The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7461 p62
21 July 2007

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NPA issues EPS warning

Pharmacists who are not prepared for the electronic prescription service (EPS) are running a significant business risk, the National Pharmacy Association has warned.

In a statement issued this week, the NPA said it was aware of a number of pharmacies in England not yet enabled for release 1 capability of the EPS. “In the autumn, EPS is scheduled to move into release 2, which marks the start of the transition away from a parallel paper and electronic service to one where the electronic prescription predominates,” it said. “Pharmacists who are not enabled for EPS will be unable to receive and therefore dispense prescriptions.”

Gareth Jones, the NPA’s NHS liaison manager, added: “This message is particularly important for community pharmacies in the 17 initial implementer sites. If you don’t get connected you run a significant business risk.”

The initial implementer sites for release 2 of EPS were announced earlier this year (PJ, 30 June, p758).