Patients used to ordering repeat prescriptions at their local pharmacy may be in for a surprise: a new scheme due to be rolled out across Cambridgeshire will require GPs rather than chemists to authorise repeat medications.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group says this would cut down on the £7.5 million worth of medicines wasted throughout its area each year.
The scheme, which has already been piloted and evaluated in Wisbech, also aims to ensure that patients only get the medication they need and that it is regularly reviewed.
“Previously patients could sign up to a managed repeat prescription service with their pharmacy whereby the pharmacy would automatically request medication on the patient’s behalf.”
The new process is expected to be rolled out to 50 practises a year and would “not impact on vulnerable patients where alternative arrangements are in place”, the CCG said.
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