Original Pack Dispensing (OPD) - patient information
Why the number of tablets or capsules you receive might be slightly different from the number on your prescription.
In summary
Your pharmacist can sometimes give you a full manufacturer’s box of medicine, even if this means you get a little more or a little less than the number on your prescription.
This is called Original Pack Dispensing (OPD) and the difference is small (usually up to about 10%).
Your dose does not change - always follow the instructions on the pharmacy label.
If you pay the standard NHS prescription charge, your medicines will usually be supplied with the exact quantity on your prescription.
As part of a small, carefully monitored test, some patients paying the NHS prescription charge may now receive their medicines using OPD. This means medicines are supplied in the manufacturers full pack rather than being split.
This test helps us understand how OPD works for different patients. You can opt out at any time if you prefer to receive the exact prescribed quantity.
What is original pack dispensing?
Medicines are made in fixed pack sizes - for example, boxes of 28 or 30 tablets.
Original Pack Dispensing (OPD) is a rule that allows your pharmacist to give you the nearest full manufacturer’s pack (or packs) of your medicine, instead of splitting boxes, as long as it is safe to do so.
This may mean you receive a small amount more or less than the exact number of doses written on your prescription.
Important: OPD does not change your dose. You should always take your medicine exactly as it says on the pharmacy label, not by counting how many tablets are in the box.
OPD helps to make sure you get:
The full original manufacturer’s box.
The patient information leaflet (PIL), which explains how to use the medicine and lists side effects and warnings.
Why has OPD been introduced?
OPD has been introduced to:
Improve safety - original packs include official leaflets and on-box warnings (for example, pregnancy warnings on some medicines).
Make medicines easier to use - many blister strips are laid out by days or in neat rows, which can help you see if you’ve taken today’s dose.
Reduce errors and waste - splitting boxes and re-labelling tablets takes time and can make mistakes more likely.
This change does not mean your medicine is being changed without your prescriber’s knowledge.
What does OPD mean for you?
You might notice that:
The number of tablets or capsules in the pack is slightly different from the number on your prescription (for example, you receive 28 instead of 30, or 90 instead of 84).
You sometimes need to order your repeat prescription a few days earlier, or you might have a few tablets left over.
Always: take your medicine as shown on the pharmacy label.
If you are not sure how long your supply should last, or when to order your next prescription, please ask us.
Special case: medicines like sodium valproate
Some medicines, such as those containing sodium valproate (used to treat epilepsy and some mental health conditions), almost always have to be supplied in the original full manufacturer’s pack.
This is because the packaging and leaflet include very important safety information, especially about pregnancy.
If you take one of these medicines, you may find that you always receive full boxes, even if this means you get more or fewer tablets than the exact number on the prescription. This is due to extra safety rules to protect you, and, where relevant, your baby.
These safety rules apply whether or not you pay for your prescriptions.
Do not stop valproate (or any other prescribed medicine) suddenly without medical advice.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or could become pregnant and you take sodium valproate, please speak to your pharmacist or prescriber as soon as possible.
What doesn’t change?
OPD does not change:
Your prescribed dose and how often you should take your medicine.
Who decides your treatment - that is still your prescriber.
How NHS prescription charges work - it is still one charge per item if you pay for your prescriptions.
At Pharmacy2U, some patients who pay the standard NHS prescription charge may now be able to receive their medicine through OPD. By supplying medicines in their full manufacturer’s packs, it helps reduce waste, ensures you receive your treatment exactly as it was produced and labelled, and supports safer use by keeping all the original instructions and packaging together. It also streamlines the dispensing process, which can make things more efficient for both patients and the NHS. Using OPD means you might occasionally receive a slightly different quantity than the exact number on your prescription. If you’d prefer to receive the exact prescribed quantity instead, you can opt out at any time.
You can update your OPD preference at any time, either through our chatbot or by getting in touch with us here. Most people find the chatbot the fastest way to make changes.
It is your right to ask questions or raise concerns about your medicines at any time.
