Community Pharmacy IT Group (CP ITG) Roadmap
Published on: 16th December 2025 | Updated on: 16th December 2025
Overview
The Community Pharmacy IT Group (CP ITG) has developed a roadmap to guide the future of digital technology in community pharmacy. This roadmap reflects feedback from pharmacy teams, IT suppliers, and national stakeholders, and aligns with NHS priorities such as the 10-Year Health Plan, and the Kings Fund Community Pharmacy Vision.
Our goal is to ensure that pharmacy IT:
- Supports patient care and NHS services
- Reduces administrative burden
- Enables interoperability and resilience
- Provides choice and usability for pharmacy teams
Why this matters
Digital technology is central to the future of community pharmacy. From electronic prescriptions to shared care records, robust IT systems will help pharmacies deliver more clinical services, improve patient experience, and integrate with wider health and care.
The Roadmap
The roadmap is structured around six domains:
- Systems & Services IT
Robust IT solutions for NHS pharmacy services, including technical specifications, supplier frameworks, and innovation incentives. - Data Flow, Standards & IT Communications
Structured messaging, expanded data standards, NHSmail improvements, and unified pharmacy datasets. - Electronic Health Records
Access to shared care records, integration with the National Care Records Service, and alignment with PRSB standards. - Referrals & Appointments
Universal adoption of NHS Booking and Referral Standard (BaRS), integrated appointment booking via NHS App, and support for Pharmacy First referrals. - Digital Patient Services & Prescriptions
Next-generation EPS, NHS App integration, medicine tracking, and visibility of pharmacy services. - Connectivity & Data Security
Simplified login processes, robust connectivity, and secure systems aligned with NHS standards.
Key Priorities for 2026
- EPS Next Generation: Move to FHIR-based architecture and enhance functionality.
- NHS App Integration: Enable booking and prescription tracking.
- Shared Care Records: Expand pharmacy access and interoperability.
- Independent Prescribing IT: Support multiple suppliers and robust assurance.
- Booking & Referral Standards: Universal adoption across pharmacy services.
- Connectivity & Security: Implement CIS2 and improve Wi-Fi and hardware resilience.
Implementation timelines
To ensure readiness, technical specifications are recommended by CP ITG representatives to be published at least 12 months before launches. This allows suppliers, NHS IT teams and pharmacy teams to plan, develop, and test and rollout systems effectively.
Get Involved
Your feedback is vital.
- Share your views on the roadmap and tell us what matters most for your pharmacy.
- Join CP ITG or Community Pharmacy Digital Group (CPDG) if you want to help shape the future of pharmacy IT.
Contact: da@cpe.org.uk
Download the Roadmap
For more information on this topic please email it@cpe.org.uk
