Gabapentin and pregabalin Posted or Updated on 16 Sep 2024

The law is changing from 1 April 2019. Pregabalin and gabapentin are being reclassified as controlled drugs.

Your GP and local pharmacy will ensure you continue to get the medicines you need.
Please remember to order your medicine in good time.

There will be some changes to the rules:

1. Up to 30 days’ supply is normally allowed on one prescription.
2. You must collect medicines from the pharmacy within 28 days of the date on the prescription (which is not always the date it was signed).
3. Any medicine ‘owed’ to you by the pharmacy must also be collected by that date.
4. For some GP practices it may no longer be possible to send the script
   electronically to the pharmacy. This does not apply if your GP practice uses the electronic prescription service for controlled drugs.
5. All patients will need to request repeat prescriptions each month from their GP practice. It will no longer be possible to get your medicine from the pharmacy using repeat or ‘batch’ dispensing.
6. If your GP practice does not use the electronic prescription service for
   controlled drugs, you or your representative (or collection service) will need to visit the GP practice in person to collect it each month. To set up someone as your representative, please contact the practice.
7. You or your representative will need to sign and show proof of identity at the pharmacy to be able to collect your medicine.
8. If you run out or need an emergency supply, you will need to phone your practice or GP out-of-hours service.

Your GP practice will make these changes before the law changes on 1 April 2019.

If you have any existing prescriptions for gabapentin or pregabalin please collect the medicines before 1 April 2019.