Prescriptions
Repeat Prescriptions
Please give 72 working hours notice.
Once your doctor has authorised it, you may obtain repeat prescriptions of your regular medications without seeing your doctor each time. Please request online (e.g. via the NHS app) or by placing your repeat request form in the postbox or the box provided at the surgery. Please ensure you have ticked your requirements.
If you are unable to request online or attend the surgery then please send your request by post, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. This may take longer so allow more time. If you are housebound you may be able organise with the Chemist to have your drugs delivered.
Unfortunately requests for prescriptions cannot be taken over the telephone due the risk of errors occurring. If you receive regular repeat prescriptions you will receive an invitation annually, usually in the month before your birthday, to ensure that all the required monitoring can take place. If you ignore these invitations it may lead to delays in obtaining your prescriptions.
We process tens of thousands of prescriptions per year. We rely on a system to ensure efficient processing. Requests on hand written paper or for non-agreed medications may cause delay. If you have a regular prescription (e.g. an inhaler from a regular Chemist, in an emergency the Chemist may supply this if the Surgery is closed).
Talbot Pharmacy
Please note that Talbot Pharmacy (run by Avicenna) is open within the Talbot Medical Centre building:
- 08:00 to 19:00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 08:00 to 20:30 on Tuesday and Thursday
- 08:00 to 12.00 noon on Saturday.
They offer normal pharmacy services, including over the counter products, home delivery etc.
Although the pharmacy is located in our building they operate entirely independently and you may nominate any pharmacy you choose. We would encourage you to support local businesses and you may find that a local pharmacy is far more flexible and helpful than an online-only one.
Prescription Fees
Help with NHS costs
In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free-of-charge. This includes exemptions from charging for various situations, including:
- those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
- those who are exempt by age
- those with certain medical conditions
More information is available at NHS Choices.
Prescription charges (England only)
- Prescription (per item): £9.65
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
- 3-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £31.25
If you are likely to 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. If you have paid for a certificate which hasn't yet been processed, remember to get a FP57 refund receipt when you pay for the prescription to enable you to claim the money back.
- Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
- General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line
How much medication will I get?
We have received a number of enquiries recently regarding the policy to prescribe one or two months' worth of medication at a time. According to the Department of Health “A 28 day prescribing interval is recognised by the NHS as making the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage”.
At Talbot Medical Centre we recognise that for many patients, only getting 28 days' medication at a time can cause extra stress, confusion and inconvenience, so for some patients on simple, stable medication regimes we will offer a two month supply (which equates to 56 days) if this is appropriate. Controlled drugs are limited by law to 28 days.
If you are prescribed a repeat medicine your doctor will be prescribing enough of each tablet to last you either 28 or 56 days. There are some drugs which are packaged in 3- or 6-monthly amounts and continue to be dispensed in these packs, for example, contraceptive pills and HRT.
The vast majority of patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges. However, if you do pay for your prescriptions and need regular medications, please ask your pharmacist about Prescription Pre-Payment Certificates.
You can order your repeat prescription in any of the following ways:
- Online via the NHS App or SystmOnline
- In Person at the surgery
We do not take repeat prescriptions requests over the telephone to avoid errors.
Finally, to help you and your doctor:
- Your prescription should last at least 28 or 56 days. If you are collecting routine medication more often than this please arrange a review.
- All medicines should last for the same number of days. If you are running out of some items or have too much of some medication, please let us know.
- If you are receiving medication which you have not asked for, please check with your pharmacy that they are not requesting medication on your behalf unnecessarily. If this persists, please let us know.
- Be prepared to engage with the surgery annually for your long term condition and medication reviews which usually occur in the month of your birthday. This enables us to make sure that the medication you are taking is still appropriate.
- Do not stockpile medicines at home; only order those items that you will need until your next prescription is obtained.
- Return any unwanted medication to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
- Please order when you still have a few days of medication in hand to allow for possible delay. It usually takes 72 hours to complete a prescription request.
Medication compliance aids (e.g. Dosette boxes) and medication delivery are an arrangement between you and the pharmacy. We do not have any control over the availability of these services or any associated costs.