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A repeat prescribing toolkit has been developed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and Royal College of GPs (RCGPs), designed to help primary care teams in England streamline repeat prescribing and cut medicines waste.
Commissioned by NHS England in response to a recommendation in the 2021 national overprescribing review report, the toolkit is “the first national good practice guidance on repeat prescribing in 20 years”, the RPS said.
The overprescribing review report estimated that at least 10% of the current volume of medicines in England may be overprescribed, at a time when there were more than 1.1 billion prescribed items dispensed each year.
In a statement announcing the toolkit on 8 October 2024, the RPS pointed out that 77% of the 1 billion prescriptions dispensed annually in England are repeat prescriptions.
The RPS also said that repeat prescriptions make up nearly 80% of NHS medicine costs for primary care.
“By streamlining repeat prescribing systems, the toolkit aims to improve patient care, addressing inconsistencies and potential oversupply, whilst reducing unnecessary medicines waste, saving NHS resources,” the statement said.
On account of repeat prescribing systems varying between individual general practices and community pharmacies, the toolkit sets out what should be included within a good practice repeat prescribing system.
It includes a self-assessment feature, designed to allow general practices or primary care networks to assess their own system and identify where improvements could be made.
The resource also gives case study examples that demonstrate best practice in specific areas, including: reducing waste and improving environmental sustainability; reducing workload by utilising digital capability; and supporting vulnerable patient groups.
Clare Howard, clinical lead author of the toolkit and a Fellow of the RPS, said: “The RPS/RCGP ‘Repeat prescribing toolkit’ represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and efficiency of repeat prescribing systems, ultimately benefiting patients and the NHS as a whole.
“By working together, the RCGP and RPS have developed practical guidance and useful resources which will enable GP practices and primary care networks to self-assess their current arrangements and make meaningful improvements in their repeat prescribing processes.”
Michael Mulholland, honorary secretary of the RCGP, said: “Safe and appropriate prescribing is a key skill for GPs, and something we take very seriously, taking into account the unique circumstances of every patient, in conversation with them. Repeat prescribing makes up a large part of general practice workload and we need to make sure we are always streamlining and improving the process.
“This new toolkit aims to support GP practice teams and primary care networks, working with community pharmacies and patients to create a collaborative, safe and efficient process for repeat prescribing with the aim of improving practice processes, patient care and reducing waste.”
Graham Prestwich, a patient representative and board member of Healthwatch Leeds, which took part in the 2021 national overprescribing review, said: “This toolkit from the professional bodies of the RPS and RCGPs provides a clear message to their members of the importance and value of helping and supporting patients, their families and carers, to complete important tasks and responsibilities that directly influence the safer and more effective use of medicines.
“The toolkit and associated resources help make communicating with patients about their repeat medicines simpler and more effective.”
