Can I get an emergency prescription at my pharmacy?
Yes. Your local pharmacy (or some that are not, if they agree) can give you an emergency prescription.
But. 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
This is the best way.
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. Some are called Urgent Care Centres (UCCs).
4. Minor Illness/injury Unit (MIU)
Again, 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.
5. 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 you can get an emergency prescription from my pharmacy. Even though it is a bit of a faff, it is possible. We hope this has been useful.
Other resource
More information can be found on the NHS website.
