More patients are switching to the NHS app to make repeat prescriptions easier

MORE than 2.7 million people have already used a new prescription feature in the NHS App since its launch two months ago.

The convenient new feature, which was launched in January, allows patients in England to see when their prescriptions have been issued and view their prescribed medication.

Since the launch, there have been 18.4 million views of prescriptions by people with a nominated pharmacy, meaning their medication details are sent electronically to their chosen pharmacy.

Another 1.2 million views were by people without a nominated pharmacy, with those users now able to use a barcode in the app to collect their prescription from any pharmacy instead of needing a paper version.

New figures show that the NHS App now has more than 34 million registered users, with monthly logins rising by 79% in the last year from 16.2 million in February 2023 to 29 million in 2024.

Patients across England are being reminded of the benefits of using the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions or access NHS advice during the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The number of repeat prescriptions ordered through the app grew by 44% from 2022 to 2023, with an average of 3.3 million now requested every month.

Each repeat prescription ordered electronically saves GP practices three minutes of time.

Patients also save an average of 18 minutes with each online order, making it more convenient for patients and freeing up frontline staff to do other important duties.

Dr Vin Diwakar, National Transformation Director, at NHS England said: “We’re delighted to see so many people making use of the NHS App’s new prescription feature. The service is one of many which is helping to reduce the administrative burden for general practice.”