Requesting eRD data and reports

Our GP data request report shows how many GP practices have requested NHS numbers from us.

The report also shows the current levels of EPS and eRD utilisation for each practice. 

You can filter the report by ICB and Health Innovation Network area.

Weekly report as of 27 August 2025:

eRD data request report (Excel: 1.4MB)

Our eRD patient drop off report identifies patients who are no longer receiving one or more medicines through eRD.

The report looks at prescribing data over a 3-month period and identifies the number of patients who:

• received one or more eRD items in the first month we have analysed
• did not receive any items by eRD in the second or third month we have analysed

We have split the data by:

• ICB
• PCN
• GP practice

Download our eRD patient drop off report for June 2025 (Excel: 425KB)

Visit our EPS and eRD utilisation dashboard page for our:

• prescribing data dashboard
• dispensing data dashboard

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and eRD utilisation dashboard allows GP practices and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to:

• see the variation in EPS and eRD prescribing across GP practices, within an ICB and across ICBs
• identify the growth opportunity in each area
• help prioritise potential areas of activity
• monitor the impact of initiatives to increase EPS and eRD utilisation

The dashboard supports local interventions to help grow EPS utilisation so that patients, prescribing organisations such as GP practices, and dispensing organisations such as pharmacies, experience the potential benefits of increased use of EPS and eRD.

If you're registered, access the EPS utilisation dashboard on ePACT2.

You can also view a guide on accessing the dashboard (PDF: 398KB). 

We are able to send you a list of NHS numbers for patients who might be suitable for eRD. The list will include patients who have received the same medicines for 10 or more months in the last 12 months. This covers up to 9 different drugs per patient.

These patients might also have received other medicines for shorter periods. For example, a patient taking atorvastatin for 12 months and amoxicillin for one month would still be included.

The list will also include patients who have received the same medicines for 5 to 9 months in the last 12 months, and have also received them in the last 2 months. This captures patients who might be on a 56-day prescription cycle.

All requests for NHS numbers should be made to epssupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

For NHS numbers to be supplied, the requester must have an ‘nhs.net’ email address, as these are encrypted and secure. ‘nhs.uk’ email addresses are not acceptable.

You must specify which type of report you wish to receive.

This can be either a full month report or a NHS numbers report. 

Full month report

This report will identify patients who are potentially suitable for eRD prescribing based on data from the previous 12 months up to the most recent data available in ePACT2. This data can be requested for any month within the last 12 and up to the current available month in ePACT2. This report may include patients who have been included on eRD NHS number reports that you have previously requested.

NHS numbers report

This report will identify patients who are potentially suitable for eRD prescribing based on a specified time frame.

If you want to receive a NHS numbers report, you must specify a start and end date. The end date must be at least 2 months behind the month you are requesting data in. If you want to receive the most up to date data from ePACT2, specify the current available month as the end date.

Where possible, specify your start and end date as MM/YYYY.

Explanatory notes on NHS number data

For explanatory notes on NHS number data, read our guidance document (Word: 576KB)

Data definitions

To see our data definitions, read our guidance document (Word: 140KB)

Filtering the data

For information about filtering the data, read our guidance document (Word: 45.2KB)

We are only able to send NHS numbers to a practice's generic ‘nhs.net’ email address.

1. Once we receive your request, we will confirm which nhs.net email address you would like us to send your data to.
2. Once confirmed, we will send you an email that will include a password-protected ZIP file. This will contain the NHS Number and the name of the items prescribed for every patient that is potentially eligible for eRD. Let us know if you need this email to be sent to more than one person in the practice.
3. A clinician should then review the patient records of the patients identified to make sure that they are appropriate for eRD.
4. Before transferring patients to eRD, it is really important the practice work with your local pharmacy. Communicating with your local pharmacy is very important to the successful use of eRD.
5. You should then arrange for clinically suitable patients to be moved to eRD.

You need to provide the practice name and practice code of each practice you’re supporting and would like the NHS Numbers for. 

You will also need to specify which email address you would like the NHS number data to be sent to. This has to be an ‘nhs.net’ email address. You will receive 2 emails for each practice you have requested (one containing the password and one containing the data).

It is really important to work with your Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) before utilising eRD in your area. Communicating with your LPC is very important to the successful use of eRD. 

Each request will be reviewed to make sure that it has come from a genuine ‘nhs.net’ email address. If there are any concerns, we will contact the requester to discuss them.

When using this data, make sure you follow the information governance guidelines.

Only share with individuals who are engaging in the care of these patients.

Make sure you safeguard the data once you have it. You must also securely delete the details once they have been acted upon or are deemed inappropriate.

The file should be downloaded by the recipient using a desktop PC or official laptop. If the email is forwarded, or it is opened via a mobile phone or tablet, the data attachment may be lost.

If you need help opening the data, see our guidance document (Word: 576KB)

If you have any questions on any of our reports or our dashboards, you can contact us by email: epssupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk