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Electronic Prescription Service
Electronic Prescription Service
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) sends electronic prescriptions from GP surgeries to pharmacies. Eventually EPS will remove the need for most paper prescriptions.
Who can see my prescription?
Electronic prescriptions are reliable, secure and confidential.
Your electronic prescription will be seen by the people who provide your medicines in GP practices and pharmacies, and by NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies.
- Find out more about
how information from your health records, including your prescriptions, is used. - Find out more about
how your NHS Electronic Prescription Service data is used, and your rights.
About EPS
EPS allows prescribers to send prescriptions electronically to a dispenser (such as a pharmacy) of the patient's choice. This makes the prescribing and dispensing process more efficient and convenient for patients and staff.
Electronic Prescriptions
Most prescriptions can now be signed, sent and processed electronically removing the need to collect a paper prescription. In certain circumstances, a paper prescription will still be issued. You have 2 choices for how this works.
- You can nominate a pharmacy to dispense all your prescriptions. Your prescriptions will be sent electronically once signed by a Clinician. You will not need to collect a paper prescription.
- If you chose not to nominate a pharmacy you can be given a barcode that can be used in any pharmacy in England. A unique barcode will allow pharmacies to locate your prescription from a secure NHS database called the NHS Spine.
Choosing a pharmacy or other dispenser
You have the choice to use any pharmacy within the UK, this will allow you to use a pharmacy local to where you live, work or an online pharmacy that can deliver your prescription.
You will still order your repeat prescriptions in the same way as you do now, but your prescriptions will be sent electronically to the pharmacy or dispenser of your choice.
You will not have to collect a paper repeat prescription from your GP practice.
Cancelling or changing your choice of pharmacist or dispenser
You have the right to change your nominated pharmacy at any point, this can be done by contact us and making the necessary changes.
You should allow time for the update to take place to avoid your next prescription being sent to the wrong place.
What can I do if I'm unhappy with the process?
You should be provided with information about electronic prescriptions and give your consent before your choice of dispenser is recorded.
If you are unhappy with your experience, you can complain to your pharmacy, your GP or your local Integrated Care Board (ICB).
