Repeat dispensing is a new way to manage your repeat medication and aims to reduce wastage and improve patient convenience.
When patients currently need to re-order their repeat medication, they contact the surgery, request medications and then wait 48 hours for the prescription to be generated and signed. When a patient consents to repeat dispensing, a batch of monthly prescriptions for up to 12 months are issued at once and held at a pharmacy chosen by the patient.
When further repeat medications are needed, the patient simply arranges to collect the medication from the pharmacy. If the patient rings the pharmacy in advance, the medications should be dispensed ready for collection.
If you would like to use repeat dispensing, please ask the receptionist and a request will be given to your usual doctor so they can check that your medications are suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my prescriptions for 28 days at a time?
The Department of Health recommends prescriptions are issued at 28 day intervals to reduce waste. If you have a reason for not having 28 day prescriptions please telephone the surgery to discuss.
Can I take my prescription to any pharmacy?
All batch prescriptions must be dispensed from the same pharmacy. You can choose a pharmacy that opens late or at weekends which you may find more convenient.
I pay for my prescriptions. Will this service cost me more?
No. If you pay for your prescriptions the same charge per item will apply for each item dispensed. If you are regularly prescribed three or more items per month, it is cheaper to purchase a pre-payment certificate. For further information on pre-payment certificates visit: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx.
What happens if I need a one-off prescription?
If your doctor gives you an acute prescription (e.g. for antibiotics) at a consultation, you can take this to be dispensed at any pharmacy in the usual way.
I will be on holiday when my next prescription is due to be collected from the pharmacy. What do I do?
Before going away, discuss this with your pharmacist. It is at the pharmacists discretion when the batch prescriptions are dispensed and they can issue your medications early in circumstances such as this.
What happens when all the batches have been dispensed?
The pharmacist will let you know when the last prescription has been dispensed. You should then get in touch with the practice to request your medications. The surgery will advise you on whether you need to be reviewed by a doctor or have routine blood tests or monitoring and arrange an appointment. If no review is needed, further batch prescriptions will be sent to the patients chosen pharmacy.
Is the surgery dispensary offering this service?
Repeat dispensing is only available at community pharmacies. Unfortunately, patients who have their medications dispensed in the surgery dispensary will not be eligible for this service.
