If you have run out of medication for your regular or repeat prescription, there’s no need to worry. There are various ways to get an emergency prescription at short notice, no matter whether you’ve run out of medicine or your local doctor’s surgery is closed. Normally, emergency supply provisions enable you to obtain up to 30 days of medication on an urgent basis.
Still, if you need urgent prescription medication, the process that applies to you might differ. If you already have a prescription or need a new one, you may have to undertake different methods of getting an urgent prescription.
Getting an Emergency Prescription If You Have a Pre-existing Prescription
If you have a prescription already and need an urgent refill, consider the following options.
Go to Your Nearest Pharmacy
If your local doctors or pharmacy is closed, you can get your prescription from another pharmacy, provided that they have the prescription you need in stock.
Call your GP Surgery
If you need medication urgently (but not a doctor’s appointment), be sure to call your GP surgery. If they are closed, the answering machine will likely explain other out-of-hour services available. Each GP practice is different, though, and the services may vary.
Call NHS 111
For non-emergency medical advice or assistance regarding your emergency prescription, call 111. However, you should only call this line if your usual pharmacy is closed and you don’t need urgent medical care. Typically, this service locates an out-of-hours service pharmacy for you – one with late opening hours, for example, or another NHS service that can provide you with the prescription medication you need, such as a walk-in centre. In such a case, some walk-in services might require you to go through a consultation before you are given the medication you ask for.
A&E
If you have tried all of the above methods of obtaining an emergency prescription, find your nearest A&E. In this instance, you might need to go to your local A&E department and see the healthcare team. However, this option is only for life-threatening emergencies.
Getting an Emergency Prescription If You Don’t Have One Already
If you don’t have a prescription already, you can try the following options to get a new emergency prescription.
Get Emergency Prescriptions Online
If you need an urgent prescription, whether you already have an existing prescription or not, you can book an appointment with a doctor online at a time that suits you rather than being limited to your local surgery’s opening hours. Online GP appointments can get you seen by a doctor quickly without having to go into your local surgery in person. The doctor you see online can give you a prescription for the medication you need, fast, much like your regular GP would.
See Your Doctor or Local Pharmacist
Ideally, you should contact the medical professional who usually prescribes your medication to give you a new prescription, such as your doctor or pharmacist. If you cannot do this, you might be able to get urgent medicine from a pharmacist elsewhere. Some pharmacists can offer certain prescription medications in urgent circumstances.
To make the process easier, try taking an old prescription, your existing medication, or your medication packaging along with you when you visit your chosen pharmacist. Also, if you can, call the pharmacy in advance and tell them about your situation and which medication you need. That way, they can inform you if they have your required medication available. If they don’t have it, they can advise you how to get it.
Getting an Emergency Prescription from a Pharmacist
If your pharmacist can accommodate your request for emergency prescription medication, they will ask you to fulfil certain criteria. They may ask you to:
- Undertake a face-to-face consultation
- Prove that you have had a previous or current prescription for the medication you request
- Confirm that you require the medicine urgently and immediately
- Ensure that the dosage you need is correct
If you can confirm the above, the pharmacist may be able to give you an emergency prescription. However, if they believe the medication or dosage isn’t right for you, they may deny your request. Also, if they do give you the medication you ask for, you might have to pay for it, even if you are usually exempt from paying for prescriptions. The pharmacist will be able to explain any applicable fees to you during the visit.