Prescriptions

Electronic prescriptions

Most prescriptions are now signed, sent and processed electronically.

You have 2 choices for how this works.

• You can choose a pharmacy or dispenser to dispense all your prescriptions. When you get a prescription, it will be sent electronically to the dispenser you have chosen. You can collect your medicines or appliances without having to hand in a paper prescription.
• You can decide each time you are issued a prescription where you would like it to be dispensed. When you are issued a prescription, you will be given a paper copy that you can take to any pharmacy or other dispenser in England. The paper copy will contain a unique barcode that will be scanned to download your prescription from the secure NHS database.

Choosing a pharmacy

If you get regular prescriptions or are already using a prescription collection service (where a pharmacy collects prescriptions from your GP practice for you) then choosing a pharmacy to dispense all your prescriptions may save you time by avoiding unnecessary trips to your GP.

You will still order your repeat prescriptions in the same way as you do now, but your prescriptions will be sent electronically to the pharmacy or dispenser of your choice.

You will not have to collect a paper repeat prescription from your GP practice.

Cancelling or changing your choice of pharmacist or dispenser

You can change or cancel your choice of dispenser at any time. Simply speak to your GP or pharmacist before you order your next prescription.

You should allow time for the update to take place to avoid your next prescription being sent to the wrong place.

Repeat prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions can be issued in 2 different ways:

1. You order the prescription to be approved by a GP each time you need a refill.
2. You order the prescription once and a GP approves a series of refills for you. They are sent to the pharmacy automatically, so you do not need to order them each time. This is called electronic repeat dispensing. The GP surgery or pharmacy will let you know when you need to re-order your prescription.

In both cases, you can:

• choose a specific pharmacy (nominated pharmacy) to collect your prescriptions from each time – call or contact the pharmacy online a few days before you run out of medicine to check your prescription is ready to collect
• decide each time you’re given a prescription where to collect it – you’ll be given a paper copy with a barcode to take to any pharmacy in England, or the pharmacy can find your prescription using your NHS number

As part of the repeat prescription service, the pharmacist will ask if you’re having any problems or side effects with your medicines and, where appropriate, they can discuss this with you and your GP.

Ordering repeat prescriptions online

If you receive medicine on repeat prescription, you can now use several apps and websites to order your repeats online. You can then collect your medicines from a pharmacy or have them delivered to your home (where available).

You can only order repeat prescriptions. You cannot order one-off, short-term prescriptions.

When you order a repeat prescription online, you can have your prescription sent electronically to a pharmacy or dispenser of your choice. This means you no longer need to collect a paper prescription from your GP surgery. For a full list of apps and websites you can use visit the NHS website

If you have not already chosen your regular pharmacy or dispenser (called a “nomination”), some apps and websites allow you to set one up. If they do not:

• contact the pharmacy or dispenser you want to nominate
• contact your GP surgery to set one up

You can order a repeat presctiption through the NHS website.

You need an NHS login to use this service. If you do not have an NHS login, you’ll be asked to set one up.

 

Quick links:

Find out about free prescriptions for :

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• are an NHS inpatient

You’re also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit and meet the criteria

If you’re entitled to or named on:

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice. You qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
• a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.

Read more about who can get free NHS prescriptions.

Check if you’re eligible for free prescriptions

There’s a simple way to find out if you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions and any help with other NHS costs.

Free prescriptions for certain medical conditions

People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions.

Medical exemption certificates are credit-card-size cards. They are issued if you have:

• cancer, including the effects of cancer or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
• a permanent fistula (for example, a laryngostomy, colostomy, ileostomy or some renal dialysis fistulas) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
• a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
• diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
• diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
• hypoparathyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
• epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
• a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without the help of another person (temporary disabilities do not count, even if they last for several months)

How to apply for a medical exemption certificate

Free prescriptions for pregnant women

If you’re pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, you get free prescriptions if you have a valid maternity exemption certificate.

Maternity exemption certificates are credit-card-size cards.

To apply for a maternity exemption certificate, contact your doctor, midwife or health visitor.

The certificate will last until 12 months after the expected date of birth of your baby.

If your baby’s born early, you can continue to use your certificate until it expires.

If your baby is born late, you can apply for an extension.

If you apply after your baby is born, your certificate will last for 12 months from your baby’s birth.

Free prescriptions if you have a low income

If you have a low income, you may be eligible to receive financial help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

To apply for an HC2 certificate, complete form HC1, which is available from Jobcentre Plus offices or most NHS hospitals. You might also be able to get an HC1 form from your doctor, dentist or optician.

You can also get an HC1 form by calling 0300 123 0849.

You qualify for a full help HC2 certificate (which includes free NHS prescriptions) if your income is less than or equal to your requirements, or your income is greater than your requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.

You qualify for a limited help HC3 certificate if your income is greater than your requirements by more than half the current English prescription charge.

The HC3 certificate shows how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

Certificates are usually valid for between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

How can I claim a refund on a prescription charge?

