# Emergency Medicine Supply at a Pharmacy | Pick My Pharmacy

URL: https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/answers/can-a-pharmacy-give-an-emergency-supply/
Description: Pharmacists can provide an emergency supply of most regular medicines if you've run out and can't reach a prescriber in time.

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Using Your Pharmacy

# Can a pharmacy give an emergency supply of medicine?

By [Kaiser Khan](/author/kaiser-khan/) · Updated 9 July 2026

In short

Yes. If you've run out of a regular medicine and can't get a new prescription in time — for example over a weekend or holiday — a pharmacist can usually provide an emergency supply, either at your request or at a prescriber's request, for most medicines except certain controlled drugs.

At a glance

- ·Covers most regular prescribed medicines
- ·Excludes most controlled drugs (with limited exceptions)
- ·Pharmacist decides based on urgency and your medical history
- ·You may be asked to show packaging or proof you take the medicine
- ·Usually only bridges you until you can get a new prescription

## When an emergency supply applies

This is designed for situations where you've run out of a medicine you take regularly and there's no reasonable way to get a new NHS or private prescription in time — commonly over a weekend, bank holiday, or while travelling. The pharmacist uses their professional judgement to decide whether it's appropriate.

## What the pharmacist will ask

They'll want to confirm what you're taking, the dose, and how long you've been on it — showing an empty packet, repeat prescription slip, or medication list helps. They may also ask why you don't have your usual supply and when you can next get a prescription.

## What isn't covered

Most controlled drugs (such as strong painkillers or certain sleeping tablets) can't be supplied this way except in narrow, specific circumstances. There may also be a charge for an emergency supply, even in nations where NHS prescriptions are otherwise free, since it isn't dispensed against an NHS prescription.

Next step

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## People Also Ask
Is there a charge for an emergency supply?+
Often yes, since it's supplied outside the normal NHS prescription process — the pharmacist can tell you the cost before proceeding.
Can I get an emergency supply for someone else's medicine?+
No, an emergency supply is assessed individually based on your own medical history and the pharmacist's professional judgement about your specific situation.

Keep reading

- [What happens if my medication is out of stock?](/answers/what-happens-if-my-medication-is-out-of-stock/)
- [What can a pharmacist help with?](/answers/what-can-a-pharmacist-help-with/)
- [NHS prescriptions](/services/nhs-prescriptions/)

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This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk) or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our[methodology](/methodology/).