How to get a prescription without going to the doctor

When you have a busy schedule, it can feel disruptive to have to visit the doctor just to get a prescription refill. After all, both you and your doctor know you’ve been taking these meds for long enough now. Why do you need to book a doctor’s appointment just to get a new script?

There are several reasons why a doctor would need to see you again before they can provide you with a new prescription. The type of medication you’re taking and how long ago they saw you are both factors.

But let’s stick to the primary question.

Is It Possible to Refill a Prescription Without a Doctor?

Yes, in some circumstances, it is possible to refill a prescription without a doctor. Well, without seeing a doctor in person anyway. Using the Air Doctor app, you can schedule a telemedicine appointment to get a new script for your medication.

Air Doctor has medical partners across 61 countries, meaning you can get prescription refills in nearly any country, as long as the medication is “issued for a legitimate medical purpose.”

Once a doctor reviews your medical history and previous prescription, they can electronically send your new script to a pharmacy of your choice. However, this won’t always be possible, depending on the medication you require.

If you need to get a hold of your medical records for your appointment, read this guide.

There are a few common conditions that could potentially get a prescription refill for:

• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Bacterial Infections
• Birth Control
• Erectile Dysfunction
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Mental Health Issues
• Diabetes
• Thyroid Disease

What Prescriptions Can’t Be Refilled Online?

Naturally, certain laws and regulations prevent certain medications from being refillable online. For instance, in the United States, “No prescription for a controlled substance” can be refilled online at this time. These include, but are not limited to:

• Narcotics: Morphine, Oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin
• Sleeping Aids & Sedatives: Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Xanax
• Stimulant Medications: Adderall, Ritalin, Provigil
• Medical Marijuana

Prescription Refill FAQs

How many refills can I get per appointment?

This is dependent on the country. However, in the instance of the United States, the FDA states that eligible prescriptions can be filled by a pharmacist for up to five refills, but may not extend beyond six months from the date of issue on the original prescription, without first consulting with a doctor.

May I use my health insurance?

Yes, you can use your health insurance to get a prescription refill online. Air Doctor has partnered with various health insurance providers to ensure you pay the usual amount of your co-pay per appointment.

Can I get a refill online without health insurance?

Yes. Even if you don’t have health insurance, you can still refill your prescription online. Air Doctor aims to help patients access professional medical doctors, at an affordable rate.

Can I also get new prescriptions online?

Yes, telemedicine platforms like Air Doctor can diagnose many medical conditions with an easy online consultation and electronically send new prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice.

Common conditions that we can diagnose and treat with an online appointment include:

• Cold & Flu
• Sinus Infections
• Urinary tract Infections
• Sore Throat or Strep
• Upset Stomach
• Rashes
• Ear Infections
• Pinkeye
• Bronchitis

And there you have it, everything you need to know about refilling prescriptions without having to see a doctor in person. Remember, the Air Doctor app is available on both the Google Play and Apple App stores.

May 31, 2022 Telehealth News

What is a Repeat Prescription?

A repeat prescription is when your doctor prescribes you the same medication on an ongoing basis and is often for a long-term or chronic condition. A doctor will prescribe a certain number of repeats for a medication and the patient is then only required to follow up with the doctor regarding the condition once the repeats have been fully utilised or have all been dispensed by a pharmacist.

Prescriptions are required for a range of medications because they are considered to be potentially harmful if not used correctly, under the supervision of a licensed health care practitioner.

Repeat Prescriptions

Can I get a repeat prescription without seeing a doctor?

There are a few options to get a repeat prescription, all of which include a doctor.

1. Visit your local GP clinic and speak to a doctor in person;
2. Have a home doctor visit you (usually only afterhours); or
3. Register online with the Doctors on Demand online prescription service.

Doctors on Demand’s online prescription service is called QuickScript and allows you to obtain a repeat prescription without a live doctor’s consultation. And there is no need to wait in a doctor’s waiting room to see a doctor just for your regular prescription. Over 300 medications are available through the QuickScript online prescription service that cater for 17 different conditions including contraception, diabetes, cholesterol, asthma and osteoporosis.

Simply answer some quick questions about your condition, and one of our experienced doctors will review your assessment. In most instances, we can send you an electronic prescription* to your mobile as an SMS (if you are a Medicare card holder), arrange for convenient next day delivery of your medication, or we can send your scripts to your local pharmacy of your choice within 1 hour (between 8 am and 6 pm seven days a week AEST).

For more information or to check if your regular medication is available through our QuickScript service view our online prescriptions page.