If you have run out of prescribed medicine and need some urgently, there are a few ways to get an emergency supply, including out of hours.
How to get emergency prescription medicine
Use the 111 online emergency prescription service
If you get your medicine with a repeat prescription, you can use the 111 online emergency prescription service.
They'll ask some questions, including where you are and when you are due to take your medicine so they can suggest the best way to get it.
They may refer you to a pharmacy to get your medicine.
If your medicine is not prescribed as a repeat prescription, you can get help from 111 online or call 111 to discuss your options.
Visit a pharmacy
Pharmacies can provide certain emergency medicines to patients even if they don't have a prescription, but you may need to pay.
Visit an urgent treatment centre
You may be able to get your medicine from an urgent treatment centre after a consultation.
Call your GP surgery
You can call your GP surgery. If it's outside their usual opening hours, they should have details of their out-of-hours service recorded on their answering machine.
Use the NHS Find a GP service to get a GP surgery’s phone number.
Go to A&E if it's an emergency
If it's an emergency go to A&E.
Page last reviewed: 15 January 2024
Next review due: 15 January 2027
