Patients without an EPS nomination will automatically have their prescriptions sent electronically.
Patients with a nomination may also choose to have a non-nominated prescription if they don’t wish to use their nomination for that prescription.
A token (patients may refer to this as a ‘paper copy’) should be printed for all non-nominated prescriptions.
In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible for the patient to collect a token – see guidance for using EPS in remote consultations.
Tokens contain the same information as an FP10 such as the medications prescribed, quantity, dosage and instructions. However, as this is not the legal prescription, you do not sign this by hand.
The token is used by the dispenser, such as a community pharmacy or DAC, to scan the barcode to retrieve the prescription from the NHS Spine.
Repeat dispensing or batch prescribing
If a patient is part way through a paper-based repeat dispensing batch when non-nominated prescriptions are switched on, that will continue on paper until the batch is complete and the final issue dispensed. If a new batch is prescribed after this, it will be issued using electronic repeat dispensing (eRD).
With non-nominated eRD, prescriptions for patients are issued in the same way as eRD for those with a nomination. Guidance on how to cancel items on eRD prescriptions is available from your prescribing system supplier.
Unlike a paper-based repeat dispensing batch, patients without a nomination will receive just one token which will cover the entire regime. They will need to present this to a dispenser at each issue.
Dispensers have access to the EPS Prescription Tracker and can use this to check the dispensing intervals of any previous issue and that these are appropriate for the prescribed dose and quantity. Patients can also speak to their local pharmacy or DAC about leaving their token with them if they would like them to dispense future issues in the batch.
If an eRD regime has been issued whilst a patient does not have a nomination, then all issues will remain non-nominated, even if a nomination is set during the regime.