Last updated:
Monday, 20. October 2008
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Repeat Dispensing
A new way to get prescriptions.
 | Do you have the same medicines regularly? |
| Do you use the same pharmacy? |
| Would you like to get your repeat prescriptions direct from your pharmacy, rather than getting them from your doctor each time? |
What is repeat dispensing? It is a new way of getting medicines or other items you or your child uses regularly without asking your doctor for a prescription each time.
Don't I need to see my doctor before I get a prescription? Your doctor will make sure it's safe to give your medicines this way. If your doctor wants to review your medication before giving you a prescription , he/she will advise you about this.
How does repeat dispensing work? Your doctor will give you an "authorising" repeat dispensing prescription (the form with "RA" printed on it) and a number of repeat dispensing issue forms (forms with "RD" printed on them). Your doctor will only sign the "authorising" repeat dispensing prescription. This form is valid for up to a year. You should take these to the pharmacy to collect your first lot of medicines.
What do I do when I need more medicine or other items? Go back to your pharmacy. They will be looking after your repeat dispensing issue forms and ask them to "repeat dispense" your medicines.
What do I do when my repeat dispensing issue forms run out? If you still need the medicines or other items you should go back to your doctor for more repeat dispensing issue forms before your medicine runs out. Your doctor or his/her staff will have to print these off.
Do I have to use repeat dispensing? No, you can continue collecting prescriptions the way you do now.
Do I need to sign anything before I start? Yes, any doctor will ask you to sign a repeat dispensing agreement, to allow your pharmacist and doctor to exchange information about your treatment. All information given by you to your doctor or pharmacist will be confidential.
Do I have to use the same pharmacy? Yes, you need to return to the same pharmacy to get all of the other repeat issue forms dispensed. If you move or change address or cannot use the pharmacy you chose, you will have to return to your doctor for a new "authorising" repeat dispensing prescription and more repeat dispensing issue forms to change to another pharmacy.
Can I use any pharmacy? Not all pharmacies may be able to repeat dispense straightaway. Ask your doctor or surgery staff about how to find out which pharmacies are repeat dispensing ones.
How often do I need to go to the pharmacy? Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you, for example it may be "as and when you need it" or monthly.
Do I need to tell the pharmacist anything? Yes, for example if there has been a change in your condition or if you are taking other medicines (to check it is safe to take these with the repeat dispensing medicine).
Will my pharmacist help me? Yes, if you have problems speak to your pharmacist. They may ask you whether your medicine is helping you and may contact your doctor about this. Please do not worry about this, your doctor and pharmacist will not make any changes without talking to you.
Does the pharmacist have to give me everything on my repeat dispensing issue form? No, not if you have plenty of one or more items left at home, but your pharmacist may ask you, or your representative, some questions to check what is still needed.
Should I sign all the prescriptions at the same time? No, only fill in Part 1 and Part 2 and sign in Part 3 on the reverse of the form when you give the form to the pharmacy to get more medicines or other items.
What happens if I pay prescription charges? You have to pay a prescription charge (or charges) each time you get a prescription dispensed, unless your circumstances change. You may find that a prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC) could save you money. Ask your pharmacist for details, he/she may also be able to give out an application form (FP95). If not ring 0845 850 0300 to find out more.
How do I check if I can get free prescriptions? Read Part 1 or the prescription form. If any of the statements apply to you on the day you are asked to pay for your prescription, you don't have to pay a prescription charge (or charges).