Prescriptions

If you have any questions about your medication, your local pharmacy can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without 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)

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice, over the counter medicines and their use, to effectively and safely manage a range of minor health concerns. They can also help you to decide whether you’ll need to see a doctor. You don’t need an appointment and pharmacies also have private consultation areas for you to talk about your symptoms in private if you prefer.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

You will be required to have regular medication reviews when taking repeat medication. This may involve monitoring such as blood tests and/or blood pressure checks. This ongoing monitoring is extremely important to ensure your condition is safely and effectively managed.

Under exceptional circumstances, where a patient repeatedly does not attend for their medication reviews, as per Good Medical Practice Guidelines, we may refuse to prescribe until a review is attended.

Most prescriptions are now signed, sent and processed electronically. You can choose a pharmacy or dispenser to dispense your prescriptions. When a prescription is issued by your GP practice it will be sent electronically to the pharmacy you have chosen and you can collect your medication without having to collect a paper prescription from you GP practice.

Choosing a Pharmacy or Dispenser

Choosing a pharmacy to dispense your prescriptions will save you time by avoiding unnecessary trips to your GP. You will still order your repeat prescriptions in the same way as you do now, but your prescriptions will be sent electronically to the pharmacy or dispenser of your choice.
You can nominate, change or cancel your choice of pharmacy at any time. Simply speak to your pharmacist or GP surgery before you order your next prescription.

Electronic prescriptions are reliable, secure and confidential.

Your electronic prescription will be seen by the people who provide your medicines in GP practices and pharmacies, and by NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies.

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

When going abroad you can take your NHS medications with you.

Please visit the NHS website for the latest Prescription Charges

Please note that referrals into the private sector may mean you have to pay for private treatment, tests or prescriptions that may not be available on the NHS.  Sometimes, you may be issued a private prescription.  If you wish for this to be converted into a NHS prescription, we require a minimum of a 48 hour turnaround.  Please be aware that not all prescriptions that are available privately are available on the NHS. 

If you need medication for a stable long-term health condition, we can supply you with a prescription for extra supply of medication to cover your holiday abroad. The maximum duration of additional medications supplied on the NHS is 3 months for most medications.

Will my GP prescribe medication in case I’m ill when I’m away?
In most cases you will be advised to seek medical attention local to where you are staying as a temporary patient at a GP practice or if you are abroad seek medical attention at a local health provider.  

Check what medication you can take

Before you travel, find out if there are any restrictions on taking your medicine in and out of:

• the UK
• the country you’re visiting

Some medicines available over the counter in the UK may be controlled in other countries. For more information, see Can I take my medicine abroad? and What is a controlled medicine (drug)?

When you return

If you’re given any medication while you’re away, try to find out if it’s legal to bring it back into the UK. If you’re in any doubt, declare it at customs when you come back. Read the answers to more questions about travel health.