Electronic Prescription Service - Practical Advice For Pharmacies Using Release 1

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 07 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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NHS Connecting for Health, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) have published joint advice for all pharmacies in England.

At a time when over 80% of pharmacies have upgraded to Release 1 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), it is important that its use is maximised.

The document provides a series of practical tips taken from pharmacies across the country who use EPS regularly to process bar-coded prescriptions. In addition, pharmacist Julie Carter, who regularly uses EPS, provides her perspective on using the system:

"My message to pharmacists who aren't using EPS all the time is scan! It will make your life easier and ensure you are familiar with the system ready for when Release 2 comes along."

As progress is made towards EPS Release 2 implementation, it is vital that any remaining issues with EPS Release 1 are identified. Pharmacies across the country are key to ensuring this happens.

The advice can be found in a leaflet titled the, 'Electronic Prescription Service: Practical Advice for Pharmacies Using Release 1'. The leaflet is being sent to all pharmacies in England as an insert in the October 2008 issue of PSNC's Newsletter, Community Pharmacy News. Additional copies are available on request from all three organisations involved in its development.

National Pharmacy Association