Credit: Ewa Urban/Pixabay

The number of repeat prescriptions issued via the NHS app has doubled in the past year and now exceeds 500,000 per week.

During the 2022/23 year, a total of 25 million courses of medication were ordered via the application, according to newly published health-service data. This figure represents an increase of 92% compared with the prior year tally of 13 million.

Since the beginning of FY22, usage of the app to issue prescriptions to patients across England has risen more than sixfold, as monthly volumes have grown from 393,000 in April 2021 to 2.4 million in April 2023.

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According to David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, the ability for citizens to order medicine via their smartphone is especially important during a month in which the UK has three bank holidays – during in-person services may not be available.

“Patients can order repeat prescriptions through the app at a time and date convenient to them and access community pharmacy information about local healthcare advice and services available during the bank holidays,” he said. “The app offers a digital front door for interacting with the NHS with a host of new features launched in the last year– empowering patients to access services from the comfort of their homes.”

A total of 32 million people have now registered for the app, according to the NHS. In addition to ordering prescriptions, the program allows anyone aged 13 and above and registered with a GP to book and manage consultations, provide evidence of vaccination, and access the NHS 111 service for urgent health and care advice.