ePharmacy Overview

In Scotland, ePharmacy is the umbrella term for computerised services that support the provision of primary health care by community pharmacists. ePharmacy consists of:

  • Pharmacy First Scotland - Standard (MAS) - Pharmacy First Scotland - Standard (MAS) allows patients to register with and use a community pharmacy as the first port of call for the treatment of minor ailments by NHS Scotland. It allows eligible patients to register with the community pharmacy of their choice for a consultation and treatment of common self-limiting conditions. The pharmacist can advise, treat and/or refer the patient according to their needs.

    Pharmacy Manager supports you in the delivery of Pharmacy First Scotland - Standard (MAS) through the process of patient registration, consultation, cancellation and withdrawal, as well as other housekeeping tasks.

  • Universal Claim Framework (UCF) - The Universal Claim Framework (UCF) allows your pharmacy to manage and deliver pharmacy-led services from Pharmacy Manager, for example, Pharmacy First Scotland, Health Board Service and Epidemic / Pandemic Services and Vaccinations.

  • Acute Medication Service (AMS) - AMS supports and improves the existing end-to-end AMS process through the addition of electronic support at key process points. Electronic support is delivered through the provision of the ePharmacy Message Store (ePMS) and its integration with Pharmacy Manager via electronic messaging.
  • Medicines Care and Review (MCR) - The Medicines Care and Review (MCR) service replaces the Chronic Medication Service (CMS). Its aim is to improve patient care through a systematic approach to the pharmaceutical care of patients with long term conditions. The MCR service enables people with a long term illness to register with a pharmacy of their choice for pharmaceutical care. This may include a Medication Review provided by the pharmacist and/or a serial prescription valid for 24, 48 or 56 weeks.

ePharmacy Definitions

Term Definition
MAS Minor Ailment Service
UCF Universal Claim Framework
AMS Acute Medication Service
MCR Medicines Care and Review
CMS Chronic Medication Service
CHI Community Health Index
eAMS Electronic Acute Medication Service
ePMS Electronic Pharmacy Message Store
PCR Pharmacy Care Record
PSD Practitioner Services Division
UPN Unique Prescription Number
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