Prescriptions

If you are going on holiday or there is a Bank holiday coming up, please order your repeat prescriptions earlier, still giving us the normal two working days to generate and get it checked and signed by the Doctors.

Please preempt ordering prescriptions to avoid medication running out.

Order your prescription when you have 7 to 10 days worth of medication left.

It is good practice that repeat medication is regularly reviewed so that you get optimum care. Please make note of the review date and make an appointment to see the doctor.

If you are going on holiday you should take a list of your medication with you. Ensure you have enough medication to cover your holiday. Some countries also need a doctor’s letter to explain the medication. Check with your travel agent.

If you have elderly relatives, ensure that they have an adequate supply of their medication.

From the 1 April, the Government is launching the HRT Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC) to reduce prescription costs for women receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

The HRT PPC will be available to buy in one single payment online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc, or in-person at some pharmacies. You can call 0300 330 2089 for help and support.

Before buying an HRT PPC, you should check if:

• you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check
• your medicine is covered by the HRT PPC. For a list of eligible HRT medication, visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc-medicines
• a 3 or 12 month PPC is more suitable. It covers all NHS prescriptions, not just HRT items. Visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see us once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions, and ensure any necessary blood tests are done at least 2 days before the review appointment.

These charges apply in England only.   In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 3-month PPC: £31.25
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• PPC Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

Pharmacies are taking longer to dispense scripts therefore we recommend requesting repeat medication 7 – 10 days before due to allow time for the practice to issue and the pharmacies to dispense. Please do not order a repeat prescription more than 10 days before it is due as the prescription cannot be processed. If you have a reason to require your medication earlier, please make sure to tell us to avoid disappointment.

Each drug has two names; the generic and the brand name. Where possible, we use the generic name because this is usually much cheaper for the health service. Due to this, you may notice a change in colour, shape or size of your drug. Do not be concerned by this, you are still receiving the same drug of the same quality, it is only the appearance that has altered. Talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions about this.

Please book your medications review appointment at least ten days before your medication runs out.

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.