Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of digital technology in the pharmacy sector including (a) automated dispensing technology and (b) interoperability between GP and pharmacy systems.

Approximately 90% of prescriptions are submitted through the Electronic Prescription Service and all pharmacies have access to Summary Care Records, which is a summary of patient information created from general practitioner (GP) medical records. GP and pharmacy IT systems are integrating to support patient pathways, including the Community Pharmacists Consultation Service, where GPs can refer patients with a minor illness to a community pharmacist. Pharmacies are also receiving access to the full patient record and actions taken by community pharmacy will be recorded. Individual pharmacy contractors make decisions on the adoption of automated dispensing technology.