§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when electronic transmission of medical prescriptions will commence in Northern Ireland. [176865]
§ Angela SmithA project that will include electronic transfer of prescriptions between community pharmacists and the Central Services Agency is currently being developed. The project timetable indicates that implementation will begin in May/June of 2005 with roll-out across HPSS due to be completed in September 2006. This project does not include electronic transfer of prescriptions from GP practices but planned developments in the NHS will be monitored with the intention of learning from their experience and introducing similar facilities in Northern Ireland.