Direct Patient Ordering

Changes to repeat prescription ordering

We are making some changes to the way that repeat prescriptions can be ordered.

Since 20th September 2017 patients are no longer be able to have repeat prescriptions ordered on their behalf by a pharmacy or dispensing company.

This means that all repeat prescriptions should be requested directly from the GP practice by the patient or their representative (family members, friends and neighbours can of course help).

If you already order repeat prescriptions yourself, this change doesn’t affect you.

Other pharmacy services, such as the collection of prescriptions from GP surgeries and delivery of medications to patient homes, are unaffected by this pilot.

What do I need to do?

There are several different ways you can order repeat prescriptions yourself:

Online – using the Patient Access website: see our separate page about this
In person - using the tear off slip on the right hand side of your prescription which can be handed in to your GP practice reception.

Ordering your medication

However you choose to order your repeat prescriptions, we ask that you only order medicine when you need it.

Please check how many days medicine you have left before ordering a new prescription.

We recommend that you should do this when you have 7 days of medicines left, in order to allow time for processing your order.

Don’t leave it until the last minute! Remember to allow additional days for any bank holidays too.

Why is this happening?

To improve patient safety – ensuring that all patients get the right medication, in the right quantities, at the right time, and preventing the build-up of unused medicine at home, which has to be stored safely and used within date.
To reduce waste and save money - It is estimated that over-ordering, stockpiling and not using medication costs the local NHS over £2 million per year. This could be better used to benefit the health of more people in Liverpool.

Where can I get more support?

Patients can contact a Liverpool CCG helpline number: 0151 296 7696, should they require further help understanding this change.

This helpline will also arrange further support for any patients or their carers who are unable to order their own medication from their GP – such as patients with complex needs.