Prescriptions at Carnon Downs Surgery

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered quickly and easily using a variety of methods.  All repeat medications are issued with a counterfoil which lists the medicines currently authorised.

We need at least three full working days notice (not including weekends) and during busy periods such as before bank holidays, we would appreciate being given extra time.

Please note that any requests that arrive after 2.00pm will not be ordered until the next working day so remember to leave extra time before collection.

Every prescription is printed out by staff and signed by a doctor, before being dispensed and checked by qualified dispensary staff. 

We endeavour to complete this process rapidly, but will always prioritise safety and accuracy over speed.

Please ensure you order in plenty of time, so that your medicines don't run out.  However, the NHS ask that you do not overstock as this sometimes leads to wastage.

If your medical condition needs regular blood tests, or follow up with our specialist nurses, please make arrangements to come on time as this will reduce delays in getting your medicines.  If you are not sure what check-ups are needed or when they are due, please ask a member of the team.

Patients on repeat medication may be asked to speak to a doctor or pharmacist at least once a year to review these regular medications.  We will also discuss your medication with you during your annual long term condition review. A notification may appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

If you need to order your medication early because you are going to be away on holiday please explain this to us when you request your prescription.  If you need extra medication because you plan to be away for a while please inform us.  Please speak to our prescription clerk who works in the morning by telephoning 01872 863221.  Please note, we can only prescribe up to 3 months supply for travel.

If you have any problems, queries or difficulties, or if you have accidentally run out of your medication a dispenser is available to offer advice and assistance.  If they do not know the answer they will speak to someone who does and get back to you within a reasonable period of time.

If our dispensary is closed you can contact our 'out of hours' service provider on 01872 863221 or find a pharmacy.

We are available to help with any problems about your prescription. Contact us if you are having problems with:

• Ordering repeat prescriptions
• Out of stock items
• General concerns about your medication.

You can also find more information about prescriptions on the NHS website.

Please contact your dentist for dental problems, any dental prescription must be done by a dental practitioner.  As general practitioners we are not qualified to nor insured to prescribe such medication for this purpose, and we advise that you contact your own dentist or contact the emergency dentist on 0333 4050 290 or contact 111.

The practice currently provides 28 days prescriptions for all patients.  This is based on current NHS guidelines.  The benefits of 28 day prescribing include:

• Reducing the amount of medication which is currently wasted when your doctor stops/changes your medication (once medication leaves dispensary/pharmacy they cannot be reused and have to be destroyed)
• Reducing the potential for error when your medication is changed in the middle of supply.
• Increased safety as you will not have multiple containers of the same medicine meaning it is likely to reduce the number of mistakes made by patients, and it will also reduce the risk of potential poisoning of young children.
• Financial losses due to medication waste represent a direct loss to patient care.  Since 28 day prescribing reduces medication waste, this in turn has a positive impact on patient care.

Most patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges; therefore, there will be no difference to these patients in terms of cost due to 28-day prescribing.  If you do have to pay prescription charges, then it may be beneficial for you to buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate, especially if you are taking 2 or more medicines on a regular basis - ask at reception for more information.  Or contact the NHS Business Services Authority on 0845 8500030, or vist their website http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx 

If you are going away and need more than 28 days of medication, we can provide up to a maximum of 3 months supply.

The only exceptions for this policy will be for the majority of HRT, contraception and as required medicines.

Unused medications should be returned to a pharmacy, do not discard it in ordinary waste.  Unused medication can be returned to our dispensary.

A large amount of money is wasted every year in the NHS on unused drugs.  Please help by only ordering what you need.

We welcome the opportunity for each patient to co-ordinate their medicines. If you have different drugs being ordered at different times of the month please mention it to one of the members of staff and we can arrange for them to be ordered all at the same time. This will hopefully save time for you or your carer and only necessitate one trip to collect your medication each month.

Reassuring our Patients - 'Your medication may look different on the outside - but essentially it's the same on the inside.'

Your medicine may look different from your last prescription this may mean you have been prescribed what is known as a generic medicine.

• A generic medicine contains the same active ingredient as the equivalent original branded drug
• Generic medicines are produced to the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as original branded drugs
• Generic medicines have to demonstrate in clinical studies that they are bioequivalent to the original product: ie.,they deliver equal medical benefits to the patient
• The main benefit of generic medicines is that they are usually less expensive.  Generic manufacturers do not have to recoup research costs
• Each year generic medicines save the NHS around £9.5 billion