If you want to use EPS talk to someone at your pharmacy, dispensing appliance contractor or GP practice, they will be happy to help. 

Patient information

Download the patient information summary sheet in English (PDF, 25.0kB).

Or you can choose from a range of translated language versions.

Benefits

If you collect repeat prescriptions you will not have to visit your GP practice just to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send the prescription electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.

The prescription is an electronic message so there is no paper prescription to lose.

You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.

If the prescription needs to be cancelled the GP can electronically cancel and issue a new prescription without you having to return to the practice – saving you extra trips.

You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as your repeat prescriptions can be made ready before you arrive.

You can get all these benefits if you:

• have a stable condition
• don't want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription
• collect your medicines from the same place most of the time
• use a prescription collection service now.

You will not get as many benefits, if you:

• don't get prescriptions very often or
• pick up your medicines from different places.

Get the benefits of EPS

You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose up to one of each of the following:

• a pharmacy
• a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one)
• your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).

Ask someone at your GP surgery or at any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS to add your nomination for you. You don't need a computer to use EPS.

You can change your nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription. If you don't want your prescription to be sent electronically just tell your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.

EPS is reliable, secure and confidential. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.

Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.

Read on if you want to know more about EPS.

• Where is EPS available?
• When will EPS be available to me?
• I care for someone who has regular prescriptions, can we use it?

Where is EPS available?

Check the EPS maps to see which GP practices and pharmacies are offering EPS now, or in the near future. Just choose your area and zoom in. If you click on the coloured icons the name of the practice or pharmacy will be shown.

GP practices and pharmacies display the EPS sign to show you that they are using EPS and can be nominated. If you have any questions, you can ask your pharmacist or GP, they will be happy to help you.

When will EPS be available to me?

EPS is available to you when both:

• your GP surgery has the service and
• the pharmacy you want to collect your medicines from has the service.

Use the EPS maps to see if EPS is available in your GP surgery or preferred pharmacy.

You can use NHS Choices to search by your address or the name of your practice or pharmacy.

I care for someone who has regular prescriptions, can we use EPS?

Yes, if the person you care for gets regular prescriptions you will no longer need to make trips to the practice just to collect a paper prescription. You can choose a pharmacy near to where you work, live or shop so you can collect the medicines when it is convenient for you.

To set the nomination you or the person you care for will need to ask someone at the GP surgery or at any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS to add the nomination. You don't need a computer to use EPS.

Further information

More information on EPS and other NHS services you might be interested in.