You can now see and access your prescriptions electronically in the NHS App, allowing you to:
- easily see the details of medicines/ items healthcare professionals have confirmed for you
- use a prescription barcode to collect your medicine if you don’t have a nominated pharmacy, without needing to collect a paper prescription
This functionality is being rolled out gradually and will be available to all patients in England in early 2024.
For help and support, visit prescriptions in the NHS App
Once you have registered for online repeat prescription ordering please use SystmOnline to order your prescription.
Find a Pharmacy
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Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).
The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.
NHS charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
View more details of the current charges
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a pre payment certificate.
- The quickest way to order a PPC is online - Buy or Renew a PPC Online
- If you need help buying a PPC, call us on 0300 330 1341
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website
28-Day Prescribing Advice
For Rotherham GP Practices
The NHS recognises that for most patients 28-day repeat prescribing interval makes the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage.
The British Medical Association (BMA) notes that "Prescribing intervals should be in line with the medically appropriate needs of the patient, taking into account the need to safeguard NHS resources, patient convenience, and the dangers of excess drugs in the home".
Multiple studies in the UK and abroad have shown significant savings and a reduction in waste with 28-day prescribing.
The benefits of 28-day prescribing include (but not limited to)
- Reducing the amount of medicine which is currently wasted when your doctor stops or changes your medicine
- Reducing the potential for error when your medication is changed in the middle of supply
- Increased safety as you will not have multiple containers of the same medicine meaning it is likely to reduce the number of mistakes made by, for example, elderly patients, and it will also reduce the risk of potential poisoning of young children
- Reduce waste for medicines with potential of changes e.g. medicines which require regular blood monitoring
- Many medicines are supplied in 28-day packs, allowing you to check that you have taken your medication each day. You will start and finish the container of each medicine on the same day of the week, meaning it will be easier for your doctor to review all of the repeat medicines you are taking and to see when you have not ordered your medicines
- Financial losses due to medicines waste represent a direct loss to patient care. Since 28-day prescribing reduces medicines waste, this in turn has a positive impact on patient care.
- The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued "strong recommendations" that prescriptions for certain medicines, Schedule 2, 3 and 4 Controlled Drugs (CDs), are limited to the quantity necessary for up to 30 days' treatment. 28-day prescribing would aid alignment of all medicines, including CDs, with this advice.
For some patients on certain medicines at a stable dose (e.g. contraceptives, creams, HRT, inhaler etc), your doctor may decide it is appropriate to issue prescriptions for prescribing intervals longer than 28 days as these medicines are only available in certain pack sizes.
During the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and due to on-going stock issues with the NHS supply chain, re-enforcing 28-day prescribing is recommended as per guidance from the Department of Health (DoH) to manage and minimise medication shortages. NICE Guidelines also support 28 day prescribing and recommend that "medicines are prescribed for no more than 30 days" (prescribing larger quantities puts the supply chain at risk).
NHS Prescription Charges
Most patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges; therefore, there will be no difference to these patients in terms of cost due to 28-day prescribing. If you do not have to pay NHS prescription charges, then it may be beneficial for you to buy a Prescription Payment Certificate (PPC). The PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set price. PPC will save you money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or 11 items in 12 months. More info available via www.services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/buy-prescription-prepayment-certificate