Repeat Prescriptions

I had a quick scan of the forum and on the NHS direct site and couldn't find an answer to this...

I have several repeat prescriptions to take to a pharmacy. If I take it to my nearest pharmacy, will that be the only pharmacy I can get my prescription from for its duration?

I'm moving in a month but am still unsure exactly where, so this would be the only time I'll be using my (current) local pharmacy.

Did you try NHS Direct? I called them with question about a problem I was having with my GP. They didn't know the answer, but called around and got back to me within the hour. I think its your best bet for a quick response!

NHS Direct- 0845 4647

Repeat prescriptions don't work the same in the UK as they do in the US.
DW used to be able to just keep going to a chemist in the US that would look on the system to see how many she had remaining.
Here she has to go to the doctors and request a repeat and then take it to the chemist.

Repeat prescriptions don't work the same in the UK as they do in the US.
DW used to be able to just keep going to a chemist in the US that would look on the system to see how many she had remaining.
Here she has to go to the doctors and request a repeat and then take it to the chemist.

Yeah, I think you can just request each repeat prescription from your GP and then have it dispensed at whichever pharmacy you like. Or, if you are settled and you do wish to have it dispensed by the same pharmacy each time (i.e. after you've moved), you can sign up for a repeat prescription service with that pharmacy.

I'm trying to think what services we offer for repeats in our Boots pharmacy:
We have a Repeat Prescription Collection Service where we keep the repeat slip from the customer's prescription and file it, then when they want to order the repeat, they give us a call and tell us which items they want. Then we take the request down to the GP surgery and order the prescription for them. When it's ready, we pick the prescription up from the surgery, take it back to the pharmacy to make it up and the customer comes in to collect it. Alternatively, we order the new prescription automatically for the customer on a particular date so they don't have to call us to place the order.

The Boots website has an online repeat prescription service, but it's only available to collect from London pharmacies. You place your prescription order online, Boots contact your GP and request the prescription, they text or email you when it's ready and you can pick it up from 1 of 40 Boots stores in London or have it sent to an address or Post Office of your choice (delivery charge applies though).

You can read about the Boots prescription services here: http://www.boots.com/en/Pharmacy-Health/Prescription-Services/

Ah... many thanks everyone!  Looks like I'll just contact the GP every time I need to request the repeat prescription. Definitely a different system than from the US, which is probably why I was so confused.

My DH has a repeat prescription for 12 months.  The GP gave all 12 to him at once and he turned them all into the chemist.  Now he just goes and picks them up on the 26th of each month (doesn't even have to call ahead of time, they just have them ready and waiting on that day).  Before the GP gave him the prescription, he specifically asked if he always used the same chemist (it's right beside the surgery)...not sure if that made a difference or not but he did make a point to ask.  He'll have to go back and see the GP at the end of the 12 months and he'll most likely just write another 12 for him. 

Just wanted to point out that you *can* get repeat prescriptions the same way you can in the US...and you may *not* have to go see the GP every time.  It might depend on what type of medication it is (i.e. if the GP wants to see you every month to discuss how you are doing and monitor the effects of the medication).

Just wanted to point out that you *can* get repeat prescriptions the same way you can in the US...and you may *not* have to go see the GP every time.  It might depend on what type of medication it is (i.e. if the GP wants to see you every month to discuss how you are doing and monitor the effects of the medication).

Thanks! That's good to know!

I'm trying to think what services we offer for repeats in our Boots pharmacy:
We have a Repeat Prescription Collection Service where we keep the repeat slip from the customer's prescription and file it, then when they want to order the repeat, they give us a call and tell us which items they want. Then we take the request down to the GP surgery and order the prescription for them. When it's ready, we pick the prescription up from the surgery, take it back to the pharmacy to make it up and the customer comes in to collect it. Alternatively, we order the new prescription automatically for the customer on a particular date so they don't have to call us to place the order.

The Boots website has an online repeat prescription service, but it's only available to collect from London pharmacies. You place your prescription order online, Boots contact your GP and request the prescription, they text or email you when it's ready and you can pick it up from 1 of 40 Boots stores in London or have it sent to an address or Post Office of your choice (delivery charge applies though).

