Repeat Prescriptions
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Why are repeat
prescriptions sometimes wrong?
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There are 3 main reasons:
1.
Patients or carers don’t order the right pills.
2.
Reception staff get the repeat prescription wrong
3.
An error is made in making up the prescription at the pharmacy.
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How
can Patients and Carers Order the Right Drugs?
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simple answer is to use the list that came with your last prescription. |
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1.
Go to your medicine cupboard and check what you
have in hand.
2.
Tick off on the repeat list, what you will need for your next
prescription.
3.
Either hand the list in to your GP’s receptionist or
4.
Use it to telephone in the repeat order.
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| Getting
Repeat Prescriptions Right Over the Phone |
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1.
Go through your repeat list being careful
to order each strength of every pill you need.
2.
If you have made up your own list be careful to order each
strength of any drug where you need pills of differing strengths for the
correct dose.
3.
Be careful in ordering because the programme used by
receptionists usually list drugs in chronological order, so changes go
at the end of the list. This can mean the lines for different strengths
of the same pill are a long way apart. This often leads to mistakes.
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Checking
your Prescription When It Is Collected
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It
is important that you check everything that you ordered has been
dispensed. Do this by: |
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1.
Having a list with you so you can check off
each item, if you can't remember what you need.
2.
Asking that everything is shown to you. You have to sign for it
so you should check it.
3.
Take care to check the strength of each pill is correct.
4.
Go by the chemical name of the drug, not its trade name. You may
be dispensed the same drug under a different name. If you have any
doubts then ask. |
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Any mistake in
prescriptions can seriously damage your health!
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