Home
/
NowPatient Blog
/
Can I get an emergency supply of my medication from my pharmacy

Can I get an emergency supply of my medication from my pharmacy

Navin Khosla NowPatientGreen tick
Created on 16 Jul 2024
Updated on 23 Jul 2024

In times of urgency, running out of essential medication can be a stressful situation. Whether your GP surgery is closed due to Christmas or you’re away from home, it’s important to know the options available to obtain an emergency supply of medicine. This article will guide you through the steps and resources you can utilise to access out-of-hours medicine promptly and efficiently.

What to do if you have a prescription

If you already have a prescription for your medication and urgently need it dispensed, there are several steps you can take to obtain it quickly:

Visit the local community pharmacy

If your nearest pharmacy is closed, don’t worry. You can still get your medication from any pharmacy as long as they have it in stock. The NHS pharmacy service search tool can help you find other nearby pharmacies and their opening hours. Some pharmacies even operate until midnight or later, including public holidays.

Contact NHS 111

If you prefer speaking to a healthcare professional before heading to a pharmacy, you can call NHS 111 for free by dialling 111 on your mobile or landline. The person you speak to will assist you in finding an out-of-hours pharmacy or another NHS service in your area.

Utilise NHS walk-in centres

Another option is to visit an NHS walk-in centre. These centres can provide consultations and, in some cases, dispense medicines after the consultation. The NHS walk-in centre service search tool can help you find the nearest walk-in centre in your area.

Contact your GP practice

If none of the above options are available or suitable for your situation, you can call your GP surgery. They should have details of their out-of-hours service recorded on their answering machine. However, it’s important to note that this service is intended for emergencies and should not be routinely used. You can find your GP surgery’s phone number using the NHS GP service finder.

Visit the nearest A&E

In case of an emergency where none of the previous options have been successful, you can visit your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. The service search tool can help you find the closest A&E facility.

What to do if you don’t have a prescription

If you run out of prescription medication and don’t have a prescription with you, there are still options available to get an emergency supply from a pharmacy without a prescription:

Bring an old prescription or packaging

If your medication is prescribed as a repeat prescription, you can take an old prescription or the medicine’s packaging with you to the pharmacy, if available. This can help the pharmacist validate your need for the medication.

Call NHS 111

If your medication is not prescribed as a repeat prescription, you can call NHS 111 to discuss your options. They can guide you in obtaining an emergency supply without a prescription. Contact NHS 111 via telephone or use the online service here: Emergency prescriptions – NHS 111.

Assessment by the pharmacist

When seeking an emergency supply without a prescription, you will be assessed by a community pharmacist. They will need to determine if you require the medicine immediately, verify the source of the previous prescription, and determine the appropriate dose of the medicine.

Limitations on emergency supplies

It’s important to note that there are limitations on the emergency supply of certain medications. For prescription-only medicines, the pharmacist may provide an emergency supply of up to 30 days’ treatment, with exceptions for insulin, ointments, creams, asthma inhalers, contraceptive pills, and liquid oral antibiotics. Typically the smallest pack size will be supplied. Controlled drugs, such as morphine or diamorphine, generally require a prescription and cannot be supplied without one in an emergency.

Potential costs

In some cases, you may need to pay for the emergency supply and service e.g. emergency contraception, even if you don’t normally have to, as they are being provided without a prescription. The specific costs may vary between pharmacies, so it’s advisable to inquire about this beforehand.

Obtaining non-prescription medicines

If you need a non-prescription medicine, such as paracetamol or an antacid, and are unable to find an open pharmacy, there are alternative places where you may find a basic range of over-the-counter medicines:

  • Supermarkets
  • Newsagents
  • Petrol stations

These establishments often have longer opening hours than high-street pharmacies, making it more convenient to access the non-prescription medication you require.

By being aware of these options and resources, you can ensure that you are prepared to handle emergencies and obtain the necessary medication promptly. Remember to always consult with healthcare professionals and follow their guidance to ensure your health and well-being.

Sources

 

Medical Disclaimer

NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.

The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.

Now Patient Data Security

Data Security

Trusted and certified to keep your data safe.

