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Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

  • Contact the medicines oderline on 0115 855 0260, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone at the surgery.

For further information about the prescription medicines order line, please view:

Collecting your prescription

Information:

You can usually collect your prescription 2 working days after you have ordered it.

Many patients are unaware of what is involved when requesting a repeat prescription. We have approximately 200 requests per day each of which has to be processed by the repeat prescription clerk.

The repeat prescription clerk has to check the computer system to see if your repeat prescription request is authorised.

If the repeat prescription is authorised then the prescription is printed and put through to the doctor to check and sign the prescription. Once signed the prescription can be either picked up by your preferred pharmacy, sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy or collected at the surgery (If you have someone collecting your prescription on your behalf at the surgery they will be required to provide details of your full name, address and date of birth in order to obtain your prescription, this is for security purposes).

If your prescription is not authorised it will require further review by our doctors or practice pharmacists to make sure that the medicines you have requested can be issued safely. You may be asked to make an appointment for a review of your medication before it can be issued.

Nominating a pharmacy

What does this mean for you?

If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.

You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.

You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive.

Is this service right for you?

Yes, if you have a stable condition and you:

  • don’t want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription.
  • collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now.

It may not be if you:

  • don’t get prescriptions very often.
  • pick up your medicines from different places.

How does it work?

You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose:

  • a pharmacy.
  • a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one).

To nominate a pharmacy:

Can I change my nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription?

Yes you can. If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically tell your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor or your GP practice. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.

Is it reliable, secure and confidential?

Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.

Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser. Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.

If you are unhappy with your experience of nomination

You can complain to the pharmacy, dispensing appliance contractor (DAC) or GP practice. You can also complain to Derby and Derbyshire ICB if your complaint cannot be resolved.

For more information visit www.hscic.gov.uk, your pharmacy or GP practice.

Alternative arrangements

If your GP practice agrees that ordering a repeat prescription via the above options is not suitable they may be able to make alternative arrangements for prescriptions to be ordered with them directly. Some GP practices may be able to receive paper medication requests or medication requests over the telephone.

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.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

Medication reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

What to do with old medicines

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

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.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.

Page published: 5 May 2023
Last updated: 7 June 2025