Prescriptions

Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your prescription request to be processed. For new but non urgent prescriptions your pharmacy may need a further 72 hours to obtain and package the medication. You may order in the following ways:

• Use the right-hand side of your prescription slip and deliver it to us by hand or post and we will happily pass on the prescription we generate to any local pharmacist you nominate or return it if you enclose a SAE.
• Order online via the link at the top of this page. New users to the system are required to complete a simple registration.
• You can also send an e-mail request to ddicb.cottagelanesurgery@nhs.net please add a received/read receipt to any e-mailed prescription request to ensure it has been received.

We would much prefer if you do not order your medication through your pharmacy as they will not be aware of any recently added or changed medication; it is always safer to order from us directly.

Please order all your repeat medication at the same time: Sometimes it will take a one-off effort to bring all your medication in line and your doctors, nurses or pharmacist can help with this, but once they are in line you only need to order and collect your prescription once and not as each separate item runs out.

Medication Reviews

If you are taking regular medications, please be aware that we often need to monitor their effect. This could be as simple as you answering a question over the phone, or may require a visit to the surgery for a blood pressure check, a blood test or a face to face appointment. Please be aware that when we need your assistance,  we often put notes on your prescriptions. If we do this, please make an appointment at your earliest convenience. Delay in coming to the surgery may result in repeat prescriptions not being issued.

Regular review of your medications ensures the best management of your condition.

If you have queries or concerns about any of your medications, please either talk to your local pharmacist or book in to see one of the GP’s. We will be happy to advise you.

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 prescription charges

These charges apply in England only.

• Prescription (per item): £9.35 (£17.20 per pair of elastic hosiery)
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £108.10
• 3-month PPC: £30.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

Who Is Entitled to Free Prescriptions?

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16-18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• are an NHS inpatient

You’re also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit and meet the criteria

If you’re entitled to or named on:

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you don’t have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
• a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website