Ask the pharmacist, hospital or doctor for the refund form (FP57) when you pay for your prescription. You cannot get one later.

You must apply for a refund within 3 months of paying the prescription charge.

If you receive Universal Credit and meet all the criteria to be entitled to help with health costs but did not get a refund form (FP57), contact the NHS Business Services Authority. They’ll consider applications for refunds on a case-by-case basis.

Important numbers

A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.

But it does not cover the cost of other health items, such as the provision of wigs and fabric supports, which are only provided through the hospital service.

There are 2 PPC options to choose from:

1. The 3-month PPC costs £30.25 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months.
2. The 12-month PPC costs £108.10 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year.

There are several payment options available. If you choose the 12-month PPC, you can pay for this upfront, or by 10 monthly direct debit instalments.

How much can I save?

If you need:

• 2 items each month –

you can save £116.30 with a 12-month PPC

• 3 items each month –

you can save £228.50 with a 12-month PPC

• 4 items each month –

you can save £340.70 with a 12-month PPC

How to apply for a PPC

Check if you’re entitled to free prescriptions before you apply for a PPC.

It’s quickest to buy a PPC online. The PPC will start from the day you submit your application, unless you request a different start date, but the start date must be within 1 month before or after the date of your application.

If you prefer talking to someone, you can call the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Your certificate will be valid from the day you make the phone call, unless you request otherwise.

Make sure you have your bank details or credit or debit card details ready.

You can receive your certificate details by email if you provide an email address, print them at the end of your online application, or receive the details by post.

Although a PPC is valid from the day of your application (unless otherwise requested), it may take a couple of days to receive the details of your certificate by post. If you pay prescription charges while you’re waiting for the details to arrive, you can get a refund, as long as you get an NHS refund form (FP57) when you pay.

Some pharmacies may be able to sell you a PPC. You will not be able to pay by direct debit if you buy a PPC at a pharmacy.

Useful tips

• Remember to apply for a new PPC in plenty of time, otherwise you’ll have to pay full prescription charges if it expires.
• It’s important that you do not use your certificate after it expires. The NHSBSA checks that patients who claim for free NHS prescriptions are entitled to the exemption they have declared.
• Check that your certificate is valid before claiming free NHS prescriptions
• If you have to pay for prescriptions while you’re waiting for details about a new PPC and need to apply for a refund, ask the pharmacist for an NHS receipt (FP57) so you can claim back the cost. Your PPC must cover the date you paid the prescription charge.
• You can claim for the refund of prescription charges up to 3 months after paying. The FP57 explains what to do.
• If you buy a 12-month PPC by direct debit, you are entering into a commitment to pay all the instalments.

 

If you have a prescription:

If you already have a prescription and urgently need the medicine, try the following steps:

• If your local pharmacy is closed, you can get your medicine from any pharmacy as long as they have it in stock. Use the NHS pharmacy service search to find other nearby pharmacies and their opening hours – some are open until midnight or later, even on public holidays.
• If you’d like to speak to someone first, call NHS 111 free of charge by dialling 111 on your mobile or landline. The person you speak to can look up an out-of-hours pharmacy or another NHS service in your area.
• You can also use the NHS walk-in centre service search to find your nearest walk-in centre. These can sometimes dispense medicines after a consultation.
• If it’s urgent, you can call your GP surgery. They should have details of their out-of-hours service recorded on their answering machine. This is the service your GP runs outside their usual opening hours and on public holidays – do not use this routinely. You can use the NHS GP service finder to find your GP surgery’s phone number.
• If it’s an emergency and you’ve tried all of the above unsuccessfully, use the service search to find your nearest A&E.

If you do not have a prescription

If you run out of prescription medicine and do not have a prescription with you, you can get an emergency supply from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Take an old prescription or the medicine’s packaging with you, if you have it.

Pharmacies

You’ll be assessed by the pharmacist to find out:

• if you need the medicine immediately
• who previously prescribed the medicine (to make sure they’re a trusted source)
• what dose of the medicine would be appropriate for you to take

The pharmacist needs to know the answers to all of these questions before they can supply a prescription-only medicine without a prescription in an emergency. They will keep a record of your details, the medicine they provide and the nature of the emergency.

If the pharmacist is not satisfied that the medicine and dose is appropriate for you, they may not supply the medicine.

Only a limited range of controlled medicines can be prescribed in an emergency, such as those for epilepsy (phenobarbital). Many commonly used controlled medicines, such as morphine or diamorphine, cannot be supplied without a prescription by a pharmacist in an emergency.

You may need to pay for this service and medicine, even if you do not normally, because they’re being provided without a prescription. This may vary between pharmacies.

GPs and walk-in centres

If you run out of medicine while you’re away from home, you may be able to have a consultation with a local GP and get a prescription for a limited supply of medicines. You’ll then need to find a pharmacy that’s open.

You can also go to an NHS walk-in centre. They may be able to organise a GP consultation. Sometimes, they can give you medicine after you’ve seen a nurse.