Learn moreNow Patient Data SecurityNow Patient Data Security

WHY WE BUILT NOWPATIENT

We are committed to helping everyone, everywhere live healthier lives

The NowPatient virtual care platform provides you with access to trusted health information, affordable treatments, management of chronic health conditions and continuous monitoring for health risks. NowPatient can be accessed by downloading the App or using your web browser.

Download our app today

NowPatient dashboard

Your Questions Answered

For your peace of mind, we can answer your questions quickly

What does NowPatient do?

NowPatient is an online pharmacy & telehealth service that is available in the US and UK. Our service is FREE and packed with useful features that can help you save money on the cost of your medications, access virtual treatments, and provide tools that can help improve your overall health.

Get started today and benefit from medication remindersGet Treated PrivatelyNHS online pharmacyGP appointment bookingRx savings cardDrug CouponsUS drug savings programshealth conditions informationgenetic testinghome test kitsBMI RisksType 2 Diabetes Riskspollen meterair quality monitor, and lots more!

Our service is operated by experienced medical professionals in the United States and the United Kingdom. You can view the online services that we provide by clicking Features.

UK users can safely and securely buy medicines online that treat a wide range of medical conditions. UK customers can also order NHS prescriptions online with the benefit of free tracked delivery.

US customers, regardless of insurance coverage, can enjoy huge savings on prescription medications using our various drug savings programs including drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.

Where is NowPatient located?

NowPatient has offices in the United Kingdom and United States.

In the UK, we are located at:

NowPatient
28 Chipstead Valley Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR52RA

In the US, we are located at:

NowPatient
8911 North Capital of Texas Highway
Suite 4200 #1263
78759
Austin, TX

How can I contact NowPatient?

To contact NowPatient, please use the contact form available on the Contact Us page.

Alternatively, if you need to speak to us, you can reach us on the following numbers:

UK telephone number – 020 388 51 500
US telephone number – 1-866-967-1977

Who owns NowPatient?

NowPatient is owned and operated by Infohealth Ltd, a licensed online pharmacy with services spanning the UK, US and Rest of the World. Infohealth Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 04004930 and our registered office is at Lynwood House, 373 – 375 Station Road, Harrow, England, HA1 2AW.

Our website is www.nowpatient.com. Our App is called “NowPatient” and can be downloaded from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices).

Can you tell me more about your NHS online pharmacy?

NowPatient’s Pharmaceutical services in the UK are provided by Infohealth Limited trading as ‘Infohealth Pharmacy’.

Our dispensing pharmacy is regulated and authorized for internet sales by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), registration number 1036487. You can view our license credentials on the General Pharmaceutical Council website. Our superintendent pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and effective oversight of medicines supplies is Mr Amish Patel (Registration Number 2042705).

Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce. All medicines or healthcare product sales are made under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is licensed by the GPhC. At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served.

How do I make a complaint?

From time to time, we accept that our service levels may not be up to your expectations. NowPatient welcomes concerns, compliments and complaints as valuable feedback that will help us learn from your experiences and make improvements. Feedback can be provided via our clear and transparent Complaints Procedures.

Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s prescribing services for treatments offered?

Our prescribing services are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). We provide the following regulated activity:

• treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• transport services, triage, and medical advice are provided remotely
• caring for adults over 65 years old
• caring for adults under 65 years old

NowPatient prescribing services are run by Infohealth Limited. The Clinical Safety Officer and nominated individual is Mr Navin Khosla.

Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s US services?

Our head of US services is Dr. Jamie Winn.

You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.

We do not provide any prescribing services or dispensing services in the United States.

Is NowPatient legit and can I trust information from NowPatient?

Yes. NowPatient provides trustworthy and accessible clinical, health education and prescription services. We are also trusted by the NHS to deliver clinical and NHS repeat prescription dispensing across the whole of England. In the United States, we work with over 65,000 pharmacies to deliver considerable costs savings for our users.

NowPatient is operated by experienced licensed medical professionals in the United Kingdom and United States. Our Medical Team can be found here.

Our service is trusted by thousands of patients worldwide. You can read their reviews on our Trustpilot:

NowPatient Trustpilot

What are NowPatient’s opening hours?

Our office hours are:

UK – Monday-Friday 9am-6pm GMT
US – Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST

Please note that we are closed at weekends.

In the event of a medical life-threatening emergency please call:

UK – 999
US – 911

In the event of a medical emergency which is not life-threatening please call:

UK – 111

Find more answers