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Genral EPS Frequently Asked Questions

What are the stages of the EPS deployment?

The electronic prescription service is being deployed in 2 releases (Release 1 and Release 2) of EPS compliant pharmacy systems.

Release 1 (EPS R1)

With EPS Release 1 pharmacies are able to draw down electronic scripts and notify the spine once the items have been dispensed. Pharmacies save time with reduced manual data entry and improve clinical safety with improved data accuracy. This stage also established the technology that is the basis for Release 2.

EPS Release 1
Release 2 (EPS R2)

Release 2 will enable prescribers to sign their prescriptions electronically. If a patient decides to nominate a pharmacy, for example, one they use regularly, their electronic prescriptions will be transmitted via the spine to the nominated pharmacy. If a patient does not wish to nominate a pharmacy they can continue to receive a bar-coded paper copy of their prescription. Patients can change their nomination at any time and it is intended that this will normally happen at pharmacies rather than GP practices.

This stage enables pharmacies to make significant efficiency improvements. Pharmacies will see a further reduction in the amount of data input required and will be able to see repeat prescription demand on their PMR system before patients arrive for collection. This will enable pharmacies to plan workflows more easily and may help pharmacies manage stock more effectively.

The rollout of Release 2 is led by the PCT.

  • Patients will be able to nominate a preferred pharmacy for dispensing.
  • Doctors will be able to set up repeat dispensing scripts to save patients from revisiting the surgery.
  • Pharmacies will be able to make electronic reimbursement claims.
  • Digital signatures will be included, making the electronic message a legal entity.
EPS Release 2
When did the electronic prescriptions service begin to operate?

Release 1 of EPS has been available since August 2006. Cegedim Rx was the first PMR supplier to gain clinical approval for the deployment of EPS Release 1 in both its Nexphase and Pharmacy Manager systems. Cegedim Rx is also on target to be the first PMR supplier to deploy EPS Release 2 in Pharmacy Manager. Release 2 is currently being tested at Liptrot's Pharmacy in Leeds, and is about to roll-out to further test sites in Leeds and Nottinghamshire PCT. Testing is progressing well and general release is planned for Q1 2010.

What do I need in order to progress to Release 2 of the electronic prescription service?
  • An EPS Release 2 compliant pharmacy system.
  • A smartcard for each user. (These are available from your local PCT).
  • N3 connection.
What is the spine?

The spine is the name given to the secure national database of key information about a patient's health and care. GPs will send prescriptions to the spine to make them available for dispensing. At the same time, prescribed medication details are added to patients' electronic records held by the NHS Care Records Service.

Pharmacists will use their PMR system to pull down electronic prescriptions from the spine. Once the pharmacist has dispensed the medicine or appliance in the usual way, a message will be sent back to the spine, recording what has been dispensed to the patient.

Were GPs, community pharmacists and patients involved in the design of the service?

Yes. GP and pharmacy user groups were used in the pilot of the service. These groups reviewed the impact of the service at the initial implementer sites and provided advice and guidance on the development.

If the prescription is being sent electronically, will patients still need to collect a paper prescription from their GP?

During Release 1 patients still collect their prescriptions in the same way as they did before the implementation of EPS. However, the ultimate goal in Release 2 is that patients will no longer need to collect a paper prescription from their GP once they have nominated their preferred pharmacy.

What is the ‘Token’?

In EPS Release 2 the electronic prescription message becomes the legal entity. The token looks similar to a traditional paper prescription and contains the same information as the electronic prescription, but is not a legal entity. Tokens can be printed, for example, to capture non-age exemptions.

Will patients see any change?

Yes, prescriptions printed by an EPS R1 compliant system will have a bar code and numbers down the right hand side of the form. The bar code contains a unique reference number for the prescription. It does not contain any personal information about the patient. The bar code is only there to help the pharmacist identify the prescription on the electronic service. In EPS R2 the patient may not receive a token.

Will the paper prescription be phased out?

It is intended that the paper prescription forms will eventually be needed only in exceptional circumstances. However, during the transition to the electronic prescription service paper prescriptions will be issued in parallel with the electronic prescription message unless the patient has nominated a preferred pharmacy.

Are patients restricted to pharmacies that can offer the new service?

No. The scenarios below show how this will work.

Normal nominated dispensing – no GP token

Patients will be able to decide in advance where the prescription will be sent to. Patients will be able to nominate in a pharmacy, in a surgery and eventually on the internet using the NHS ‘healthspace’.

This is similar to the current repeat prescription collection services offered by pharmacies (patients ask a pharmacy to collect their repeat prescriptions from the GP on their behalf and then the prescriptions are made up in advance of the patient arriving at the pharmacy).

Nomination relies on:

  • Electronically signed scripts – Prescribers will be able to digitally sign an electronic prescription meaning there is no requirement for a paper prescription. Pharmacies may need to print a token for the patient to sign their exemption declaration if required (like an existing paper prescription).
  • Repeat dispensing changes – Repeat dispensing will move to an electronic process. The NHS system will automatically send pharmacies a repeat prescription in good time to allow pharmacies to dispense items before the patient arrives. Pharmacies will also be able to pull down prescriptions in advance of the next anticipated dispensing if clinically justified.
Normal acute dispensing with Release 2 GP token

There will still be circumstances where a patient may choose not to nominate a particular pharmacy or may ask for an acute prescription which will be dispensed at a pharmacy other than their normal pharmacy.

In this situation the GP will generate a token which will not be hand-signed.

There will also continue to be normal paper prescriptions e.g. EPS R1 prescriptions for certain items like schedule 2 & 3 controlled drugs.

Dispense elsewhere with GP Token

It will become possible to move prescriptions between different pharmacies on an exceptional basis. This will be monitored during the initial stages of the release.

For example, if a patient's regular pharmacy does not have the items in stock they can return the prescription to the spine to be downloaded by another pharmacy. This is similar to the process in place in Release 1.

Patient presents at non-nominated pharmacy without token

Unlike Release 1 however, it will be possible to transfer the messages electronically so if a patient goes on holiday and forgets to collect their prescriptions then these could be transferred to a pharmacy local to the patient as a ‘‘one off’ change to nomination.

Prescriber cancels whole prescription

GPs will be able to cancel individual items or entire prescriptions as long as they have not yet been pulled down by the pharmacy. If the prescription has been pulled down then the GP must contact the pharmacy and instruct them to return the script to the spine for the GP to then access.

Release 2 token handed in at Release 1 pharmacy (and vice versa)

Release 2 prescriptions cannot be dispensed at a Release 1 pharmacy. In this instance the patient must contact their prescriber to obtain a Release 1 script. Release 1 prescriptions can be dispensed as normal at a release 2 pharmacy.

Can a pharmacy go straight to Release 2?

It is imperative that pharmacies install the EPS software in individual stages as is suggested by Connecting for Health and the associated software providers. This is essential so that pharmacies experience minimal disruption to their business. By installing the Release 1 software as soon as possible pharmacy staff can take their time to use the features and develop any new workflows. By the time that Release 2 is launched there will be an understanding of the basics within the pharmacy and the introduction of Release 2 will not be such a large undertaking.

Where can I learn more about EPS?

You can learn more about EPS at the following websites:

Return to EPS homepage.