These directions, which come into force on 1 December 2012, enable the 33 primary care trusts (PCTs) listed in the schedule to authorise their primary medical services contractors or any practice established by the PCT to use the electronic prescription service.
See the Primary Medical Services (Electronic Prescription Service Authorisation) (Amendment) Directions 2012
Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS R2) allows the electronic transfer of prescriptions between prescribers and dispensers. Dispensing contractors can deploy EPS R2 whenever they want. Prescribers however cannot use electronic signatures needed for EPS R2 until their PCT is included in the EPS directions.
The Department announced on 1 September that the 3 month notice period had commenced for the 33 PCTs that had been approved by the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) Directions Evaluation Panel, to be added to the EPS directions.
