When you’re first prescribed a medicine, you’ll usually be told what it’s for, how to take it, and how long you may need it. Yet, it’s not always clear what happens when your current supply runs out. If the medicine is intended for ongoing use, your GP practice may add it to your repeat prescription list, so you can request further supplies without booking a new appointment each time.
Evergreen life has made this guide to help you understand how:
- NHS repeat prescriptions usually work,
- electronic prescriptions are sent to pharmacies, and
- apps, such as Evergreen Life, can help you manage requests and reminders.
We hope this guide helps to put you back in control of your healthcare.
This guide mainly refers to NHS repeat prescriptions in England. Prescription systems and charges vary across the UK. For example, NHS prescriptions are free in Wales and Scotland, while most working-age adults in England pay a charge unless they are exempt.
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What are repeat prescriptions?
If you and your doctor or nurse discuss the need to take a medication (or multiple) on a regular basis, this can be issued to you through a repeat prescription. A repeat prescription is a medicine your GP practice has agreed you can keep taking. You can usually request more when you need it, without booking a new GP appointment each time.
Your GP practice will still check repeat prescription requests before sending them to the pharmacy. They may also ask you to have a medication review, blood test, blood pressure check or other safety check from time to time.
Although we aim to explain key terms throughout the article, here are some definitions it may be helpful to know:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Nominated pharmacy | The pharmacy or online pharmacy you’ve chosen to receive your NHS prescriptions electronically. You’re can change your nominated pharmacy at any time and shouldn’t feel pressured to use a particular one. |
| Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) | The NHS system that lets GP practices send prescriptions electronically, instead of printing a paper prescription. Most prescriptions in England are sent this way. They usually go to your nominated pharmacy. If you don’t have a nominated pharmacy, you may be given a paper prescription or a digital barcode. |
| Electronic Repeat Dispensing (ERD) – sometimes known as ‘batch prescribing’ | With electronic repeat dispensing, your prescriber can authorise a batch of prescriptions in advance, often for several months and up to 12 months. These are released to your nominated pharmacy at set intervals, so you don’t need to request each issue from your GP practice. |
How do repeat prescriptions work? Repeat prescriptions vs electronic repeat dispensing (eRD)
When you’re prescribed medication by a doctor, you’ll have a conversation about how to take it, how often to take it, and if it’ll need to be taken long term.
In England, most NHS prescriptions are sent electronically through the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), usually to a pharmacy or online pharmacy you’ve chosen. This is sometimes called your nominated pharmacy.
If you don’t have a nominated pharmacy, you may be given a paper prescription or a digital prescription barcode (see below), depending on the system being used. You can take the paper prescription or the digital prescription barcode to a pharmacy for them to dispense it. ‘Dispensing’ simply describes the process of the pharmacy team checking the prescription, preparing your medicine, and giving it to you.
Repeat prescriptions
If your doctor is happy for you to take that medication on a regular basis, they’ll set up a repeat prescription. This is usually done after you’ve been monitored for potential side effects and reactions; you may have check-ins with your doctor up to this point.
Often, you’ll have to request the medication yourself – either by ringing up the doctor’s or using an app like Evergreen Life – and then visit your nominated pharmacy to collect your medication a few days later, or delivery may be available from either your chosen pharmacy or an online pharmacy (see below).
Electronic repeat dispensing (eRD)
Some patients are suitable for electronic repeat dispensing, sometimes called eRD or batch prescribing. With eRD, your prescriber can authorise (approve) a batch of repeat prescriptions for a set period, often several months and up to 12 months. These are automatically released electronically to your nominated pharmacy at the intervals set by the prescriber, so you don’t need to request each issue from the GP practice. The pharmacy will still check that you need the medicine and that it remains appropriate to supply.
Benefits of repeat prescribing
If you take the same medication regularly, setting up repeat prescribing can make managing your medicines much easier. Some of the benefits include:
- Saving time by making it easier to request regular medicines online or, if you’re suitable for electronic repeat dispensing (eRD), reducing the need to request each issue from your GP practice.
