The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7178 p839-846
15 December 2001

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TransScript sends first prescriptions but loses UniChem

The first electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) has occurred in the pilot trial run by the TransScript consortium. However, UniChem has dropped out of the consortium arguing that it does not believe that its push model represents the way forward for ETP.

The initial ETP involved one doctors' surgery and one pharmacy in East Hampshire Primary Care Trust and took place on 2 December.

Martin Strange, operations director, PharMed, told The Journal that a number of test prescriptions were sent to validate the software. After that a small number of patients were recruited and three real prescriptions were transmitted, although medicines were not actually supplied. The initial tests proved that GPs can sign prescriptions digitally and that pharmacies can retrieve prescriptions. Further tests, including transmission of information to the Prescription Pricing Authority, will now follow, before a full roll-out in February or March next year.

UniChem has left the TransScript ETP pilot. Chris Etherington, managing director at UniChem commented: "We have resigned from TransScript because we do not believe that the push model that is being piloted provides the best platform for development for electronic prescribing. This has been a difficult decision, and one we have considered carefully. We are examining the options available to us as a supporter of independent pharmacy and will announce our intentions in due course."

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