Repeat prescriptions via the NHS App in England: how to order and what it costs

In England you can order a repeat prescription without booking a GP appointment - including through the NHS App. ONLYWAY NEWS explains how to do it, how much a prescription costs and how to save money.

How do you order a repeat prescription?

There are several ways to order a repeat prescription. The fastest is through the NHS App or NHS website: you log in, place the order and choose a pharmacy to collect from, and some pharmacies offer delivery. Other options include:

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• your GP surgery's own online services (ask which service they use - you need to log in to the same one);
• directly through your GP surgery - ask how they take requests, then collect in person or from a pharmacy of your choice;
• an online-only pharmacy - these ask for your name, age and your GP surgery's address;
• a high-street pharmacy - if your GP has set up repeat dispensing, the pharmacy can supply your medicine without a separate request to the GP.

It is important to request the prescription up to 5 working days before you need your medicine.

What can the NHS App do?

The NHS App lets you manage your healthcare from a phone, tablet or computer, including ordering repeat prescriptions. You can use it if you are aged 13 or over and registered with a GP surgery in England. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. You do not have to download it, though - you can log in to NHS services through the website without installing anything.

How much does a prescription cost in England?

The current charge is £9.90 per item, not per prescription. So if a prescription lists several items, you pay for each one. Some patients are entitled to free prescriptions - the NHS website has a separate page where you can check whether you qualify.

How can you save money on prescriptions?

If you need a lot of medicine, it is cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). The prices are:

• 3-month PPC - £32.05 (worth it if you need more than 3 items in 3 months);
• 12-month PPC - £114.50 (worth it if you need more than 11 items in a year); it covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions;
• a separate HRT PPC - £19.80 (worth it if you need more than 2 HRT items in a year).

You can buy a certificate online through the NHS Business Services Authority, or by phone on 0300 330 1341; bought by phone, it is valid from the day you call. Every figure comes from the official NHS pages.