Understanding the repeats system in Compound Direct

The Repeats System in Compound Direct is designed to simplify and standardise the way repeat prescriptions are managed throughout the dispensing lifecycle. It provides a clear, structured approach to tracking supplies, ensuring consistency across workflows while aligning with common pharmacy dispensing practices.

This guide explains how repeat dispensing works in the platform, including key concepts such as repeat totals, supply numbers, variable supply prescriptions, and the tools used to manage dispensing from initial supply through to final repeat.

Repeats total: This refers to the total number of repeats allowed on the prescription. For example, if a prescription has a Repeats Total of 3, it can be dispensed three times in total (initial supply + 2 repeats).

Minimum supply interval: This is the minimum number of days that must pass before the script can be refilled. It helps ensure that medications are not dispensed too early.

Supply number: The Supply Number indicates how many times the prescription has been dispensed or prepared, including the current dispense. For example, if one supply had been given previously, the current Supply Number would be 2.

Deferred: Deferred is used when a patient presents a prescription to be held at the pharmacy but chooses not to have it dispensed immediately. This is commonly done when the prescription includes multiple items, and not all are needed at the same time.

Owing: Owing is used when the medication is being dispensed before the prescription is available. This can include situations such as dispensing from a digital image of a physical script or when a new prescription is expected but not yet provided.

External repeat: The repeat will be filled by a different pharmacy, not the original dispensing location.

The repeat system includes both the Repeats Total and the Supply number. Each time a prescription is dispensed, the Supply number increases automatically, making it easier to track how many supplies have been prepared for that script. For example, if the prescription is being dispensed for the third time, the Supply number will display as 3.

Repeat details can be viewed directly from the Customer page, including the total repeats allowed, remaining repeats, and how many times the prescription has already been supplied. This structure provides clearer tracking, improves visibility during dispensing, and helps reduce the risk of unintentional errors.

Some prescriptions are not filled to the full quantity at once, this is where Variable Supply comes in. Variable Supply indicates that a smaller amount is dispensed than what was originally prescribed. The system will continue to allow additional supplies until the full prescribed quantity is met, regardless of how many repeats were originally indicated.

In this system, Repeats Total is not entered manually. Instead, only the total prescribed quantity and the total quantity remaining are recorded. The focus is placed on tracking the cumulative quantity supplied rather than the number of times the prescription has been dispensed. This approach supports more flexible dispensing while still remaining within the limits of the original prescription.

When all repeats have been used but the customer still has some units left due to variable supply on previous repeats, the remaining quantity will be shown above the variable supply badge on the Customer page.

To proceed with preparing the remaining units, click on the compound name and create a repeat. This can be done even if all the repeats have been used up, as long as there are still units remaining from the original prescription.

For example, if the customer was prescribed a total of 300 units, 100 units per repeat, and only 10 units were dispensed on the final repeat due to limited supply, you can still create another repeat to dispense the remaining 90 units.

The repeats system in Compound Direct uses a Supply Number-based approach that reflects how modern pharmacy dispensing software operates. Instead of focusing on how many repeats remain, the system tracks how many times a prescription has been dispensed, offering a clearer and more reliable record of the dispensing history.

This structure improves accuracy, reduces manual tracking errors, and supports a more streamlined and compliant dispensing workflow from initial supply through to final repeat.

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