Your Repeat Medication
If you need regular medication and your doctor does not need to see you every time, you will be issued with ‘repeat prescription’. When you collect a prescription you will see that it is perforated down the centre. The left-hand side is the actual prescription. The right-hand side (re-order slip) shows a list of medicines that you can request without booking an appointment to see a doctor. Please tear off this section (and keep it) before handing the prescription to the chemist for dispensing.
It is easier and quicker to book appointments and request repeat prescriptions via our online service. Simply log in and select an option. The online system is much safer as it is linked directly to your clinical record at the Practice so the medication list is always up-to-date and accurate. If you are not already registered for this service, please ask at reception for your unique login details. (Due to the current situation we are unable to offer this facility, please do not attend the Practice).
Please allow at least 48 hours (2 working days) before your prescription will be ready to collect. Due to NHS Forth Valley guidelines, we are unable to issue prescriptions requested more than two weeks before it is next due, unless in special circumstances, such as going on holiday, in which case the reason for an early request must be clearly highlighted.
Not registered for Patient Access?
To request medication without the requirement to log on to Patient Access, you can request your Repeat medication by selecting the “Not registered for Patient Access – Order Repeat Prescription” button.
Acute Prescriptions (Special requests)
If you wish to request medication that you received as an acute prescription (e.g. it was not added to your repeat list for perhaps a short-term condition) please select the “Prescription special request” button.
Community pharmacists and their teams are doing their best during these difficult times to make sure that everyone gets the medicines they need. Help them to help you:
- Plan ahead where possible. Pharmacies are working hard to provide prescriptions, but please try to order your next prescription SEVEN days before it is due. This will help the pharmacist deal with urgent requests and queries
- If you are handing in your prescription, please put your contact details on it so pharmacies can let you know when your medicines are ready. That means you won’t need to be in the pharmacy for as long. Please don’t ring the pharmacy unless it’s urgent
- Do not ask for extra medicine or an increase in prescription duration as this could lead to overall medicines shortages. Continue to request as normal and do not stockpile.
Changes to prescribing of Hypnotics/Anxiolytics
The Committee on Safety of Medicines has advised that all GP practices should avoid the long-term prescribing of the following medicines:
| Diazepam | Lorazepam | Loprazolam |
| Lormetazepam | Oxazepam | Nitrazepam |
| Temazepam | Zopiclone | Zolpidem |
| Zaleplon |
Please note that these tablets will now NO LONGER routinely be started by practices.
If you are already taking any of the above medicines then you may be invited for a review with your doctor to discuss a plan to step down or stop the medicine. If you would like any more information, please discuss with your doctor.
How to order your medication
In person
You can do this by returning the right-hand half of a previous prescription for the required medications, or by submitting a handwritten request.
By post
You can post your prescription slip or written request to us at the Practice. You can 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 extra time for any possible delays with the postal service).
Pharmacy Ordering/Collection Service
Our local pharmacies offer an excellent collection service. All you need to do is remember to let us know your preferred point of collection.You can collect your medication from your pharmacy 48 hours (2 working days) after the request is received in the practice.
Local Pharmacies: Strathallan, Lloyds, Sainsburys, Tescos, Cornton
Telephone
Please note it is Practice Policy not to accept requests for repeat prescriptions over the telephone for reasons of patient safety.
Medication reviews
The doctors at the Practice regularly review the medication you are taking. This may involve changes to your tablets, in accordance with current Health Board policies. Please be reassured that this will not affect your treatment. We may sometimes call you in for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication.
Non-Repeat Items (Acute Requests)
Non Repeat Prescriptions known as “Acute” prescriptions are medicines that have been issued by the Doctor but not added to your repeat prescription records. This is normally a new medication issued for a trial period and may require a review visit with your Doctor prior to being added onto your repeat prescription records.
Some medications are recorded as acute as they require to be closely monitored by the Doctor. Examples include many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse or where the prescribing is subject to legal or clinical restrictions or special criteria. If this is the case with your medicine, you may not always be issued with a repeat prescription until you have consulted with the Pharmacist/GP.
Hospital and Community Requests
When you are discharged from Hospital you should normally receive seven days supply of medication.
On receipt of your discharge medication, which will be issued to you by the Hospital, please contact the Surgery to provide them with this information before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a prescribing clinician first, and if necessary a prescribing clinician will provide you with a prescription on request.
Additional Requests of Repeat Medication
A Scottish home and Health Department circular from 1971 clarifies the position on prescribing for patients going abroad for extended periods. It states:-
“If a patient intends to go away for a longer period(than two to three week’s holiday) he/she may not be regarded as a resident of this country and would not be entitled to the benefits of the National Health Service…. It may not be in the patient’s best interest for him/her to continue to self-medication over such longer periods…. If a patient is going abroad for a long period, he/she should be prescribed sufficient drugs to meet his/her requirements only until such time as he can place himself/herself in the care of a doctor at his/her destination.”
Where ongoing medical attention is not necessary, the patient may be given a private prescription.
