Electronic Prescriptions and Pharmacy Nomination: How It Works
Most NHS prescriptions in England are now sent digitally from your GP to a pharmacy of your choice. Here is how the Electronic Prescription Service works, how to nominate a pharmacy, and who can get prescriptions for free.
Key takeaways
- The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) sends your prescription securely from your GP to your nominated pharmacy, with no paper needed.
- You can nominate or change your pharmacy at any time through the pharmacy, your GP surgery or the NHS App.
- Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for many groups in England.
- A Prescription Prepayment Certificate can save money if you pay for more than a few items a year.
What is the Electronic Prescription Service?
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is the NHS system that sends prescriptions electronically from the person who prescribes them, usually your GP, to a pharmacy. It is used for the vast majority of prescriptions in England. It is secure, reduces the chance of lost or misread prescriptions, and means you do not have to collect a paper slip from the surgery.
What is a nomination?
A nomination is your choice of pharmacy. Once you nominate a pharmacy, every electronic prescription your GP issues is sent there automatically. You can choose a pharmacy near your home or work, or an online pharmacy that delivers.
You can nominate or change your pharmacy:
- by asking the pharmacy you want to use
- by asking your GP surgery
- in the NHS App, under your prescriptions settings
Changing your nomination is free, and you can change it as often as you like. Your nomination is stored on the NHS Spine and the pharmacy can only see the prescriptions sent to it.
Repeat prescriptions
If you take regular medicine, your GP may set up repeat prescribing. You can request repeats through the NHS App, your surgery's online service or your pharmacy. Some patients are put on electronic repeat dispensing (eRD), where your GP authorises a batch of prescriptions in advance and the pharmacy releases each one when it is due, without you needing to reorder.
Allow at least two working days for your GP to approve a request, and order a week before you run out.
Who gets free prescriptions?
Prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, you do not pay if, for example, you:
- are 60 or over, or under 16
- are 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months and hold a valid maternity exemption certificate
- have certain medical conditions and hold a valid medical exemption certificate
- receive certain benefits, or are named on a valid HC2 certificate
Always check your eligibility before ticking an exemption box, as penalty charges apply for incorrect claims. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has an online eligibility checker.
Saving money with a prepayment certificate
If you pay for prescriptions in England, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) covers all your NHS prescriptions for 3 or 12 months for a fixed price. If you need more than a few items a year, it usually works out cheaper. There is also a separate HRT PPC covering certain hormone replacement therapy medicines. Current prices are published by the NHSBSA.
How your pharmacist can help
- Checking your medicines are safe to take together
- The New Medicine Service, which gives extra support when you start certain new long-term medicines
- Advising on side effects and how to take your medicines
- Supplying an emergency supply of a repeat medicine in some situations if you run out
Sources and further reading
- Electronic Prescription Service — NHS England Digital (https://digital.nhs.uk/services/electronic-prescription-service)
- Help with NHS prescription costs — NHS Business Services Authority (https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs)
- NHS App — NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/)
Content reviewed on 26 October 2026 against current UK guidance. Guidance and eligibility can change; always check the linked sources for the latest information.
This healthcare guide is published for health literacy and educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you experience sudden, acute symptoms (such as crushing chest pain, signs of stroke, severe breathing difficulty, or an acute allergic reaction), call 999 immediately or visit your nearest Emergency Department. For non-urgent medical advice, call NHS 111 or consult our clinical pharmacists.
