The electronic prescription service (EPS) has managed to save the NHS £130 million over three years, according to new statistics released by NHS Digital.

By allowing GP surgeries to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies, the EPS system, has helped to save both patients and the NHS time and money.

An audit of patients using the system found that 72 per cent said their medicines were ready and waiting for them when they arrived at their pharmacy, with the average prescription collection around 20 minutes quicker under the EPS system.

Pharmacists reported on average they were saving around 54 minutes a day as a result of faster dispensing under EPS and 43 minutes a day as a result of fewer trips to GP practices to collect paper prescription forms.

Luvjit Kandula, chief officer of Leicestershire and Rutland Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “As further work is being planned to improve uptake of EPS and repeat dispensing, this will further improve the patient experience and free up more time for clinicians to focus on medicines optimisation and service delivery.”