Prescriptions

Your doctor has put you on repeat medication; this is usually a medication that they expect you to be taking on a long-term basis. This Q&A contains some common questions you may have about what this means.

If you have any further questions that we haven’t answered here please speak to one of our receptionists.

How do I order more medication?

Unless your doctor has specified they wish to see you again before more medication can be issued you can request this yourself in the following ways:

• By ticking the box on the slip attached to your medication and returning this to the surgery using the letterboxes at each site.
• By making a request via system online (Please speak to reception if you would like access to this service)
• By making a request in writing and returning this to the surgery using the letterboxes at each site.
• By speaking to your allocated pharmacy for them to order on your behalf

Please note that you cannot request your medication over the telephone or via email

When can I order more medication?

You can order your medication up to 2 weeks before you run out. If you leave ordering until the last minute we cannot guarantee that your new prescription will be ready before your existing one runs out.

When can I collect my prescription?

Routine prescription requests usually take 2 working days to be ready for collection at the surgery. If a medication review is due then we ask for you to allow 3 working days

This is our time frame for repeat orders; there may be an additional period of time you need to wait for the pharmacists to fill the prescription, which may be dependent on the availability of a product.

Where do I collect my prescription from?

You can arrange for your prescription to be delivered to your nominated local pharmacy, just ask at reception if you are unsure which pharmacy you have nominated. If you do not wish to nominate a pharmacy your prescription will be ready to collect from your local surgery within 2 working days of your request.

I’m going on holiday and will run out while I’m away, what do I do?

Speak with the receptionist or write us a note explaining you need extra to cover your holidays and we will arrange for extra to be issued.

My medication has reached its review date, what does this mean?

All medication has to be routinely reviewed by your GP; this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to see your GP. You can request your medication as usual and if the GP wishes to see you then we will be in touch with you. If you don’t hear from us then your prescription will be processed as usual.

If you have any further queries about your medication, please email us at [email protected]

Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. The following short guide outlines the issues surrounding its use with regards to flying and why the surgery no longer prescribes such medications for this purpose.

People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.

According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) diazepam is contraindicated (not allowed) for treating phobias (fears). It also states that “the use of benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate.” Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.

Although plane emergencies are a rare occurrence there are concerns about reduced awareness and reaction times for patients taking Diazepam which could pose a significant risk to themselves and others due to not being able to react in a manner which could save their life in the event of an emergency on board necessitating evacuation.

The use of such sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at an increased risk of developing a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis – DVT) in the leg or even the lungs. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours, the amount of time which has been shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere.

Whilst most people find Diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally which can pose a risk on the plane. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law. A similar effect can be seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.

Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police. The passenger may also need to use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and/or other legs of the journey

It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer. If not, there is a risk of nullifying any insurance policy you may have.

Given the above we will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety and instead suggest the below aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.

Flight anxiety does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP contract and so we are not obliged to prescribe for this. Patients who still wish to take benzodiazepines for flight anxiety are advised to consult with a private GP.

For further information:

https://www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com

https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/travel-assistance/flying-with-confidence

https://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/

Your medication needs to be reviewed by a doctor or nurse on a regular basis.  The next review date is printed on your repeat medication slip. When you submit your request after this date is reached, it will be referred to your doctor who will decide whether the item can be reissued or whether your need to be seen first, in which case you will be asked to make an appointment.

If you are a newly registered patient, you will need to see the doctor first for assessment and confirmation of your medication and dosage before your medication can be prescribed.

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

• coughs
• colds
• sore throats
• tummy trouble
• aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

• Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.