EPS scripts up by 85 per cent, thanks to Covid-19

The coronavirus pandemic has boosted the use electronic prescription service (EPS) as patients want to remain safe, a leading pharmacy body said on Thursday (July 2).p

Prescriptions sent through EPS now make up over 85 per cent of all dispensed prescriptions, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has revealed.

“The Covid-19 outbreak has increased the rate of use of EPS, with the service now being utilised by more GP access,virtual hubs, walk-in centres and out of hours settings than ever before, and uptake in urgent care settings contributing towards the wider use of EPS,” according to the PSNC.

The latest data also highlight that 53 per cent of GP practices are now using EPS.

One-off nomination is now available in many GP practices and other care settings, allowing prescriptions to be sent to an alternative pharmacy without affecting a patient’s existing nominations and avoiding the need for paper print-outs.

This feature is expected to be rolled out across all GP practice systems.