What should you know about system online repeat prescriptions?

You usually select a medicine already listed on your repeat record, check the dose and quantity, add a note if needed and submit the request through the approved portal. The practice reviews the request against your record, recent monitoring and the intended treatment plan.

A request may be queried, changed, declined or converted into a GP Consultation when the medicine needs review, the prescription is no longer active, monitoring is overdue or your symptoms have changed. Controlled medicines, new medicines and early replacement requests may follow different procedures.

Request before your current supply runs out, use the exact medicine and dose shown in your record, and check the collection or delivery arrangements after approval. Keep your contact details current so the practice can clarify a request. Never change the dose, stop a long-term medicine or use someone else’s prescription because an online request is delayed.

If the medicine is for a changing condition, include the new symptom, missed doses, side effects or home readings in the note. A clinician may need more information before approving it.

Do not wait for an online refill response if you have severe symptoms, a serious medicine reaction, breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion or rapidly worsening illness. Contact the practice promptly if you are about to run out of an essential medicine or have missed doses, because the safest advice depends on the drug and your health history.

Ask which medicines are eligible for online repeats, how much notice the practice needs, what monitoring is required, what to do if a request is declined, and how to obtain urgent advice when the portal is unavailable.