Patients may find it easier to keep track of the medication they have pharma labels for if a new plan to put all records online comes into effect.
The NHS Future Forum, which is advising the government on health reforms, wants to allow Britons to download their entire medical history from a website or view it online, as well as looking at appointment details and prescriptions whenever they wish.
According to the Times, this would make it easier for test results to be viewed, as well as for repeat prescriptions to be ordered, speeding up the system and preventing unnecessary meetings with doctors.
Health minister Lord Howe said he fully supports the proposals, which could be brought in as early as 2015.
"Our vision for a modern NHS is to give patients more information and control over their health," he added.
With NHS Information Centre figures showing that the average person collected 17.8 items on prescription last year, this system could make it easier for them to manage the drugs they have.
Denny Bros Ltd, 04 January 2012
