How to request a refill
The quickest route is always your pharmacy. They can send the request straight to us, and we can act on it without a game of telephone.
- Call your pharmacy 3 to 5 days before you run out. If you use a mail order service, contact them one to two weeks ahead.
- Ask your pharmacist to send the refill request to our office. Once we receive it, we will authorize the refill if it is appropriate.
- If you have not been seen recently, the refill may be declined and you will be asked to book a visit first — particularly for medications that need monitoring.
What to have ready
Having these to hand when you contact us means we can deal with the request in one go rather than calling you back:
- Your full name and date of birth
- The name of the medication and, if you have it, the prescription number
- The name and phone number of your pharmacy
- The date you asked the pharmacy for the refill
- The best number to reach you on
How long it takes
Please allow up to 72 business hours from the time we receive the request. Refills are issued during office hours so the doctor can review your record first, and that review is the reason for the wait.
Don't leave it until you have run out — if you do, you may go without until the request can be processed. Outside office hours, refills are handled on an emergency, case-by-case basis only.
When we may ask to see you first
A refill is a clinical decision, not an administrative one. Repeat prescriptions are provided for conditions that need long-term medication, but we may ask you to come in for a review before renewing, so we can see how you are doing on the medication and whether the dose is still right.
If the doctor has ordered lab work, please make sure it has been done before requesting your refill.
Controlled medications
Prescriptions for controlled medications are not issued after hours or at weekends, and must be collected in person at the office. Please plan ahead for these — they cannot be arranged by phone at short notice.