A NEW-FANGLED prescription service to be launched in the autumn has been dismissed as ‘slow, disruptive and a waste of time.’

Brian Thomas from Abbotskerswell regrets the imminent removal of the ‘swift and efficient pharmacy-direct’ service currently enjoyed.

But health chiefs have hit back at the criticism of the new regime which demands that repeat prescriptions must be ordered direct from the GP practice by patients.

Dr Jo Roberts, clinical lead for medicines optimisation at South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group, claims the changes will provide a ‘better and safer’ service for patients.

He insisted this week: ‘Their safety is at the forefront under this new system. GPs are better able to monitor and control more effectively the prescribed medicines patients do and do not use, and patients are best placed to know what medicines supplies they have at home.’

He argued that, under the old facility, some people received more medication than they needed – and that resulted in stockpiling.

‘There is £1.5million-worth of wasted medicines in South Devon and Torbay, and it’s estimated that half of this is preventable. Money saved could be used in areas such as urgent and emergency care and cancer services,’ he suggested.

He explained: ‘All surgeries have options for patients to place their prescription request without having to visit the surgery. In most cases this can be done securely online or via email.

‘In addition, there are electronic repeat prescriptions. Practices allowing telephone ordering typically have a separate line, meaning calls don’t impact on the main phone line.’

And he added: ‘Prescription-processing times haven’t changed under the new system, which aims to benefit the most people possible.

‘However, most practices will make alternative arrangements for patients whose personal condition makes it impossible to follow the new system.’