Needing medicine in an emergency
When a loved one needs medicine in an emergency, knowing how to get it quickly is vital for their wellbeing.
This guide will help you navigate through the process in the UK effectively and ensure you can help them and keep them safe and well.
It is a common occurrence to run out of an essential and important medicine. It could happen to your parent in all sorts of circumstances:
- if they forget to organise their routine prescriptions
- if they go to stay with a relative and forget to pack their medicine
- if they go on holiday
- if they are discharged from hospital without all their medicines
Fortunately, this is a common situation and usually it can be easily rectified.
Emergency Medicine Supplies from a Pharmacy
You can often access a suitable short term emergency medicine supply of medicine by speaking to a high street pharmacist or 24 hour chemist and explaining the situation.
This will be quicker and easier if you have some proof of identity and regular use of that medicine – perhaps an old prescription slip or some old packaging or container.
The pharmacist will need to discuss the matter with you to understand the situation, the importance of ongoing treatment, who usually prescribes the medicine and what sort of dose might be appropriate. In surgery hours, they might contact the GP surgery and discuss the request with them.
If the pharmacist is not satisfied that the request is appropriate they may not supply the medicine. If they agree with the request they might issue an emergency prescription supply for up to 30 days of treatment.
Some medicines are under such tight control – typically morphine based painkillers or some medicines to treat epilepsy – that a pharmacist will not issue these in any circumstances.
Beware, some pharmacies might actually charge for this service and/or the medicine.
Getting an NHS Emergency Prescription from a Doctor
Alternative options include:
- contacting the GP surgery
- phoning NHS 111
- request a consultation at the nearest walk in centre
In all settings you will need to explain the situation and the doctor will be able to advise on how urgent or important it is to get a replacement medicine and the practical arrangements for doing so.
They might be able to issue an emergency prescription which you can take to, or collect from, a pharmacy and some walk-in centres might even dispense certain medicines.
As for pharmacies, arranging a supply of controlled medicines will be much harder.
What to Do if the Pharmacy Doesn't Have your Medication
If it’s an emergency and you’ve tried all of the above unsuccessfully you will need to contact the nearest A&E department.
Stay in touch with The Carents Room
Stay informed and supported on your carenting journey with our newsletter, designed to provide you with:
- Practical Tips: Get expert advice and useful tips to help you navigate the challenges of caring for your elderly relatives.
- Latest Updates: Stay up-to-date with the latest news, research, and developments in health and care services.
- Community Insights: Hear from fellow carents, sharing their experiences and stories to support you.
- Exclusive Resources: Access special content and resources designed to make your role as a carer easier and more effective.
Join our community today and make carenting a smoother, more informed experience. Simply enter your email below to start receiving our carefully curated content straight to your inbox.