NHS England has launched a new feature within the NHS App that enables millions of patients to track their prescriptions in real-time, "Amazon-style" updates.
This development aims to reduce the volume of calls and visits to pharmacies by allowing patients to check the status of their prescriptions directly through the app.
NHS England clinical transformation director Dr Vin Diwakar said: “The new Amazon-style feature will also help to tackle the administrative burden on pharmacists, so that they can spend more of their time providing health services and advice to patients rather than updates on the status of their prescriptions.”
Around 1,500 high street chemists, inclusive of every Boots in England, are now integrated with this service.
The feature is designed to inform patients when their medicines are ready for collection or have been dispatched if delivery is arranged.
The NHS App's prescription tracking service is expected to expand to nearly 5,000 more pharmacies over the coming 12 months, which would cover 60% of pharmacies in England.
Users of the app are also encouraged to utilise it for managing repeat prescriptions and accessing medical advice, especially during the bank holiday weekend.
This rollout is part of a broader initiative that includes freezing prescription charges, a move by the government to provide financial relief to the public amidst cost-of-living adjustments.
The Plan for Change, which focuses on leveraging technology to reduce waiting lists and enhance care, is central to these efforts.
The prescription tracker complements another feature that enables users to collect prescriptions using a digital barcode and without a nominated pharmacy, a functionality that sees approximately 2.1 million barcode views a month.
For those with a nominated pharmacy, prescriptions are sent electronically, negating the need for a barcode or paper prescription.
The app has also seen a 40% increase in the number of repeat prescriptions ordered, from 3.9 million in April 2024 to 5.5 million in the same month this year.
The newly introduced feature is just a component of the NHS App's ongoing enhancements, which will soon include more appointment options.
Last month, the UK Government announced the accelerated launch of the NHS App, which is providing patients with choice and flexibility in accessing healthcare.
