{"id":1513,"date":"2025-12-04T11:50:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T11:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/pages\/pharmacy-services\/core-services\/acute-medication-services\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T14:50:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T14:50:19","slug":"acute-medication-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/pages\/pharmacy-services\/core-services\/acute-medication-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Acute Medication Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Service specification <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acute Medication Service (AMS) is a core NHS Scotland pharmacy service designed to handle prescriptions for acute episodes (short-term conditions like infections or pain) using Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP) technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is AMS?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AMS enables the secure electronic transmission of prescription information between GP prescribers and community pharmacies. It was introduced to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline payment processes for acute prescriptions. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cps.scot\/acute-medication-service\">[cps.scot]<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/pharmacy-services\/pharmacy-services\/find-out-more-about-acute-medication-service-ams\/\">[nss.nhs.scot]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How Does It Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prescription Generation<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When a GP prints a paper prescription (GP10), it includes a barcode.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the same time, an electronic message is created and sent to the NHS ePharmacy message store. This message contains:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Patient details (name, CHI number, DOB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicine name, dosage instructions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GP details and prescription date. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pharmacy Dispensing<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The patient presents the paper prescription at a community pharmacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The pharmacy scans the barcode, which retrieves the electronic message from the NHS system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This supports accurate dispensing and reduces manual data entry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronic Endorsement &amp; Payment<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The pharmacy adds electronic endorsements (details of what was dispensed).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An electronic claim message is then sent to NHS Practitioner Services for payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Payments are processed automatically using ePay, minimising human intervention. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Accuracy: Reduces transcription errors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Efficiency: Speeds up dispensing and payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integration: Links GP systems, pharmacies, and NHS payment services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports Care: Pharmacists can provide counselling and advice for acute conditions. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some official and practical resources for learning more about the Acute Medication Service (AMS) in NHS Scotland:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Core Guidance &amp; Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Community Pharmacy Scotland \u2013 AMS Service Page<br>Explains the AMS process, barcode scanning, electronic claims, and payment via ePay.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cps.scot\/acute-medication-service\">Read here<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cps.scot\/acute-medication-service\">[cps.scot]<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NHS Scotland Circular: Introduction of AMS for Non-Medical Prescribers<br>Details implementation, GP IT integration, and prescriber guidance.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.publications.scot.nhs.uk\/files\/pca2022-m-11-pca2022-p-23.pdf\">Download PDF<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.publications.scot.nhs.uk\/files\/pca2022-m-11-pca2022-p-23.pdf\">[publicatio\u2026cot.nhs.uk]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Training &amp; Technical Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AMS Digital Pharmacy Payments Programme Update<br>Covers changes to claiming processes and includes training material links.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/7708\/ams-digital-programme-update-cp-final-version-april-23-rev-july-23-v5-18072023.pdf\">View update<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/7708\/ams-digital-programme-update-cp-final-version-april-23-rev-july-23-v5-18072023.pdf\">[communityp\u2026cot.nhs.uk]<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ePharmacy User Guide (Scotland)<br>Detailed instructions for using AMS and CMS within pharmacy systems.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inps.co.uk\/knowledge\/epharmacy-user-guide-scotland\">Access guide<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inps.co.uk\/knowledge\/epharmacy-user-guide-scotland\">[inps.co.uk]<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronic Claims Refresher (Presentation)<br>Practical scenarios for barcode scanning, endorsements, and troubleshooting.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/8307\/electronic-claims-refresher-nov-2023.ppt\">Download PPT<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/8307\/electronic-claims-refresher-nov-2023.ppt\">[communityp\u2026cot.nhs.uk]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>General NHS Pharmacy Services Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>National Services Scotland \u2013 Pharmacy Services<br>Central hub for AMS, Medicines: Care &amp; Review (MCR), and other pharmacy services.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/browse\/pharmacy-services\/pharmacy-services\">Visit NSS Pharmacy Services<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/browse\/pharmacy-services\/pharmacy-services\">[nss.nhs.scot]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Useful documents (claim forms etc)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Core AMS Guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/pharmacy-services\/pharmacy-services\/find-out-more-about-acute-medication-service-ams\/\">Find out more about Acute Medication Service (AMS) \u2013 NHS National Services Scotland<\/a><\/strong><strong><br>Explains what AMS is, how it supports pharmaceutical care for acute episodes, and the electronic transfer process. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/pharmacy-services\/pharmacy-services\/find-out-more-about-acute-medication-service-ams\/\">[nss.nhs.scot]<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Official Circulars &amp; Implementation Guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.publications.scot.nhs.uk\/files\/pca2021-m-13.pdf\">PCA(M)(2021)13 \u2013 Introduction of electronic transfer of AMS prescriptions for Out of Hours Centres<\/a><br>Details how AMS works in OOH settings, barcode prescriptions, and legal requirements. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.publications.scot.nhs.uk\/files\/pca2021-m-13.pdf\">[publicatio\u2026cot.nhs.uk]<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.publications.scot.nhs.uk\/files\/pca2022-m-11-pca2022-p-23.pdf\">PCA(M)(2022)11 \u2013 Expansion of AMS for non-medical prescribers in GP practices<\/a><br>Guidance for GP practices and prescribers on AMS implementation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Technical &amp; Training Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inps.co.uk\/knowledge\/epharmacy-user-guide-scotland\">ePharmacy User Guide (Scotland) \u2013 Cegedim Healthcare<\/a><br>Covers Electronic Acute Medication Service (eAMS) and Chronic Medication Service (CMS) processes for pharmacy teams. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/8307\/electronic-claims-refresher-nov-2023.ppt\">ePharmacy Programme Overview \u2013 Community Pharmacy Scotland<\/a><br>Includes AMS workflow, barcode scanning, and electronic claims guidance. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Support &amp; Helpdesk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/pharmacy-services\/epharmacy-customer-helpdesk\/epharmacy-customer-helpdesk\/\">ePharmacy Customer Helpdesk<\/a><br>Contact details for technical support and queries related to AMS and ePharmacy systems. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nss.nhs.scot\/pharmacy-services\/epharmacy-customer-helpdesk\/epharmacy-customer-helpdesk\/\">[nss.nhs.scot]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"nhsuk-card__description\">Service specification Acute Medication Service (AMS) is a core NHS Scotland pharmacy service designed to handle prescriptions for acute episodes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":1479,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1513","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1513","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1513"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1513\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1963,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1513\/revisions\/1963"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-highland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}