What should you know about a Boots pharmacy repeat prescription?

A repeat prescription allows an ongoing medicine to be supplied again under an agreed treatment plan. The pharmacy can dispense what has been authorised, but it cannot independently renew a medicine when the prescription has ended, the dose has changed or a monitoring review is overdue.

Some medicines need checks such as blood pressure, blood tests or symptom review. A request can therefore lead to a GP or prescribing clinician contacting you before approval.

Request the medicine before your current supply runs out and provide the exact name, strength, dose and quantity, along with your preferred pharmacy. Check the label when you collect it and ask about any change in appearance, instructions or timing.

Do not share medicines, alter the dose or stop long-term treatment abruptly unless a clinician advises it. Tell the pharmacy about allergies, side effects, missed doses, pregnancy or medicines prescribed elsewhere. If the request is delayed, ask what temporary advice is appropriate rather than borrowing tablets.

Contact your prescriber promptly if you are close to running out, the medicine is unavailable, you have missed doses, or your symptoms are changing. Seek urgent help for severe allergic swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse, suspected overdose or serious new symptoms.

Is this medicine still suitable and at the right dose? Do I need monitoring before the next supply? How should I handle a missed dose? What is the plan if the pharmacy cannot dispense it?