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At Coda Pharmacy, we know that managing your medicines isn’t always straightforward. Life can get busy, prescriptions can run late, and sometimes you might miss a dose. It happens more often than you’d think, and the important thing is knowing what to do next.
In this guide, we’ll explain what steps to take if your prescription is delayed or you’ve missed a dose, following current UK guidance. We’ll cover when it’s safe to take your next dose, how to avoid running out in the future, and when to contact your GP or pharmacist for extra support.
What to do if your prescription is late
If your prescription hasn’t arrived when expected, don’t worry — delays can happen for a number of reasons, and there are practical steps you can take to get things sorted quickly.
Common reasons for prescription delays
GP processing times: Most GP practices need up to 48 hours to approve and send prescriptions to the pharmacy.
Bank holidays or weekends: Requests made before holidays may take a little longer to process.
Stock issues: Sometimes certain medicines are temporarily out of stock. If this happens, your pharmacy will contact you and may be able to suggest an alternative or arrange a partial supply.
Repeat prescription timing: Ordering too close to your renewal date can cause a short delay, so it’s best to request your next supply around 5–7 days before you run out.
What to do if your repeat prescription hasn’t arrived or you’ve run out
Check your GP or pharmacy app to see if your prescription has been approved or is waiting to be dispensed.
Contact your pharmacy (such as Coda Pharmacy) we can check the status, chase it up with your GP if needed, and let you know when it’ll be ready.
When your pharmacist can issue an emergency supply
Under UK law, a pharmacist can provide a short emergency supply of certain prescription-only medicines if:
- You’ve previously been prescribed the medicine by your GP, and
- It’s safe and appropriate for you to continue taking it, and
- You can confirm the dose you normally take.
This usually covers a few days' supply to tide you over until your new prescription arrives. Some medicines (like controlled drugs) have stricter rules, so the pharmacist will advise you on what’s possible.
Who to contact for help
Your GP practice: if your prescription is still awaiting approval.
Coda Pharmacy: for advice, updates, or an emergency supply if you’ve run out.
NHS 111: if you can’t reach your GP or pharmacy and urgently need medication.
At Coda Pharmacy, we’ll always do our best to make sure you don’t go without your medicine. If your prescription is running late or you’re unsure what to do next, just get in touch, we’re here to help.
How avoid missed doses or late scripts in the future
Set helpful reminders: Use your phone’s alarm, a reminder app, or a smart speaker to prompt you when it’s time to take your medicine. Some apps even let you log each dose, which can be useful if you’re taking several medicines at different times of day. If you prefer something more visual, a pill organiser or weekly pill box can help you see at a glance whether you’ve taken each dose.
Use a repeat prescription service: If you take regular medicines, signing up for a repeat prescription service can save you time and stress. At Coda Pharmacy, we can manage your repeats directly with your GP, prepare your medicines in advance, and let you know when they’re ready for collection or delivery. This means you’re far less likely to run out and you don’t need to worry about remembering to order every month.
Order early: Try to order your next prescription around five to seven days before you’re due to run out. This gives your GP and pharmacy plenty of time to process and prepare it, even if there are delays due to weekends or stock issues.
Keep a medicine checklist or use blister packs: If you take several medicines, keeping a simple checklist can help you track what you’ve taken and when you need to reorder. For extra convenience, Coda Pharmacy can also supply blister packs, these are pre-sorted packs that show exactly which tablets to take each day, helping to prevent missed doses or mix-ups.
When to seek professional advice
Most of the time, missing a single dose or waiting a little longer for your prescription isn’t a major issue but in some cases, it can be important to get advice quickly. Knowing when to seek help can keep you safe and prevent complications.
When missing a dose could be serious
Some medicines need to be taken regularly to keep your condition stable. Missing even one or two doses could affect your health. This includes medicines such as:
- Insulin or other diabetes medicines
- Epilepsy treatments (e.g. sodium valproate, carbamazepine)
- Heart medicines (e.g. beta blockers, anticoagulants)
- Steroids or hormone treatments
- Antibiotics, if you stop too early, the infection may come back
If you’ve missed a dose of any of these, it’s best to contact your pharmacist or GP for specific guidance before taking your next one.
If you feel unwell after missing medicine
- If you experience new symptoms, worsening of your condition, or side effects after missing a dose, don’t ignore it. Contact your pharmacist or GP as soon as possible.
- If your symptoms are severe, for example, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of a serious allergic reaction call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
How your pharmacist can help
Your pharmacist is often the quickest and easiest person to speak to. At Coda Pharmacy, we can:
- Advise you on what to do if you’ve missed a dose
- Help you get back on track safely
- Check for any interactions or side effects
- In some cases, issue an emergency supply to tide you over until your next prescription
We can manage your repeat prescriptions directly with your GP, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to order each month. Our team will request your medicines in good time, prepare them for you, and let you know when they’re ready.
We provide free delivery nationwide on all NHS prescriptions, so you don’t need to worry about the hassle of getting to the pharmacy in time.
If you’re worried about a missed dose or a late prescription, get in touch with Coda Pharmacy today. Our friendly team is always happy to offer advice and make sure you never go without your medicines.
FAQ
What happens if I keep missing doses regularly?
If you often forget to take your medicine, it’s important to let your pharmacist or GP know. Missing doses over time can reduce how well your treatment works or cause your condition to worsen. At Coda Pharmacy, we can help you find practical solutions, such as blister packs, reminder systems, or adjusting your routine, to make it easier to stay consistent.
What if I’m travelling or away from home when I run out of medicine?
If you’re in the UK, you can visit any community pharmacy for advice or contact NHS 111 for help with an emergency supply. If you’re travelling abroad, take enough medicine with you for the whole trip, and a little extra in case of delays. The Coda Pharmacy team can help you plan ahead and provide documentation if needed for airport security or customs.
Coda Pharmacy is here to support you every step of the way. From offering expert advice to delivering your NHS prescriptions free of charge. If you have any questions about what you have read in this article or any of the services that Coda Pharmacy can provide you with, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us here.
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