From 31st March 2025, you will need to order your repeat prescription directly from your GP surgery – not through the pharmacy.
This change aims to:
- Reduce medicine waste – the way prescriptions are currently ordered means that many medicines are ordered but not needed.
- Give patients better control over the ordering of their own medication.
- Improve safety by avoiding stockpiling of medication and prevent medication that has been stopped from being re-ordered by mistake.
The NHS App is the safest and easiest way for you to request your repeat prescription. Ordering through the app will give you more control over your own healthcare and save you a trip to the GP practice. Find out more at www.nhs.uk/nhsapp
The app is easy to use, with a ‘Help’ section within the app to guide patients if they hit a problem, and allows patients to choose where their prescription is sent. Patients can also order their prescription at any time that suits them; there’s no need to wait until the GP surgery opens. We will be running some drop-in sessions to help patients set up the NHS App, please keep an eye on our website as more details about these sessions are to follow.
You will still be order your prescriptions via the repeat prescription box at the surgery.
It’s best to order your repeat prescription 7 working days in advance. Don’t wait until you’re just about to run out! It can take time for your request to be approved by your GP practice – especially when they’re busy.
GPs will work closely with pharmacies to make sure that patients who aren’t able to order their repeat medication by any of the recommended routes, will get support appropriate for their personal needs.
