Considering the Shift to Product-Based Prescribing: Future-Proofing EPMA in Hospitals
- Kyle
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
As Chief Pharmacy Information Officer (CPIO) at an NHS Trust, I am always looking at how we can evolve our Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems to meet the changing needs of patients, clinicians, and the wider health system. One major shift we’re actively considering is potentially moving from dose-based to product-based prescribing in our hospital.
Traditionally, hospitals have relied on dose-based prescribing, which makes sense in the context of flexible, ward-based medication supply and administration. It allows prescribers to focus on the intended dose and route, with pharmacy teams and systems working out the most appropriate product to use. It’s efficient, familiar, and fits hospital workflows well.
But as we look to the future, we’re increasingly recognising the advantages of product-based prescribing, especially when it comes to integration, automation, and interoperability.
To make this switch, we would need to rebuild our EPR medication catalogue so that prescribing is linked directly to specific product entries in the dm+d. That’s a significant undertaking, but one that could unlock a range of digital benefits:
EPS (Electronic Prescription Service) integration for outpatient and discharge prescribing
Better alignment with primary care, which already uses product-based prescribing
Integration with GP Connect to support seamless transfer of medication records
A foundation for closed-loop medicines administration, improving safety and traceability
Direct links to product-based inventory systems, including dispensing robots and pharmacy stock control
This would help future-proof electronic medicines management at our Trust and align with national priorities around interoperability and digital maturity. It’s also a natural next step as we consider the long-term capabilities of our EPMA infrastructure.
We haven’t made the final decision yet, but it’s a conversation that’s gathering momentum. As we explore the practicalities, benefits, and challenges, I’m keen to hear from others who’ve gone down this path. If your organisation has made the switch, or is thinking about it too. Let’s share insights and shape the future of digital prescribing together.
A very interesting and relevant conversation to have Kyle, especially as we are in the middle of planning our next EPMA system. Completely agree with your points regarding dose based prescribing which has traditionally been majority of the practice for inpatient prescribing, allowing more flexibility for clinicians and reduces errors by mis-selection. However, being aware of the interoperable possibilities of our new system and to ensure effective communication with internal and external systems, it would make sense to strongly consider the transition to a fully VP/AP catalogue before launch, though I suspect it will evolve over time as we realise the need to change.