Are you taking gabapentin or pregabalin?
The law is changing from 1 April 2019; pregabalin and gabapentin are being reclassified as controlled drugs.
There will be some changes to the rules:
- Up to 30 days’ supply is normally allowed on one prescription.
- You must collect medicines from the pharmacy within 28 days of the date on the prescription (which is not always the date the prescription was signed).
- Any medicine ‘owed’ to you by the pharmacy must also be collected by that date.
- For some GP practices it may no longer be possible to send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy. This does not apply if your GP practice uses the electronic prescription service for controlled drugs.
- All patients will need to request repeat prescriptions each month from their GP practice. It will no longer be possible to get your medicine from the pharmacy using repeat or ‘batch’ dispensing.
- If your GP practice does not use the electronic prescription service for controlled drugs, you or your representative (or prescription collection service) will need to visit the GP practice in person to collect your prescription each month. To set up someone as your representative, please contact the practice.
- You or your representative will need to sign and show proof of identity at the pharmacy to be able to collect your medicine.
- If you run out or need an emergency supply, you will need to phone your practice or GP out-of-hours service.
Self Care
We wanted to let you know about some changes the Practice will be making as a result of new guidance introduced by NHS England in March this year. The guidance made recommendations that GPs and other healthcare professionals should no longer routinely prescribe medicines which can be bought over the counter for minor and self-limiting conditions. These conditions include hay fever, cough and colds, temperatures/fevers, indigestion and headaches.
We have attached an information leaflet which provides help and advice on being self-care aware. It also tells you how best to treat yourself if you do suffer from a minor illness.
We would also like to remind you of the valuable service your community pharmacy offers. They are trained professionals who are able to talk through your symptoms, offering advice and reassurance on how long these may last and what to do if these continue or get worse.
We encourage you to visit the Stay Well Derbyshire website (www.nhsstaywellderbyshire.co.uk) to find out more information on how to self-care.
Self Care Patient Information Leaflet
http://nhsstaywellderbyshire.co.uk