- If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time
- You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop
- You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive
- If you currently have a nominated ‘prescription destination’ (sent by fax, or collected by the pharmacist) you will be automatically nominated for the same pharmacy (you do not need to do anything)
- If you wish to opt-out of this service, or change the nomination, please tell reception, who will remove or change the nomination. Please be aware that if your nomination is removed, you will only then be able to pick your prescription up from the surgery
Is this service right for you?
Yes, if you have a stable condition and you:
- don’t want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription
- collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now
It may not be if you:
- don’t get prescriptions very often
- pick up your medicines from different places
How can you use EPS?
You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose:
- a pharmacy
- a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one)
Ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or ask at reception to add your nomination for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.
Can I change my nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription?
Yes, you can. If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically tell us. If you want to change or cancel your nomination you can speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or you can tell us. You need to tell us before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.
Is EPS reliable, secure and confidential?
Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now. Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.
For more information visit www.hscic.gov.uk/epspatients, your pharmacy or speak to reception.