A new internet-based dispensary computer system is to be launched later this year.
The developers say that their system, called Enigma, modernises the dispensing process with a rapid web-based system that ensures patient confidentiality and choice.
In a statement on June 19, the company explained that Enigma has three components: a dispensary front-end, which provides patient medication records prescription endorsing, labelling, stock control, monitored dosage system and head office reporting facilities and National Health Service reimbursement predictions; a central database, which updates local pharmacy databases; and web applications which provide a central website and local pharmacy websites.
Enigma Health UK Ltd's corporate director (Mr Kirit Patel) told The Journal on June 19: "This is a win-win model. The system benefits both pharmacists and patients." He added that shares in Enigma were to be offered to pharmacists who wanted to buy into it.
"We want pharmacists to own the company. It is to be a system controlled by them," Mr Patel said. "It is fully developed and is being beta-tested now. We expect a launch no later than September."
The statement says that once a pharmacy has become an Enigma user, it will be able to issue registration numbers to patients. Patients will then be able to use these numbers, plus a password, to register at the Enigma website so that they can access their own medication records at home. They will also be able to ask the pharmacy they use to order repeat prescriptions from their family doctors when they need them and check on the progress of their orders. They will be able to see health promotional messages intended for people with their conditions or using the same medicines, and will see compliance and counselling information and advertising for products that are suitable for them to use.
The company's managing director (Mr Maurice Leaman) said: "We expect that web usership will grow significantly, particularly among older people, as it becomes available through television. The successful internet companies will be those that reflect and facilitate people's everyday activities. The Enigma model fits that description perfectly. Patients will have a great deal of confidence in using a system owned by their pharmacists."

A demonstration screen from Enigma