Agree the arrangements before you depend on them.

Confirm eligibility before relying on delivery

Free delivery is available for eligible prescriptions and agreed addresses. Ask the team about your postcode, the exact prescription and an achievable date. A website page does not confirm eligibility, stock or dispatch. If there would be a delivery charge or another cost, the arrangements are explained before you agree.

Free delivery is a service arrangement. NHS prescription charges, unless you are exempt, and private prescription costs are separate. A delivery offer does not make a medicine available without the prescription or professional checks it requires.

The prescription needs to be ready for the dispensing pharmacy

Explain whether it is an NHS electronic prescription, a paper prescription or a private prescription, and whether another pharmacy is already handling it. The pharmacist confirms the lawful supply route. Do not post an original prescription or change nomination on the assumption that an online enquiry has arranged supply.

A future nomination and an existing prescription are different

In England, the Electronic Prescription Service can send prescriptions to a patient's chosen pharmacy. A nominated pharmacy can be changed, but the current prescription's status still needs checking. Tell the team if it has already been prepared or partly supplied. The pharmacies and prescriber can then establish what needs to happen next.

Supply first, delivery date second

The correct product and prescription must be checked before an achievable collection or delivery date can be agreed. An item being ordered is not confirmation that it has arrived. Keep enough time for clarification with the prescribing team where needed, and tell the pharmacy when the current supply will run out.

Special arrangements need an individual check

Some products need particular handling, storage, delivery or identity arrangements. A general free-delivery statement does not confirm that every medicine can use the same route. Tell the team about any practical receiving difficulty and ask what is possible before relying on a parcel.

Helping someone else

A relative or carer can help organise a general enquiry. Before personal records are discussed or delivery is arranged, the pharmacy will explain any consent, identity and prescription checks. Agree who will receive the supply and how the patient will remain involved according to their wishes.