Run out of medication?

Ask a pharmacy first

Community pharmacists can often give an urgent supply of a medicine you are already prescribed, free of charge through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland. This is usually faster than contacting the practice.

• Go to any pharmacy — it does not have to be your usual one, though your usual pharmacy will have your history
• Take the empty box, the pharmacy label, your repeat slip or your medication list if you can
• The pharmacist will check it is safe and appropriate before supplying

Find local pharmacies and phone numbers.

When pharmacies are closed

If no pharmacy is open and you cannot safely wait — for example insulin, inhalers, epilepsy medicine or anticoagulants — call NHS 24 on 111. They can arrange an urgent supply or direct you to an open pharmacy elsewhere in Lothian.

When it is an emergency

Missing most medicines for a short time is uncomfortable rather than dangerous — but if you are becoming unwell because you have missed a critical medicine (for example diabetic medication or steroid tablets you must not stop), treat it as urgent: call NHS 24 on 111, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell right now. Please do not go to A&E just to obtain medication.

Plan ahead so it does not happen again

• Order when you have about one week of medication left — prescriptions are ready from 3pm on the third working day after you order. See when your prescription will be ready.
• Before holidays, order by the date shown in the closure banner that appears on every page of this site in the run-up to a closure.
• If you often run out, ask your pharmacy about managing your repeats for you.