How to get an emergency prescription

How to get an emergency prescription

It is always a good idea to check that you have sufficient supplies of your repeat medicines, particularly in the run up to weekends and bank holidays when your GP surgery may be closed.

It can take a few days for the GP surgery to process prescriptions, so it’s important to factor in that time when you send the request. If you need a medicine urgently, contact the GP surgery immediately so that a prescription can be arranged.

Anyway. This is how to get an emergency prescription if this is not possible.

1. Local pharmacy

You should be able to get a prescription from your normal local pharmacy (i.e. where you normally get your tablets from, as they will have a copy of your prescription) in an emergency.

Most pharmacists will not have a record of that, so will not prescribe them. Your pharmacist will usually give you a short supply. You will need to take some photo ID, like a driving license or passport.

2. Walk-in Centre

You may also be able to get your repeat prescription from a walk-in centre. This is how to find a local one. They are usually open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm. You will need a copy of an up-to-date prescription and some photo ID.

3. Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)

They are similar to Walk-in Centres, and are also open ‘out of hours’. Again, you will need a copy of an up-to-date prescription and some photo ID.

4. NHS 111

They can advise and direct you.

Note. Please do NOT go to your local A&E. It is not what they are for, and they are unlikely to have access to your tablets.

Summary

We have described how to get an emergency prescription. Even though it is a bit of a faff, it is possible.

Other resource

More information can be found on the NHS website.