blood examination (FBE), as I was concerned about a neutropenia, and a swab for herpes.
 
The FBE was normal, which was a relief. But the herpes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) came back several days later positive for herpes type 1. By then, her ulcers had healed.
 
She came back in recently with a one-day history of similar symptoms of quite severe mouth pain affecting her ability to eat and drink.
 
On examination, there were eight new grouped ulcers. Through an interpreter, I explained the diagnosis of recurrent herpes, what this meant and that I’d prescribe antivirals, topical anaesthetic gel and, if needed, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
 
But when I went to prescribe the antiviral, I found that recurrent mouth ulcers are not a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) indication. Genital, yes. Mouth, no. I rang the authority line and spoke to a person to ask if there was a category I could use.
 
My patient’s body mass index (BMI) is 18, she is having cancer treatment, and has absolutely no ability to afford a private script. But the computer said no. 
 
Was there someone I could speak with who had the authority to allow me to prescribe this? I asked. No, no, no. And so she left without an antiviral script, with me thinking that I’d done her a disservice and that this is madness.
 
Madness there is not a clinician who can be accessed with the authority to override an inflexible bureaucratic system in the case of clear clinical need.
 
Madness that in this age of patient-centred care I have no ability to make the call for the patient before me.
 
Madness that this can so understandably lead to GPs ‘bending the truth’ to help their patients.  
 
I can’t help thinking I should have just lied. Would you have?

bureaucracy patient-centred care red tape