How to Order a Repeat Prescription

• The NHS APP
• Patient Access

For clinical safety reasons our reception staff cannot accept repeat prescription requests by telephone. 

Requesting More of your Medicines

Our practice uses Electronic Prescriptions wherever possible and Electronic Repeat Dispensing, a new way of getting your medicines without having to ask the doctor for a prescription each time. 

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Electronic Prescriptions 

Most prescriptions are now signed, sent and processed electronically. Electronic prescriptions are reliable, secure and confidential. You will not have to collect a paper repeat prescription from your GP practice.

If you get regular prescriptions or are already using a prescription collection service (where a pharmacy collects prescriptions from your GP practice for you) then choosing a pharmacy to dispense all your prescriptions may save you time by avoiding unnecessary trips to your GP. You can change or cancel your choice of pharmacy at any time. Simply speak to your GP or pharmacist before you order your next prescription.

You can order your repeat prescriptions electronically with the practice or pharmacy in the same way as you do now and your prescriptions will be sent directly to the pharmacy or dispenser of your choice.

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Repeat Dispensing

If you or someone you care for uses the same medicines regularly, you may be able to benefit from electronic repeat prescriptions. This means you won't have to re-order or collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP practice every time you need more medicine.

Step 1
If your prescriber thinks that you could use electronic repeat prescriptions for your regular medicines, they will ask you for permission to share information about your treatment with your pharmacist. This will help your pharmacist to give your prescriber feedback about your treatment and provide you with useful advice.

Your GP or prescriber will then authorise a number of electronic repeat prescriptions. This will be based on your circumstances and clinical need. These electronic repeat prescriptions will then be supplied to you by your pharmacy at regular intervals.

Step 2
Collect your first electronic repeat prescription from your pharmacy.

Step 3
When you need more medicines, go back to your pharmacy. Before dispensing the next issue of your prescription, your pharmacy will ask:

• have you seen any health professionals (GP, nurse or hospital doctor), since your last repeat prescription was supplied?
• have you recently started taking any new medicines - either on prescription or that you have bought over the counter?
• have you been having any problems with your medication or experiencing any side effects?
• are there any items on your repeat prescription that you don't need this month? (If you don't need all of the medicines on your prescription, let the pharmacy staff know, so that they only supply the medicines you need. This will help to reduce waste and save the NHS money.)

Step 4
When your pharmacy supplies your final electronic repeat prescription in the series that your GP has authorised, they will advise you to contact your GP practice. Your doctor or practice nurse may want to see you to review your medication before they will authorise more electronic repeat prescriptions.

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Free Medicines Check-Up

Pharmacists are experts in medicine and a Medicines Use Review is a free NHS service offered by most pharmacies so you can discuss your medicines, understand more about them and solve any problems you may have.

You can ask your pharmacist for a review if:​

• You regularly take more than one prescription medicine
• You are taking medicines for a long-term illness (like asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart conditions or epilepsy)
• You have recently come out of hospital

Remember: anyone can ask their pharmacist for medicines advice at any time.

Please tell your GP or pharmacist if you’ve stopped taking your medicine

GPs and pharmacists understand that sometimes people struggle with taking their medicines. You may be worried about side effects or you may not want to take a medicine if you think it isn’t helping you.

Don’t be afraid to tell your GP or pharmacist if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines. It’s important to take your medicines properly and they will be happy to help. Not taking your medicines correctly could make your condition worse and waste NHS time and money.

You can make decisions with your GP and pharmacist to make sure your medicines work well for you. If you find it difficult to remember to take your medicines, you can also talk to them about daily medicine boxes, reminder charts and dose record charts.

Larger, easier to read labels are also available.​

Only Ask For What You Need

Every year, medicines waste costs the NHS in south east London around £9 million (estimate based on national figure). This is money that could be used to fund vital NHS services. We all have a responsibility to use medicines responsibly.

At home:

• Check what medicines you have already at home before you ask for more.
• You can request more medicine at any time, but stockpiling medicines at home increases the risk for children and others of accidental overdose. Unused medicines cannot be recycled, even if they have never been opened.
• Don't tick it if you don't need it! There is no need to worry, the item will not disappear from your repeat prescription. It will still be there next time you need to order your medication.
• One way to manage you prescriptions at home is by registering for GP online services. You can do this through your GP practice. You can use this to request your prescriptions online.

At your pharmacy:

• When you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, check what is in the bag ensuring that it is what you requested and only what you need.
• You can return any unwanted medicines to the pharmacist. You cannot do this once you have left the pharmacy.

At your GP:

• When you see your GP or consultant, make sure you understand any changes in your medicines, and what each medicine is for and why you are taking it, and how to take it properly.
• Tell your GP or pharmacist if you've stopped taking any medicines, so they can be removed from your repeat list.
• Having regular discussions with your pharmacist and GP will mean you get the right help with taking your medicines.
• If you need more medicine in the future you can still request it. Stockpiling medicines increases the risk for children and others that may accidentally take them. Unused medicines cannot be recycled and issued again even if they have never been opened.  

If everyone makes these small changes in Lambeth then, together, we can make a massive difference to reducing medicines waste and looking after our NHS in Lambeth.

OTCs no longer supported on NHS prescriptions in Lambeth

Many common conditions can be treated at home with the support of your local pharmacy if needed. Over the counter products for self care are things like pain relief and cough and cold remedies. These items can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription. They are also often cheaper this way. You can get them without an appointment or seeing a doctor.

NHS Lambeth CCG no longer supports the routine prescribing of over the counter products for common conditions and minor ailments that are short term illnesses and/or will get better with time. These include:

• Acne treatment
• Analgesic/pain relief treatment (short term pain, fever, headache, muscle/joint injury)
• Anti-fungal treatment (athlete’s foot, oral and vaginal thrush, ring worm)
• Antiperspirant treatment (excessive sweating)
• Cold sore treatment
• Colic treatment
• Constipation treatment
• Cough, cold and sore throat treatment
• Diarrhoea treatment
• Ear wax remover
• Eye treatments/lubricating products (Conjunctivitis/dry eyes)
• Haemorrhoid (piles) treatment
• Hayfever treatment
• Head lice treatment
• Herbal and complementary treatments
• Indigestion and heartburn (dyspepsia) treatment
• Mouth ulcer treatment
• Nappy rash treatment
• Scabies treatment
• Threadworm treatment
• Topical steroid treatment (insect bites/stings, contact dermatitis, nappy rash)
• Vitamins and minerals
• Wart and verruca

You can read the full position statement from NHS Lambeth by clicking HERE.