Family
How to make a family emergency plan
A step-by-step way to agree what your household will do in an emergency, from meeting places and contacts to who collects whom. Takes about an hour.
Household · Free tool
Medication Supply Planner
List your regular medicines to see how many days each will last, when it runs out and when to order your repeat, so you are not caught short in an emergency.
Last reviewed
How to use it (4 steps)
- Add each regular medicine. Enter how many you take a day, how many come in a pack and how many full packs you have. Add any loose tablets too.
- Check the order lead time. It starts at 7 days, which covers the NHS's 5 working days plus a weekend.
- Read the order-by date for each medicine, and set a reminder for the one that runs out first.
- Print or download the list and keep a copy in your grab bag. Clear the list at any time.
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The method, in detail
How the dates are worked out
For each medicine, the planner works out how many doses you have, then how many whole days they will last:
- On hand = full packs × the number in a pack, plus any loose ones.
- Days left = on hand ÷ how many you take a day, rounded down to whole days.
- Runs out = today plus the days left. That is the first day you will not have a full day’s supply.
- Order by = the run-out date minus your lead time.
If the order-by date is today or has passed, the planner says order now. If you add your next repeat date and it falls after the run-out date, it warns you.
The planner counts down from the day you entered the amounts. If you come back a week later, it takes a week’s doses off. When you count your packs again, enter the new numbers and the count starts from today.
Why 7 days?
The NHS asks you to request a repeat prescription up to 5 working days before you need it. Five working days can be seven calendar days or more if a weekend or bank holiday falls in the middle, so 7 is the default. You can set a longer lead time if you want more margin, from 0 to 60 days.
The colours
- Green, 14 days or more: you have time.
- Amber, 7 to 13 days: order soon if you have not already.
- Red, under 7 days: order now.
These bands are our planning convention, not an NHS rule. When at least one medicine is listed and none is red, the First aid area on your progress page counts as ready.
Medicines in an emergency
- Keep a written list of your medicines, the doses and your pharmacy’s name in your grab bag and with your family emergency plan.
- If you completely run out, the NHS 111 online service can arrange a limited emergency supply. It cannot be used for antibiotics for a new problem or for controlled drugs that need ID.
- If anyone has a long-term health condition or relies on powered medical equipment, check whether they can join the free Priority Services Register.
Where the figures come from
Every figure on this page was checked against these official pages on 25 October 2026.
- Request up to 5 working days before you need your medicine: NHS, How to order a repeat prescription. The UK government’s Be Ready campaign says the same.
- Pharmacies can provide some emergency medicines, you may need to pay: NHS, Emergency prescriptions.
- A limited emergency supply, exclusions, call 111 if you have symptoms: NHS 111, Get an emergency prescription.
- Priority Services Register: Ofgem and thepsr.co.uk.
Sources
- NHS, How to order a repeat prescription.
- NHS, Emergency prescriptions.
- NHS 111 online, Emergency prescription.
- UK government, Be Ready for emergencies.
- Ofgem, Getting extra help: the Priority Services Register.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I order a repeat prescription?
The NHS says to request your prescription up to 5 working days before you need your medicine. The planner uses 7 calendar days by default so a weekend does not catch you out. You can change it.
What if I run out of my medicine?
Use the NHS 111 online emergency prescription service, or ask a pharmacy. Pharmacies can provide some emergency medicines without a prescription, but you may need to pay. If you also feel unwell, call 111 instead. In an emergency, call 999.
Can I get antibiotics or controlled drugs as an emergency supply?
The NHS 111 online service cannot be used for antibiotics for a new or recent problem, or for controlled drugs that need identification to collect. Speak to your GP practice, a pharmacist or 111.
Where is my medicine list stored?
Only in this browser, on this device. Nothing is sent to us or anyone else. Use "Clear my list" to delete it, or clear all your saved data on the My progress page.
Should I stockpile medicines for emergencies?
No. This planner only helps you order on time. Do not change how much you order or take without talking to your GP or pharmacist.
What do the colours mean?
Green means 14 days or more left, amber 7 to 13 days, and red under 7 days. These bands are a planning convention we chose, not an NHS rule.
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