Monitored Dosage System (MDS) at Exwick Pharmacy, Exeter
Managing multiple medicines can be complex and confusing, particularly for elderly patients, those with cognitive impairment, or anyone juggling several different tablets taken at different times of the day. A Monitored Dosage System, commonly known as an MDS or blister pack, organises your medicines into clearly labelled compartments corresponding to specific days and times. At Exwick Pharmacy on New Valley Rd, Exeter, we provide this service to patients across the EX4 postcode and the wider Exeter community.
Who Benefits from MDS Dispensing?
An MDS tray contains individual sealed compartments, typically arranged across seven days with multiple time slots per day such as morning, lunchtime, evening, and bedtime. Your prescribed tablets and capsules are placed into the appropriate compartments by our trained pharmacy team, making it easy for you or your carer to see at a glance whether the day’s doses have been taken. This simple system dramatically reduces the risk of missed or double doses.
How Exwick Pharmacy Prepares Your MDS
The MDS service is particularly beneficial for elderly patients with multiple long-term conditions, individuals recovering from illness or surgery, people with early to moderate cognitive decline such as dementia, those who live alone with limited family support, and patients whose carers or care home staff manage their medicines on their behalf. If you feel that a blister pack system would help you manage your medicines more safely, speak to our pharmacist at Exwick Pharmacy.
Getting Started with a Blister Pack Service
Our dispensing team prepares MDS trays carefully and accurately, cross-checking each tray against your current prescription before sealing the compartments. We liaise with your GP surgery to ensure that your prescription is up to date and that any changes to your medicines are reflected in the next tray. We can also arrange for collection or delivery of your MDS trays depending on your needs and mobility.
To start using the MDS service at Exwick Pharmacy, simply speak to a member of our team in person or by phone. We will assess your suitability for the service, liaise with your GP, and set up a regular dispensing schedule. The service is available for NHS prescriptions and is provided free of the MDS preparation charge for most patients. We serve patients from Exwick, St Thomas, St David’s, Heavitree, and across the greater Exeter EX4 area.
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Our Pharmacy in Exeter
- Exwick Pharmacy
- New Valley Road, Exwick, Exeter, Devon, EX4 2AD
- exwickpharmacy@gmail.com
- +44 1392 221272
Frequently Asked Question
Is the MDS service free at Exwick Pharmacy?
For most NHS patients, there is no additional charge for the MDS preparation service. Standard prescription charges apply for those who are not exempt. Please speak to our team to confirm your specific situation.
How far in advance are the blister packs prepared?
We typically prepare MDS trays weekly or fortnightly, depending on your medicines and clinical need. We will agree a suitable schedule with you when you start the service.
What if my medicines change partway through a tray?
If your GP changes your prescription, please inform us as soon as possible. We will prepare a new tray incorporating the changes and safely dispose of the remaining portion of the current tray.
Can I still take medicines that are not in the blister pack?
Yes, some medicines such as inhalers, liquids, and creams are not suitable for inclusion in an MDS tray and will continue to be dispensed in their original packaging alongside your blister packs.
Can Exwick Pharmacy deliver my MDS trays?
We offer a prescription collection and delivery service for eligible patients. Please speak to our team about whether delivery of your MDS trays can be arranged based on your location and circumstances.
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Pharmacy Info
- GPhC Registration Number: 2211565
- Limited Company Registration No: 9101478
- Superintendent pharmacist: Swapnkumar Mukeshbhai Patel
Contact Info
- Name: Exwick Pharmacy
- exwickpharmacy@gmail.com
- +44 1392 221272
- New Valley Road, Exwick, Exeter, Devon, EX4 2AD
Working Hours
-
Monday - Friday:
8:30am to 6pm -
Saturday - Sunday:
Closed