How long does all that take? You mean Boots doesn't have its own supply of meds? You do this for every prescription? Seems like such a pain for you!

How long does all that take? You mean Boots doesn't have its own supply of meds? You do this for every prescription? Seems like such a pain for you!

They have the meds, but they also take care of getting the prescription slip for you, I think. (So, if your GP doesn't give them all to you, you don't need to go get it.) I think they mostly use the fax now as opposed to an image of them traipsing along to your GP though.

They have the meds, but they also take care of getting the prescription slip for you, I think. (So, if your GP doesn't give them all to you, you don't need to go get it.) I think they mostly use the fax now as opposed to an image of them traipsing along to your GP though.

Ohhhh. I'd forgotten about the whole "one script= one med" thing. I know there may be seemingly great reason, but how inefficient and a waste of resources and everyone involved's time! Especially if it's maintenance medication (like the inhaler I use to run).

Because I live over a certain distance from the surgery I get my prescriptions made up at the surgery rather than having to go to a pharmacy (this probably only applies in rural areas).  This means that I can order my repeat by e-mail and then wait 24 hours and pop into the surgery to collect it.

Ohhhh. I'd forgotten about the whole "one script= one med" thing. I know there may be seemingly great reason, but how inefficient and a waste of resources and everyone involved's time! Especially if it's maintenance medication (like the inhaler I use to run).

Well, they can write you a prescription that will last for multiple months for the same med (so, my inhalers, I got a prescription for 3 of them, which will last for a little over six months), or hubby gets a prescription for x number of pills that would last for 3 months. I think it depends on your GP.  I get different scripts for each type of medication though.

This means that I can order my repeat by e-mail and then wait 24 hours and pop into the surgery to collect it.

This is what I do - I email my GP when I'm running low, wait 24-48hrs and pop in to pick it up. Then I can take it to any chemist to get it filled. Only because one antibiotic I'm on is only ever given in very small doses, no pharmacy ever has my 30+ pills on hand so I've got to go back a few days later to collect the rest.

It's a slight pain, but I'd rather this than be sick, and at least they're letting me get free prescriptions now finally so that worry is going away...

Also worth knowing for those on several repeat prescriptions, if you need to pay for more than:

    * 4 prescription items in 3 months
    * 14 prescription items in 12 months

Then it may be cheaper to get your prescriptions using a Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC).

I've had my GP give me a prescription in the past for 2 months at a time.  I'm not taking anything right now though, so not sure if they still do that - from my own experience, that is.

How long does all that take? You mean Boots doesn't have its own supply of meds? You do this for every prescription? Seems like such a pain for you!

Boots have tons of meds, but what's written on the prescription determines how many of those meds the pharmacists are allowed to give to each customer. For example, if someone is prescribed low-dose aspirin on a monthly basis and there are only 28 tablets on a prescription, that means that the doctor has to print off a new prescription every month and the customer has to pick up a new prescription every month. However, if they are prescribed it on a 6-monthly basis, they only have to get a repeat prescription twice a year.

Basically, we have a driver who does the surgery round every day (takes about 2 hours) - we only pick up prescriptions from about 6 local doctor's surgeries, so our driver goes to each surgery, drops off all the prescription requests for that day and picks up the prescriptions that are ready to go back to the pharmacy. Some surgeries fax the prescription to us (i.e. if it's an emergency and there isn't enough time to get the physical prescription), but then we also have to get the hard copy of the prescription to send off to the PCT so we can claim the money back from the NHS - either they mail it to us or we go and get it.

Well, they can write you a prescription that will last for multiple months for the same med (so, my inhalers, I got a prescription for 3 of them, which will last for a little over six months), or hubby gets a prescription for x number of pills that would last for 3 months. I think it depends on your GP.  I get different scripts for each type of medication though.

Yeah, I just went to my doctor this morning for a new prescription for my pill - he gave me a 12-month prescription so the pharmacy gave me a year's worth of tablets, which means I won't have to get the prescription filled again for another year.