Patients and carers
Your prescription can say what each medicine is for, in a few plain words such as “to lower blood pressure”. This is called a clinical indication. If your labels do not show it, you can ask your GP practice about adding it.
You can ask your GP practice to add what each of your medicines is for to your repeat prescriptions, so the label says it, such as “to lower blood pressure”. If you would rather a reason was not shown, you can ask for “patient preference no clinical indication” instead. How to ask your GP practice.
Many people take several medicines, and it is easy to become confused about what each one is for. Patients at the practice where clinical indications began said:
You could ask your GP practice: “Could you add what each of my medicines is for to my repeat prescriptions, so it shows on the labels?” The General Medical Council advises doctors to consider including clinical indications on prescriptions, so it is a reasonable thing to ask about.
Some conditions are private. If you do not want the reason shown, you can ask for “patient preference no clinical indication” on your repeat prescription instead. The pharmacist records the indication with the directions, so medicine packets left where others can see them may show it.
Only your GP or pharmacist can tell you what your own medicines are for. If you are unsure about a medicine, ask your pharmacist or GP practice, or use NHS 111 online.
Ask your GP practice. A clinical indication can be added to a repeat prescription, and the pharmacist then records it with the directions on the label.
You can ask for “patient preference no clinical indication” on your repeat prescription instead.
Only your GP or pharmacist can tell you what your own medicines are for.
Ask your GP practice, with wording you can use.
Asking your GP practice has a short request you can copy, and what to say if some of your medicines are private.
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