Repeat prescriptions are medications which appear on the reverse of your prescription which your doctor would like you to continue on a regular basis.
Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
- using the GP online system: SystmOnline
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also:
- hand your repeat prescription list to reception
- set up a direct repeat prescription order through your local pharmacist
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Emergency prescription requests
Emergency prescription request are request for medication which you need within 24 hours to prevent you becoming severely unwell. Emergency medications include; epileptic medication, insulin, inhalers for lung conditions, emergency contraception and EpiPen for anaphylaxis.
Emergency prescription requests are not requests for medication which have been ordered late. Please respect our staff, as it is your responsibility to ensure that your repeat prescription request is ordered in plenty of time.
Non-repeat prescriptions
If you have an ongoing problem and would like another prescription of a medication previously prescribed to you by the doctor you may request another script. Please let us know the reason for your request and a contact number, in order for the doctor to review your request.
Non-repeat medication request will take over 2 workings to process and the doctor may wish to speak with you.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription 2 working days after you have ordered it.
If your prescription request is not on your repeat prescription your request will take longer to process and the doctor may wish to speak with you. Delays may also occur if your medication request is different from what your doctor has prescribed for you.
Many pharmacies offer a delivery and collection service. Speak to your preferred pharmacy directly for details. This means that you do not have to come to the surgery to order or collect your prescription.
Nominating a pharmacy means that your prescriptions will go directly to a pharmacy of your choice. This means you can go straight to your nominated pharmacy.
You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Unfortunately certain medications cannot be fulfilled through pharmacy nomination due to safety reasons. These medications include:
- Controlled drugs like (Tramadol, Morphine, Oramorph, Fentanyl, etc)
- Private prescriptions
Prescribing wisely
We would like to spend less on medicines you can buy without a prescription so as to free up funds for other valuable NHS services. Practices across North West London will no longer routinely prescribe medicines which are available to buy over the counter in pharmacies (and, in the case of some medicines, in supermarkets and other shops too).
If a medicine you need can be bought without a prescription, your GP may ask if you are willing to buy it, if you are not, it will be prescribed.
This means that if you require that medicine again you don’t need to make a doctor’s appointment but can get it straight away from your community pharmacist, saving both you and the doctor’s time.
Private prescriptions
Private prescriptions are medication which your private doctor has recommended for you on a private prescription. A private prescription is not written on an official NHS prescription and so is not paid for by the NHS. The cost of a private prescription is met wholly by the patient and is dictated by the cost of the medicine plus the pharmacists charge for supplying it. A prescription is a legal document for which the doctor, who has issued and signed it, is responsible for. Therefore, a NHS doctor cannot convert a private prescription to an NHS prescription. A doctor you see privately can’t issue an NHS prescription.
A GP in the surgery at which you are registered can only provide a private prescription if the drug is not available on the NHS.
Questions about your prescription
If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.
The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)
Medication reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.
Prescription charges
Visit NHS – check if you can get free prescriptions for information on:
- Prescription charges
- Who is entitled for free prescriptions
- Medical exemptions (certain diseases will exempt you from paying for your prescription)
- Free prescriptions for cancer patients, renal dialysis patients and pregnant women
- Help for those on low income
About pharmacists
As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:
- coughs
- colds
- sore throats
- tummy trouble
- aches and pains
They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.