Publication - FOI/EIR release

Electronic prescribing system information: FOI release

Published: 20 July 2026
Directorate: Primary Care Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202600515341
Date received: 23 April 2026
Date responded: 1 June 2026

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

1. Analysis and Comparative Assessments

Any analysis, options appraisals, or comparative assessments produced between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023 which consider or reference electronic prescribing systems used outside Scotland, including (but not limited to) NHS England’s Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

2. Ministerial Briefings and Advice

Any briefings, submissions, or advice provided to Scottish Ministers (including the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care) which:

Refer to NHS England’s Electronic Prescription Service (EPS); and/or
Compare the proposed DPDP approach with systems in other UK nations.

3. Internal Discussions and Correspondence

Any records (including emails, correspondence, meeting minutes, or notes) held by Scottish Government officials discussing whether to:

Adopt, adapt, or reject elements of the NHS England EPS model; and/or
Align DPDP with systems used in other UK jurisdictions.

4. Business Cases and Delivery Models

Any draft or final business cases for the DPDP programme which include:

Consideration of alternative delivery models; and
References to systems used in NHS England or elsewhere.

Response

The information you requested is attached.

About FOI

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