What is eRD?

The way in which you order and/or receive your repeat prescriptions is changing. We are actively transferring patients who receive repeat prescriptions for medication onto the electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) system. Patients who are taking medication for stable, long term conditions will no longer need to request their prescriptions each month. The eRD system means that repeat prescriptions will be pre-authorised by your GP for a specified number of months, which will be determined by your circumstances and clinical need. They will be automatically sent electronically to your nominated community pharmacy at appropriate intervals.

Why is this happening?

The current Coronavirus pandemic has prompted NHS England to review existing procedures, and implement a safer way of managing processes. The eRD system will minimise unnecessary contact between you, the practice, your pharmacy and other patients, reducing the risk of transmitting Coronavirus. This also means that staff at the surgery and your pharmacy will be better able to adapt to the pressures on them due to Coronavirus, and provide as good a service as they can in these difficult times.

How does it work?

The surgery will contact you to inform you that you have been registered for eRD. If you do not wish to receive your prescriptions in this manner, please let us know as soon as possible. To be eligible for eRD you must have nominated a pharmacy for us to send your prescriptions to. If you do not have a nominated pharmacy, your chosen pharmacy would be happy to do this for you. If you wish to change your nominated pharmacy, your proposed new pharmacy will be happy to do this for you.

You will now be able to go straight to the pharmacy each month to collect your repeat prescription until the authorised number of issues is reached. Your pharmacy will advise you when this happens and you will then need to be seen for a medication review before any more prescriptions can be authorised. After a satisfactory review, your GP will then authorise another batch of repeat prescriptions for you. Please do not ask your pharmacy to supply you with multiple repeat prescriptions at a time, as they will be unable to do this. If you need more than one issue of medication in one go (e.g. holiday), please discuss this with your pharmacy ahead of time so they will be able to help you. When you collect your prescription, the pharmacy team will ask you questions about any changes to your medication or concerns since your last prescription – this is for your safety and to allow the system to continue smoothly.

If you have any questions, or would like further information not covered by this article, please contact your community pharmacy.