NHS Digital has launched a pilot that could see more than 95 per cent of GP prescriptions processed electronically, saving the NHS time and money.

Until now, patients could only have prescriptions processed electronically if they had chosen a regular ‘nominated’ dispenser, but the latest improvement to the electronic prescription service (EPS) will allow prescriptions for all patients to be sent using the more efficient digital system.

Eight GP practices across England are piloting the next stage of EPS this year, followed by further practices in 2019. If the pilot is successful, the new functionality will be made available to all GP practices in England.

Farhan Ali, pharmacist manager at LloydsPharmacy in Ramsbottom, one of the pilot pharmacies, said: “We’re only a few days in and are already seeing the positive impact, both on the way our team works and on patient experience.”