Salisbury pharmacies urge regular medication requests made now

Those with repeat prescriptions are being encouraged not to be left short over Christmas

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 12th Dec 2024

People in Wiltshire relying on regular medication are being advised to ensure they're prepared for the festive period by getting repeat prescriptions ordered now.

The call comes from the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, as the recommended deadline approaches.

Pharmacists from across the region have recommended that any person nearing the end of their current supply of medication should order their next batch of medicine no later than Friday 13 December.

Getting requests in by then will allow pharmacy teams to order what they need during one of their busiest periods and ensure it arrives before Christmas Eve, as most pharmacies will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Missing medication could have potential consequences for people of all ages who are living with either a long or short-term condition, but the impact is often worse for

those who are older or considered vulnerable.

Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “While Christmas is a

couple of weeks away, we’re asking people who need to arrange a repeat prescription to get this in as soon as possible.

“Pharmacy teams across the region always do whatever they can to turn prescriptions around as quickly as possible, but even when it isn’t Christmas, some

of the most common prescriptions can take a week or more to be processed, so at this time of year, it’s essential to prepare early.

“We’re also asking friends and family members of people who may need assistance with ordering and collecting their prescriptions to help wherever possible.”

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered through the NHS app or by calling our GP practice directly.

We can also check the festive opening times of our closest pharmacy on the NHS website.

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