Electronic Prescription Service in Wales: what pharmacies in England need to know

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is being rolled out across primary care in Wales. All seven pharmacy system suppliers with contracts in Wales support EPS, with approximately 44% of pharmacies in Wales now enabled to receive electronic prescriptions and just over 10% of GP practices in Wales able to send them. 

Patients registered at any EPS enabled GP practice in Wales may choose to nominate your pharmacy. Likewise, patients registered at English GP practices may choose to alter their nomination to an EPS enabled pharmacy in Wales. to dispense their prescription items. Should you receive a Welsh prescription you should check that the patients nomination is up-to-date.    

In some cases, for example, if a patient has moved, there may be a historic nomination that is incorrect. If this happens, update the patient’s nomination to their chosen pharmacy to ensure future prescriptions are sent to the correct location, and return any misdirected prescriptions to the NHS Spine.   

Welsh patients who choose to have their prescriptions filled at an English pharmacy near the border may be required to pay a prescription charge, unless they qualify for an exemption or hold a valid entitlement. In contrast, prescription charges do not apply within Wales. 

Moving from paper to digital prescriptions transition makes prescribing and collecting medicines more convenient for everyone. While EPS is available across England and Wales, those working and living on the border will especially benefit from this service. 

As always, each EPS user making changes to nomination settings, and each pharmacy team must ensure their nomination processes are in line with the EPS nomination principles.