I’m sure we all know someone who get repeat prescriptions in Shropshire – a timely warning here from one of our clients.
A new way of ordering repeat prescriptions which has been in place in Telford for a year is now being rolled out across the rest of Shropshire – and one pharmacy boss is urging people to leave plenty of time to get their order.
Ian Swindell, pharmacist at Lunts Pharmacies in Shrewsbury, Craven Arms and Pontesbury, said the new Prescription Ordering Direct service can vary from surgery to surgery.
He said: “The service can be very effective.
“However it can differ from surgery to surgery – sometimes an order can be signed off by doctors and the prescription be at the pharmacy within minutes.
“Sometimes it takes 48 hours – and then the pharmacy may have to order the medication in.
“The prescription will always be ready within 48 hours, however the medication may not be.
“I would urge people to order their repeat medication a week before they run out, to ensure it will definitely be there ready to pick up.”
The service, which is used by seven medical practices across Telford, will be rolled out across surgeries around the rest of Shropshire over the coming months.
Lunts Pharmacies will still continue to dispense and deliver prescriptions as normal.
Customers will simply need to follow the advice given out by their surgery.
“Essentially not much will change for customers,” Mr Swindell said.
“It is more of a change in the system behind the scenes and we want to warn customers that the extra layer of administration introduced could cause a delay to the ordering process.
“Please be aware and leave plenty of time to ensure you do not run out of vital medication.”
For more information about Lunts Pharmacies visit the website https://lunts.net/ or call 01743 232857.
