What should you know about repeat authorisation prescription?

Repeat authorisation is intended for treatment that has already been assessed and is continuing as planned. The prescriber may check the medicine, dose, reason for use, recent symptoms, allergies, and whether monitoring is due. Approval does not mean every future request will be automatic: a change in health, new medicine, side effect, or overdue review can alter the decision. The pharmacy can supply only what is authorised and available through the prescription system.

Request the repeat before your current supply runs out, using the route accepted by your clinic. Give your full name, date of birth or patient identifier, medicine names and strengths, directions, remaining supply, and preferred collection or delivery arrangement. Mention recent hospital visits, changed medicines, pregnancy, allergies, or new reactions. Check the label when the medicine arrives and use it exactly as directed. A GP consultation may be needed when the prescriber requires a review.

Contact a clinician promptly if you have missed doses because the repeat was delayed, cannot take the medicine, or notice a new reaction. Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse, severe chest pain, or other sudden severe symptoms. Do not double a dose to make up for a missed one unless a clinician gives that instruction.

Ask when your next review is due, what monitoring is required, how early to request the next supply, and what to do if the medicine is unavailable or causes symptoms.