Serial Prescriptions
The practice is working with community pharmacists to improve how we manage repeat prescriptions for certain patients whose medicines don’t change much and who come for annual reviews and treatment checks when asked.
Please note there are certain medications that require more frequent monitoring that aren’t suitable for a serial prescription. Examples are immunosuppressants and controlled drugs.
If you fall under this criteria then a “serial prescription” also known as a yearly/annual prescription could be generated.
This would mean that you no longer need to order your repeat prescription from the practice for the next year but you will be able to collect from your pharmacy, normally every 8 weeks.
If you are interested in registering for this service, please advise your community pharmacy or practice staff and you will be reviewed for suitability.
If you have received a text message to inform you that there has been changes to your prescription then the following applies to you.
The practice has issued you with a prescription which lasts 56 weeks (1 year) called a “Serial Prescription” which we will send to your usual community pharmacy.
The next time your prescription is due please go directly to your regular pharmacy to collect. The pharmacist may have to register you for this service and will arrange this when you call to collect your prescription where they will go through a series of questions with you if you haven’t done this already.
Once the year is up, your community pharmacy will request a new prescription. A review will then be carried out by the practice to confirm if the prescription can be issued for another year or changed back to a normal repeat.
The serial prescription can only be dispensed at the pharmacy where you have registered for this service. Please do not change pharmacy without notifying the practice.
If you do not want to proceed with a serial prescription, please contact your pharmacy to cancel it and they will inform the practice.
Although you now have a serial prescription, you can still make an appointment with the doctor whenever you need to. The pharmacist may also advise you to see the doctor if, for example your condition changes.