Practice updates

Repeat prescriptions directly from your pharmacist (Serial prescriptions)

With a serial prescription, you can get medicines directly from your pharmacist without the need to ask your doctor for a prescription. A serial prescription can only be dispensed from the pharmacy where you are registered.

This information is available in other languages.

Collecting a serial prescription

Your doctor will decide how often you should collect your prescription, for example every 4 or 8 weeks.

Your pharmacist will know when your supply is low and should have your prescription ready for you when you need it. Your pharmacist will also use this to have a short discussion with you in relation to your care plan.

Ordering a serial prescription

At the end of your prescription, your pharmacist will ask you to sign the serial prescription form and will tell your doctor you have require a new prescription.Your pharmacist may ask your doctor for a new serial prescription, or give you a re-order form to take to your doctor’s surgery. Your doctor may request that you attend for a review in the surgery before they issue the next prescription as part of your ongoing medical care.

A serial prescription is a prescription for medicines to treat long-term conditions. These prescriptions last for 24, 48 or 56 weeks.

Changes to medication

Your doctor can stop or change your serial prescription at any time. If this happens:

  • your doctor will tell you and your pharmacist
  • you'll no longer be able to get these medicines from your pharmacist as part of your serial prescription
  • the doctor may change your medication back to a normal repeat until he is happy that the medication is best for you

How to register

You must register before you can use the NHS Medicines, Care and Review Service. You can do this at any time. There's no need to book an appointment.

To register, your pharmacist will complete a form and will need to know:

  • your name
  • date of birth
  • address including postcode
  • your gender
  • your Community Health Index (CHI) number

You'll also be asked to confirm that you:

  • want to register for the service
  • have registered with a doctor’s surgery in Scotland and have a long-term condition
  • agree for your doctor and pharmacist to share some information about your medicines

Once complete, your pharmacist will ask you to sign the form and notify your doctor that you've registered for the service at their pharmacy.

Starting your Serial Prescriptions

If you have already registered at the pharmacy but aren't yet receiving the Serial Prescribing service, contact Camphill Medical Practice and ask the practice pharmacist to switch you to Serial Prescriptions. Not all patients and medicines are suitable for this, so the pharmacist and GP will review your medicines before deciding whether to go ahead.

Cancelling your registration

You can cancel at any time by letting your pharmacist know you want to cancel.

They'll ask you to sign a withdrawal form and tell your doctor that you're no longer registered at their pharmacy.