Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions - ETP

When the Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions (ETP) is first implemented (Release 1) by a prescriber - usually a GP - patients will not notice much change. You will still receive a paper prescription. This paper prescription will be almost identical to your current prescription form, except that it will have a barcode on it. The barcode represents a unique code to identify the prescription. It contains no personal information.

When your GP issues this prescription, an electronic copy of the information on it will be sent to the Electronic Prescription Service. The electronic copy of the information has the same unique number as the barcode on the paper prescription and uses a standard database of drugs available through the NHS.

Prestwich Pharmacy is able to scan the barcode on the prescription and retrieve the electronic copy of the information onto our dispensary computer. The dispensary staff can then dispense the medicines or appliances as usual - including the same level of safety checks as at present.

Access to the Electronic Prescription Service will be tightly controlled by the use of smart cards issued on individual GPs, pharmacists and any other approved users, which provide them with the appropriate level of access.

When Release 2 of the software is implemented (probably 2007), patients will then have the option of "nominating" a pharmacy to use on a regular basis. The pharmacy can then receive the prescription electronically without the patient having to provide a paper prescription form and also to prepare any medicines in advance of the patient arriving to collect it.

By nominating Prestwich Pharmacy as your choice of pharmacy it will allow us to help make the process of prescribing and dispensing prescriptions much easier for you and everyone else involved.