The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) replaces paper
prescriptions and is designed to make the process of prescribing
and dispensing medicines more efficient for GPs and pharmacists.
It is part of Wales' rapidly expanding Digital Medicines
Programme, which includes rolling out electronic prescribing
systems in every hospital in Wales and further upgrades to the
NHS Wales app to enable people to see when their prescriptions
are ready to collect.
Speaking at the "Pharmacy: delivering a healthier Wales"
conference in Cardiff, Health Secretary said more than a million
prescriptions are transferred electronically between GPs and
pharmacies every month, representing a major step forward in
healthcare digitalisation.
The Welsh Government has committed to bringing forward the full
rollout of EPS to November 2026, almost a year earlier than
originally planned.
The digital transformation comes alongside a significant
expansion in pharmacy services.
Pharmacies provided nearly 500,000 common ailment consultations
last year, with the range of illnesses able to be treated at
pharmacies being expanded.
Since June, pharmacies have been able to provide testing, advice
and, where needed, antibiotics for throat infections.
More than 40% of community pharmacies now have a pharmacist who
can prescribe treatment for a range of other conditions like ear
or skin infections, meaning many more people will no longer need
to visit their GP.
The Welsh Government has invested £1.4 million to transform the
pharmacy estate over the last 2 years, helping pharmacies to
install new consultation rooms, time saving automation and
medicines collection points.
Alongside the developments in community and hospital pharmacy,
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has been commissioned to review
the role of pharmacy professionals working in GP practices. The
work will start this autumn and feedback is expected in spring.
Health Secretary, , said:
Wales has been at the forefront of change in the pharmacy
profession and that is something I am very proud of.
Our wide-ranging reforms have expanded people's access to
appropriate and effective care, drawing on the considerable
expertise in the pharmacy profession and giving people faster and
easier access to care for a wide range of conditions.
Welsh Government investment in the digital medicines programme is
improving productivity, safety and patient experience. The rapid
expansion of the electronic prescription service means many
patients are already seeing benefits.
The roll out of electronic prescribing in hospitals will also
improve accuracy and safety in medication management and help
professionals in delivering high quality care for patients.
We have a clear and compelling vision for how pharmacies will
continue to make a positive difference to people's health and
wellbeing in Wales.
