Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who play a key role in providing quality healthcare to patients.
As well as ensuring the safe supply and use of medicines, pharmacists can advise on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, as well as healthy eating and stopping smoking. They can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.
You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence, even about the most personal symptoms and you don’t need to make an appointment.
To find out more about pharmacy services, including where to find your nearest and how to get help with prescription charges, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies
Ordering medicines
If you take regular medication and have a repeat prescription, please follow these tips to reduce waste and save time for you and your GP practice.
- Order what you need when you need it: it usually takes around 3-4 working days to process and dispense your prescription so order your medicines when you have one week of medicines left but no earlier.
- Order your medicines electronically if possible: You can order using the NHS app or your practice may have an online ordering system, which will allow you to see your prescribed medications and order a repeat prescription.
- Alternatively you can ask your pharmacy for a paper repeat medicines ordering slip. On this slip you can tick the medicines you need and put a line through the items you do not need that month. You will be able to request these medicines in the future if you need them. Take or post the ordering slip to your GP practice.
- Always check your medicines bag before you leave the pharmacy to make sure you’ve been given the correct prescription.
For more information about different ways to order repeat prescriptions, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/