The Old School

Change to 28 day repeat prescribing May 2020

 

Dear patients of Old School Medical Practice,

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We have started the slow process to convert all patients to 28-day repeat prescribing.

As the vast majority of practices issue 28 day repeats, we have decided to make this change in line with best practice and because there are huge benefits to our NHS.

We hope you will support this decision.

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The Department of Health states that;

“A 28 day repeat prescribing interval is recognised by the NHS as making the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage”.

 

Benefits

• It will reduce the amount of medicine which is currently wasted when medicines are stopped or changed. It will also reduce the amount which is wasted when partly filled containers are thrown away.

• Reduction in the overall number of drugs present in the home, which reduces the risk of harm from overdose and accidental poisoning of children.

• Coordination of prescription start and renewal date makes the process of producing repeat prescriptions within the practice much easier and quicker.

• Compliance and concordance issues can be spotted more easily if the basic medication regime is well managed.

• In some cases, regular, monthly contact with a dispensing pharmacist can contribute to the medication monitoring of the patient and bring problems to light sooner.

• For those patients that pay for their prescription you can buy a prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) from the NHS which may make your prescriptions cheaper.

 

Thank you for your understanding,

The Partners