Medically reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last reviewed November 2026.
If you run out of a regular medicine, contact your GP surgery first, or use NHS 111 online, a pharmacy or an urgent treatment centre for an emergency supply. Visitors and anyone who needs it quickly can see a private doctor, who reviews your history and prescribes where it is safe to do so. The Online GP by The Wellness offers repeat prescriptions from £59 and urgent refills from £110.
Key points
Stopping some medicines suddenly, such as antidepressants, blood pressure tablets or epilepsy treatment, can cause withdrawal effects or relapse.
In England, pharmacies can supply certain medicines in an emergency without a prescription, and NHS 111 online can arrange an emergency supply.
A private doctor needs evidence of your current prescription, such as the pharmacy label, a prescription copy or a letter, before prescribing.
Some controlled drugs need an export licence if you carry three months’ supply or more out of the UK.
The Online GP by The Wellness offers repeat prescriptions from £59, new prescription consultations from £85 and urgent refills from £110.
What should I do if I run out of my medication?
If you run out of your medication, contact your GP surgery first. If that is not possible, the NHS guide to emergency prescriptions explains that NHS 111 online, a pharmacy, an urgent treatment centre or, in an emergency, A&E can help.
Do not double up on doses or borrow someone else’s medicine. If you have missed doses of a medicine for epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease or mental health, speak to a doctor or pharmacist the same day.
Can a private doctor prescribe my regular medicine?
Yes. A private doctor can prescribe your regular medicine when it is clinically safe, usually after a short consultation. The doctor checks your diagnosis, current dose and any recent monitoring, and confirms the medicine against evidence such as the pharmacy label, a prescription copy or a letter from your own doctor.
Some medicines need extra care. Controlled drugs, and medicines that need blood test monitoring, may only be prescribed in limited amounts or after liaising with your usual prescriber.
Ask a doctor on WhatsApp about an urgent prescription.
I am visiting London from abroad. Can I get my prescription here?
Yes. Visitors can see a private doctor in London, who can prescribe a UK equivalent of your medicine where it is safe. Bring your prescription, the medicine box or a letter from your doctor at home, ideally showing the generic name and dose, because brand names differ between countries.
Most people who run out have done nothing wrong. A trip ran long or a delivery went missing. With the right evidence in front of us, we can usually bridge the gap safely the same day.
What are the rules for travelling with medicines?
Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging in your hand luggage, with a copy of your prescription and a letter from your prescriber listing generic names. Pack enough for the whole trip plus extra in case of delays.
TravelHealthPro guidance on medicines and travel explains that some controlled drugs, including diazepam, codeine and methylphenidate, need an export licence if you take three months’ supply or more out of the UK. Check the rules of the country you are visiting too.
Ask a doctor on WhatsApp about a travel medication letter.
What happens when I request an urgent prescription?
An urgent prescription at The Online GP by The Wellness starts with your medicine and the evidence of your current prescription, continues with a doctor’s review, and ends with a prescription sent to a pharmacy that suits you.
Message the team on WhatsApp with the medicine, dose and when your last dose was.
Send a photo of the pharmacy label, prescription or letter from your own doctor.
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your history and checks it is safe to prescribe.
Where clinically appropriate, the doctor issues a prescription to a pharmacy that suits you.
You receive advice on next steps, including how to continue supply with your own doctor.
Checked by a doctor. Back on track today.
How much does a private prescription cost in London?
Repeat Prescription Refills at The Online GP by The Wellness cost £45. A New Prescription Consultation costs £85, and an Emergency or Urgent Refill costs £110. A Travel with Medication Letter costs £195.
Most people who have run out of a regular medicine book an Urgent Refill. Repeat Prescription Refills suit people already under our care. The cost of the medicine itself is paid at the pharmacy. Request a prescription on WhatsApp.
Can a doctor tell me whether my medicine can be prescribed?
Yes. Send the medicine name, dose and a photo of your label or prescription on WhatsApp. The team tells you whether a doctor can prescribe it and how quickly.
Start your free suitability review on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private doctor prescribe controlled drugs?
Some controlled drugs can be prescribed privately in limited amounts after a careful review. Others need your usual specialist or prescriber, and the doctor explains this at the start.
Can I use an overseas prescription in a UK pharmacy?
UK pharmacies generally cannot dispense prescriptions written outside the UK, apart from some written in the EEA or Switzerland. A UK doctor can review it and prescribe a UK equivalent where safe.
How quickly can I get an urgent prescription?
Once the doctor has the evidence they need, an urgent prescription can usually be issued the same day.
Do I need a letter to fly with my medicines?
A letter from your prescriber listing your medicines and generic names is advised, particularly for controlled drugs and injections.
Sources
NHS, Emergency prescriptions
TravelHealthPro, Medicines and travel
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