Urgent medication request

Use this service to request an urgent medication.

We have a strict policy for issuing acute (urgent) prescriptions. An “urgent” request is defined as a medication where missing a dose would cause immediate harm to your health.

Medications considered for urgent issue

The following medications are generally considered clinically urgent. However, issuance is always subject to the doctor’s discretion on the day:

• Reliever asthma inhalers (for example, Salbutamol)
• Insulin and diabetes supplies
• Anaphylaxis medication (for example, EpiPen, Jext, Emerade)
• Anticoagulants/Blood thinners (for example, Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban)
• Anti-epileptics (for example, epilepsy medication)
• Mental health medication (for example, Antipsychotics, Lithium)
• Heart medication (for example, GTN Spray, Digoxin, Amiodarone)
• Palliative care medication
• Steroids (Long term)
• Anti-Parkinson’s drugs

Please note the list is non-exhaustive and it is important to note that not all medications within these categories are considered time-critical.

Medications that will not be issued urgently

We will not issue urgent prescriptions for:

• Items purchasable over the counter (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Emollients) or available to obtain from a pharmacy under different schemes , i.e, contraceptives, medication to delay periods
• Nutritional supplements, Vitamins, Iron
• Statins (Cholesterol medication)
• Sleeping tablets
• Erectile dysfunction medication
• Prescriptions following hospital discharge (these should be provided by the hospital)
• Controlled drugs
• Note: rescue packs not considered urgent, if needed for acute exacerbation then to go to on-call GP

This policy is put in place to protect our patients and staff, and we will not tolerate any abuse. We reserve the right to withdraw the service from patients requesting urgent prescriptions on a repeated basis.

The outcome

All requests are clinically assessed. The outcome will depend on clinical risk:

1. Clinically urgent: The prescription will be ready by 6pm that day
2. Clinically necessary (Non-Urgent): If the Doctor determines you cannot wait the full 5 days but do not need it today, it will be processed within 2 working days
3. Routine: If the medication can be safely missed for a few days, it will be processed following the normal repeat prescription process (up to 5 working days)
4. Emergency supply

If we are closed or cannot issue the item, your local pharmacy may be able to provide a short “Emergency Supply” (at their discretion/cost), or you can contact NHS 111.

Before you start

We’ll ask you for:

• your first and last name, date of birth, sex, postcode, email and phone number
• if applicable, the details of the person you are completing the form on behalf of
• the name, strength and dose of the medicine you want to order
• eligibility criteria

Start now

Find out about other ways to order your prescriptions.