§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities' general practitioners are able to write prescriptions produced by computer and issued electronically. [68283]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 10 July 2002]Almost every general practitioner (GP) has a desktop PC. Software suppliers must meet Requirement for Accreditation standards for GP's to be reimbursed. Therefore they must ensure that systems support the ability to write prescriptions via the desktop. Limited numbers of GPs are able to issue prescriptions electronically via the Electronic Transmission of Prescription pilots, which are currently being run by three private sector consortiums on behalf of the Department.