Guidance on Prescription Ordering and Collection during the Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic many primary health care service providers such as GP surgeries, made changes to patient and public access, as well as changing their prescription ordering procedures and processes. Consequently, contractors reported seeing an increased reliance by patients on the pharmacy team to co-ordinate prescription ordering, collection and delivery on their behalf.
CPNI brought these issues to the attention of HSCB and DoH colleagues and in March 2020 correspondence was issued to primary care providers setting out a standard approach to be followed in the ordering, dispensing and supply of medicines.
In October 2020, Guidance was developed on the management of repeat prescriptions by GPs and community pharmacists. CPNI continues to engage with contractors on the effectiveness of these arrangements and liaise with the HSCB on any issues arising.