Third Party Apps for Ordering Medication Posted on 4 Nov 2019

Patients may be aware of recent adverts for Third Party Apps for ordering medication. After taking advice from the local CCG Prescribing Team this is not something we are able to support and would strongly encourage our patients to use the existing secure methods for online services to order medication.

This can be done either via SystmOnline or via the NHS App.

We have outlined our reasons for this below:

• These Apps encourage patients to order their prescriptions through their App and not through the GP surgery.

• This is of commercial benefit to the Pharmacy chain but may have issues for the patient

• Use of an App ties the patient into using a specific chemist

• It adds an extra stage into the ordering process, potentially causing delays

• Inaccuracies  can occur as the request is added as free text rather than from a tick sheet

• Repeat ordering by a chemist can lead to waste and stock-piling of unused medications

• The apps are totally unregulated and do not come under the jurisdiction of the GMC, GPhC or CQC

• There have been reports of inaccurate and inappropriate medication  requests being submitted to GP Practices

• There have even been reports of information being sent to the wrong GP Practice – this information included name, DOB, address and medication details!

• We already have on line apps which allows safe ordering by the patient direct to the practice, without  having to go through the pharmacy which avoids all the above pitfalls.

• Locally, practices have worked hard over the past 18 months to limit over-ordering

• St Luke’s has agreed to follow the local guidance not to accept requests from thirds parties in the interests of safety and cost effectiveness

Thank you for your support in this.