Don’t leave repeat prescriptions off your Christmas list
Local people who take regular medications are being urged to check and order their repeat prescriptions well in advance of the Christmas holidays, making sure they have enough to last them over the festive break.
With GPs and many pharmacies closed for Christmas holidays, it’s important anyone who has repeat medication makes sure they have enough to last them through to bank holidays.
Ade Williams, Superintendent Pharmacist at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol, said:
“If you have repeat medications, now is a good time to check how much you have left, placing an order if you think you’re going to run out over Christmas.
“There are steps our dedicated pharmacy teams must take to get your order ready, including allowing enough time for your GP to review and authorise your prescription, putting in the order for your medication, getting the right medication into stock and preparing your individual prescription.
“Christmas should be spent relaxing, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the festive season. Not worrying about where you can get a last minute prescription. So, avoid the stress and check your prescriptions today.”
Pharmacy teams require a minimum of seven days to process repeat prescriptions for collection and as many as 10 days if the prescription requires delivery.
Prescriptions can be requested on the NHS App, online, over the phone or face-to-face at a GP surgery, and can be sent directly to a preferred pharmacy for collection.
The NHS App offers one of the easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions, letting you check progress and change your collection pharmacy if needed. To download the App, visit nhs.uk/app