Tag: Repeat prescriptions

According to the Department of Health, unused medicines cost the National Health Service (NHS) around £300 million every year. To help manage this and improve patient safety, a standard practice known as the **28 day prescription rule** has been implemented, limiting the routine supply of repeat medications to this specific interval.

Approximately two-thirds of all prescriptions issued in primary care are for repeat medications, making systems like Electronic Repeat Dispensing, or **eRD medication**, a key part of modern pharmacy management. This digital service streamlines the process for patients on stable, long-term treatments, replacing the need for repeat trips or calls to the GP for every prescription renewal.

According to an NHS England estimate, if 80% of eligible patients were signed up to eRD, it could save up to 2.7 million GP hours every year. So, what does eRD mean in pharmacy? It is a digital system designed to streamline the repeat prescription process for both patients and healthcare providers.