Ananova:

Doctors will soon be able to e-mail prescriptions to pharmacists under radical Government plans.

The days of the illegibly written prescription will be consigned to history as part of the new National Pharmacy Strategy.

By 2004, GPs will be able to e-mail prescriptions to the pharmacist - and eventually chemists may be able to go completely online and offer drugs and medicines over the internet.

Health Minister Lord Hunt unveiled the strategy at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Birmingham.

Under the plans, out-of-hours services will be improved and by 2002, patients calling NHS Direct will be directly referred to a local pharmacist if their need is appropriate.

Lord Hunt said: "Our vision for pharmacy in the future is one where pharmacists spend more time focusing on individual patients' clinical needs, and in particular helping get the most from their medicines.

"The electronic transmission of prescriptions will enable GPs to e-mail pharmacies directly - no longer having to rely on pieces of paper."

Technology companies are being invited to bid for the initial pilot projects for the scheme.

People can already order over-the-counter medicines and private prescriptions over the internet.

Lord Hunt said that "if professional standards and safeguards are in place", NHS patients will also be able to log on to a pharmacy website and order their prescription.