Emergency Medicine Supply
Run out of regular medication? If you need a previously prescribed medicine urgently and cannot obtain a prescription in time, our pharmacist may be able to provide an emergency NHS supply.
The service is available throughout our opening hours when a pharmacist is present. You can visit without an appointment, although calling ahead can help us check availability and stock.
Through NHS Wales
Free service
Help when you have run out of regular medication
We understand that people sometimes run out of important regular medication. If you need your medicine urgently and cannot obtain a prescription in time, speak to our pharmacist.
The NHS Wales Emergency Medicines Supply service allows a pharmacist to assess your request, confirm your regular medication and, where clinically and legally appropriate, provide an urgent supply without waiting for a new prescription.
Where the service criteria are met, the pharmacist consultation and any medicine supplied are free through NHS Wales.
Every request is considered individually. If an emergency supply cannot be made, we will explain the reason and help direct you to the most appropriate service.
When we may be able to help
The service may be suitable when:
- You have unexpectedly run out of regular prescribed medication
- You need the medicine before a prescription can reasonably be obtained
- The medicine has previously been prescribed for you
- The pharmacist can confirm the medicine, strength and usual dose
- Missing or delaying the medicine could affect your health
Every request requires an individual pharmacist assessment. Some medicines cannot be supplied through this service, and an emergency supply cannot be guaranteed.
What information should I bring?
Please bring any information that may help us confirm your regular medication, such as:
- A repeat-prescription slip, if available
- The medicine box or dispensing label
- The name, strength and usual dose of the medicine
- Your NHS number, if known
- Details of your GP practice
- Suitable identification, if requested
Do not worry if you do not have everything listed. Contact or visit the pharmacy and we will explain what information may be needed. Where available, the pharmacist can access your Welsh GP medication record to help confirm your regular medicines.
How it works
Contact or visit the pharmacy
Call or visit Tynewydd Pharmacy as soon as you realise that you may run out. No appointment is required, although calling ahead may help us check stock.
Speak with the pharmacist
The pharmacist will ask about the medicine, your usual dose and why you need it urgently. The consultation will be handled professionally and confidentially.
We confirm your regular medication
Where available, we will check your Welsh GP medication record. Medicine boxes, repeat slips and other records can also help us confirm what has previously been prescribed.
The pharmacist assesses your request
The pharmacist will decide whether an emergency supply is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Every request is considered individually.
Receive your medicine or further help
When a supply is appropriate and the medicine is in stock, it can normally be provided during the same visit. If it is unavailable, we will try to obtain it promptly or help identify another appropriate option, depending on how urgently it is needed.
The amount supplied will depend on the medicine, your circumstances and the relevant clinical and legal requirements.
What happens if we cannot make an emergency supply?
Sometimes a medicine cannot legally or safely be supplied without a prescription, or the pharmacist may be unable to confirm the required information. If this happens, we will explain the reason clearly and consider how urgently the medicine is needed.
Where appropriate, we will help direct you to your GP practice, NHS 111 Wales or another suitable healthcare service.
Frequently asked questions
Make managing regular medicines easier
Once your immediate medication needs have been resolved, we can help reduce the risk of you running out again. Tynewydd Pharmacy offers an automatic repeat prescription ordering service for suitable patients, helping ensure regular prescriptions are requested when they are due.
Speak to our team to find out whether this service is suitable for your medicines and GP practice.
Ask About Automatic Repeat OrderingRun out of regular medication?
Call or visit Tynewydd Pharmacy as soon as possible. A pharmacist is available throughout our opening hours to assess your request. Calling ahead is helpful if you would like us to check medicine availability, but it is not required.
An emergency supply remains subject to an individual pharmacist assessment, confirmation of previous prescribing, clinical suitability, legal requirements and stock availability.