PharmacyX tests electronic prescription software for use in Wales

PharmacyX has been announced as the latest healthcare technology supplier to help deliver an electronic prescription service (EPS) in Wales.

The introduction of EPS allows GPs and other prescribers to send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy or dispenser of the patient’s choice, rather than use paper-based prescriptions.

In order to implement the digital service, GP and community pharmacy IT systems have to be able to send and receive electronic prescriptions securely.

PharmacyX began the EPS assurance process in Wales in September 2024, with live phases of assurance planned to begin in October 2024 and be completed by early 2025.

Following successful completion of the assurance process, its software could be rolled out to the Welsh pharmacies that use the PharmacyX system from early 2025.

Jenny Pugh Jones, programme oversight chair for EPS at Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW), said: “We are incredibly pleased to work in partnership with PharmacyX.

“EPS has a huge role to play in modernising healthcare services in primary care and its delivery relies on collaboration with all Welsh pharmacy IT suppliers.”

PharmacyX is the sixth supplier to make changes to its software to support EPS in Wales, following Clanwilliam, Invatech, Boots and Positive Solutions.

Paul Mayberry, director at PharmacyX, said: “We are proud to be helping bring community pharmacies into the digital age.

“With increasing pressure on resources, we are pleased to be able to offer technology that makes life easier and more efficient for pharmacies and for patients.”

The EPS is being rolled out in a phased approach as pharmacy suppliers’ software passes assurance testing and GP surgeries and pharmacies become ready to start using the new service.

Patients in Rhyl were the first in Wales to use electronic prescriptions in November 2023 and the EPS is now available at 11 surgeries and 38 pharmacies.

To date, four pharmacy system suppliers have had their EPS technology approved for use in Wales, with PharmacyX and one other in the process of testing their EPS technology in Wales.

Developments to ensure suppliers’ EPS technology is ready for use in Wales have been supported by the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund, established by Life Sciences Hub Wales and DHCW on behalf of the Welsh government.

Cari-Anne Quinn, chief executive at Life Sciences Hub Wales, said: “PharmacyX entering the EPS assurance process represents another positive step forward in our mission to deliver technology that will benefit both patients and healthcare professionals.”

The introduction of EPS is a key part of the Digital Medicines initiative, managed by DHCW, which is intended to make the process of prescribing and dispensing medicines safer, easier and more efficient for patients and health care professionals.

It is also aimed at helping the environment by reducing around 40 million paper prescription forms from being printed each year in Wales.