Data released by NHS England has shown that the number of repeat prescriptions ordered on the NHS App has increased 92 per cent in the last year.
More than 500,000 repeat prescriptions are now ordered through the app every week.
Since the launch of the App in December 2018, more than 42 million repeat prescriptions have been ordered on it.
In April 2023, 2.4 million repeat prescriptions were ordered on the app, compared to 1.7 million in April 2022 and 393,000 in April 2021.
Chief pharmaceutical officer for England David Webb said: “With two more long weekends coming up in May, we are reminding people of the excellent benefits of the NHS App.
“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.
“The NHS has always innovated and adapted to meet the needs of each generation and as we approach the NHS 75th birthday, the NHS App is yet another fantastic example of how we are doing this.
“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.
“As ever, if you need care during the bank holiday weekend, come forward – using 999 in life threatening emergencies and NHS 111 online for other health concerns.”
Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: “Technology is transforming the way we deliver healthcare for patients, and I’m determined that the NHS App plays a vital role in this.
“Repeat prescription orders through the app have increased by 92% in the last year – including 2.4 million in last month alone. This is freeing up valuable time for clinicians and helping people access services easily and conveniently from the comfort of their own homes.
“A host of new innovative features have also been rolled out – from viewing GP records to finding local health services – offering a digital front door to the NHS.”
