A major new report warns that the UK's repeat prescription system is costing patients an estimated £11.5 billion annually in time and travel expenses.
The Pharmacy2U study reveals that while the NHS spends £9 billion on repeat prescriptions each year, patients face far greater costs collecting them in person. People spend an average of 1 hour and 36 minutes monthly collecting prescriptions - equivalent to two-and-a-half working days per year - plus £78 annually in travel costs.
Patient trips and mix-ups
More than half (53%) of patients had to make second trips to pharmacies because prescriptions weren't ready, whilst a quarter (24%) abandoned visits due to long queues. One in three patients didn't receive prescriptions due to pharmacy or GP mix-ups.
Professor Waseem Jerjes, who co-authored the report, said: "Much has changed since the last Repeat Prescription Report in 2017, but the UK's prescribing system is still in transition."
Prescription trends
The report found that around half the population are on at least one repeat prescription, with diabetes treatments representing the largest NHS medication cost at £1.5bn yearly. Over-55s account for three-quarters of all NHS prescriptions.
Despite 70% of patients now using digital tools to order prescriptions, two-thirds still collect medicines in person at community pharmacies. A quarter of adults remain unaware that online pharmacies can deliver NHS prescriptions.
Impact on health conditions
The study highlights particular challenges for people with health conditions, with 47% of ADHD patients reporting stress from prescription collection issues and 57% of arthritis sufferers making multiple pharmacy trips.
