Emergency Supply of Medication: What to Do If You Have Run Out

Running out of a medicine you take every day is stressful, and it tends to happen at the worst time: a Friday evening, a bank holiday, or the week your GP has no appointments. You have more options than you might think, and most of them come down to an emergency supply: a short-term supply of a medicine you've already been prescribed, usually up to 28 days, to tide you over until your next repeat. This guide covers the NHS routes and the private ones, what each involves, and what to do if you're unwell rather than just short of tablets.

First, check whether it's urgent

If you feel unwell, or missing your medicine could cause serious harm (for example insulin, epilepsy medicine or blood thinners), don't wait. Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk. For anything life-threatening, call 999 or go to A&E.

If you're well and simply about to run out, read on.

Option 1: NHS 111

NHS 111, by phone or online, is open around the clock. If you need a regular medicine and can't reach your GP, 111 can assess you and, where it's appropriate, send you to a local pharmacy that can make an emergency supply. You may still pay the usual prescription charge unless you're exempt.

Option 2: Ask a pharmacist directly

In the UK a pharmacist can make an emergency supply of many prescription medicines at your request, without a new prescription, if you've been prescribed that medicine before and they agree it's needed. The pharmacist will ask you some questions and may want to see evidence such as the box or your repeat slip. They can't do this for every medicine: some controlled drugs are excluded. Pharmacies can charge for this, and not every pharmacy is open late.

Option 3: Contact your GP surgery

If it isn't urgent and you have a few days' supply left, ordering your repeat prescription through your surgery, the NHS App or your nominated pharmacy is still the simplest route. Repeat requests usually take a couple of working days, so it helps to order before the last week.

Option 4: A private emergency prescription online

If the routes above don't suit you (you're visiting London, your GP is in another part of the country, or you'd rather choose where to collect), you can use a private online service. With Pharmacinta's emergency supply service:

• You complete a short online consultation, which takes about five minutes. You can start it at any time.
• A UK prescriber, either a GP or a pharmacist prescriber, reviews your request. They can approve it, ask you for more information, or decline it.
• If it's approved, a private prescription goes to the partner pharmacy you chose in London, and you collect it there during its opening hours.
• The consultation fee starts from £15 depending on the pharmacy, plus £5 for each additional medicine. The medicine itself is paid for separately at the pharmacy. You pay when you submit, and if your request isn't approved the consultation fee is refunded in full.
• If you'd like your request prioritised, there's a While You Wait option for an extra £3.

This route is only for medicines you've been prescribed before. It isn't for new symptoms, and it doesn't replace your GP.

Which pharmacy can I collect from?

Pharmacinta works with independent partner pharmacies across London, including Bow, Camden near Euston and King's Cross, and Paddington and Bayswater. Each area page lists the pharmacies, their opening hours and how collection works, so check the hours before you choose if you need your medicine the same day.

What to have ready

Whichever route you use, it helps to have:

• the name and strength of the medicine, and how you take it
• the box, label or repeat slip, or a photo of it (a prescription from abroad in another language is fine for the online consultation)
• how many days' supply you have left
• your GP's details, if you have a UK GP

How to avoid running out again

Order repeats when you have about a week left rather than on the last day. If your surgery offers it, ask about batch prescribing, where you get several months' worth of repeats in one go. If you're travelling, pack enough for the whole trip plus a few spare days, and keep it in your hand luggage.

FAQs

What is an emergency supply of medication? A short-term supply, usually up to 28 days, of a medicine you've been prescribed before, given without waiting for your next repeat prescription. NHS 111 can arrange one through a pharmacy if it's appropriate. A private online consultation can also be started at any time, though the prescriber's review and your collection depend on when the prescriber is working and when the pharmacy is open.

Can a pharmacist give me my repeat medicine without a prescription? Often, yes. A pharmacist can make an emergency supply of many medicines you've been prescribed before, if they agree you need it. Some medicines, including some controlled drugs, can't be supplied this way.

How much does an emergency prescription cost? Through the NHS, usually the standard prescription charge unless you're exempt. A pharmacy may charge for a supply at your request. Pharmacinta's online consultation starts from £15 depending on the pharmacy, plus the cost of the medicine.

What if I've run out of medication while visiting London? NHS 111 can still help. You can also use a private online consultation and upload your prescription or medicine box, in any language, then collect from a partner pharmacy in London.