It is estimated that around 1.5 million paper prescriptions are issued by GPs every working day in England. And about 7 out of 10 paper prescriptions are repeat prescriptions.
To handle this figure more efficiently, the NHS has introduced the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) in England. It was introduced in 2014 in a small group of GPs and pharmacies. However, now, it is offered by many GPs and pharmacies in England.
The NHS Electronic Prescription Service lets your GP send your prescription electronically to the dispenser you choose to get your medicine from – without the need for paper prescription. This service means there is less need for patients with repeat prescription to visit their GP just to collect a paper script.
What has changed?
The way that your prescription is shared between your GP and pharmacy. Since the inception of EPS, you might have noticed that your prescription script contains a barcode printed on it, which is the first stage of electronic prescription service.
How does EPS work?
At first, if you want your doctor to send your prescription electronically, you must nominate a place to receive your electronic prescription. This could be a pharmacy, a dispensing appliance contractor, or a GP practice
Nomination and the prescription collection service work in a similar way, where the pharmacy collects your prescription on the behalf of you from your GP through internet. You could choose to nominate a pharmacy that is convenient to where you reside or work. To make it easier for you to see which one is offering the electronic prescription service, check out for a sign displayed on the website or at the pharmacy.
Pharmacy Outlet is one such UK online pharmacy that offers electronic prescription service to patients who reside in England. It has also teamed up with Blackwater Pharmacy, Surrey, to offer online GP service – PharmaDoctor. Please call 03333 222 400 to know more about the NHS Electronic Prescription Service.
