Using Your Pharmacy
How do I switch pharmacies?
By Pick My Pharmacy Editorial · Updated 9 July 2026
The simplest way to switch
Visit or contact your new preferred pharmacy and ask to be set up as a nominated patient. They'll handle the paperwork, and your GP surgery's system will automatically update to send future prescriptions there instead of your old pharmacy.
What happens to your old pharmacy
You don't need to inform your previous pharmacy — once your nomination changes, they simply stop receiving your prescriptions. Any medication you've already collected from them is unaffected.
Choosing a new pharmacy
Consider opening hours, delivery options, whether they offer services you use regularly (like Pharmacy First or a private consultation room), and check their GPhC registration if you're unfamiliar with them.
People Also Ask
Will switching pharmacies affect my repeat prescriptions?
No — once your nomination updates, your GP simply sends future repeat prescriptions to the new pharmacy instead. There's no gap in service as long as you switch before you're due your next batch.
Can I switch to an online pharmacy?
Yes, most GPhC-registered online pharmacies can be set up as your nominated pharmacy in the same way as a local one.
Affiliate disclosure:Pick My Pharmacy is free to use. We may earn a fee when you visit a referral partner or send a private-service enquiry. That never changes ratings, match results, or the prices you pay. Outbound partner links userel="sponsored". Seeaffiliate complianceandhow we make money.
This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on 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 ourmethodology.