St Johns Surgery repeat prescriptions: what to know

A repeat prescription lets you request an agreed regular medicine without a new consultation each time, but St Johns Surgery may need to review your treatment before approving it. The prescription is intended for an ongoing condition and a medicine that has already been authorised for you. It is different from asking for a medicine that has not previously been prescribed, or requesting a treatment because a new symptom has appeared.

A repeat request normally covers the medicine, strength and instructions recorded on your medication list. The clinician or practice team checks the request against your record before issuing it. A review may be needed to check whether the treatment is still suitable, whether monitoring is due, or whether the directions should change. Approval is not automatic, and the practice may contact you for information or ask you to arrange a GP consultation.

Do not use a repeat request to alter the dose, stop a medicine, add an over-the-counter product, or obtain a medicine for someone else. A pharmacist can explain how to take an approved medicine and can flag problems, but changes to prescribed treatment should be agreed with a qualified clinician.

Check the label and your medication list before sending the request. Include the exact medicine name, strength, formulation and the amount you need, and follow the surgery's current request method. Request it with enough time for clinical checking and dispensing, rather than waiting until the supply has run out. Keep a record of the request and contact the surgery if the medicine is missing, incorrect or not ready when expected.

Tell the practice about side effects, missed doses, pregnancy, allergies, a recent hospital visit, or medicines supplied by another clinician. These details can affect whether the repeat prescription should be issued as written. Never share your medicines, and do not double a dose to compensate for a missed dose unless a clinician or pharmacist has specifically advised you.

Contact the surgery or a pharmacist promptly if you cannot obtain an essential medicine, the instructions look different, you have taken the wrong medicine or dose, or you develop a possible medicine reaction such as swelling, breathing difficulty, faintness or a widespread blistering rash. Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, confusion or rapidly worsening symptoms need emergency care.

Arrange a clinical review if your condition is changing, the medicine no longer seems to control your symptoms, or you are relying on short-term treatment repeatedly. Do not wait for the next routine request when the problem is new or worsening; a repeat prescription process is not a substitute for assessment.

Ask which medicines on your record are repeat items, when your treatment needs review, what monitoring is required, and what to do if a dose is missed. If another clinician has prescribed something, ask whether the medicines can be taken together and who will manage future renewals.