Prescriptions

This page tells you how to order a repeat prescription and where to collect it. It also explains how a pharmacy can help you.

How to order a repeat prescription

A repeat prescription is for medicine you take regularly. Order it about 7 days before you run out.

You can order in 2 ways. We do not take repeat requests by phone.

In the NHS App

This is the easiest way. Sign in, select Prescriptions, then select Request a repeat prescription. Choose the medicines you need.

Your prescription is sent to the pharmacy you have chosen.

On paper

Tick the medicines you need on your repeat slip. This is the right-hand part of your last prescription. Put it through our letterbox at 1 Harlow Road, Rainham, RM13 7UP.

If you do not have a slip, write your full name, date of birth and the medicines you need.

Why we do not take requests by phone

Medicine names are easy to mishear on the phone, so a written request is safer. It also keeps our phone lines free for people who need to talk to us.

If you cannot order online or come to the surgery

You can order repeat prescriptions through your chosen pharmacy. Some pharmacies also deliver medicines to your door. Ask your local pharmacy.

How long it takes

Please allow 2 working days for us to check and sign your prescription. Working days are Monday to Friday, not weekends or bank holidays.

Your pharmacy may then need more time to get your medicines ready. Ask them when to collect.

Collecting your prescription

We send most prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy you choose. You do not need to collect a paper prescription from us. Go straight to your pharmacy.

If you have not chosen a pharmacy, we can print a prescription for you. Please speak to our reception staff.

Choose or change your pharmacy

The pharmacy you choose is called your nominated pharmacy. You can pick any pharmacy in England, and change it whenever you like.

To choose or change it in the NHS App:

Select Prescriptions.
Select Choose a pharmacy. If you already have one, select Your chosen pharmacy, then Change your chosen pharmacy.
Follow the instructions.

You can also tell us the name and address of the pharmacy you want. Call us on 01708 552 072, tell reception, or tell us online (opens in a new tab).

If you change your pharmacy, prescriptions you have already asked for may still go to your old pharmacy.

Medication reviews

We check your regular medicines from time to time to make sure they are still right for you. Our clinical pharmacist or a doctor does this. Reception will phone you when a review is due.

Before your review, have any blood tests you are due. Bring all your medicines with you, including anything you buy yourself.

Questions about your medicines

Your pharmacist can answer most questions about your medicines. You do not need an appointment.

You can also send us a question online (opens in a new tab), or call us on 01708 552 072.

If you have just started a new medicine for a long-term condition, your pharmacy can give you extra help. This is free and is called the New Medicine Service.

If you need help today, call us on 01708 552 072 when we are open.

If you run out of your medicine

Try not to run out. Order your repeat prescription 7 days before you need it.

If you have run out and we are closed, ask a pharmacy. Pharmacies can give an emergency supply of some medicines, but you may have to pay. You can also use 111 online to ask for an emergency prescription.

If you need help today, call us on 01708 552 072 when we are open. When we are closed, call 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab). If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

Prescription charges

In England, most people pay a charge for each item on a prescription. Charges usually change on 1 April each year.

Check the current NHS prescription charges (opens in a new tab)

Free prescriptions

Many people do not have to pay. It depends on things like your age, whether you are pregnant, your health conditions and your income. Contraception is always free.

Check if you can get free prescriptions (opens in a new tab)

Prepayment certificates

A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) covers all your NHS prescriptions for 3 or 12 months, for one payment. A 3-month certificate saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months. A 12-month certificate saves money if you need more than 11 items in a year.

You can buy one online from the NHS Business Services Authority.

HRT prepayment certificate

If you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the menopause, an HRT certificate covers your HRT medicines for 12 months. It saves you money if you need more than 2 HRT items in a year.

Before you buy one, check 3 things:

whether you already get free prescriptions
whether your HRT medicine is covered
whether a normal prepayment certificate is better value, as it covers all your prescriptions

Find out more:

Help with the cost if you are on a low income

The NHS Low Income Scheme can help with the cost of prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and glasses. It can also help with the cost of travel to hospital for treatment. It is based on your income and outgoings, and you can apply online.

Get help from a pharmacy first

For many common illnesses you do not need to see a GP. A pharmacist can check you and give you advice. You do not need an appointment.

Under a service called Pharmacy First, a pharmacist can also give you prescription medicine for these 7 conditions:

earache (aged 1 to 17)
impetigo (aged 1 and over)
infected insect bites (aged 1 and over)
sore throat (aged 5 and over)
sinusitis (aged 12 and over)
urine infections (women aged 16 to 64)
shingles (aged 18 and over)

If you normally pay for prescriptions, you may pay the usual charge for the medicine.

Pharmacies can also check your blood pressure, give emergency contraception, and help you stop smoking. Some pharmacies have a private room where you can talk.

Bath and shower products are no longer prescribed

The NHS no longer prescribes bath oils and shower emollients for dry, itchy skin conditions such as eczema. A study found that bath additives made no difference to eczema symptoms.

We still prescribe leave-on emollients. These are the creams, ointments and lotions you put on your skin. If you want a bath or shower product, you can buy one from a pharmacy.

What to do with old medicines

Take medicines you no longer need to any pharmacy. They will get rid of them safely, for free. We do not accept medicines back at the surgery.

Do not put medicines in your bin or flush them down the toilet.

Never give your medicines to anyone else.

Our prescribing policies

Our doctors follow these rules when they prescribe some medicines. They are here so you know what to expect.

Strong painkillers (opioids)

Opioids are strong painkillers such as morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, buprenorphine and fentanyl. They can cause serious harm and dependence, and often do not help long-term pain.

We only start an opioid after checking the risks with you, and we review it within 4 weeks. If it is not helping, we will stop it.
Prescriptions last no more than 1 month, except in special cases.
If you take an opioid long term, we will review it with you at least once a year.
If you take a high dose, we will support you to reduce it slowly.
If you join the surgery, we will review any opioid you already take. We may not prescribe it in the same way as your old surgery.