Why this matters
Once your prescriber issues a prescription for a cannabis-based product for medicinal use (CBPM), a pharmacy dispenses it. The clinic and pharmacy will explain how dispensing is arranged for your prescription. If you have a preference or a practical concern, ask what options are available rather than assuming a switch is possible.
Knowing what to ask the pharmacy team can help you understand stock levels, delivery times, and how they handle queries. It can also help you feel more prepared when speaking to your clinic about pharmacy options. This guide covers practical questions patients can ask, while keeping clear boundaries between what a pharmacy can do and what must go back to your prescriber.
What a pharmacy can tell you about stock and dispensing
Pharmacies registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) must meet standards for safe and effective services. For CBPMs, this includes checking the prescription is valid, sourcing the product, and providing information on how to use it.
You can ask a pharmacy:
- Do you currently stock this specific product and strength? Stock levels for CBPMs can vary. A pharmacy may need to order a product, which can affect dispensing time.
- What is the typical turnaround time from receiving the prescription to dispatch? This can depend on stock availability and the pharmacy’s workload.
- Do you offer delivery, and what are the costs and timeframes? Some pharmacies deliver, but this may not be included in the prescription cost.
- Can you confirm the product name, strength, and quantity before dispensing? This helps avoid errors, especially if you have had a different product before.
- What is your process for handling a product that is out of stock? The pharmacy may need to contact your clinic for a different product or strength, which can cause delays.
These questions are about information and logistics. They do not involve changing your prescription.
What to ask your clinic or pharmacy
- “Can you tell me which pharmacy my prescription will be sent to, and why?”
- “If I have a preference for a specific pharmacy, what is the process to request that?”
- “What happens if the pharmacy cannot source my prescribed product?”
- “How do I contact the pharmacy if I have a question about delivery or stock?”
- “If I need a repeat prescription, how far in advance should I contact the clinic to allow for pharmacy dispensing time?”
These questions help you understand the process without assuming you can freely choose or switch.
What this guide cannot decide for you
This guide does not tell you which pharmacy to use, or promise that you can switch. Pharmacy choice is managed by your clinic and prescriber, and may depend on their agreements, your prescription, and stock availability.
We cannot promise that any pharmacy will have a specific product in stock, or that delivery times will be short. Delays can happen. If you have concerns about your prescription or product, always speak to your prescriber or clinic first. A pharmacy can deal with dispensing questions, while clinical changes need the appropriate prescriber review.
Read next
- How medical cannabis prescriptions are dispensed in the UK
- What pharmacy teams can help with on a medical cannabis prescription
- Repeat prescriptions, stock changes and pharmacy delays
Sources
- https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/medical-cannabis/
- https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use-cbpms/
- https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/learning-materials/information-for-doctors-on-cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use
- https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/healthcare/cannabis-based-medicinal-products-what-cqc-expects-providers
