Repeat Dispensing and eRD

At least two thirds of all prescriptions generated in primary care are for patients needing repeat supplies of regular medicines and since 2005, Repeat Dispensing has been an Essential Service within the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).

Patients using the service obtain repeat supplies of NHS prescriptions without the need for their GP practice to issue a prescription each time a supply is required.

The service was designed to save GP practices and patients time and improve convenience and access to prescriptions, by allowing community pharmacy teams to take a more active role in the process of safe supply of patients’ regular prescriptions.

Under the repeat dispensing service pharmacy teams will:

• dispense repeat dispensing prescriptions issued by a general practice;
• ensure that each repeat supply is required; and
• seek to ascertain that there is no reason why the patient should be referred back to their general practice.

Originally this service was carried out using paper prescriptions, but as the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) has developed, the majority of repeat dispensing is now carried out via EPS release 2 and is termed electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD). eRD is much more efficient and convenient for all involved.

For more information visit the Community Pharmacy England website, Repeat Dispensing and eRD.