Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
• using the GP online system: SystmOnline
• use the Anima service
• requesting a repeat prescription through your local pharmacy order and collect service
• in person or by post

Collecting your prescription

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

• on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
• fill out a nominate a pharmacy or other dispenser form
• at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Urgent prescriptions

It is important to follow the usual procedure for requesting medication and to allow two working days for the prescription to be generated by the surgery.

If for some reason you run short of your essential medication and need it sooner than the usual two working days, you can request an urgent prescription.

We will only consider urgent medication requests for items included on or similar to, the drugs listed in the table below. In these instances we can issue a prescription to be ready after 5:30pm on the same day.

Diabetic drugs

Alogliptin, Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Gliclazide, Insulin, Lixisenatide, Metformin, Nateglinide, Pioglitazone, Sitagliptin

Respiratory drugs

Salbutamol (Ventolin), Terbutaline (Bricanyl)

Epilepsy drugs

Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, Phenytoin, Sodium Valproate, Topiramate

Parkinson’s drugs

Co-beneldopa (Madopar), Co-careldopa (Sinemet)

Anticoagulants

Apixaban, Dabigatran, Edoxaban, Heparin preparations, Rivaroxaban, Warfarin

Other cardiovascular drugs

Amiodarone, Amlodipine, Bisoprolol, Digoxin, Losartan, Ramipril

Antidepressants and antipsychotics

Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine, Sertraline, Venlafaxine

Opiod painkillers and palliative care drugs

Buprenorphine, Fentanyl, Morphine and drugs for use via syringe driver

Antipsychotics / psychotropics

Aripiprazole, Lithium, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone

Corticosteroids

Dexamethasone, Prednisolone

Immunosuppressants

Azathioprine, Ciclosporin, Leflunomide, Methotrexate, Mycophenolate, Sulfasalazine, Tacrolimus

28 day prescribing policy

The NHS recognises that a 28-day repeat prescribing interval makes the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage.

For more information about our 28 day prescribing policy, please visit our 28 day prescribing policy page.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• phone us on 01453 764 222
• use the Anima service

Medication reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to consult with a pharmacist, a doctor or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications. The notification date should appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions. If you have been advised by the surgery that your medication review is due, you will need to contact the practice by using the the Anima service or phoning us on 01453 764 222.

Medicines that require monitoring

There are certain medications that require blood test monitoring for example methotrexate, leflunomide etc. Your consultant and GP will have discussed this with you. If you are late or omit a blood test, your GP may not be able to prescribe these medications for safety reasons, so please ensure that you keep up to date with the blood tests required.

Questions about your medication

If you have any questions about your medication, your community pharmacist is ideally placed to answer your questions. But if it is a query they cannot answer, then please use the Anima service.

Can my GP prescribe extra medication to cover my holiday?

If you need medication for a long-term health condition, you may be able to get an extra supply of medication to cover your time away.

However, if you intend to be abroad for 3 months or more, you are not entitled to NHS prescriptions or any other NHS services, so we can only supply a sufficient and reasonable quantity for you to reach your destination and register with a local doctor (usually 2-4 weeks medication). If your period of travel is for under 3 months then we MAY be able to supply medication for the whole of your trip, but this will depend on the nature of your medication (for example those that require monitoring may not be able to be prescribed).

Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)

If you get regular or repeat prescriptions, you could save time by switching to electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD). eRD sends your prescriptions electronically from the surgery to a pharmacy of your choice. It’s easy to use and you don’t need a computer or electronic device.

eRD allows your GP to prescribe your regular medicines for up to a year. It’s reliable, secure and confidential. Your regular prescriptions are stored securely on the NHS database, so they’ll be ready at the pharmacy each time you need them.

Using eRD you can:

• save time by avoiding the need to order a repeat prescription every 28-56 days
• order or cancel your repeat prescriptions online
• pick up your repeat prescriptions directly from your pharmacy
• spend less time waiting for your prescription to be issued by the surgery

For more information about eRD and how it works, ask at your pharmacy, or visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/eRD 

Ask your GP at your next medication review if this will be suitable for you.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

What to do with old medicines

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

About pharmacists

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

• coughs
• colds
• sore throats
• tummy trouble
• aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.