- Making it easier to stay on track with your treatment, especially if you have a long-term health condition and take the same medicines every month.
- Helping you avoid running out of medication by creating a more regular routine for ordering and receiving your prescriptions.
- Supporting the safe use of medicines through regular reviews by your GP practice or pharmacy to make sure your treatment is still right for you.
- Reducing pressure on GP practices by cutting down on routine prescription requests, helping reception and clinical teams focus on patients who need support.
How do repeat prescriptions work? Electronic prescriptions and nominated pharmacies explained
Repeat prescriptions issued electronically:
Most NHS repeat prescriptions in England are electronic, so you may not receive a paper prescription. If your GP practice uses EPS (Electronic Prescribing Service), your prescription can be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy or online pharmacy.
A note about nominated pharmacies:
Your nominated pharmacy may be conveniently near where you live or work, for example, and you can ask your GP practice to change your chosen pharmacy at any time – you may need your NHS number to do so. You remain in control of your pharmacy choice. You can choose, change or remove your nominated pharmacy, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to use a particular pharmacy or online pharmacy.
Repeat prescriptions issued in paper form:
If you’re given a paper prescription, the green part is the legal prescription that the pharmacy uses to dispense your medicine. The green slip of the prescription usually includes:
- the medicine name, strength, dose and amount prescribed (e.g. number of tablets, size of tube)
- how to use it
- details of the person who has prescribed it, for example, your GP
Side effect information is usually provided separately, for instance, in a patient information leaflet or by your clinician or pharmacist.
You may also receive a white repeat slip, sometimes called a reorder slip or repeat prescription slip. This lists medicines recorded by your GP practice as repeat medicines and can be used as a reminder or to request your next supply. The slip itself isn’t a prescription. Your request will usually still need to be reviewed and approved by your GP practice before the prescription is sent to the pharmacy.
You can take the green slip to any pharmacy for them to dispense the prescription to you. As well as your medication, the pharmacy will return the white repeat slip of paper for you to keep, so you can use it to request your next repeats. Your doctor may also leave a message on this white slip asking you to make an appointment to review your medication. The white slip of paper ensures that you can order the next repeat prescription in a month or two without having to ask your GP for an appointment, by handing it in to your GP/pharmacy with the repeats you need ticked off.
Ordering repeat prescriptions: How to order through Evergreen Life
The method of ordering a repeat prescription may vary between GP practices depending on the system they use. Most GP practices now allow repeat prescription requests to be made online, although some also accept requests in person, by email, through their website, or, in limited circumstances, by phone.
Getting your repeat prescriptions through the Evergreen Life app
When you have the Evergreen Life app and an account linked to your GP, if your medication is marked as a repeat prescription, it’ll automatically be highlighted as such within your account. Then, for ordering repeat prescriptions, you can simply request your next prescription from the app.
When you request a repeat prescription through the Evergreen Life app, the request is sent to your GP practice for review. Once it has been approved, it can be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy or online pharmacy for dispensing.
If you choose an online pharmacy partner in the Evergreen app, your approved NHS repeat prescription can be dispensed and securely and efficiently delivered to your chosen UK address (where this service is available and clinically appropriate). Simply, select ‘Online pharmacy’ under ‘Delivery Options’ when ordering in-app.
(You can still request that your repeat prescriptions go to your existing local pharmacy in the app too, if you wish to collect it, or for your local pharmacy to deliver it, if they offer that service).
Remember, you’re always in control of your pharmacy choice. You can choose, change or remove your nominated pharmacy at anytime, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to use a particular pharmacy or online pharmacy.
Head to our step-by-step guide of how to order repeat prescriptions in the Evergreen Life app, if you’d like to know more.
How do I get a repeat prescription and how long do repeat prescriptions take?
