Prescription and Dispensing Tokens

Tokens are paper copies that are printed to accompany electronic prescriptions. These are simply paper copies of the prescription details contained within the electronic prescription and should never be used to dispense prescription items without the corresponding electronic prescription. The barcode on the token can be scanned to retrieve the electronic prescription from the spine. There are two types of token: the prescription token and the dispensing token.

Prescription tokens

Prescription tokens are printed at the GP practice on FP10 paper prescription forms and feature a barcode. The main difference between a prescription token and a bar-coded FP10 prescription form is that the prescription token is not signed by the prescriber – instead, standard text will be printed in the signature box to prevent the prescriber from signing it.

Scanning the barcode on the prescription token will enable any EPSR2 enabled dispenser to retrieve the electronic prescription.

A prescription token must not be manually amended in any way. If a prescriber wished to amend what they have prescribed, the original electronic prescription must be cancelled (where possible) and a new prescription issued (see Cancelled electronic prescriptions).

If the electronic prescription has been sent to a nominated dispensing contractor, the name and address of the nominated dispensing contractor will be printed on the right hand side of the prescription token. This will help to ensure the patient always knows who they have nominated.

A prescription token must accompany an electronic prescription in the following situations:

• in the longer term when a patient has not nominated a dispensing contractor (initially patients will not be able to have electronic prescriptions unless they have nominated)

• at the start of a repeat dispensing regime  

• where clinical information needs to be communicated to the patient

• at a patient’s request

• if the prescriber deems it necessary to do so.

Where an electronic prescription is being sent to a patient’s nominated dispensing contractor and the prescriber chooses to give the patient a prescription token, the right hand side of the token will include the name and address of the patient’s nominated dispensing contractor. This will help to ensure that the patient always knows who they have nominated.

If the patient brings their prescription token to their nominated pharmacy, the barcode can be scanned to pull down the electronic prescription, supporting efficient processes within the pharmacy. If the patient goes to a pharmacy other than their nominated pharmacy, if the prescription has not already been pulled down to their nominated pharmacy’s local system, the prescription can still be accessed.

Dispensing tokens

Dispensing tokens look almost identical to prescription tokens except they are printed at the dispensing contractor on white stationery (FP10 DT). Local processes for requesting these should be in place.

As dispensing tokens are simply a copy of the prescription details, they should never be signed.

A dispensing token may be required in the following situations (when a prescription token was not issued):

• where a prescription charge exemption declaration is required, this could be captured on either a dispensing token or the prescription token (if printed by the GP practice).

• when a patient needs to go to a different dispensing contractor to collect their medication, their nominated dispensing contractor can return the prescription to the EPS and provide the patient with a dispensing token to hand in at the other dispensing contractor

• when clinical information needs to be communicated to the patient that would have traditionally been placed on the right hand side of the prescription (this information will form part of the electronic prescription message from prescriber to dispenser)

• at the patient’s request.

When an electronic prescription is received for four items, the corresponding dispensing token may print over two tokens. It is sufficient to ask the patient to complete the exemption declaration on one token. Both tokens link to the same electronic message and contain the same barcode and prescription identifier number.

 

The information on the left-hand-side of the dispensing token is exactly the same as that featured on a prescription token. The right-hand-side of the dispensing token, retained by the patient, contains information included in the original prescription message from the prescriber. Information in the prescription message can include:

• the patient’s medication list from their prescriber

• the number of times the medication can be reordered from the prescriber without a medication review

• supplementary clinical information from the prescriber to the patient

• medication review date.

When a patient under 16 year or over 60 years old has nominated a pharmacy to receive their prescription, because of their age exemption, there is no requirement for a patient signature. Consequently there is no need for a printed copy.

When a patient without age exemption has nominated a pharmacy to receive their prescription, there is a need to print a copy of the electronic prescription - hence the FP10DT - in order to obtain the patient's signature, whether they pay prescription charges or are otherwise exempt e.g. in receipt of income support.

 

Tokens contain patient identifiable information so care should be taken in how they are disposed of.

 

NHS England Area Teams are responsible for providing community pharmacies with Form FP10DT, free of charge, to use to print the token. This form is white in colour and is in the same style as other NHS prescriptions. As the dispensing token will not be signed by a prescriber, it is not a legal prescription and therefore Form FP10DT does not need to be stored securely. It will be important for LPCs to discuss local arrangements for the distribution of the forms with NHS England Area Teams  to ensure that arrangements are efficient and manageable.

Tokens used to collect the patient’s exemption declaration will be required to be sent to NHS Prescription Services each month for audit purposes.

Supplementary clinical information

It is a requirement that patient specific clinical information must be made available to the patient. Consequently, it is printed onto the right hand side of the dispensing token.

This part of the token may be used to communicate review dates for patients, be used as an order form for repeat medication and is often also used to promote the prescriber’s practice for example clinic opening and closing times as well as advertising particular services such as ‘flu clinics.

When relevant patient information is included in a downloaded prescription message, it is also displayed during the Pharmacy Manager patient selection wizard.

 

In an EPSR2 context, the electronic message becomes the legal document rather than the paper prescription. At all times, users should check that there are no discrepancies between any information displayed on screen and that contained in the prescription or dispensing token. In the event that there is a discrepancy, you should contact Service Desk for guidance before proceeding further.

 

 

 

     

Further information on prescribing tokens and dispensing tokens is available via the PSNC website .

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Updated 2nd August 2013