Northern Ireland will replace paper prescriptions with a digital system under a new £42 million ePharmacy programme.

The initiative forms part of a £102.6 million Transformation Fund investment announced by Finance Minister John O'Dowd.

The system will allow GPs to send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies, removing paper-based processes.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the programme is central to efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery across government.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the change will reduce workload, improve safety and support a neighbourhood model of care.

Over 200,000 patients visit GP practices each week in Northern Ireland, and more than 45 million prescription items are supplied annually.

Gerard Greene of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland said the investment will modernise processes and enable faster electronic prescriptions.

Dr Ursula Mason of the Royal College of GPs NI said electronic prescribing will reduce errors and cut administrative work for GPs.