Scottish EPS rules out dispensing GPs from initial scope

Dispensing GPs only "likely to be included in future iterations"

Scottish EPS developers have given only guarded assurances that dispensing GP practices will be included in the programme.

The DDA has been told that dispensing GPs are not within the initial scope of Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways (DPDP), which is Scotland's equivalent to the electronic prescription service development programme. However, a DPDP spokesman said that "dispensing GP practises (sic) are likely to be included in one of the further iterations".

The DPDP programme aims to replace the paper prescription with a digital solution that will manage prescribing and dispensing by a community pharmacy, and will replace handwritten signatures.

Wales is also rolling out an EPS programme, but unlike Scotland and England - and following representation from the DDA - dispensing GPs are included within the initial scope.

The Scottish DPDP says the aim is to begin implementation for in-practice prescribing and dispensing through mid-2024 to mid-2026. Current workstreams involve DPDP officials visiting community pharmacies to "capture the challenges that dispensers face", as well as answering any questions that they had about what DPDP will offer and how dispensing will differ post implementation.

Political News Scotland