Prescriptions
Coronavirus and Prescriptions
In light of recent events it may not always be possible to access the Medical Centre, if you do not have a preferred pharmacy nominated please contact us with your preference as soon as possible so that your prescriptions can be sent directly to that pharmacy.
Prescriptions can still be ordered online but if you are a patient that does not have access to use our online services you can telephone the medical centre to order your prescriptions. Please note this is only available to those with no online access. To avoid unnecessary footfall into the practice, please do not hand in any paper scripts to Reception; please fill out the form by the front doors and post through the letterbox at the back of the building (Queens Avenue side).
Repeat Prescriptions
Ways to order a repeat prescription:
- Complete a repeat prescription request form and post through the Queens Avenue door
- Post the prescription re-order form through the Queens Avenue door (this will be attached to your last prescription)
- Register for the online service. To register you will need to contact the surgery and provide photographic ID they will then grant you access to "SystmOnline" and print you a username and password. Then log in to your "home page" on SystmOnline to order your repeat medication
- Send a written request by post
Please download and use the form below if you are making a request via post or by hand.
Please allow at least 48 hours for the repeat prescription to be issued. If your repeat prescriptions go direct to a pharmacist, please allow 72 hours before collecting.
Telephone Requests
We want to make prescription re-ordering as accurate, efficient and easy to use as possible and are therefore unable to accept repeat prescription requests by telephone.
This will help to ensure there are no misunderstandings over medication being requested. It will also make our telephone lines more available for patients requesting appointments.
Housebound and infirm patients are still able to request prescriptions by telephone - please contact us for details.
Prescription Fees
Help with NHS costs
In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:
- those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
- those who are age exempt
- those with certain medical conditions
- More information is available at NHS Choices
NHS Charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
- Prescription (per item): £9.65
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
- 3-month PPC: £31.25
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
- Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
- General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.
Pharmacy First
"Pharmacy First” will be delivered through all local pharmacies in MK area and is available to patients who don’t pay a prescription charge. It covers a small range of conditions and medicines as detailed below:
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The patient needs to be present at the pharmacy counter (i.e. a parent cannot go and ask for paracetamol for a child who is left at home).
See the leaflet below for more information.
Medicine Waste Management
Help us to help safeguard our NHS resources
A parliamentary accounts committee has estimated something like £100 million a year is wasted on medicines that never get used. In order to help reduce ongoing wastage, we have changed the length of repeat prescriptions we issue to TWO MONTHS supply at a time only.
Please be reassured that the availability of medication post Brexit is being closely monitored nationally. You are kindly asked not to stockpile your medication as this will create unnecessary stock shortages. Just order your usual quantities as normal. Thank you.
Please Remember:
- Unused medicines cannot be recycled. Even if you never open them, once medicines have left the pharmacy or dispensary they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else.
- Unused medicines are a safety risk. Return out of date or unused medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal. If your medicines change, return your old medicines to the pharmacy to avoid mixing them up with your new ones. Don’t stock pile medication, it is a safety risk for children and others who might take them. Store medicines in an appropriate place out of reach of children
- How can you help? Only order what you need. Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medications. Check what medicines you still have at home before re-ordering. Think before ticking all of the boxes on your repeat prescription form and only tick those you really need. If you don’t need the medicine don’t order it! If you need the medicine in the future you can still request it.