How will 28 day prescribing effect me?
If you are being prescribed a 'Repeat Medicine' then
the amount of medicine you receive on your prescription may change. You will
receive enough of each medicine to last you 28 days.
What are the benefits of 28 day
prescribing?
Patients will
always start (and finish) their container of medicine on the
same day of the week. This will reduce the number of
'emergency requests' from patients running out of medicine during a weekend.
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 NHS is encouraging companies to manufacture more
medicines in these types of packs.
It will reduce
the amount of medicine that is currently wasted when the medicines are stopped
or changed. It will also reduce the amount that is wasted when partly filled
containers are thrown away (one study found it reduced the amount of medicines
wasted by one third).
It will be
easier for the doctor to review all the
repeat medicines each patient is taking and also easier for the patient to
monitor the medicines they use.
It will reduce the
possibility of making mistakes when taking medicine as patients will be less
likely to have lots of partly filled containers.
Most
patients should only have to visit their doctor once a month to collect all
their 'Repeat Medicines'. This will be because drugs will be prescribed in
equivalent quantities. Presently a large number of patients make several visits
to their doctor a month because their medicines all run out at different times.
Will it cost patients more?
The vast majority of patients collecting
repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges or do hold
prepayment certificates so will not pay any more.
SUMMARY
• There are many benefits for both patients and
practices when 'Repeat Medicines' are prescribed in amounts which last for 28
days; the benefits are especially important for elderly and nursing home
patients.
• Your practice has been advised to adopt 28 days as
the standard treatment length for 'Repeat Prescribing', for most patients.
• The amount of medicine you usually receive on your
repeat prescription may change as your practice has moved over to 28-day
prescribing.
• The way you take your medicine will remain the same,
only the amount you receive will change.
• Discuss any worries with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Your 'Repeat Prescription' should last for 28 days.
If you are regularly running out of some medicines or have too much of others
please tell your doctor or the practice staff when you ask for your next
prescription.
• Do not hoard (keep) unused
medicines at home.