Production
The number of hours from requesting a prescription to availability for collection by the patient is 48 hours or less (excluding weekends and bank / local holidays)
Receiving Requests
Requests should be received by the following methods:
- Online (NHS APP) via surgery clinical system
- Practice website
- Counterfoil
- Written request
A lockable box situated in the waiting room is available for patients to post their requests and should be emptied on a regular basis.
The patient should be informed when they are able to collect the prescription at the time of request (e.g. by means of a poster / Practice patient booklet, Practice website).
Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
EPS makes it easier for GPs to issue prescriptions and more convenient for patients to collect their medicines. Using EPS means that prescriptions by GPs and other prescribers will be transferred electronically to the pharmacy nominated by the patient. The prescriptions will also be sent automatically to the Prescription Pricing Authority. This service has now been fully rolled out nationally, and all medicines can be sent via EPS with the exception of some controlled drugs.
As a practice and national policy, all prescriptions should be issued electronically, unless there is good reason not to – e.g. CDs, patient travelling etc.
Patient consent must be obtained before pharmacy nominations are made, and a record of such consent should be kept on their record. Nominations can either be made by the practice or by the pharmacy under the instruction of the patient.
Pharmacies must return prescriptions/items not dispensed immediately to the spine. Items not dispensed must be returned or rejected, and claiming for them would constitute fraud. Any such incidents of pharmacies suspected to be making fraudulent claims should be reported immediately to the practice manager, who is then responsible for investigating and potentially escalating the issue to the ICB/NHS if the pharmacy is found to be intentionally making fraudulent claims.
Further information regarding the EPS is available here. Any questions relating to EPS can be directed to enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk.