How to get an emergency prescription in the UK
Finding an emergency prescription in the UK is normally fairly straightforward. Call the NHS 111 service or use our pharmacy finder to get the access you need.
If you find that you run out of your prescription medication, it can be easy to panic about what to do next. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to pick up an emergency prescription in the UK.
Generally speaking, the quickest route is to contact the NHS’ 111 service, either online or by phone. This is completely free, available 24/7 and, if you qualify for emergency medication, allows you to pick up your prescription from an out-of-hours GP or pharmacy.
But there are several other ways to get an emergency prescription in the UK as well. Here’s a quick overview of the most common options.
| Route to medication | Best for… |
|---|---|
| NHS 111 service | Out-of-hours prescriptions or general situations where you’re unsure what to do |
| Direct pharmacy visit | During the day when pharmacies are open |
| Visiting your GP (or out-of-hours GP) | During the day, or in cases where you’ve lost your prescription |
| Urgent treatment centres | When you need emergency medical advice and treatment |
What is an emergency prescription?
Having an emergency prescription provides you with a short-term supply of your regular prescription that you may have run out of or not have available for some reason.
It essentially acts as a way to keep up with your medications in situations where you don’t have access to your regular prescription.
Being administered an emergency prescription won’t give you access to a brand-new medicine you’ve never taken before. It only provides you with access to an existing prescription available on your medical records.
If you experience new symptoms that you need an alternative prescription to treat, you will need to arrange an appointment with your doctor to talk about the next steps.
Keeping on top of your prescription is crucial too, since it can be dangerous to suddenly stop taking any medications you have been prescribed.
How to get an emergency prescription using the NHS 111 service
The NHS offer a free service which may help you to source an emergency prescription, known as 111.
This is completely free in England, Wales and Scotland and is available 24 hours a day, allowing you to access medical support whenever you need.
Here’s how the process works:
Visit the NHS 111 website, or call 111 from your phone. The service is known as NHS 24 in Scotland, but is available on the same number.
Answer a few short questions about your prescription and the medication you need. This will include a quick assessment of your symptoms, location and the reason you need the medication.
If you qualify, the NHS will pass your details on to a nearby pharmacy to provide you with your medication. They can also organise access to an out-of-hours GP or pharmacy, if required.
When you pick up your prescription, it’ll be the same process as normal. You’ll need to pay the standard prescription charge, unless you’re exempt. Then make sure to use your treatment as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
How to get an emergency prescription from a pharmacy
If you realise you’ve run out of your medication while your local pharmacy is still open, you can usually ask your pharmacist for an emergency supply, however if you are not home, or in a different city from usual, you can find your nearest pharmacy and check it's open before heading out.
However, this is at the discretion and professional judgement of the pharmacist, and they will need to be certain that the medication is needed before supplying it to you.
For instance, you will need to provide proof that:
You have been prescribed the medication before
You have an urgent need for it
The dosage required is correct for your needs
If you have an old proof of prescription document, or access to your medical history, taking this in with you can help speed up the process.
Once the pharmacist has been reassured you need the medication, they can then decide how much to dispense to you and recommend how often you should take it.
Are there any medications you can’t access in an emergency?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible for pharmacies to prescribe every type of medication in an emergency situation, and there are certain controlled medications that aren’t available.
This includes Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 controlled drugs like:
Methadone
Oxycodone
Tramadol
Buprenorphine
Temazepam
Midazolam
Pregabalin
Gabapentin
You will also typically not be able to access medications commonly used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, such as methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and dexamfetamine.
If you run out of any of these, contact the NHS’ 111 service or your out-of-hours GP instead, as you will need to have evidence of a valid prescription.
How much do emergency prescriptions cost in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Each country that makes up the United Kingdom does things slightly differently from one another when it comes to pricing prescriptions.
In England, you will need to pay £9.90 per item as part of your NHS prescription charge. However, you can make this slightly cheaper by signing up for a prescription prepayment certificate.
Prescriptions are completely free across the other countries of the UK, including Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
That said, if you need to use an out-of-hours pharmacy, they may be able to set an additional charge for using their service.
Can you get an emergency prescription over Christmas and on bank holidays?
Since GP surgeries close over Christmas, New Year and the various bank holidays we have throughout the year, these times will often catch a lot of people out.
That’s why it’s important to plan ahead by ordering your repeat prescription in advance of the holidays or long weekends.
If you do run out of your prescription during these times, the NHS’ 111 service still runs 24/7 at all times of the year. Pharmacies also typically operate with different opening hours, so keep an eye out for any updates.
If your regular pharmacy isn’t open, take a look at our directory of over 10,900 pharmacies, which includes their opening hours and relevant contact information.
FAQs about emergency prescriptions in the UK
- How can I get an emergency prescription without seeing a GP?
If you urgently need a prescription and your regular GP practice is closed, you can get an emergency supply by contacting the NHS’ 111 service or asking a pharmacist directly.
Unless you take a specific type of controlled drug, you generally won’t need to contact your GP first. If you have new symptoms rather than running out of existing medication, pharmacists can also assess and treat seven common conditions, see our guide to what Pharmacy First can treat.
- How much medication will I be administered?
The answer to this depends on the type of medication you require and your specific medical situation.
By speaking to a specialist via NHS 111 or in-person with a pharmacist, they will be able to work out how much of your prescription to give you.
- What happens if I lose my prescription before I collect it?
This happens more than you might think. Simply contact your GP surgery to explain the situation.
Many practices maintain an online record, so will be able to reissue your prescription electronically to any pharmacy of your choosing.
Find a pharmacy near you
Running out of your prescription medicine can be a stressful experience. But there’s normally a way to rectify the situation and source a replacement both quickly and easily.
Being able to find a pharmacy helps a lot, which is where we can help.
Our pharmacy finder allows you to search by location, check opening hours and check which NHS services are available at each pharmacy.
It’s there to help you access the emergency prescription you need, whenever you need it most.
