Electronic Prescribing Service

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service. It allows you to choose the best way to receive your repeat prescriptions.

What does this mean for you?

If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your surgery, you will no longer need to visit your GP practice to collect your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to a pharmacy of your choice.

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)
  • your dispensing GP practice (if appropriate)

Your chosen pharmacy, dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or your GP practice, can make all of the nomination arrangemenrts for you.

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 your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice. Tell them 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 still only 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. Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.

For more information please visit the NHS Choices website .