Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

For full information on EPS, EPS Tracker, eRD, Guidance and Resources, please click here to visit the CPE EPS Hub page.

Virtual outcomes training:

Click here to log in to Virtual Outcomes and complete the following training course: Electronic Prescription Service Release 4 and eRD

EPS Nomination Issues – update Jan 2025:

Nomination is a process that was introduced in Release 2 of EPS. It gives patients the option to choose, or ‘nominate’, a preferred dispensing contractor(s) to which their prescriptions can be sent electronically using EPS.

PATIENT CHOICE must be maintained at all times.

Pharmacies setting a patient’s EPS nomination MUST obtain informed CONSENT from the patient.

Although written consent is not mandatory, it is recommended, as this will ensure that an audit trail exists should any queries arise. Various consent templates are available:

• Community Pharmacy England nomination form(NHS England suggested text)
• RPS form(MS Word)

When obtaining consent from a patient to change a nomination, the following messages MUST be communicated:

• Nomination is not mandatory. Patients do not have to nominate a pharmacy in order to receive their prescriptions.
• If nomination is set, prescriptions are sent electronically to the nominated dispenser unless the patient explicitly opts for paper, or the item can only go on paper (e.g., an item not listed on the NHS database, dm+d)
• Nominating a pharmacy and using the EPS means there is no need to collect a paper prescription from the GP.
• The patient can choose which pharmacy to nominate (if at all) and is not restricted to a nearby dispenser.
• Patients can ask to set, change, or remove their nomination at any time, at any Release 2 site including whilst part way through a repeat dispensing cycle. Any remaining repeat prescriptions, which have not been pulled down to the local system, may be accessed by the new nominated dispensing site.
• Patients do not need computer access to nominate a pharmacy or use EPS.

Recent reports of pharmacies changing patient EPS nominations without their informed consent have prompted this article.

Nominations must not be set, changed or cancelled unless staff involved are familiar with the process for obtaining consent, have explained EPS to, and have obtained informed consent from, the patient.

Guidance explaining the four principles of nomination are set out within this factsheet (endorsed by NHS Digital previously): EPS nomination core principles.

More detailed national Nomination guidance has also been published by NHS England and NHS Digital. The guidance is designed to support all EPS users including pharmacies.

Pharmacy changes (e.g. ownership/ODS)

The arrangements are set out within Community Pharmacy England’s briefing: Community Pharmacy England’s IT/ODS change checklist.

A pharmacy’s ODS code (previously known as the OCS code, NACS code and F code) is used in a number of national NHS IT systems. When an electronic prescription is sent to a nominated pharmacy, the electronic message contains a flag with the ODS code of the nominated pharmacy. Only a pharmacy with a matching ODS code registered on their local system can pull down a message without the prescription ID number contained on a token.

Where a dispensing site is changing ownership on a non-debts and liabilities basis, a change of ODS code is required (note this is the only scenario in which a new ODS code is required). Pharmacies in this situation should alert their pharmacy system supplier as early as possible; system suppliers can work with the NHS Digital to co-ordinate technical changes that enable pharmacies to access prescriptions that have been issued linked to the old or new code – ensuring continuity of care for patients.

Regardless of whether there is a change to the pharmacy ODS code, the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013 (No. 349) requires the new owner to inform patients who had previously nominated the pharmacy that the ownership has changed and check that they wish to continue to nominate the pharmacy. This needs to be undertaken within the first 6 months of ownership.

Further information regarding Nomination of Patients (EPS) is available here: Nomination of patients (EPS) – Community Pharmacy England