As from 1 st September 2016 Kelsall Medical Centre will be issuing 1 month only prescriptions.
The Department of Health states that:-
“A 28 day repeat prescribing interval is recognised by the NHS as making the best possible balance
between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage”.
Nationally and locally it has been estimated that at least 10% of all medicines prescribed are wasted and a
study found a 28 day prescribing policy reduced the amount of medication wasted by one third.
How will 28 day prescribing affect you?
If you are being prescribed a “repeat medicine” your doctor will now start to prescribe enough of each
medicine to last you for one month. For example, if you are taking 2 tablets a day you will receive 56 tablets;
3 tablets a day 84 tablets; 4 tablets a day 112 tablets etc. There are some drugs which are packaged in 3
monthly amounts and will continue to be dispensed in these packs e.g contraceptive pills and HRT.
What are the benefits of 28 day prescribing?
- It will reduce the amount of medicine which is currently wasted when medicines are stopped or
changed. It will also reduce the amount which is wasted when partly filled containers are thrown
away.
- It will increase patient safety as it will be easier for the doctor to review all of the repeat medicines
each patient is taking and also easier for the doctor to see if a patient is not taking any of their
medicines.
- It should reduce confusion and the number of mistakes made by patients, taking their medicine, as
patients will be less likely to have multiple, partly opened packets
- Companies already manufacture a large number of medicines in 28 day patient calendar packs.
These packs have patient information leaflets inside and ideally they should not be broken into.
- The government is encouraging companies to manufacture more medicines in this type of packaging
as it can allow the patient to check or monitor that the medication has been taken.
Please note Pre- paid prescriptions are £104 for 12 months and this may be more beneficial. You can
ask for a Pre- Payment form at Reception or go online www.gov.uk/get-a- ppc where you can register via
this website, either online or by phone.
If you wish to order your repeat prescription online, either ask at Reception for a registration form or visit
the Kelsall Medical Centre website – Patient Info. – Medication – Repeat Prescription – then click on link.
We hope you will welcome these changes but if you have any concerns or questions regarding your
medicines please contact the surgery on 01829 751252.