"Using 111 to access repeat meds when away from home"

I was in Lewisham, far from home, and realised that I would run out of insulin. My normal pharmacist is LLoyds, so I went to a branch in Tesco and was told by the pharmacist to ring 111. The receptionist on the phone was pleasant and reassuring but explained that it was not possible for the pharmacy I was in to help me. I needed to walk a mile or so to another shop and a prescription for my insulin would be emailed or faxed to them. I walked there but when I arrived, they had received no contact from 111, nor did they after an hour of waiting in the shop. Because I am a retired GP and because running out of insulin is potentially serious, the excellent pharmacist dispensed the insulin and I was able to leave the shop. If I had not been a doctor, I wonder what would have happened?