Some medicines (for example, many controlled drugs and certain special-order medicines) are not included in OPD and usually have to be supplied in the exact quantity prescribed, regardless of whether you pay NHS charges or not.
Frequently asked questions
OPD reduces waste by avoiding part‑packs, improves safety by ensuring medicines are supplied in their original packaging with full instructions, and supports NHS efficiency by making the dispensing process smoother.
Instead of splitting packs, which can be confusing and inconvenient, we may dispense the nearest available pack in the original manufacturer’s packaging.
As part of a new test, we will begin applying OPD to patients who pay the standard NHS prescription charge, as well as those who are exempt. This helps us understand how OPD works for different patient groups and whether it improves the overall experience.
OPD allows for a small variation in quantity, up to 10% more or less of the prescribed amount.
If you receive slightly fewer tablets (for example, 28 instead of 30), your pharmacist will make sure this is still safe for your treatment and will let you know if you might need to order your next prescription a little earlier.
Some patients who pay the standard NHS prescription charge may now be included in a small test group where OPD is used automatically.
Some patients who pay the standard NHS prescription charge may receive their medicines using OPD as part of a carefully monitored test. This helps us understand how OPD works for different patient groups and whether it improves the overall experience.
You can opt out at any time if you would prefer the exact prescribed quantity.
No. NHS prescription charges are fixed per item, not per tablet.
If OPD means you receive slightly more medicine, the NHS prescription charge stays exactly the same.
Sometimes a full pack means you receive a few extra tablets - for example, if your medicine comes in manufacturer's packs of 30, we might send you 30 if you're prescribed 28.
This does not mean your dose has changed. You should take your medicine exactly as it says on the pharmacy label and never change your dose yourself.
If you have tablets left at the end of your course and you’re unsure what to do, just ask us. We can advise you and safely dispose of any medicine you don’t need.
No. OPD does not apply to some medicines, such as:
Many controlled drugs.
Certain special-order or unlicensed medicines.
Some medicines supplied under specific NHS arrangements.
For these, your pharmacist usually has to supply the exact quantity written on the prescription.
Some medicines, like sodium valproate, must be supplied in full original packs because of safety rules, regardless of whether you pay for your prescriptions.
If your medicines are packed into a dosette box or monitored dosage system (MDS), the pharmacy team may still need to split packs to put the right doses in each compartment.
OPD mainly affects medicines that you keep in their original boxes.
If anything changes in how your medicines are supplied, we will explain this to you.
Sometimes it might, but usually only by a few days.
If you receive slightly fewer tablets, you may need to order a little earlier than before.
If you receive slightly more, you might have a few tablets left when you request your next prescription.
If you are unsure when to reorder, please ask us and we will help you plan your next order date.
If you’d prefer to receive the exact quantity written on your prescription instead, you can update your preference through our chatbot or by contacting us.
If you have a specific reason for needing the exact quantity, for example, travelling abroad or following a complex dosing plan, please let us know. We’ll consider your needs, the pack sizes available, and what is safest for you.
OPD is allowed under UK medicines regulations and NHS rules.
Pharmacists must still:
Follow professional standards.
Use their judgement on a case-by-case basis.
Always put patient safety first.
Please do not:
Throw medicines in the bin.
Flush them down the toilet.
Give them to someone else.
Return any unwanted or leftover medications back to us or alternatively take to a local pharmacy and they will be disposed of safely and free of charge.
Yes. If you’d rather receive exactly the quantity written on your prescription, you can ask us to remove OPD from your account at any time. You can do this by contacting us here. Many patients choose to stay with OPD because it can make receiving their medicine simpler, safer and more convenient, but you can choose the best option for you.
If anything does not look or feel right, please contact the pharmacy straight away. For example:
The medicine looks different.
The strength or dose seems wrong.
You think you have been given the wrong amount.
We are always happy to check and answer your questions.
Questions or concerns? If you have any questions about Original Pack Dispensing or your medicines, please contact us.