Core Services
Acute Medication Service (AMS)
The Acute Medication Service (AMS) is a core NHS Scotland community pharmacy service that supports the electronic transfer of prescription information from GP practices to community pharmacies through the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP) system.
- Service type
- Core NHS service
- Prescriptions
- GP10 barcode scan
- Reimbursement
- Electronic claim to NSS
AMS at a glance
- AMS enables the electronic transfer of prescription information linked to GP10 prescriptions.
- Scanning the prescription barcode retrieves prescription information directly into the pharmacy PMR system.
- Accurate electronic endorsements are essential for reimbursement through ePay.
- AMS supports efficient dispensing, pharmaceutical care and patient counselling.
- AMS forms part of the wider digital transformation of prescribing and dispensing in Scotland.
About the service
What AMS is, and why it matters to community pharmacy
The service
What is the Acute Medication Service?
The Acute Medication Service (AMS) is a core NHS Scotland community pharmacy service that supports the electronic transfer of prescription information from GP practices to community pharmacies through the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP) system.
For community pharmacy teams, AMS helps streamline the dispensing process by making prescription information available electronically, reducing manual data entry and supporting accurate reimbursement.
While AMS is enabled by digital technology, its purpose is to support the safe and effective delivery of pharmaceutical care. It allows pharmacy teams to focus more time on supporting patients, providing advice and counselling, and ensuring medicines are supplied safely and efficiently.
The impact
Why AMS matters to community pharmacy
AMS has become an established part of everyday dispensing practice across Scotland.
For pharmacy teams, the service helps to:
- Reduce duplicate data entry.
- Improve dispensing efficiency.
- Minimise transcription errors.
- Support reimbursement.
- Improve the flow of information between prescribers and pharmacies.
- Release staff time for patient-facing activity and pharmaceutical care.
For pharmacy owners, accurate use of AMS and electronic endorsements is particularly important, as reimbursement is largely based on the information submitted electronically through the claim message.
How AMS works in practice
From the GP10 prescription to the electronic claim
Step 1: The prescription is issued
When a GP or other authorised prescriber issues a GP10 prescription, an electronic prescription message is automatically created and stored securely within the NHS ePharmacy system.
The electronic message includes key prescribing information such as:
- Patient details
- CHI number
- Prescribed medicines
- Dosage instructions
- Prescriber details
- Date of prescribing
Step 2: The prescription is presented at the pharmacy
Each GP10 prescription contains a unique barcode.
When the barcode is scanned, the electronic prescription information is downloaded into the pharmacy's Patient Medication Record (PMR) system, reducing the need to manually enter information and supporting accurate dispensing.
Step 3: Dispensing and claiming
Following dispensing, any required electronic endorsements should be completed within the PMR system before the electronic claim is submitted.
The electronic claim is then transmitted to NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) for reimbursement.
Looking ahead
Digital Prescribing and Dispensing
AMS laid the foundations for Scotland's digital prescribing journey and is an important stepping stone towards the future Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Programme (DPDP).
The ambition of DPDP is to move beyond the current model of paper prescriptions supported by electronic messages towards a fully digital end-to-end prescribing and dispensing process. This will modernise the way prescriptions are created, transferred, dispensed and reimbursed across NHS Scotland. The programme builds on existing services such as AMS and the wider ePharmacy infrastructure already used by community pharmacies.
For community pharmacy, the long-term benefits are expected to include:
- Reduced reliance on paper prescriptions.
- Fewer manual processes.
- Improved interoperability between healthcare systems.
- Greater efficiency across prescribing and dispensing workflows.
- Better use of pharmacy teams' clinical skills and time.
- Enhanced patient experience through more seamless digital services.
As the programme develops, Community Pharmacy Scotland will continue to engage with NHS Scotland and system partners to ensure that implementation reflects the needs of community pharmacy contractors and their teams.
Support and Resources
Guidance from CPS and technical help from the NSS ePharmacy Helpdesk
From CPS
Guidance and support
Community Pharmacy Scotland provides guidance and support on:
- Acute Medication Service processes
- Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP)
- Electronic endorsements
- Electronic claims and reimbursement
- Digital developments affecting community pharmacy
Technical support
NSS ePharmacy Helpdesk
Pharmacy teams requiring technical support relating to AMS or ePharmacy systems can also access assistance through the NSS ePharmacy Helpdesk.
Contact the ePharmacy Helpdesk Team on: