Pharmaceutical systems provider Invatech has been given the green light to roll out its technology across Wales after successful live testing at a site in the north of the country.
Invatechwhich is the first community pharmacy systems provider to be ready for wider use in Wales, offers an Electronic Prescribing Service (EPS) which allows GP practices to send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy community of patient choice, without the need for a paper form.
Rhyl patients became the first in Wales to use electronic prescriptions in November 2023, when the service launched at the city's Lakeside Medical Center and Wellington Road Pharmacy, using EMIS Group's GP system and Invatech's Titan pharmacy system.
Since then, EPS has also benefited patients in Conwy, with prescriptions sent from Plas Menai Surgery in Llanfairfechan to two pharmacies. These are Boots in Llanfairfechan, which is trialling its own pharmacy system, and Gwynan Edwards in Penmaenmawr, which is Invatech's second site.
Invatech Managing Director Tariq Muhammad said he was delighted that their system was the first to be approved for EPS use in Wales and would “bring great benefits” to existing Titan customers and their patients.
“We know that NHS Wales and the Welsh Government are committed to bringing the benefits of EPS to patients and health services across Wales. We will begin our work with our clients immediately, so that these benefits can be realized as soon as the surgeries are in place,” he said.
A number of other suppliers are in the process of upgrading their pharmaceutical system technology, ready for use in Wales. This development was supported by the Community Pharmacy System Innovation Fund, established by Life Sciences Hub (LSHW) and Digital Medicines on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Cari-Anne Quinn, Chief Executive of LSHW, said: “The approval of Invatech to implement electronic prescribing across Wales marks another significant step forward in modernizing healthcare delivery services. health in Wales.
“Through the power of technology, we streamline processes, improve patient care, and have a positive impact on healthcare professionals and the environment. »
The introduction of EPS across Wales is a key part of the wider digital medicines initiative, managed by Digital Health and Care Wales. It is expected to make the process of prescribing and dispensing medicines safer, simpler and more efficient for patients and healthcare professionals.