Prescriptions
Requesting repeat prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are medications which appear on your records and the counterfoil of your prescription token which our clinical team would like you to continue on a regular basis. Allow two working days for the surgery to process all orders. Your community pharmacy will also need time to order and dispense your medication and appliances. We recommend you request no earlier than a week before your medicines are due. Please provide a reason if you need them earlier. You can request your prescription up to 14 days before it is due.
Repeat prescriptions may be ordered:
- Online – This is the fastest and safest option
You can order your repeat prescriptions via NHS app or SystmOnline on a computer, iPad or a phone APP. Requests placed through the app will be processed in 2 working days. Requests placed via other means will be processed in 5 working days.
Prescription Costs
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 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 (see below for more information on this.)
NHS Charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
The current prescription charge is £9.65 per item.
A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) could save you money on NHS prescription costs:
– a 3-month PPC costs £31.25
– a 12-month PPC is £111.60
– a 12-month PPC for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) only is £19.30
If you need to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 12 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
Telephone advice and order line: 0300 330 134
General Public: Buy or Renew a PPC on-line
Over-the-counter medicines
Did you know that your local NHS spends £15m a year on prescribing medicines that are available to buy at the pharmacy?
Following national guidance from NHS England, we’re asking GPs not to prescribe certain medicines, including for conditions such as coughs, colds, headaches, mouth ulcers, travel sickness and mild toothache.
Your GP will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy at your local pharmacy.
The team of health professionals at the pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and if your symptoms suggest it is more serious, they’ll direct you to the help you need.
For further details, including a list of conditions the guidance applies to, please take a look at our leaflet here. You can also contact us at [email protected]
Medicine Sick Day Rules
Non-urgent advice: When a patient has any of the following:
– Vomiting or diarrhoea (unless only minor)
– Fevers, sweats and shaking
Then STOP taking the medicines listed below and restart when well (after 24-48 hours of eating and drinking normally)
If any doubt, contact your pharmacist or GP
Medicines to stop on sick days
- ACE inhibitors: medicine names ending in “pril”
– e.g. Lisinopril, Perindopril, Ramipril - ARBs: medicine names ending in “sartan”
– e.g. Losartan, Candesartan, Valsartan - NSAIDs: anti-inflammatory pain killers
– e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen - Diuretics: sometimes called “water pills”
– e.g. Furosemide, Spironolactone, Indapamide, Bendroflumethiazide - Metformin & Gliclazide: medicine for diabetes
- SGLT-2: medicines for diabetes ending in “flozin”
– e.g. Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin, Empagliflozin