When ordering repeat prescriptions it’s important to be aware of the following timeframes:
Many GP practices ask patients to allow around two working days for repeat prescription requests to be reviewed and processed, although this varies by practice.
Your request may need checks by the prescribing team, especially if a medication review, blood test, blood pressure check or other monitoring is due. This is because your doctor has to approve every prescription, unless they’ve pre-approved your repeat prescriptions in advance for a period of time (as seen in electronic repeat dispensing explained above).
Once your GP practice approves the request, the pharmacy prepares the prescription. If you have a nominated pharmacy, NHS guidance says it usually takes around 3–5 days before the prescription is ready to collect. However, this can vary depending on pharmacy workload and medicine stock.
Sometimes only part of a prescription is ready because one or more medicines are out of stock. If the medicine is urgent, contact the pharmacy or GP practice for advice rather than waiting until you’ve run out. With this in mind, be sure to stay on top of which medicines you need by ordering before you run out.
Many online pharmacies may remind you when it’s time to reorder to help you keep track of your repeat prescriptions. For example, our online pharmacy partner, Chemist4U send re-order reminder notifications to your phone. Meanwhile, our other online pharmacy partner, PillTime send email and text reminders.
Repeat prescription collection:
Can I take my repeat prescription to any pharmacy?
If your prescription is sent electronically, it’ll usually go to the pharmacy or online pharmacy you’ve chosen each time you request it. This is often called your nominated pharmacy, which you can change any time.
Some GP practices, particularly in rural areas, have an on-site dispensary and may be able to supply medicines directly to eligible patients. If this applies to you, your practice will explain how their dispensing service works. You should still be given clear information about your options and shouldn’t feel pressured to use a particular pharmacy or online pharmacy.
If you don’t have a nominated pharmacy, you may be able to use a digital prescription barcode or paper prescription at a pharmacy of your choice.
How long will a pharmacy hold your prescription?
Pharmacies don’t usually keep uncollected medicines waiting forever. Many will keep your medicine ready for around 10 to 14 days after they’ve received it electronically, but this can vary. After that, they may put it back into stock.
This is different from the prescription itself. Most NHS prescriptions can be used for 6 months from the date they are issued. Some prescriptions, such as most controlled drug prescriptions, can only be used for a shorter time, usually 28 days. Try to collect your medication soon after it’s issued to avoid running out.
Alternatively, if you select ‘Online Pharmacy’ when ordering your repeat prescriptions online through the Evergreen Life app, our online pharmacy partners will remind you when you’re due to order your next prescription, as mentioned above. It’ll then get delivered to your door, so you don’t have to think about collection.
Are repeat prescriptions free?
Whether or not you pay for your prescriptions depends on the medication you’re taking, and factors that are specific to you, such as your age, where you live and income. For example, contraceptives, such as birth control pills and the fitting of certain contraceptives, are currently free on the NHS regardless of age.
Whilst everyone under 16 is entitled to a free prescription – and 18 if you’re in full-time education – there are a number of requirements for adults to be eligible for a free prescription. You can check out the full criteria here.
NHS prescriptions are free in Wales and Scotland. Prescription charging arrangements differ across the UK, so you may wish to check the rules where you live or where the prescription is dispensed.
Most adults will have to pay for their prescriptions; as of May 2026, the current NHS prescription charge in England is £9.90 per item. This means prescription charges are for each medicine or appliance, not each prescription form. For example, if one prescription contains three chargeable medicines, you usually pay three charges, unless you’re exempt or have a valid prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).
If you regularly get multiple prescriptions:
If you get multiple prescriptions on a regular basis, it may be cheaper to pay for a PPC, which could help you save money in the long run. For example:
- a standard PPC costs £32.05 for 3 months, which will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months.
- a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and can save you money, if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year.
- There is also a HRT (hormone replacement therapy) PPC, currently £19.80, which covers unlimited qualifying HRT medicines for 12 months. This will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year.
