More than two-thirds of Welsh pharmacies now provide electronic prescribing
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 Jeremy Miles 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, Jeremy Miles, 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.
More than two-thirds of Welsh pharmacies now provide electronic prescribing | GOV.WALES