Pharmacy saves time thanks to e-monitoring system for prescriptions

An electronic monitoring system which helps manage controlled drugs prescriptions has helped free up time at a pharmacy in Yorkshire.

The Day Lewis pharmacy in Hull began piloting EMIS Health’s electronic controlled drugs register (eCDR), which was integrated into the pharmacy’s ProScript Connect system, four months ago.

As a result, manager Neil Mowbray, has said he now spends 20 minutes a week instead of an hour auditing controlled drugs prescriptions.

Mowbray said: said: “I’m a big fan of the eCDR. It has reduced discrepancies and errors, because we record information in real time.

“It has also reduced the volume of drugs going out of date, as it is easier to monitor stock.

“The controlled drugs register (CDR) was a Monday job that often got pushed back to another day because of the time it took. Now we can complete it in about a quarter of the time.”

This follows the news that Pharmacies in England are now be able to dispense controlled drugs via the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

Shanel Raichura, clinical director of medicines management at EMIS Health, said: “The eCDR is a perfect example of how IT can transform modern pharmacy.

“Not only is it freeing up time for pharmacists to spend on enhanced patient services, it is eliminating errors and helping to drive up standards.”

EMIS Health plans to roll out the eCDR to its customer base in the coming weeks, with a number of users already set up and using the integrated electronic module.

The eCDR is free for users of the ProScript Connect dispensary management system.