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

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the practice phone or email.

If your condition is stable and changes to your medication or dose are unlikely, you may elect to have the full number of issues sent automatically to your nominated pharmacy. This is called “repeat dispensing.” In these circumstances, you do not need to order your medication monthly from the Medicines Order Line as it will be available for collection directly from your nominated pharmacy.

Click here for further information

Collecting your prescription

If you have nominated a pharmacy for electronic prescribing, there is no need to pick up your prescription from the practice. Instead, it will be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy, but please allow 2 working days for us to process your request and a further 3 days for the pharmacy to process the request before collecting. So, that’s 5 working days in total (1 full week).

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

  • on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
  • at your GP practice
  • at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

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.

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

The Yellow Card Scheme is vital in helping the MHRA monitor the safety of all healthcare products in the UK to ensure they are acceptably safe for patients and those that use them. Reports can be made for all medicines including vaccines, blood factors and immunoglobulins, herbal medicines and homeopathic remedies, and all medical devices available on the UK market. From the 20th of May 2016, the MHRA is also collecting reports of safety concerns associated with e-cigarette products through the Yellow Card Scheme.

The Scheme collects information on suspected problems or incidents involving

  1. side effects (also known as adverse drug reactions or ADRs)
  2. medical device adverse incidents
  3. defective medicines (those that are not of an acceptable quality)
  4. counterfeit or fake medicines or medical devices
  5. safety concerns for e-cigarettes or their refill containers (e-liquids)

It is important for people to report problems experienced with medicines or medical devices as these are used to identify issues which might not have been previously known about. The MHRA will review the product if necessary, and take action to minimise risk and maximise benefit to the patients. The MHRA is also able to investigate counterfeit or fake medicines or devices and if necessary take action to protect public health.

For more details and to submit a report, please go to https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.

Medication reviews

Once the maximum number of authorised issues has been reached, the practice will need to undertake a medication review. For most medication, this will take place every 12 months and will be completed by the practice pharmacist. In many cases, it is not necessary for you to attend an appointment for a medication review. Please request your medication in the normal way; we will contact you if we need you to come in for an appointment.

We carry out medication reviews to ensure that your medication remains appropriate and is not causing unwanted or unsafe side effects. We may therefore ask some patients to attend for a face to face review or to attend for a blood test or other tests. If you are asked to attend for a review, please ensure that you make an appointment as soon as possible.

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 or bring it in to the surgery. 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.

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

Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.