Online Orders
We send all online orders via Royal Mail Tracked 24 as standard. This is £3.99, or free for orders over £40. We also offer Royal Mail Special Delivery and DPD Next Day, which are usually delivered the next working day before 1pm or 12pm respectively. These services are currently charged at £9.99.
We aim to dispatch all eligible orders within 24 hours. Delivery times are estimates and may be affected by weekends, bank holidays, courier delays or circumstances outside of our control.
For temperature controlled deliveries, we normally dispatch Monday to Friday and do not routinely dispatch over weekends. Saturday dispatch may be available where appropriate.
Bank Holiday Deliveries
Please be aware that deliveries may take longer around UK bank holiday weekends.
Royal Mail and DPD operate reduced collection and delivery schedules on bank holidays, which means orders placed immediately before or during a bank holiday weekend may not be collected, processed or delivered until the next available working day.
For example, if you place an order late on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday, your parcel may not enter the courier network until Tuesday. This can result in delivery taking one or more additional working days.
We recommend placing your order as early as possible before a bank holiday, particularly if your medication is time sensitive.
Temperature controlled medicines may also be held for dispatch until we can safely send them without the parcel remaining within the courier network for an extended period.
Where possible, we will provide tracking information so you can follow the progress of your delivery.
How long does it take to receive my NHS medication?
As soon as we receive your prescription from your doctor, our pharmacy team will dispense it without delay.
If you live in Bradford, your medicines are normally delivered the same or next working day by our local delivery driver. For clinically urgent items such as antibiotics, we will always do our best to arrange same day delivery.
For addresses in the rest of England, your medicines are sent by Royal Mail or DPD using a 24 hour service to your preferred UK address. Wherever possible, we use letterbox friendly packaging so you do not need to wait at home.
Please remember that courier delivery times may be extended over weekends and bank holidays.
If you need a medicine urgently, for example an antibiotic, please contact us so we can discuss the safest and quickest option for you.
Do I need to be at home for my delivery?
We do not want you to cancel appointments or change your plans simply because you are expecting a delivery from us.
In most cases, our local delivery driver can post your medication or leave your medicines in a safe place that you have agreed with us in advance, or with a neighbour, carer or at your workplace. Just contact us and let us know where you would like your medication to be delivered.
For Royal Mail deliveries, we aim to use parcels that fit through a standard letterbox. Sometimes we may need to use larger parcels depending on the size or quantity of your medication. If the parcel will not fit through your letterbox and you are not at home, Royal Mail will provide instructions explaining how to arrange redelivery or collection.
For DPD deliveries, you will normally receive tracking information and delivery updates directly from DPD where contact details have been provided.
Please note that if you are expecting a controlled drug, the parcel may require a signature or other appropriate proof of delivery.
How much does the delivery service cost?
Our NHS delivery service is completely free of charge for all eligible patients. You do not pay anything extra for the delivery provided by
The Care Pharmacy.
For private online orders, Royal Mail Tracked 24 is £3.99 or free for orders over £40. Royal Mail Special Delivery and DPD Next Day are currently charged at £9.99.
Is this service available outside England?
We receive prescriptions electronically from GP surgeries using the NHS England Electronic Prescription Service. Because of this, our NHS prescription delivery service is only available to patients in England.
We are not currently able to provide this NHS service in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
We know you may have more questions. For any other queries, please contact us.
Updated: August 2026
