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Prescriptions
Ordering a Repeat Prescription
Please follow the guidelines and choose the right option for you.
Please allow us 72 hours (three working days), excluding bank holidays, to process your prescription request.
We do not accept repeat prescription requests over the phone.
When you order a prescription online, you can have it sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice. This is called a nomination.
Urgent Prescription Requests
Requests for urgent prescriptions put a great strain on the everyday running of the surgery.
We understand that sometimes patients forget to order medication but there is some medication that can be bought from your local pharmacy or that it is safe for you to miss while we process a standard prescription request.
We will not issue an urgent prescription for the following items:
- Over-the-counter Medication: This can be purchased from a local pharmacy.
- Creams and Emollients
- Statin Medication
- Thyroxine Medication
- Erectile dysfunction medication
- Supplements including: Calcium and Vitamin D and Iron tablets
- Antacids including: Ranitidine, Omeprazole, Gaviscon and Peptac
- IBS Medication including: mebeverine and loperamide
Please be aware that we are often unable to process urgent requests for medication that has been initiated by hospital and not issued at the surgery yet. Please allow more time for these prescriptions to be issued.
The NHS App
Order repeat prescriptions via the NHS App or NHS website, and have them sent to a pharmacy of your choice.
Use Online Services
The easiest way to order your prescription is by using our online services.
Online Form
If you're not registered with our online services, you can use our online form
Order your repeat prescription via our online Repeat Prescription form. No account required.
Your Local Pharmacy
Pharmacy Ordering / Collection Service
Your pharmacy can also order your medication on your behalf. This saves you time and unnecessary visits to the Practice.
Please contact the Pharmacy of your choice for more information if you wish to use this service.
About pharmacists
As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:
- coughs
- colds
- sore throats
- tummy trouble
- aches and pains
They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.
In Person
You can order in person by returning the right-hand half of a previous prescription for the required medications
Alternatively, you can submit a handwritten request. You may also write out an order for someone else, providing you include the patient’s name and date of birth and requested medication.
By Post
You can post your prescription slip or written request to us at the Practice
You must include a stamped addressed envelope for return by post if you will not be able to pick up your prescription from the Surgery. Please allow at least seven days if requesting your medication by post.
Questions About Your Prescription
If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.
The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription, please contact us.
Further Information
Controlled Drugs
Please be advised you can only request a controlled drug during week 3 of a 4-week supply.
Controlled drugs are only issued as 4 weeks supply as per NHS ENGLAND guidance and Practice Protocol. Please be aware that controlled drug prescriptions will expire after 28 days from issue date so these need to be taken a pharmacy and dispensed before the expiry date.
Generally prescribed list of controlled medication include the following:
- Butec
- Buprenorphine
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Fentanyl
- Gabapentin
- Nitrazepam
- Oramorph
- Oxycontin
- Oxycodone
- Pregabalin
- Temazepam
- Tramadol
Medication Supply Issues
We are aware that some patients are experiencing issues with stock levels of their medication at their regular pharmacy.
Please be aware that if this is the case we would expect you to contact alternative pharmacies to obtain the medication rather than request an alternative medication on prescription.
For some medication there may not be an appropriate alternative and in some cases we made need to contact the hospital to recommend an alternative. If you are unable to obtain the medication from any other local pharmacy then we will be able to investigate whether and alternative medication is available and appropriate for your treatment, please be patient with our staff while we do this.
If you would like contact details for local pharmacies you can call dial 111 on your telephone to speak to an NHS advisor or visit www.nhs.uk and use the search tool to look for pharmacies in your area.
Medicines Not Available on Prescription
Position Statement on the Prescribing of Medications Available to Purchase Over the Counter in Ipswich and East Suffolk
Patients are advised to keep a small supply of simple treatments in their medicine cabinet at home so they are able to manage minor ailments themselves.
All these medicines are widely available from supermarkets and pharmacies at reasonable cost. Many of these treatments are more expensive when prescribed on the NHS compared to when they are purchased in pharmacies or supermarkets e.g. paracetamol is approximately 4x more expensive on prescription. The NHS belongs to everybody and the CCG must ensure that its resources are used in the best possible way for all patients.
The Ipswich and East Suffolk ICB does not support the prescribing of medication that is available to buy from local pharmacies or supermarkets for children or adults. The medications listed below are examples of medicines that should be purchased by the patient/parent/guardian.
This list is not exhaustive:
- Moisturising creams, gels, ointments and balms for dry skin with no diagnosis
- Hay fever remedies e.g. antihistamines, nasal sprays (patients >18yrs)
- Bath oils and shower gel (unless recommended by a specialist for infected atopic eczema)
- Vitamins and supplements e.g. low dose vitamin D (<2,000units), I-Caps, multivitamins
- Potassium hydroxide for Molluscum contagiosum e.g. Molludab
- Lubricating eye drops and chloramphenicol eye drops and eye ointment (patients >2yrs)
- Anti-diarrhoeal medication for short term diarrhoea (<72hrs)
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen for short term use
- Antifungal preparations e.g. Canesten
- Rehydration sachets
- Anti-inflammatory gels e.g. ibuprofen gel
- Laxatives for short term use (<72 hours)
- Head lice treatments
- Threadworm tablets
- Lactose free infant formula
- Antiperspirants
- Cough and cold remedies
- Medicated shampoos e.g. Alphosyl, Capasal
- Mouthwash e.g. Corsodyl
- Indigestion remedies e.g. Gaviscon, Peptac
- Haemorrhoidal preparations e.g. Anusol
- Nasal douches e.g Sterimar
Reviewing Your Medication
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip.
Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.
Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).
The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.
When going abroad you can take your NHS medications with you.
Please visit the NHS website for the latest Prescription Charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.