NHS repeat prescriptions warning in major update – key details

Need to know

A major new report has been issued this week

NHS repeat prescription system warning as impact on ordinary Brits revealed – what you need to know

• The UK’s repeat prescription system is costing patients an estimated £11.5 billion annually in time and travel expenses, a major new report warns.
• The Pharmacy2U study reveals that while the NHS spends £9 billion on repeat prescriptions each year, patients face far greater costs collecting them in person. People spend an average of 1 hour and 36 minutes monthly collecting prescriptions – equivalent to two-and-a-half working days per year – plus £78 annually in travel costs.
• More than half (53%) of patients had to make second trips to pharmacies because prescriptions weren’t ready, whilst a quarter (24%) abandoned visits due to long queues. One in three patients didn’t receive prescriptions due to pharmacy or GP mix-ups.
• Professor Waseem Jerjes, who co-authored the report, said: “Much has changed since the last Repeat Prescription Report in 2017, but the UK’s prescribing system is still in transition.”
• The report found that around half the population are on at least one repeat prescription, with diabetes treatments representing the largest NHS medication cost at £1.5bn yearly. Over-55s account for three-quarters of all NHS prescriptions.
• Despite 70% of patients now using digital tools to order prescriptions, two-thirds still collect medicines in person at community pharmacies. A quarter of adults remain unaware that online pharmacies can deliver NHS prescriptions.
• The study highlights particular challenges for people with health conditions, with 47% of ADHD patients reporting stress from prescription collection issues and 57% of arthritis sufferers making multiple pharmacy trips.

READ THE FULL STORY: Warning issued in major update on NHS repeat prescriptions