Heading off to sunny Spain or a local getaway in Essex? Remember your medication

Pharmacist speaking with a customer at a community pharmacy counter

NHS Essex is reminding people planning to travel over the bank holiday weekend to make sure they have enough medication before they go.

GP practices and many pharmacies will be closed on Monday 31 August for the bank holiday.

More people usually order repeat prescriptions before long weekends. To avoid running out of medication, NHS Essex recommends ordering repeat prescriptions at least seven working days before you need them.

“We see a lot of people come into our pharmacy just before a bank holiday. Often, they are anxious about getting medication which is quickly running out.

We all know how easy it is to forget about repeat prescriptions when looking forward to getting away on a weekend trip or a longer break. Even so, you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary worry by making sure your medication is at the top of your to do list.

If you need regular medication, you can request your repeat prescription through the NHS App or contact your GP practice. Give yourself at least seven working days before you’re due to run out, as this allows time for your prescription to be processed and medicines dispensed. If you’re going abroad, make sure you have enough for your whole trip as well as a buffer for unexpected delays.

Pharmacies like ours can also offer advice on keeping well while sunning it up. Whether that is skin care advice or remedies for stomach bugs, we’re here to help. So come on in!”

Tunde Sokoya, a local pharmacist in Buckhurst Hill
More information about pharmacy services in Essex

NHS App

The NHS App is a secure and easy way to access NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. You can use it to:

  • order repeat prescriptions and choose a pharmacy to collect them from
  • book and manage appointments, where this service is available from your GP practice
  • view parts of your GP health record, including your medicines and allergies
  • book and manage COVID-19 vaccinations
  • register your organ donation decision
  • choose how the NHS uses your data
  • view your NHS number
  • use NHS 111 online for health advice and support
Find out more about the NHS app