Quick takeaways Moving house, changing insurance or simply wanting a pharmacy nearer home are all good reasons to switch. A little preparation keeps your medicines arriving without a gap.
The simplest way to transfer a prescription is usually to contact the pharmacy you want to use, give them your details and the names of your medicines, and let them request the transfer from your current pharmacy. In some places you can also change your nominated pharmacy online or through your prescriber's surgery. The exact process depends on where you live, the type of medicine and whether your prescription is on paper or electronic, so a short call to the new pharmacy is a sensible first step.
Common reasons to switch
- Moving house or starting work somewhere new.
- Wanting longer opening hours, home delivery or a branch closer to home.
- Changes to insurance or to what a medicine costs.
- Spending a long stretch away from home.
- Wanting every medicine at one pharmacy, so one team can check them together.
Information to have ready
| What to gather | Why the pharmacy needs it |
|---|---|
| Full name, date of birth and address | To find and match your records |
| Name and phone number of your current pharmacy | So the new pharmacy can contact them |
| Name and strength of each medicine | Copy these from the label rather than from memory |
| Prescription or reference numbers | Speeds things up where they are used |
| Your prescriber's name | In case a fresh prescription is needed |
| Insurance or payment details | Where these apply in your country |
| Allergies and other medicines you take | So the new team can check for interactions |
If you are unsure where any of these details appear, our guide to reading a prescription label walks through each part of the sticker.
Step by step
- Choose the new pharmacy and call ahead. Ask whether they stock your medicines or can order them, and how transfers work there.
- Hand over your details. Give the information listed above. Some pharmacies have a transfer form on their website or app.
- Let the pharmacies talk. In many systems the new pharmacy contacts the old one, or the electronic prescription is simply redirected.
- Agree on timing. Ask when the medicine will be ready, and do not leave it until your last dose; allow a few working days.
- Check on collection. Make sure the name, medicine, strength and directions match what you were taking.
- Update your own records. Change the pharmacy in any reminder tools, and tell your doctor's surgery if it sends prescriptions directly.
Things that can complicate a transfer
- Controlled medicines. Some strong painkillers, sleeping tablets and other controlled drugs are covered by stricter rules, and a new prescription may be needed instead of a transfer.
- No repeats left. If the prescription has no remaining refills, the new pharmacy will need a fresh one from your prescriber.
- Crossing borders. Prescriptions usually cannot be moved between countries, and sometimes not between regions. Raise it with your prescriber well before you travel.
- Stock. A smaller pharmacy may need a day or two to order a less common medicine.
- A different manufacturer. The new pharmacy may stock another maker's version, which can look different. Our explainer on generic vs brand-name drugs covers why that happens and when to ask about it.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until you have run out before starting the switch.
- Spreading medicines across several pharmacies without telling each one, which makes interaction checks harder.
- Assuming an online change has gone through without confirming it.
- Forgetting to collect or cancel anything already waiting at the old pharmacy.
Common questions
Do I need to tell my old pharmacy?
Often the new pharmacy handles it, but it is courteous and useful to let the old one know, especially if they manage repeat prescriptions or deliver to you.
Will my medicine history move with me?
Not always in full. Bring an up-to-date list of everything you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
Is there a charge?
Transfers themselves are usually free, but medicine prices and insurance arrangements vary between pharmacies and countries. Ask before you switch.
Settling in with a new pharmacy
Staying with one pharmacy team pays off over time: they get to know your medicines, can spot problems early and can tell you about services you might not know exist. Many advertise those services in store, as our article on digital signage in pharmacies explains. Once everything is in place, a simple tool such as a medication reminder app can help you keep track of repeats so the next order goes in on time.
Rules on prescriptions differ from place to place, so if anything about your own medicines is unclear, your pharmacist or prescriber is the person to ask.
One thing first
A guide, not a verdict
Our pages are good for understanding a topic and for writing down the questions you want to ask. They cannot tell you what is happening in your own mouth, lungs or body.
If anything here seems to clash with what your dentist, pharmacist or doctor has told you, their advice comes first.
The writers at Inside Schizophrenia
The topic map
Before you use this site. Everyday reading only. Your dentist, pharmacist or doctor knows your own situation.