How to get medicines delivered – fastest online prescriptions including Boots, Asda and Superdrug for medication

BRITS who are worried about leaving their home can get repeat prescriptions delivered to their door – here's everything you need to know.

Retailers including Asda, Boots and Superdrug are just some of the big-name high street brands offering this type of service.

It could be a good option if you take routine medication, as GPs continue to ask the public to stay away from surgeries to help stop coronavirus.

However, this is only useful for medication that you've already been prescribed by a doctor.

For anything else that needs a prescription, you'll likely need to try and arrange a telephone appointment with your GP first.

The store you choose to get your medication delivered by will check with your doctor before putting through your order.

Usual NHS prescription charges, which are currently £9.15 per item, will also still apply.

However, you may be entitled to free prescriptions depending on your age and personal circumstances.

We'd recommend ordering your medication in plenty of time so you don't risk running out.

Asda

Asda has launched a free prescription delivery service to help those who are self-isolating or are less able to visit stores.

This new delivery set-up launched on April 10 and is available across all of Asda's 255 pharmacies.

To use the service, you need to be classed as a vulnerable customer and already have an existing prescription set-up with Asda.

Asda is deciding who is vulnerable as those who get a free prescription.

Customers who qualify for delivery are advised to call their nearest store to arrange the service.

When the service first launched, Asda warned it was experiencing a high backlog of pharmacy orders to get through.

We've asked Asda how long their delivery times usually are and we'll update this article when we know more.

For shoppers who can get to stores, Asda pharmacies are still operating, although opening hours and services offered may have changed.

Use the Asda online store finder tool to see the latest opening times.

Can I get a free NHS prescription?

YOU can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

• are 60 or over
• are under 16
• are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• are an NHS inpatient

You're also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income support
• income-based jobseeker's allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• Pension credit guarantee credit
• Universal Credit and meet the criteria

If you're entitled to or named on:

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice. You qualify if you get child tax credits, working tax credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
• a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

Boots

Boots also offers a free prescription service, which can be accessed online or over the phone.

In fact, the retailer has just announced it's hired 500 extra delivery drivers to help get medication out to as many customers as possible.

To order your medication, you'll need to provide your details including the name of your GP and prescription items.

Boots will then contact your doctor to verify the order.

Once approved, you'll be notified by Boots when your item has been sent out for delivery by Royal Mail.

You can order prescription items for yourself, or for a family or friend.

Not all GPs allow prescriptions to be processed this way, so you may want to check with your surgery over the phone first.

The Sun has asked Boots for its approximate delivery times and if it's currently experiencing any delays or extreme demands for this service.

Boots delivered an average of 90,000 prescriptions a week last month.

Superdrug

Superdrug's home delivery prescription service is free for customers too.

However, the retailer has warned some orders may experience a delay due to a high demand of prescriptions being put through.

With this in mind, Superdrug advises allowing plenty of time for them to process your medication.

You'll need to sign up to Superdrug online to use their delivery service.
When you sign up, the retailer will ask you for your doctor's surgery details, as well as the type of medication you want to order.

The Sun is checking with Superdrug regarding how long it expects orders to take.

For any items that don't require a prescription, Superdrug has just launched a new same-day delivery service from 300 stores.

Lloyd's Pharmacy

To get medication delivered through Lloyd's Pharmacy, you need to sign up for free to its repeat prescription service Echo.

As well as delivering to your home, Lloyd's also delivers to 10,500 Post Office click and collect points.

Lloyd's delivery is also free.

Like other services, you'll need to sign up with your GP and personal details.
You'll also then have your information checked by your usual doctor before any prescription is sent out.

Lloyd's says its online service works with 9,500 NHS England GP surgeries.

We've asked the pharmacy chain if it's experiencing any delays to its service.

Pharmacy2U

Pharmacy2U is an online-only service offering free home delivery prescriptions.

You'll need to register first with your regular GP details and personal information.

Once you're signed up, you'll need to say what type of medication you need.

After it's been approved by your doctor, the medicine will then be sent out to your home.

Pharmacy2U recommends placing your order seven to ten days before you need it to arrive.

We've also rounded up where you can buy coronavirus n95 face masks.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former PM Tony Blair have both added their voices to the calls for facial coverings and masks.

Teachers have also warned they may not go back to school without masks or other PPE to protect them.

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