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Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are medicines licensed and regulated for use, but can only be obtained with a prescription, which will be given to the patient by a qualified General Practitioner (GP). It is distinguished from both over-the-counter drugs and illegal drugs, the former being available to buy in certain amounts and as long as the customer is of the appropriate age. The latter being drugs abused illegally (such as heroin, cocaine and so forth). As well as GPs some other health visitors and nurses are given some rights to hand out prescriptions
In terms of cost, some NHS prescriptions do not have a charge attributed to them, particularly those needed by elderly people who require medication and are exempt (as well as those in full time education). Those not exempt will have to pay towards the cost of the medication.
In some cases it is also possible to obtain a ‘repeat prescription’ whereby the patient can return to obtain a new batch of the drug without the need to re-visit the doctor. This is in cases where there is a long term illness that has a long course of medication.