Pharmacy Prescription Collection and Delivery

• Pharmacies often collect repeat prescriptions from local doctors' surgeries on behalf of patients.
• Patients must register with the pharmacy to authorize prescription collection.
• Patients request repeat prescriptions directly from the surgery and inform the pharmacy when it's ready.

Electronic Prescription Service

• Many GP practices now provide NHS electronic prescriptions.
• Prescriptions are sent electronically to the patient's pharmacy for dispensing.
• Some controlled drugs and patients may still receive paper prescriptions, but paper copies will eventually be phased out.
• Electronic prescriptions are legally valid with an "advanced electronic" signature, even without ink signatures.
• Electronic transmission aims to simplify prescription collection and allow dispensing before the patient arrives.

Delivery Services

• Pharmacies offer collection and delivery services, which help patients with mobility issues.
• Patient consent is required for each delivery, and pharmacies must keep records of delivery requests.
• Delivery services can pose counselling challenges, requiring pharmacists to assess the need for face-to-face consultation.
• Delivery service is usually free.

Repeat Dispensing Service

• Pharmacies in England and Wales participate in the Repeat Dispensing Service as part of the NHS scheme.
• Patients with stable conditions can obtain repeat medications without a new prescription each time.
• Prescribers issue an "Authorisation Prescription" (RA) and multiple "Batch Prescriptions" (RD).
• Pharmacies usually keep prescriptions and dispense medication when needed.
• Pharmacists must review the patient's medication appropriateness at each dispensing.
• Scotland has a similar scheme called the Chronic Medication Service, where GPs issue serial prescriptions after an initial review.

POM to P Switches

• Reclassifying prescription-only medicines (POM) to pharmacy medicines (P) makes medicines more accessible.
• P medicines can be advertised, increasing consumer awareness.
• Examples of POM to P switches include:
  • Migraitan® (sumatriptan) for migraine
  • Viagra Connect® (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction
  • Voltarol Pain-eze® gel and Voltarol Emugel® (diclofenac) for pain relief and inflammation
  • Nexium Control® (esomeprazole) for acid reflux
  • Levonelle One Step® (levonorgestrel) and ellaOne® (ulipristal acetate) for emergency contraception
  • Alli® (orlistat) as an aid to weight loss
• Pharmacies should stay informed about future POM to P switches through pharmaceutical press and new product monitoring.

Minor Ailment Schemes

• Community pharmacies offer OTC medicines for minor ailments to patients exempt from prescription charges.
• Patients consult pharmacists instead of GPs for conditions like colds, headaches, and hay fever.
• Pharmacists provide advice, treatment, and promote self-care, reducing GP workload.
• Schemes may list treatable conditions and suitable medicines or allow any OTC medicine from a local formulary.
• Patients typically register, and pharmacists complete paperwork for payment claims.
• Scotland includes the Minor Ailments Scheme as a core pharmacy service.
• Northern Ireland's scheme is centrally run with accredited pharmacies.
• England commissions the scheme based on local needs.
• Wales has the Choose Pharmacy Common Ailments service.

Direct Referral Scheme and the National PGD (Scotland Only)

• Scotland has a National PGD for Urgent Provision of Repeat Medicines and Appliances.
• Pharmacists can supply one cycle of repeat medication or appliances when patients cannot access their GP.

Direct Referral

• Allows pharmacists to refer patients to "out of hours" doctors outside of normal GP hours.
• Used when pharmacists cannot supply medication under the National PGD or when patients require a GP consultation at a Primary Care Emergency Centre/Minor Injuries Unit.
• Enables direct referral to the Out of Hours (OOH) GP service without going through NHS 24.