THE medical centre in Launceston has announced a solution to the recent news that the local Tesco Pharmacy would no longer be accepting the delivery of paper prescriptions direct from the centre.

It was announced earlier this month that patients at Launceston Medical Centre will have to collect prescriptions from the practice after Tesco informed the centre it will no longer accept delivery of paper prescriptions from November 1.

This led to users of the practice raising concerns over the discontinuation of the service.

Patients reported that they have been handed a ‘sheet of paper’ when collecting their prescription from Tesco stating that, from November 1, patients will have to collect their prescriptions from the medical centre and take them to Tesco themselves.

However, following much local concern, Launceston Medical Centre have announced that a solution has been reached with the Tesco Pharmacy.

A new system will be introduced which will see the medical centre double the number of weekly drop offs at the supermarket for prescriptions from twice weekly to four times a week.

A spokesperson from Launceston Medical Centre explained: “This is excellent news as it means there will no longer be a requirement for our patients to collect their paper prescription from the Medical Centre as we will continue to drop prescriptions off to Tesco on their behalf.

“During the meeting we discussed the challenges both organisations face with regards to the non-use of EPS (Electronic Prescription Services) and we have agreed to look at available options that will enable Launceston to fully enable EPS moving forward.

“I would like to thank the Tesco management team for engaging with us and helping find a solution in the immediate term that does not inconvenience patients.”