Repeat Prescriptions
If you are receiving medication for an ongoing medical condition that is stable, your doctor will often allow for this to be obtained on a repeat prescription. Most conditions e.g. high blood pressure will need to be reviewed at intervals and a limited number of prescriptions will be issued before a review by the doctor or nurse is required.
In all cases, please allow 2 working days for your request to be processed. Do not allow your medication to run out before making your request.
A request can be made by any of the following methods :
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Secure Online Form
Use our secure prescription ordering form located here
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Submit your computerised printed slip
(This can be found attached to your prescription). Tick the items that you require. Put the slip in the box situated at the reception desk or post to us.
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Submit a written request
List the items that you require. Please write clearly in block capitals and include your name and address, the name of the drug e.g. paracetamol, the strength of the tablet e.g. 500mg and the dosing instructions e.g. 2 tablets to be taken four times daily. (Attaching the label from the medication pack to a sheet of paper with your name and address on is acceptable).
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By fax
List the items that you require. Please write clearly in block capitals and include your name and address, the name of the drug e.g. paracetamol, the strength of the tablet e.g. 500mg and the dosing instructions e.g. 2 tablets to be taken four times daily. Fax your request to the surgery on 01895 444672.
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In all cases, your prescription should be ready for collection 2 working days after we receive the request.
If you would like your prescription posting back to you, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Please note that we are not responsible for covering postage costs.
We will not accept telephone requests for repeat prescriptions owing to the likelihood of errors occurring using this method.
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| What if I need my medicine urgently? |
If you have run out of medication and have been told that you should not stop your medication without consulting a doctor, a prescription can be issued urgently. However, this will depend on a doctor being available to sign the prescription. Therefore, please be patient with our staff as you may have to wait.
If the surgery is closed your usual pharmacy may be able to dispense a small Emergency Supply of your medication until you are able to see your doctor
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| Prescription Delivery |
| Some chemists will deliver prescriptions free of charge to housebound patients on request. Please note that prescription delivery is at the discretion of the pharmacist and that delivery times cannot be guaranteed. This is a private arrangement between yourself and the pharmacist. Whilst we will assist wherever possible, Yiewsley Family Practice will not be held responsible for any issues relating to delivery of prescriptions.
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| Chemist collection service |
| We have an arrangement with the local chemists whereby they collect prescriptions at intervals throughout the day, thus saving you a second trip to the Health Centre for the prescription. Please specify which chemist you would like to collect your medicines from.
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| When and why do I need to come for a review of my medicines |
The WHITE SLIP of the prescription will advise you of how many issues may be made. Patients who are on 4 items or more will be reviewed at least annually by their GP. When your GP wishes to review your medication you will be contacted to make an appointment. At this appointment you may wish to discuss such things as:
- What your medication is for
- How and when to take your medication
- Any problems you are having with taking your medication
- Any side effect from your medication
- Any other medication you may be taking either from the chemist or health food shop
- Any other queries you have with your medication
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| Prescribing budgets |
| Each Practice within the UK is allocated an annual prescribing budget. We have never refused to supply expensive medication for any patient. This has included expensive fertility drugs and cancer drugs. However, we do proscribe to the view of using the most cost effective medicine that is available at that time. We are guided on issues like these by the government body NICE www.nice.org.uk and the local health authority
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| Generic Policy |
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Every drug has 2 names. It can be very confusing. For example NUROFEN is a trade name or marketing name, the generic or chemical name is IBUPROFEN. Similarly PANADOL and PARACETAMOL. It is Government policy to increase the rate of generic prescribing. The Practice has been prescribing generically for several years is currently over 80%. This policy does mean the chemist may issue slight variations of the same product every time you obtain your medicines. Please do not be alarmed by this
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| Equivalence - quantity of drugs allowed on each prescription |
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As a surgery we prescribe 1 month supply of medication at a time. This is based on a Government directive. This would prevent wastage and save over 10% of the national drug bill. If you find that it is becoming quite expensive to pay for prescriptions every month then you can purchase an annual 'ticket' which allows you an unlimited number of prescriptions per year. Click here for further details.
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| Exemption certificates |
There are several different types but the commonest ones are based on the following reasons;
On medical grounds- if you have one of the following common illnesses you are entitled to free prescriptions. You need to fill in a form which is obtainable from pharmacies, and the doctor's surgery.
These common illnesses are; epilepsy (but only if you need medication), diabetes (only if you need tablets or insulin) under active thyroid gland ( if medication needed), under active parathyroid gland, under active pituitary gland, permanent fistula (eg colostomy, laryngostomy) There are several other more rare situations- please enquire if you need to know
Annual exemption- if you pay each time for your prescription and find it expensive over the course of a year you can purchase an annual (or quarterly) ticket which allows you to have as many medicines as needed for a fixed price. Please click here
This costs just under £100 per year.
If you are pregnant you are entitled to free prescriptions. Please click here
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| Key Points To Remember |
1. It takes 2 working days (Monday - Friday, not including weekends or Bank Holidays) to obtain your repeat prescription. Allow enough time.
2. The usual amount supplied will be decided by your doctor at review. This will depend on the type of medication.
3. If you think you are getting side effects from your medication contact the surgery, as soon as possible.
4. Not all medication is suitable to be given as a repeat, this will be decided by your doctor.
5. Do not take medication that your doctor has told you not to take. Please tell the doctor if there is any medication that you no longer need so that this can be removed from your list.
6. Do not re-order medication that you do not need and please do not 'stockpile' medication. It may be changed or go out of date, or could be taken by someone else by mistake, e.g. a child.
7. Please tell your doctor if you wish to stop any medication. Some medication should not be stopped quickly.
8. Do not share your medication with anyone else, or take anyone else's medication. This could be harmful.
9. Store your medication properly, in a locked cupboard, in a cool dry place, out of reach of children. Some medication needs to be kept in the fridge. Always check instructions for storage.
10. Dispose of unused medication responsibly. Take it to your usual pharmacy. They will dispose of it safely. Do not flush down the sink, toilet or put in Dustbin.
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