Choose a suitable pharmacy
Consider registration, location, opening hours, stock, price and whether it can handle the prescription format and medicine safely.
Pharmacy hand-off
From clinical decision to pharmacy supply.
How pharmacy choice, stock, collection, delivery windows and fees work after a doctor has decided that a private prescription is appropriate.
A consultation does not guarantee medicine. The doctor may recommend advice, pharmacy care, tests, examination, follow-up or another service instead.
GMC-registered doctorsIndependent prescribing decisions
CQC-registered serviceCare within a regulated setting
Pharmacy hand-off explainedSupply and charges kept clear
Check the route
Is this the right starting point?
Prescription requests can look simple but still depend on diagnosis, records, monitoring and the urgency of the situation.
Wait for confirmation
A prescription being sent does not mean the medicine is ready. The pharmacy must receive it, complete checks and confirm collection or delivery.
Use the right urgent route
If you have completely run out, delivery is delayed or missing a dose may be harmful, speak to a pharmacist or use NHS 111 rather than waiting without advice.
Clinical decision
What the doctor considers.
The prescriber and dispensing pharmacy have different responsibilities. The doctor makes and records the clinical decision; the pharmacy checks the prescription, medicine, supply arrangements and counselling before handing it over.
The clinician is responsible for every prescription signed and may need to change, delay or decline the requested plan to keep care safe.
01
Your pharmacy choice
You can state a preferred pharmacy. Check that it is registered and willing to accept the private prescription before relying on it.
02
Prescription hand-off
The method—such as a compliant electronic route or another valid format—depends on the prescription and the receiving pharmacy.
03
Stock and clarification
The pharmacy may need to order stock or contact the prescriber. A different strength, form or medicine requires an authorised clinical decision.
04
Collection or delivery
The pharmacy confirms readiness, identity requirements, address coverage, courier window, cold-chain or controlled-medicine arrangements and any fee.
Prepare once
Give the doctor the full picture.
Accurate details reduce delay and make it easier to decide what is safe. Share clinical information only through the route provided for your consultation.
Have ready
- The full name, address and contact details of your preferred pharmacy
- A backup pharmacy option if stock or opening hours are uncertain
- Your correct delivery address and a contact number supplied through the secure process
- Photo identification if the pharmacy says it is required
- Time to receive counselling and check the label before using the medicine
Important limits
- There is no universal same-day cut-off across pharmacies
- Do not travel until the pharmacy confirms the medicine is ready
- Medicine, dispensing and delivery charges are set by the pharmacy
- A courier delay does not make it safe to miss or double a dose
- Never buy prescription medicine from an unregistered seller or informal social-media source
A joined-up route
From request to next step.
The prescription is one possible point in the pathway—not the whole service.
Choose
Identify a registered pharmacy and check its opening hours, supply method and likely stock.
Send
After prescribing, the valid prescription is directed through the agreed route.
Confirm
The pharmacy checks the prescription and tells you the price, availability and collection or delivery window.
Receive safely
Check your name, medicine, strength and directions; ask the pharmacist about use, storage and side effects.
Useful answers
Before you book.
Clear expectations help the appointment focus on the decision that matters.
Can I use any pharmacy?
You can usually choose a pharmacy willing and able to dispense the valid private prescription. Some prescription formats or medicines need specific arrangements, so check before the prescription is sent.
What is the delivery cut-off?
There is no single Allhours GP or nationwide pharmacy cut-off. Timing depends on when the pharmacy receives and accepts the prescription, stock, professional checks, opening hours, delivery area and courier schedule.
Who tells me the medicine price?
The pharmacy. Its charge can include the medicine, dispensing and delivery. Ask for the total before supply if cost matters to your decision.
What happens if the medicine is out of stock?
Ask the pharmacy what it can obtain and when. Do not accept a different medicine, strength or formulation unless the pharmacy has made the appropriate prescriber clarification.
Can someone collect for me?
Often, but the pharmacy sets identity, consent and controlled-medicine requirements. Contact it first so the collector brings what is needed.
Arrange an assessment
Start with the GP conversation.
Use the appointment route for a clinical assessment. For a practical question, email your name, contact details and the type of prescription review you need. Please do not put symptoms, medicines or other medical information in ordinary email; we will explain the secure route.
Prescription enquiries
Questions about the appointment or prescription hand-off.
Emailinfo@allhoursgp.com
Address22 Oxford Court,
Manchester
Manchester
Medicine supplyArranged with a pharmacy
Official guidance used for this page:
GPhC online pharmacy guidance ↗GMC prescribing and medicines guidance ↗NHS emergency prescriptions ↗NHS: how pharmacies can help ↗
General information only. Follow the directions on your prescription and medicine label, read the patient information leaflet and ask the prescriber or pharmacist if anything is unclear.