Scotland’s acute medication service delayed
Implementation of the acute medication service (AMS) in Scotland has
been delayed because the introduction of the electronic systems that
will support the service is taking longer than expected.
The roll-out of AMS — part of the new Scottish community pharmacy
contract — across pharmacies had been scheduled to begin in September.
AMS is based on the electronic transfer of prescriptions (ETP) so is
dependent on new software to enable ETP being installed in GP practices
and community pharmacies.
This week, Alison Strath, principal pharmaceutical officer, Scottish
Government, told The Journal: “Building on our experience from
the implementation of eMAS [the electronic minor ailment service] we
are reviewing our timelines to accommodate the technical and administrative
complexities that arise when implementing the electronic transfer, dispensing
and processing of prescriptions. It is better to take the time to get
things right the first time round rather than to race ahead in order
to deliver on a timetable based on best early assumptions.”
New implementation dates are expected to be published soon, following
discussions between the ePharmacy team and GP and pharmacy system suppliers.
Ms Strath explained: “These revised dates will be based on the
current implementation status of both GP and pharmacy system suppliers.”
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