How to order a repeat prescription

If you take medicine regularly, you'll usually have a repeat prescription. This means you can order your medicine without having to see a GP every time.

It’s important to request the prescription up to 5 working days before you need your medicine.

You might be able to ask your pharmacy directly for your medicine if your GP has set this up (repeat dispensing). If not, you'll need to order your medicines through a repeat prescription from your GP surgery.

There are 3 ways to order a repeat prescription from your GP surgery:

• using your NHS account
• using other online services or apps
• contacting your GP surgery

Using your NHS App or account

You can order a repeat prescription using the NHS App or by logging into your account on the NHS website.

If you're asked to nominate a pharmacy, you can only nominate a high street pharmacy.

You'll be able to collect your medicine in person when it's ready. Some high street pharmacies also deliver.

Using other online services or apps

You can use other online services to order a repeat prescription:

• GP online services: ask your GP surgery which service they use as you’ll need to use the same one
• online-only pharmacies: they'll ask for your name, age and GP surgery's address so they can get your prescription

You can see a list of online-only pharmacies registered with the NHS and find out more about online health and prescription services.

Contacting your GP surgery

Ask your GP surgery how to let them know when you need your repeat prescription.

When your prescription is ready you can pick it up in person, or your GP surgery may be able to send it to a pharmacy of your choice.

If you nominate a pharmacy, the pharmacy may be able to deliver your medicine to you or let you know when it’s ready for you to collect.

Speak to your local pharmacy to find out what they offer.