Pharmacy IT Comes Of Age
09 February 2006
2006 promises to be a truly exciting time for pharmacy IT. A number of projects that have been in development for some time are finally coming to fruition, supported by a new generation of IT systems.
Visit a pharmacy in England, Scotland or Wales this time next year, and you can confidently predict you will notice a difference in the way things are done. Pharmacy IT is finally moving into the 21st century.
In Scotland, e-MAS goes live on 1 April. This is a great service with significant customer benefits, which provides a gentle introduction to electronic services in the pharmacy. The Scottish Executive Health Department should force the pace to ensure e-MAS is delivered quickly.
Meanwhile in England ETP is rolling out around the country, driven by the system vendors. In our experience ETP take-up is following the classic business model. We are moving from ‘innovators’ to ‘early adopters’, and are already in discussions with the ‘early majority’.
People who adopt ETP quickly are at a huge advantage. ETP simply automates what pharmacists are already doing, so is nothing to worry about. However, early familiarity will boost staff confidence and ensure the pharmacy is prepared for the move to a totally paperless system, which will follow with Release 2 of ETP.
At the moment there is a lack of smartcards from PCTs, but this should soon be resolved. Meanwhile the EMIS system (used by around 66 per cent of GPs) is due to roll out around now, complete with electronic codes for all medicines. With these two issues resolved, vendors will continue to drive progress.
The Welsh Government is also about to begin rolling out the IT component of the new contract in Wales this year, beginning by funding and co-ordinating pharmacists’ connection to the NHS Wales network. ETP in Wales will then roll out in 2006-7.
IT is fundamental to the implementation of the new pharmacy contract, saving pharmacists time and helping them to keep accurate, up-to-date records which can also be used to support other healthcare professionals. It has taken some time, but now the IT train has arrived in the station. Pharmacists should get on board quickly if they are not to be left behind.
