Emergency Dispensing

If you have run out of a regular medicine and cannot get a prescription in time — your surgery is closed, you are away from home, or a repeat has been delayed — a pharmacist may be able to make an emergency supply to tide you over.

How it works

We are an NHS distance selling pharmacy, so this is handled by phone. Call us, or book a time, and a pharmacist will ask about the medicine, why you need it urgently, and confirm that you have been prescribed it before. If a supply is appropriate it is dispensed and delivered as quickly as we can arrange.

Because delivery takes time, this is best suited to situations where you have a day or two in hand. If you have already run out of something you cannot safely go without, contact NHS 111 — they can arrange an emergency supply from a pharmacy near you.

What the pharmacist will consider

• Whether there is a genuine and immediate need.
• Whether you have been prescribed the medicine before and what the dose was.
• Whether it is a medicine that can legally be supplied this way — some cannot.

Pharmacists follow strict rules on emergency supply and will decline where it is not appropriate. That is for your protection, and the pharmacist will always tell you where to go instead.

What it costs

Where the supply is made under the NHS urgent medicine scheme, the standard prescription charge applies unless you are exempt. Where it is a private emergency supply, you pay for the medicine.

Outside our hours

Call NHS 111, or use 111 online. In an emergency, call 999.