One of our online pharmacy partners, PillTime may be helpful for some people who take several regular medicines. This is because eligible tablets and capsules can be organised into labelled dose pouches. Medicines that can’t go into pouches, such as liquids, creams, inhalers or some other items, may be supplied separately where appropriate.
Our online pharmacy partners don’t charge patients extra for standard NHS prescription delivery. If you normally pay NHS prescription charges in England, you’ll still need to pay the standard NHS charge unless you’re exempt or have a valid PPC (please see above).
Can you get a repeat prescription without going to the doctors?
Yes! The main point of repeat prescription is being able to refill the medication regularly without the need for scheduling appointments with a GP.
However, to have the medication initially set up on a repeat prescription, you’ll need to see or speak to a doctor for them to prescribe it first.
It’s also worth remembering that almost all repeat prescriptions need you to have a periodic medication review, blood test, blood pressure check or other monitoring at regular intervals (usually 3, 6 or 12 monthly) before further supplies are issued. For example, if you take the combined oral contraceptive pill, your blood pressure will usually need to be checked periodically (e.g. 3 months after your first prescription and annually thereafter), often at routine pill reviews, because blood pressure affects whether it remains suitable and safe for you.
How often you need a medication review and what that review will involve will depend on the medicines you take and your individual circumstances.
New Medicine Service and Structured Medication Reviews
As already mentioned, your GP practice, practice pharmacist or another appropriate clinician may need you to have regular medication reviews before more repeats are approved. Some people may also be offered extra pharmacy support, such as the NHS New Medicine Service, when starting certain new medicines. If they take several medicines or have more complex needs, they may be offered a Structured Medication Review.
A medication review may look at:
- whether the medicine is still needed
- whether it’s working
- side effects or problems taking it
- whether monitoring, such as blood tests or blood pressure checks, is due
- interactions with other prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medicines or supplements
- whether doses or quantities need adjusting
- whether any medicines can be safely stopped or simplified
If you often take prescribed medication, but are thinking about taking medicine you can get over the counter, you may benefit from knowing how medication can interact with things like food, drink, supplements, and other medication. For instance, medicines your buy over the counter can interact with your prescribed medication. These medication interactions can trigger side effects.
You should always mention any over-the-counter medication or supplements that you take at your medication reviews to help the doctor/pharmacist understand the full picture.
Your doctor will also take the opportunity to answer any questions you have about your medication and make sure you understand why it may still be advised that you take it.
Pharmacists can also play an important role in helping you use medicines safely. For instance:
- you may be offered the NHS New Medicine Service when starting certain medicines,
- they may ask questions and offer advice to help ensure you’re using your medication safely and correctly,
- or a pharmacist at your GP practice may carry out the Structured Medication Reviews.
What do I do if I lose my repeat prescription?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, most repeat prescriptions are sent electronically, so there’s nothing to lose. If you’re given a physical slip from your GP and you lose this, simply contact the surgery and they should be able to print another out as your medication has already been approved.
If you lose a paper prescription or repeat slip, tell your GP practice or pharmacy as soon as you can. A repeat slip (the white side of the paper prescription) may contain personal information about your medicines. A paper prescription (the green part), if signed by a clinician, could be used by someone else to try to collect your medicine, so it’s important to report it as soon as possible.
What do I do if I run out of my important medication?
If you find you’re about to run out, or have already run out of an important medicine, contact your GP surgery urgently. If it’s out of hours, use NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice. This is particularly important for insulin, epilepsy medicines, steroids, anticoagulants, Parkinson’s medicines, inhalers, and some mental health medicines.
Make repeat prescriptions a doddle with the Evergreen Life app
Did you know you can also use the Evergreen Life app to keep track of your medicines, set reminders, and check your prescribed instructions, so it’s easier to take your medicines as instructed? Simply download the app to get started.
Reviewed by:
Dr Claire Marie Thomas MRCGP DFSRH DTMH DipNLP MBChB BMedSci Clinical Content Lead
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