Prescription tokens and dispensing tokens are both part of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) but serve different purposes within the prescription issuing and dispensing process.
Prescription Tokens
Prescription tokens resemble traditional paper prescriptions but are not legally valid for dispensing. They are provided to patients primarily when an electronic prescription is issued but the patient has not nominated a pharmacy to receive it electronically. Once a token is issued, the patient can take it to a pharmacy of their choice, where the pharmacy retrieves the electronic prescription from the NHS Spine and prepares the medication for dispensing.
Prescription tokens offer patients flexibility in choosing a pharmacy, which can be particularly beneficial if they are travelling or have not yet established a preferred pharmacy.
Dispensing Tokens
Dispensing tokens are generated by the pharmacist and are a paper copy of the information contained in an electronic prescription. They are produced for reference and record-keeping purposes, typically upon patient request. Unlike prescription tokens, dispensing tokens cannot be used to claim the medication directly; they only serve as a receipt or for informational purposes.
Both types of tokens are crucial for ensuring a smooth and efficient medication dispensing process, as they provide different points of interaction between patients, prescribers, and pharmacists within the EPS framework.
