Invatech to roll out electronic prescribing across Wales

Pharmacy system supplier Invatech has been given the green light to roll out its technology across Wales following the completion of successful live testing at a site in the north of the country.

Invatech, which is the first community pharmacy system supplier to be ready for wider use across Wales, provides an Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) that allows GP surgeries to send prescriptions electronically to the patient’s choice of community pharmacy, without the need for a paper form.

Patients in Rhyl became the first in Wales to use electronic prescriptions in November 2023 when the service was launched at the town’s Lakeside Medical Centre and Wellington Road Pharmacy, using EMIS Group’s GP system, and Invatech’s Titan pharmacy system.

Since then, EPS has also benefitted patients in Conwy, with prescriptions being sent from Llanfairfechan’s Plas Menai Surgery to two pharmacies. These are Boots in Llanfairfechan, which is testing Boots’ own pharmacy system, and Gwynan Edwards in Penmaenmawr, which is the second Invatech site.

Invatech chief executive Tariq Muhammad spoke of his delight that their system is the first to be approved for EPS use in Wales, and that it will “bring great benefits” to existing Titan customers and their patients.

“We know there’s a commitment from NHS Wales and Welsh Government to bring the benefits of EPS to patients and health services across Wales. We’re going to start our work with our customers straightaway, so these benefits can be realised as soon as the surgeries come on board,” he said.

A number of other suppliers are in the process of upgrading their pharmacy system technology ready for use in Wales. This development has been supported by the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund, established by Life Sciences Hub (LSHW) and Digital Medicines on behalf of Welsh Government.

Cari-Anne Quinn, LSHW chief executive, said: “Invatech’s approval to implement electronic prescribing across Wales marks yet another significant leap forward in modernising healthcare delivery services in Wales.

“With the power of technology, we’re streamlining processes, improving patient care and making a positive impact on both healthcare professionals and the environment.”

The introduction of EPS across Wales is a key part of the wider Digital Medicines initiative, managed by Digital Health and Care Wales. It is expected to make the process of prescribing and dispensing medicines safer, easier and more efficient for patients and health care professionals.