How to get medication
Over the counter – Some medicines for minor illnesses can be bought over the counter without a prescription, so people can treat themselves without needing to see a GP. For example, simple painkillers and cough remedies can be bought directly from supermarkets and other stores.
Pharmacist’s supervision – Other types of medicine, such as eyedrops with antibiotics or emergency contraception, are available without a prescription but need a pharmacist’s supervision, so are only available to buy from behind the pharmacy counter.
Prescription-only medicines – such as antibiotics, must be prescribed by a qualified health professional.
Under UK law, only “appropriate practitioners” can prescribe medicine in the UK.
A prescriber is a healthcare professional who can write a prescription. This applies to both NHS prescriptions and private prescriptions.
Appropriate practitioners are:
Prescriptions
The Prescriber should explain to the individual what the medication is for, why it should be taken and any common side effects. The Prescriber should review the need for long term medication at regular intervals whilst monitoring the individual’s medical condition.
An individual is usually given a prescription to take to a chemist or pharmacist to exchange for the medication. In some situations, more likely in hospital, prescribed medication will be given or administered direct to the individual.
This is what a prescription will look like.
It must include this information:
- Patient’s name & address
- Drug name & strength
- When to take the drug
- How much to dispense
- Prescriber’s signature
- Prescriber’s address
The dispenser is usually a pharmacist or a pharmacy assistant who is overseen by a pharmacist.
The dispenser will:
- Check the prescription is valid
- Accurately dispense the medication
- Legally label the container
The label must include:
- Individual’s full name and date of birth
- Pharmacy name and address
- Date medication dispensed
- Supplier name and address
- Medication name
- How much is in the container and the strength
- Medication dosage (how much to take and when)
- Administration route (how to take it)
- Special instructions, warnings or cautions
- Expiry or use by date
Pharmacists will give advice on all aspects of medication.
Some Pharmacists provide delivery services.
.svg)
